Conduit Coupler Sealing Structure for Debris and Water Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conduit couplers are often subjected to harsh conditions and require effective assembly methods to join conduits while ensuring protection from debris, water, and other external factors.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design featuring annular portions with resilient members and shoulders to securely hold conduits, allowing for easy assembly and protection against external elements, with optional encasing materials to form continuous fluid paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional couplers are used to join conduits, then conduit assembly is achieved, but protection from debris and water is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing resilient members (seals/gaskets) inside the coupler body, which then encapsulates the conduit connections. The encasing material is further nested around the coupler and conduits, creating multiple protective layers that seal against debris and water while maintaining connection integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs resilient members (seals or gaskets) made of flexible material that can deform to accommodate conduit insertion and then seal against the conduit surface. These flexible sealing elements provide effective protection against debris and water penetration at the connection interfaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If resilient members are added to the coupler, then protection and sealing are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they seal against debris and water, provide mechanical cushioning during assembly, and maintain constant sealing pressure on the conduits. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sealing function, mechanical protection function, and assembly guidance function into integrated resilient members that are part of the coupler body. The encasing material further merges protection of multiple conduits and couplers into a single unified structure, reducing overall system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If encasing material is used to surround conduit assemblies, then protection is enhanced, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The couplers and resilient members are pre-configured with sealing surfaces and engagement features that guide conduit insertion and ensure proper sealing before encasing. This preliminary configuration allows for rapid assembly of the conduit-coupler-seal unit, which can then be efficiently encased as a complete assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The encasing material is designed to nest around multiple conduits and couplers in a unified structure, allowing simultaneous protection of several components in a single encasing operation rather than requiring separate encasing for each component, thus reducing overall assembly time.
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 coupler design provides secure conduit connections, enhances protection against environmental factors, and facilitates easy assembly of conduit banks, ensuring reliable fluid transport.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member is configured to sit within the recessed portion... In response to the conduit being positioned within the first annular portion, the resilient member is deflected
Data Source
AI summary
A conduit coupler is provided including a first annular portion extending along a longitudinal axis and a second annular portion extending long the longitudinal axis. The second annular portion is longitudinally offset from the first annular portion, and a shoulder is positioned longitudinally intermediate the first annular portion and the second annular portion. Further, a recessed portion is positioned within the first annular portion, and a resilient member is configured to sit within the recessed portion.