Conductive Pipe Joint Seal with Foolproof Ridge-Groove Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joints lack a foolproof mechanism to prevent the incorrect installation of standard non-conductive O-rings, leading to potential sealing failures and safety issues, especially in applications requiring electrical conductivity and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A pipe joint design featuring a recess with a ridge and a groove that are complementary and partially toroidal in shape, ensuring that only an electrically conductive seal can be properly installed, preventing the protrusion of non-conductive O-rings and ensuring a secure, conductive path between pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard non-conductive O-ring seal is used, then the seal can be easily installed, but it cannot provide electrical conductivity and may protrude out of the recess causing insufficient compression
Solution Approach 1:
The seal incorporates a groove extending around its radial periphery that is asymmetric in shape, designed to mate with a corresponding asymmetric ridge in the recess. This asymmetric configuration ensures that only the conductive seal with the matching groove profile can be properly installed, while standard symmetric O-rings will not fit correctly and will protrude, thereby preventing their use while maintaining electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The groove-ridge interface acts as an intermediary mechanism between the seal and the recess. The groove in the seal engages with the ridge in the recess, creating a foolproof installation system that mediates between the desire for easy installation and the requirement for electrical conductivity by physically preventing incorrect seal installation
2Reliability
If a groove is added to the seal to prevent incorrect installation, then installation foolproofing is achieved, but the seal structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented into functional zones: the main sealing body and the groove feature. The groove is integrated into the seal structure as a distinct but connected element, creating a segmented design that provides foolproof installation capability while maintaining overall structural simplicity and manufacturability
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 design effectively prevents the incorrect installation of non-conductive seals, ensuring a reliable electrical path with low resistance and enhanced sealing performance, while allowing for flexible movement and reduced risk of twisting failure.
Implementation Method 1
the seal is electrically conductive so that it permits electrical currents to flow between the first and second pipes via the seal member
Implementation Method 2
the seal is resiliently flexible so that it provides a liquid-tight seal between the socket and the pipe
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A pipe joint with a socket (31a), and a pipe (30a) fitted into the socket. An annular seal (50a) is compressed between the socket and the pipe. The seal is electrically conductive and resiliently flexible. The socket or the pipe has a recess which houses the seal. The recess has a ridge (51a) in a base of the recess and the seal has a groove (42a) which extends around a radial periphery of the seal. The ridge fits into the groove to fool proof the installation, such that a standard non-conductive 0-ring seal is more difficult to install in error.