Pipe Connector Adaptor Sealing for Drinking Water Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connection methods, such as threaded connections and thermal welded joints, are complex and prone to poor sealing, potentially exposing health-risk metals like aluminum, which can contaminate drinking water and pose health threats.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connector with an adaptor featuring multiple O-shaped sealing rings and positioning structures to ensure sealed connections, preventing water from contacting exposed metal ends and enhancing the system's tightness through increased friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multi-layer pipe with aluminum is used to improve strength, then pipe strength is improved, but health safety deteriorates due to exposed aluminum contacting drinking water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adaptor as an intermediary component between the multi-layer pipe and the socket. This adaptor includes sealing structures (O-rings, sealing rings) that create a barrier, preventing drinking water from contacting the exposed aluminum layer at the pipe end. The adaptor body with its passage allows water flow while the sealing elements block direct contact between water and harmful metals, thus resolving the health safety issue while maintaining the use of high-strength multi-layer pipes.
2Ease of manufacture
If threaded connection or thermal welded joint is used to connect pipes, then pipe connection is achieved, but sealing quality deteriorates and maintenance convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical connection methods (threaded joints requiring Teflon sealing belts) and thermal welding processes with a mechanical insertion system using an adaptor. The adaptor uses elastic sealing elements (O-rings, resilient prongs) that provide reliable sealing through elastic deformation and compression, achieving better sealing quality without complex threading or heating processes, while maintaining ease of installation and maintenance.
3Device complexity
If socket is designed without blocking component for pipe end, then device complexity is reduced, but health safety deteriorates due to water contact with exposed metal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into distinct functional components: the socket body for structural support and locking, and a separate adaptor for sealing and blocking functions. The adaptor is divided into sections with specific sealing elements positioned at critical locations. This segmentation allows the blocking function to be added without significantly increasing overall complexity, as each segment performs a specific function efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing between the pipe and socket, blocks water from contacting exposed metal surfaces, guides pipe insertion, and works with the locking mechanism. By consolidating these functions into a single component rather than adding separate blocking elements to the socket, the design maintains simplicity while ensuring health safety.
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 solution effectively prevents drinking water from contacting hazardous metals, ensuring health safety and reducing the need for non-aluminum pipes, thereby lowering costs and improving the quality and compactness of the pipe connection system.
Implementation Method 1
a third O-shaped sealing ring for or forming a sealed connection with the external wall of said pipe; a first O-shaped sealing ring arranged disposed on said socket connecting segment for forming a sealed connection with the internal wall of said socket; and a second O-shaped sealing ring arranged disposed on said pipe connecting segment for forming a sealed connection with the internal wall of said pipe
Implementation Method 2
a pipe locking assembly for locking the pipe inserted in the socket in the direction of pipe entry; increasing the friction between the adaptor and such internal wall, thereby improve the tightness of the system
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipe adaptor, including an adaptor body (101); an axial passage (102); a socket connecting segment (110) for connecting with a socket; a pipe connecting segment (111) for connecting with a pipe (13); a first O-shaped sealing ring (105); and a second O-shaped sealing ring (106). The axial passage (102) is disposed in the adaptor body (101). The first O-shaped sealing ring (105) is disposed on the socket connecting segment (110) for forming a sealed connection with the internal wall of the socket. The second O-shaped sealing ring (106) is disposed on the pipe connecting segment (111) for forming a sealed connection with the internal wall of the pipe (13). A pipe connector including the pipe adaptor.