Pipe Connector Retainer With Automatic Rotary Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piping connectors require complex operations to secure pipes, involving multiple steps and manual rotation of retainers, making them cumbersome and prone to improper pipe insertion.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a retainer with an arc-shaped body, a rotary mounting portion, and an energy conversion mechanism that automatically rotates from a temporary locked position to a main locked position using the principle of leverage and elastic deformation, allowing secure pipe retention with a single operation of insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retainer is manually rotated from temporary locked position to main locked position, then the pipe can be securely retained, but the operation becomes complicated requiring multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer automatically rotates from temporary locked position to main locked position through self-service mechanism. The energy conversion mechanism converts the pushing force from pipe insertion into rotational motion, eliminating the need for manual rotation operations while ensuring secure pipe retention
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is preliminarily positioned at the temporary locked position where the detection piece engages the detection hole. This preliminary positioning allows the pipe to be inserted first, and then the automatic rotation mechanism activates to complete the locking action, simplifying the overall operation sequence
2Reliability
If a retainer rotation mechanism is added to prevent pipe removal, then pipe security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection piece serves dual functions: it detects pipe insertion position and simultaneously acts as the rotating element that transitions the retainer from temporary to main locked position. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed
Solution Approach 2:
The energy conversion mechanism serves multiple purposes: it converts linear pushing force into rotational motion, provides the torque needed for retainer rotation, and ensures the retainer reaches the main locked position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate actuation mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If the retainer automatically rotates using energy conversion mechanism, then the operation is simplified to single insertion step, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface angle of the energy conversion mechanism is optimized to transform the pushing force from pipe insertion into effective rotational torque. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the mechanism achieves reliable automatic rotation without requiring complex actuation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer body is designed with an arc shape that naturally guides the rotation motion from temporary to main locked position. This curved geometry simplifies the manufacturing of the rotation path and ensures smooth transitional motion
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 simplifies the pipe insertion process by enabling automatic locking, ensuring secure pipe retention with visual confirmation of the locked position and reducing the risk of pipe removal, while maintaining a compact connector size.
Implementation Method 1
An inclined surface is formed on a bulge that projects radially outward from the pipe body of the pipe and/or on the force receiving piece. When the pipe is inserted into the connector body, the force receiving piece is pushed by the bulge in an axial direction of the pipe. The inclined surface is inclined with respect to the axial direction so as to convert the pushing force into a radially outward force of the force receiving piece.
Implementation Method 2
The retainer body is formed in an arc shape, such that it can be attached along an outer peripheral surface of the connector body. The rotary mounting portion rotatably connects a base end of the retainer body to the connector body, so that the retainer body can rotate from the temporary locked position, toward the hollow channel of the connector body, and to the main locked position.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a connector body having a hollow channel, and a retainer configured to prevent a pipe inserted into the hollow channel from being removed using a stopper piece. The retainer body lies along the outer peripheral surface of the retainer attachment portion. A bearing allows the retainer body to rotate from a temporary locking position to a main locking position. A detection piece passes through a detection hole and projects into the hollow channel when located in the temporary locked position, so as to be pushed in an axial direction by a bulge of the pipe. An inclined surface of the detection piece inclines with respect to the axial direction such that a pushing force can be converted to a radially outward force. A first energy conversion mechanism serves to convert the energy converted by the inclined surface to the rotational energy in the locking direction.