Pipe Connector With Deflecting Grab Ring Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connection methods, such as threaded connections and thermal welded joints, are complex and often result in poor sealing quality, especially when dealing with PEX pipes, which can be difficult to insert and maintain due to the rigidity of the grab rings and the pressure increase affecting sealing quality.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connector design featuring a socket body with a locking cap, demounting ring, grab ring, retainer, and O-shaped sealing ring, where the grab ring's flange deflects during pipe entry, allowing easier insertion, and the O-shaped sealing ring compresses to expand and push the retainer, increasing the grabbing force on the pipe when pressurized, ensuring secure sealing and connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the grab ring is made rigid to strongly grab on the pipe external wall, then the pipe holding force is improved, but the pipe insertion difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grab ring is designed with a flexible flange that can dynamically change its state. During insertion, the flange deflects to allow easy pipe entry. After insertion, when the pipe expands under pressure, the flange recovers its shape to increase the grabbing force of the teeth on the pipe external wall, thus locking the pipe securely.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the grab ring's flange is changed from rigid to flexible, allowing it to deform under pressure. This parameter change enables the flange to deflect during insertion and then recover to increase grabbing force when the pipe is pressurized, resolving the contradiction between easy insertion and strong holding.
2Reliability
If the O-shaped sealing ring is compressed to expand axially for better sealing, then the sealing quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The O-shaped sealing ring utilizes the natural expansion force generated when the flexible pipe is pressurized to compress the retainer and improve sealing. The system serves itself by using the operating condition (pressure) to enhance its own sealing performance without requiring additional active components or control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure that causes the pipe to expand is converted into a beneficial force that compresses the retainer and enhances the sealing action of the O-shaped sealing ring. The same pressure that could potentially compromise sealing is instead used to improve it.
3Ease of operation
If the flange of the grab ring is made deflexible to allow easy pipe entry, then the pipe insertion is facilitated, but the pipe holding force under pressure decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange's flexibility is not a permanent state but a dynamic one. During insertion, the flange is flexible to allow easy pipe entry. After insertion and when the pipe expands under pressure, the flange recovers its shape, transforming from a flexible state to a rigid state that provides strong holding force.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange undergoes periodic action: deflecting during insertion, then recovering when the pipe is pressurized. This periodic transformation between flexible and rigid states allows the grab ring to facilitate insertion while maintaining strong holding force under operating conditions.
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 design facilitates easy pipe entry and maintains sealing even under pressure, enhancing the holding force of the pipe connection and improving maintenance by allowing axial movement and deflection of components, ensuring reliable liquid supply.
Implementation Method 1
the O-shaped sealing ring is compressable and axially expandable, then the 0-shaped sealing ring pushes the retainer
Implementation Method 2
the flange of the grab ring is deflectable; when liquid is directed into the pipe and the pipe is pressurized, the 0-shaped sealing ring is compressable and axially expandable
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A pipe connector not only allows a flexible pipe (like PEX pipe) easy to enter, but also ensures the sealing of socket and holding of pipe connection when the pipe is injected with liquid and gets pressurized to expand, the pipe connector includes a socket body (1) in which in the direction of pipe entry, configuring in sequence: grab ring (4), retainer (6) and O-shaped sealing ring (2); when pipe enters the socket, flange arranged on the grab ring is deflected; when the pipe is injected with liquid and gets pressurized to expand, the O-shaped sealing ring (2) is compressed and expands axially, then the O-shaped sealing ring pushes the retainer (6), so as to push the grab ring (4) to move in reverse direction of pipe entry, thus locking the pipe.