Composite Fitting for Flexible to Rigid Tube Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fittings for attaching flexible PEX tube to rigid CPVC or PVC tube lack a cost-effective and simple solution that provides sufficient rigidity and strength for secure connections without requiring skilled labor or creating fire risks, especially when trying to operatively attach rigid tubes to flexible ones.
Innovation Solution
A fitting comprising a tubular metal body overmolded with polymeric material, featuring a male barbed portion for flexible tube insertion and a solvent-bondable female socket for rigid tube attachment, which is both inexpensive to produce and provides the necessary rigidity for crimping or band clamping, ensuring a secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal barbed fitting is used to attach flexible tube, then sufficient radial stiffness for crimping is provided, but the fitting cannot be solvent bonded to rigid polymeric tube
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting combines metal and polymeric materials in a composite structure where the metal body provides radial stiffness for crimping the flexible tube, while the polymeric body enables solvent bonding to rigid polymeric tubes. This composite construction allows the single fitting to perform both functions that previously required separate fittings.
2Reliability
If separate male metal barb fitting and female socket fitting are used to attach rigid tube to flexible tube, then connection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of a male metal barb fitting and a female socket fitting into a single integrated fitting. The metal body forms the barbed portion for flexible tube attachment, while the polymeric body forms the socket for rigid tube connection, eliminating the need for multiple separate fittings and simplifying the overall assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If polymeric material is used for the entire fitting, then solvent bonding to rigid tube is enabled, but sufficient rigidity for crimping flexible tube is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting uses a composite construction with a metal body providing the rigid barbed portion for crimping flexible tube and a polymeric body providing the socket for solvent bonding to rigid tubes. This division of materials allows each portion to have the optimal properties for its specific function.
4Strength
If traditional metal fittings are used for flexible tube connections, then crimping rigidity is sufficient, but fire risk increases due to soldering/brazing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric body portion of the fitting that contacts the rigid tube eliminates the need for soldering or brazing operations, thereby removing the fire hazard associated with open flames. The metal body portion maintains sufficient rigidity for safe crimping of the flexible tube, achieving both safety and structural requirements.
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
The solution allows for easy, cost-effective, and fire-safe attachment of flexible and rigid tubes, providing a robust and reliable connection that is resistant to corrosion and leakage, with the polymeric material forming both the male and female fittings, ensuring no additional seals are needed.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the polymeric body extends beyond the metal body along the fluid passageway and defines a female socket that is configured and adapted to snugly receive an end of a rigid tube. The socket is configured and adapted to be solvent bondable to polymeric material.
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting for attaching flexible tube to rigid tube comprises a fluid passageway, a tubular metal body, and a polymeric body. The fluid passageway extends through the tubular metal body and the polymeric body is interlocked with the metal body. The polymeric body encircles the fluid passageway and the metal body. A portion of the polymeric body that encircles the metal body forms a male fitting that comprises at least one annular rib or barb and that is configured and adapted to snugly slip into the end of a flexible tube with a press fit. A portion of the polymeric body extends beyond the metal body along the fluid passageway and defines a female socket that is configured and adapted to snugly receive an end of a rigid tube. The socket is configured and adapted to be solvent bondable to polymeric material.