Pipe Coupling Assembly With Catch Grooves for Stable Cast Iron Joining

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pipe coupling assemblies face challenges in workability due to deformation issues during fastening, especially with high carbon content cast iron materials, leading to structural instability and limited application in construction sites.

Innovation Solution

A coupling assembly design featuring a catch portion with an inner diameter matching the fastening groove, interference prevention grooves, and a rubber ring to prevent fluid leakage, allowing for temporary assembly without deformation and stable fixation, along with a manufacturing method that improves workability and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the curvature radius of the arch-shaped surface is formed to be equal to the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the fastening groove, then the segments can be stably fixed, but the workability is degraded and it is difficult for a worker to perform the work alone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of segment fixationVSAvoidworkability during assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is divided into multiple segments that can be temporarily assembled using fastening members before being permanently fixed to the pipe. This segmentation allows workers to handle and position individual segments more easily, improving workability while maintaining stable fixation when assembled together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segments are temporarily assembled and positioned on the pipe using fastening members before the final sealing and fixation. This preliminary assembly action allows workers to prepare and adjust the segments in place without requiring complex deformation operations during the final fastening process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the curvature radius of the arch-shaped surface is formed to be larger than the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the pipe, then the workability is improved by allowing temporary assembly, but the segments are broken and damaged during deformation process due to high carbon content of cast iron

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkability during assemblyVSAvoidstructural integrity of cast iron segments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is divided into multiple segments that can be temporarily assembled using fastening members before being permanently fixed to the pipe. This segmentation allows workers to handle and position individual segments more easily, improving workability while maintaining stable fixation when assembled together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design accepts that temporary assembly components may be consumed or damaged during the assembly process, particularly the fastening members that facilitate initial positioning. This approach prioritizes the integrity of the main cast iron segments while allowing auxiliary components to serve their temporary purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the fastening groove is formed to be smaller than the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the pipe, then the segments can be seated in the fastening groove, but deformation is required during fastening which causes breakage in cast iron

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of segment fixationVSAvoidmanufacturability of cast iron coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The segments are temporarily assembled and positioned on the pipe using fastening members before the final sealing and fixation. This preliminary assembly action allows workers to prepare and adjust the segments in place without requiring complex deformation operations during the final fastening process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design accepts that temporary assembly components may be consumed or damaged during the assembly process, particularly the fastening members that facilitate initial positioning. This approach prioritizes the integrity of the main cast iron segments while allowing auxiliary components to serve their temporary purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12007048B2Coupling assembly for connecting pipes, and manufacturing method therefor

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 NEW ASIAJOINT CO LTD

AI summary

A coupling assembly for connecting pipes includes two or more couplers which are arranged facing each other in order to connect pipes continuously disposed in the axial direction, and the pipes are connected to each other in a state in which coupling members are temporarily assembled to the plurality of couplers. The couplers have catch parts which are inserted into coupling grooves formed in the pipes and have inner diameters corresponding to the outer diameters of the coupling grooves. Interference preventing grooves are formed in both sides of the catch parts and prevent interference between the pipes and the catch parts to allow the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes to pass through between the temporarily assembled couplers.