Metal Grip Ring Pipe Fitting for Bevel-Free Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Push-type pipe fittings often experience seal rotation or displacement, requiring beveling of pipes and limited grip strength from plastic grip rings, which are not suitable for all materials like metal pipes.
Innovation Solution
A pipe fitting with a metal grip ring and guide ring assembly that slides along a tapered region, providing secure engagement and fluid-tight sealing without the need for beveling, suitable for various pipe materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a plastic grip ring is used to grip the pipe, then the fitting can be manufactured with simpler materials, but the grip strength is limited and cannot grip metal pipes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The grip ring is constructed as a composite structure combining a plastic body with an embedded metal reinforcement element (such as a metal band or mesh). This composite construction provides both the ease of plastic manufacturing and injection molding, and the high strength and rigidity of metal, enabling effective gripping of metal pipes while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Device complexity
If a plastic grip ring is used, then the fitting structure can be simpler, but the grip ring cannot provide sufficient grip force on metal pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The grip ring incorporates a metal reinforcement element embedded within or attached to the plastic structure. This composite approach maintains relatively simple overall structure while dramatically improving grip strength through the metal component's high mechanical properties, allowing the grip ring to effectively secure metal pipes without excessive structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the seal is allowed to rotate within the fitting, then the installation process is simpler, but the seal may twist or rotate causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is pre-positioned in a stationary orientation within the fitting channel before pipe insertion. The channel geometry and seal retention features are designed to maintain the seal's predetermined orientation, preventing rotation during and after installation. This preliminary positioning ensures both easy installation and reliable sealing without requiring the seal to rotate into place.
4Reliability
If pipe beveling is required prior to insertion, then the pipe surface can be smoothed to minimize seal damage, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting channel includes a lead-in tapered section that performs the pipe surface preparation function during the insertion process itself. As the pipe is pushed into the fitting, the tapered surface gradually guides and smooths the pipe end, eliminating the need for pre-beveling. This preliminary action within the fitting design protects the seal from damage while maintaining high installation productivity.
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
Ensures reliable connection and sealing of pipes without beveling, with enhanced grip strength for both metal and plastic pipes, preventing seal displacement and improving installation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the inner surface defining a tapered region tapering towards the first fitting end
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe fitting includes a fitting body defining an inner surface, an outer surface, a first fitting end, and a second fitting end, the inner surface defining a channel extending from the first fitting end to the second fitting end, a portion of the inner surface defining a tapered region tapering towards the first fitting end; and an engagement assembly comprising a metal grip ring received in the channel, the metal grip ring defining a substantially frustoconical ring body, the ring body defining a diameter that tapers from a first lateral end of the ring body to a second lateral end of the ring body, the engagement assembly configured to slide along the tapered region.