Multi-Directional Fluid Connector Sealing for Main Pipe Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connectors struggle to securely attach to main pipes under high-pressure conditions, as they primarily pressurize in the thickness direction, failing to effectively hold the pipe in the circumferential and longitudinal directions, leading to potential separation and water leakage.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector design that includes a socket, an elastic bushing, a washer, and a tightening nut, where the elastic bushing is designed to pressurize the inner and outer corners of the coupling hole in the height, longitudinal, and circumferential directions, providing a secure attachment by elastic deformation under pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fluid connector pressurizes the socket head and coupling hole-surrounding part only in the thickness direction, then the structure is simple, but the connector cannot hold the expanding main pipe in circumferential and longitudinal directions, causing separation and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic bushing is designed to pressurize the main pipe in multiple directions (thickness direction, circumferential direction, and longitudinal direction) simultaneously, transitioning from single-direction to multi-directional constraint. This resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive holding capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the integrated elastic component.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic bushing utilizes elastic deformation as a key parameter change mechanism. When the tightening nut is screwed, the elastic bushing deforms elastically to pressurize the main pipe in multiple directions, and this elastic property allows it to adapt to pipe expansion while maintaining connection stability, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Productivity
If the main pipe is expanded by high-pressure water in circumferential and longitudinal directions, then the pipe can deliver water effectively, but the existing connector cannot hold the expanded pipe, causing separation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic bushing's elastic deformation capability allows it to adapt to the dimensional changes of the main pipe when expanded by water pressure. The bushing maintains continuous contact and pressing force in multiple directions, ensuring the connector remains securely attached even as the pipe expands during normal water supply operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic bushing provides dynamic adaptation to pipe expansion. Rather than rigid constraint, the elastic component continuously adjusts its deformation state to match the pipe's dimensional changes under water pressure, maintaining reliable attachment while allowing the pipe to function effectively for water delivery.
3Ease of manufacture
If the socket is pressed only in the thickness direction, then the installation is simple, but gaps occur between the socket and coupling hole inner peripheral surface, causing water leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic bushing pressurizes the socket and coupling hole-surrounding part not only in the thickness direction but also in circumferential and longitudinal directions. This multi-directional pressurization ensures complete contact between the socket and the coupling hole inner peripheral surface, eliminating gaps and preventing water leakage while maintaining installation simplicity through the integrated elastic component.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic deformation of the bushing allows it to conform to the coupling hole geometry and pressurize the socket uniformly in multiple directions. This parameter change (elastic deformation) ensures comprehensive sealing contact without requiring complex multi-step installation procedures, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving sealing performance.
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 fluid connector effectively prevents separation from the main pipe during high-pressure conditions, ensuring a tight seal and minimizing pipe deformation, thereby preventing water leakage and maintaining a secure connection.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic bushing is provided to pressurize each of an inner corner, positioned at a lower end of an inner peripheral surface of the coupling hole, and an outer corner, positioned at an upper end thereof, in a height direction of the main pipe and, at the same time, in at least one direction of a longitudinal direction and circumferential direction of the main pipe while being elastically deformed by pressure delivered through the socket and the washer
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a fluid connector, the fluid connector being coupled to a coupling hole formed by perforating a main pipe, wherein the fluid connector includes: a socket, at least a portion of which is inserted into the coupling hole; an elastic bushing movably mounted on the socket such that at least a portion of the elastic bushing is inserted into the coupling hole together with the socket; a washer movably mounted on the socket to be disposed outside the main pipe in a state of facing the elastic bushing; and a tightening nut screw-coupled to the socket to be disposed outside the main pipe in a state of facing the washer, wherein the elastic bushing is provided to pressurize each of an inner corner, positioned at a lower end of an inner peripheral surface of the coupling hole, and an outer corner, positioned at an upper end thereof, in a height direction of the main pipe and, at the same time, in at least one direction of a longitudinal direction and circumferential direction of the main pipe while being elastically deformed by pressure delivered through the socket and the washer when the tightening nut is screw-coupled to the socket.