Tool-Free Nozzle Assembly with Segmented Retaining Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray nozzle systems for particulate-contaminated fluids, such as white water and process water, require tools for assembly and are cumbersome, leading to difficulties in maintaining the correct spray plane and risk of nozzle misalignment or falling during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle system with a base component and cap component that engage via three male or female lugs and receptors, allowing manual assembly without tools, ensuring the shower disc remains in place and preventing misalignment, using O-rings for compression and locking, and allowing only one orientation for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional threaded retaining socket system is used, then the shower disc can be securely retained, but the assembly requires tools and is cumbersome to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining socket is segmented into a base component with external threading and a cap component with internal threading. The shower disc is segmented into a disc body and a separate retaining ring that snaps onto the disc. This segmentation allows the retaining ring to be pre-assembled with the shower disc, eliminating the need for tools during installation while maintaining secure retention through the threaded base-cap connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring is pre-assembled with the shower disc by snapping onto the disc's external periphery. This preliminary action ensures the shower disc is already secured to the retaining ring before insertion into the pipe, preventing the disc from falling out during assembly and eliminating the need for tools to secure the disc itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shower disc protrudes into the pipe to generate spray pattern, then spray coverage is improved, but the mounting socket requires significant diameter and low profile
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting socket is designed with a vertical orientation where the base component is welded to the pipe and the cap component threads onto the base, extending axially along the pipe. This vertical dimensionality allows the shower disc to protrude into the pipe for optimal spray pattern generation while the mounting socket maintains a compact radial footprint, avoiding the need for significant diameter and low profile constraints.
3Reliability
If a sealing gasket is used to seal the orifice disc against the pipe socket, then sealing is achieved, but the assembly becomes more complex with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the cap component itself, which includes an internal sealing face that directly seals against the base component's external sealing surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate sealing gaskets or washers, achieving reliable sealing while reducing the number of components and simplifying the assembly process.
4Strength
If the retaining plug has fine thread pitch for secure engagement, then retention strength is improved, but it becomes difficult to commence thread engagement and assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is designed with a snap-fit mechanism that automatically engages with the shower disc's external periphery without requiring manual threading or tools. This self-service feature allows the retaining ring to be quickly assembled with the shower disc by simply snapping it into place, eliminating the difficulty of commencing fine thread engagement while maintaining secure retention.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is a nozzle system having a first component in fixed engagement with a spray pipe, said first base component being provided with means to engage manually with a second cap component such that a shower disc is held compressively between these two components, each of which is provided with a central aperture, the arrangement being such that a shower disc nipple extends into the pipe when assembled.