Pipe Coupler Retaining Ring Structure for Stable Spring Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retaining rings in pipe couplers are prone to rotation, inconsistent in shape due to tolerances, and require additional supporting parts, leading to unsmooth fluid flow and increased part count.
Innovation Solution
A tubular member with an annular groove and a retaining ring with a radially protruded flange engaging the groove, along with a return spring, ensuring stable fit and smooth fluid flow without additional parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional thin flat retaining ring is used to axially fix parts in the pipe coupler, then the part count is low, but the retaining ring tends to rotate and cannot be stably held in place
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is segmented into a hollow cylindrical section with two circumferentially opposite free ends, allowing elastic compression while maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation enables the ring to be installed by compressing the free ends together, then expand to engage with the tubular member inner wall for stable positioning without rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring transitions from a two-dimensional flat ring to a three-dimensional hollow cylindrical structure with axial extension. This dimensional change provides radial thickness for engagement with the tubular member and axial length for stable positioning, preventing rotation while maintaining low part count.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional retaining ring with inconsistent shape due to tolerances is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the fluid flow becomes unsmooth
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring parameters are optimized by providing sufficient axial length and radial thickness, ensuring that even with manufacturing tolerances, the ring maintains consistent engagement with the tubular member. This parameter optimization ensures smooth fluid flow through the pipe coupler while keeping manufacturing costs low through a simple hollow cylindrical structure.
3Device complexity
If a conventional retaining ring is used to limit parts from moving axially, then the structure is simple, but the spring cannot be well pressed against the retaining ring due to inconsistent inner diameter tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is pre-configured with a hollow cylindrical structure that provides a consistent inner diameter surface before assembly. This preliminary structural design ensures that the spring can be properly pressed against the retaining ring without requiring additional supporting parts, while maintaining simple structure and consistent manufacturing tolerances.
4Manufacturing precision
If additional supporting parts such as washers are added to address retaining ring inconsistencies, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring structure is merged to provide multiple functions: axial positioning of parts, support surface for the spring, and consistent inner diameter tolerance. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate supporting parts like washers, maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing the overall part count in the pipe coupler.
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 provides a stable, non-rotating retaining ring structure that maintains smooth fluid flow and reduces the number of parts required, addressing the issues of inconsistency and rotation.
Implementation Method 1
the conventional retaining ring 1 is elastically compressible or expandable at the two free ends 10
Implementation Method 2
The return spring is set in the tubular passage between the movable valve head and the retaining ring
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe coupler includes a tubular member internally defining a tubular passage communicable with a front opening and a rear pipe connector thereof; a valve head movably set in the tubular passage for openably sealing the front opening; a retaining ring fitted in the tubular passage adjacent to the rear pipe connector and including a hollow cylindrical section; and a return spring set in the tubular passage between the valve head and the retaining ring. The cylindrical section of the retaining ring has two circumferentially opposite free ends defining an elastically compressible gap between them, and an outer contact surface corresponding to an inner side of the tubular member. The tubular member is internally provided near the rear pipe connector with an annular groove, and the contact surface is provided with a round flange engaged with the annular groove to hold the retaining ring in place in the tubular member.