Joint with View Windows for Sealing Member Inspection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piping system joints with integral inner and outer tubular portions lack visibility for sealing member installation and inspection, leading to potential leaks due to undetected mounting failures or damage, especially when using the inner periphery sealing method.
Innovation Solution
A joint design with an outer tubular portion featuring view windows that allow external visibility of the fitting groove and sealing member, ensuring complete circumference and width inspection, and a manufacturing method using split mold members and inserts to form the view windows and fitting grooves during molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the outer tubular portion and inner tubular portion are formed integrally with the joint body, then the configuration is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the sealing member becomes invisible from the exterior preventing inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The outer tubular portion is divided into multiple sections: a first tubular portion that is integral with the joint body, and a second tubular portion that is detachably coupled to the first. This segmentation allows the second portion to be removed for inspection of the sealing member while maintaining the simplified integral configuration during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A detachable coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the first and second tubular portions, enabling temporary separation for inspection purposes while maintaining structural integrity during normal use. This mediator allows access to the sealing member without compromising the overall simplified design.
2Reliability
If the sealing member is fitted in the fitting groove of the inner tubular portion, then water-tightness is maintained, but the sealing member cannot be visually checked from the exterior
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the outer tubular portion into detachable first and second portions, the sealing member fitted in the inner tubular portion becomes accessible for visual inspection through the fitting groove when the second portion is removed, while maintaining water-tightness when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable coupling mechanism is designed in advance to allow easy removal of the second tubular portion for inspection purposes, enabling preliminary visual checking of the sealing member before installation or after service without compromising the sealed configuration during operation.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a checking hole is formed in the outer tubular body, then the seal ring becomes visible, but the entire circumference cannot be inspected and the configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming a checking hole in the integral outer tubular body, the outer tubular portion is segmented into detachable portions. This allows complete removal of the second portion for full circumferential inspection of the sealing member, providing more comprehensive visibility than a limited checking hole while managing structural complexity through standardized coupling mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An inner tubular portion (15) and an outer tubular portion 16 for forming an insertion space for a plastic pipe (11) are formed integrally with a joint body (13). Two fitting grooves (17) are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular portion 15. Two sealing members (18) for maintaining water-tightness in the gap between the plastic pipe (11) received in the insertion space and the inner tubular portion (15) are fitted in the corresponding fitting grooves 17. A pair of view windows (25) for visually checking the fitting grooves (17) and the sealing members (18), which are fitted in the fitting grooves (17), from the exterior are formed in the outer tubular portion (16). The view windows (25) are arranged at opposing positions.