Copper Pipe Connection Mechanism Without Heat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerant pipe connection mechanisms for large-sized air conditioners require heat and specialized techniques, making them impractical for rapid construction or repair situations, especially at night or in short construction periods.

Innovation Solution

A connection mechanism for copper pipes and joints that uses a projection with inclined surfaces on the copper pipe, a joint with a nut engagement cylindrical portion, and a nut with an inclined pressing portion, allowing for secure connection without heat, using a screwing mechanism that maintains coaxial straightness and sealing, eliminating the need for packing members and accommodating temperature changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If brazing is used to connect copper pipes, then strong connection strength is achieved, but heat and specialized techniques are required making it impractical for rapid construction or repair

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidease of connection
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal brazing process with a purely mechanical connection system. A nut with an inclined pressing portion mechanically engages with a projection on the copper pipe, creating a secure connection through mechanical interlocking and friction rather than thermal bonding. This eliminates the need for heat sources and specialized brazing techniques while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the connection mechanism from thermal (brazing temperature) to mechanical (tightening torque and pressing force). By transforming the connection parameter from temperature-dependent to force-dependent, the system enables rapid assembly and disassembly without heat, directly resolving the contradiction between connection strength and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If brazing is used for copper pipe connection, then reliable sealing is achieved, but construction time is extended due to night-and-day work requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical pressing connection replaces thermal brazing, enabling rapid assembly during daytime without the time-consuming heat application and cooling processes. The inclined pressing portion of the nut mechanically seals the connection through direct contact with the projection, achieving reliable sealing without extending construction time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If conventional connection methods are used, then connection strength is maintained, but the process requires heat and specialized techniques that complicate the construction process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the complex thermal process of brazing by implementing a simple mechanical connection using a nut and projection. This mechanical system requires no special equipment, heat sources, or specialized techniques, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining connection strength through mechanical engagement and friction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Strength

If brazing is used to connect pipes, then strong bonding is achieved, but safety risks increase due to use of flammable gas or electric heaters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidsafety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical connection system completely eliminates the use of flammable gases and electric heaters required for brazing. The nut with inclined pressing portion creates bonding strength through mechanical friction and interlocking, removing all fire and electrical safety hazards associated with thermal connection methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 mechanism provides a strong, leak-proof, and durable connection that maintains coaxial straightness under stress and temperature changes, simplifying the connection process and eliminating the need for packing members, while allowing for efficient assembly without heat or specialized techniques.

Implementation Method 1

the inclined pressing portion being externally fitted on the copper pipe to press the other inclined surface of the projection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the two inclined surfaces of the projection are sandwiched and fixed between the inclined pressing portion of the nut and the corner portion of the joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNormal force: Force

Implementation Method 3

a nut including a nut body, the nut body including an inclined pressing portion and an opening in which a female screw screwed with the male screw of the nut engagement cylindrical portion is formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 4

The copper pipe and the joint are connected to each other by screwing the male screw of the nut engagement portion of the joint in the female screw of the nut body of the nut

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3361133B1Connection mechanism for copper pipe and joint
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 ON IND
  • EP3361133B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3361133B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3361133B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To attain a connection mechanism that is for a copper pipe and a joint and that enables easy connection only by nut fastening without requiring heat, unlike soldering work, and enables laying a copper pipe without a special laying technique. Provided is a connection mechanism between a copper pipe and a joint for connecting the copper and the joint by means of a nut. The joint has a corner part formed, at a boundary with an inner diameter part, by forming a large diameter part from the inner peripheral surface open side of the nut engaging cylindrical part of the nut, the inner diameter part abutting on one inclined surface of a projecting part having two inclined surfaces and formed in the copper pipe, and is provided with a fitting cylindrical part in the center of the joint so as to be adjacent to the nut engaging cylindrical part. The nut has an extension cylindrical part extending from a nut body to fit around the copper pipe, and also has a reinforcing cylindrical part extending in a direction opposite to the extending cylindrical part of the bot body to fit around the fitting cylindrical part of the joint.