Pipe Connection Structure for Self-Centering Leak-Tight Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid chromatography systems, particularly nano-micro LC, slight deviations or leaks at flow path connections can significantly affect analysis results due to misalignment of pipe centers with ports, leading to hindered fluid flow and potential damage to sealing components.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connecting structure that includes a pressing structure to align the center of the pipe tip with the port center using elastic members or movable wall surfaces, and a seal member positioned inside the port to maintain liquid-tightness without damaging when the pipe is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inner diameter of the port is made slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pipe tip to enable insertion and removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to center misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
A pressing structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the pipe tip and the port. This pressing structure applies pressing force to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe tip, mediating the interaction to achieve both easy insertion/removal and precise center alignment by generating force toward the port center.
2Reliability
If a ferrule or seal member is attached to the tip portion of the pipe to maintain liquid-tightness, then the sealing performance is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to damage risk during pipe removal
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is inverted from being located on the pipe tip to being located on the port. The seal member is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the port instead of the pipe tip, so that during pipe removal, the seal member remains stationary on the port and cannot be damaged by contact with external structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is extracted from the pipe assembly and placed on the port structure. This separation removes the seal member from the vulnerable tip portion of the pipe, eliminating the risk of damage during insertion and removal operations while maintaining the sealing function at the connection interface.
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 high-accuracy fluid connections by aligning pipe and port centers, preventing misalignment and seal damage, thereby maintaining precise fluid flow and sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member (106) that generates elastic force to press a pipe tip (100) in a direction toward the center of the port (114)
Implementation Method 2
a seal member made from an elastic material is attached to a tip surface of the pipe and the seal member is pressed against an innermost surface of the port to maintain liquid-tightness
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe connecting structure is configured so that a fluid connection of a pipe to a port is established by insertion of a tip portion of the pipe to a predetermined position in the port. The pipe connecting structure includes a pressing structure that is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the pipe inserted to the predetermined position of the port and generates pressing force toward a center of the port on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the pipe. Further, the pipe connecting structure is configured so that a center of the tip portion of the pipe and a center of the port substantially coincide with each other by pressing force generated by the pressing structure when the tip portion of the pipe is inserted to the predetermined position of the port.