Bead-Locked Pipe Connector With Reinforced Resin Locking Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe connectors require separate processing and additional components for coupling and sealing, leading to increased man-hours, costs, and vulnerability to external forces.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connector design featuring male and female connectors with protruding beads and integrated locking members, including a synthetic locking body with elastic parts and a metal reinforcement plate, allowing easy connection and separation without additional components and providing structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If separate processing (swaging or heat welding) is used to couple female and male connectors, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and man-hours increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coupling function and sealing function into a single integrated connector structure. The female connector body integrates the coupling interface, O-ring retention, and sealing features, eliminating the need for separate swaging or heat welding operations. This merging of functions reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining connection strength through the integrated design.
2Reliability
If separate components (spacer and retainer) are used to secure the O-ring, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the O-ring retention function directly into the female connector body through a groove structure. This eliminates the need for separate spacer and retainer components while maintaining sealing reliability. The groove is precisely formed in the connector body to secure the O-ring in the correct position, achieving the same sealing function with fewer parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The female connector body serves multiple functions: it provides the coupling interface, retains the O-ring through an integrated groove, and ensures sealing. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Strength
If conventional connector structures are used, then connection strength is maintained, but vulnerability to external forces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a synthetic resin connector body with a metal reinforcement insert. The synthetic resin provides corrosion resistance and sealing properties, while the metal insert embedded within provides enhanced mechanical strength and resistance to external forces. This composite construction protects the coupling portion from damage while maintaining connection integrity.
4Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for coupling, then connection reliability is improved, but assembly efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (coupling, sealing, O-ring retention) into a single integrated female connector body, reducing the number of components that need to be assembled. This simplifies the assembly process and improves efficiency while maintaining connection reliability through the integrated design features.
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring groove is pre-formed in the female connector body during manufacturing, so no separate assembly steps are needed to install retainers or spacers. The connector arrives ready-to-use with all retention features already in place, streamlining the assembly process while ensuring proper O-ring positioning for reliable sealing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces connection and separation time, lowers component count, and enhances assembly efficiency while preventing damage from external forces.
Implementation Method 1
The locking member may provide an elastic force in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the female connector while the beads are caught.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pipe connector. The pipe connector according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a female connector, male connectors which are coupled to both sides of the female connector, respectively, and each have beads protruding from the outer surface thereof; and locking members which, when the male connectors are coupled thereto in a state where the locking members are temporarily coupled to chamber portions formed at both sides of the female connector, each move on the chamber portion with the beads locked onto surface thereof, wherein the locking members are made of a synthetic resin material, and a reinforcement plate made of a metal material is coupled to the one surface of each of the locking members, onto which the beads are locked.