Wave-Shaped Locking Ring Claws to Prevent Pipe Bite Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional locking rings for pipe joints risk excessively biting and penetrating pipes when subjected to removal forces due to their flat-plate claw design.

Innovation Solution

A locking ring with wave-shaped claw portions that increase rigidity and prevent excessive biting, featuring a wave shape in cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction, reducing the likelihood of pipe damage during insertion and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flat-plate claw portions are used to prevent pipe removal, then the locking ring can effectively bite the pipe, but the claw portions excessively bite and penetrate the pipe when subjected to removal forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking effectivenessVSAvoidpipe damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The claw portions are designed with a wave shape in cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction, replacing the conventional flat-plate shape. This curved configuration increases rigidity and prevents excessive biting and penetration of the pipe while maintaining effective locking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If flat-plate claw portions are used, then the structure is simple, but the rigidity is insufficient causing excessive biting under removal forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclaw structure simplicityVSAvoidclaw rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wave-shaped cross-section of the claw portions provides increased rigidity compared to flat-plate structures. The curved geometry inherently resists deformation under removal forces while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through conventional forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3597977B1Locking ring and pipe joint
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 BRIDGESTONE CORP
  • EP3597977B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3597977B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3597977B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A locking ring 30 prevents a pipe 2 inserted into a pipe joint 1 from being pulled out. The locking ring 30 includes a ring portion 31 having an annular shape and a plurality of claw portions 32 that are arranged in a circumferential direction of the ring portion and each extend from the ring portion in an extending direction that is directed toward an inner circumferential side and toward one side of an axial direction of the ring portion. The plurality of claw portions at least partially have a wave shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction.