Pipe Coupling Element With Dual-Ring Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling technologies for pipes face issues with reliable automatic locking and disconnection, particularly under pressure changes and vibrations, leading to potential disconnection and requiring manual alignment and force for locking and unlocking.
Innovation Solution
A coupling element with a locking ring and a safety ring that rotate together, featuring axial and circumferential locking slots and safety slots, allowing for automatic locking and disconnection with minimal operator intervention, using elastic return means to align notches for secure engagement and disengagement of radially projecting parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If locking is obtained exclusively by valve springs pushing lugs into notches, then the locking mechanism is simple, but the elements may become disconnected under pressure drops and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent but complementary parts: a locking ring with locking slots that engage radially projecting parts axially, and a safety ring with safety slots that engage the same parts circumferentially. This segmentation provides redundant locking functionality, ensuring that axial and circumferential movements are independently constrained, thereby preventing disconnection under pressure drops and vibrations while maintaining structural clarity.
2Ease of operation
If a slit ring is mounted with freedom to rotate about the body, then the ring can rotate to align slits with axial slits, but the slits are liable to become shifted and require backward force to align
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring and safety ring are designed to rotate together as a unified assembly around the body. The locking ring includes axial slits that guide the radially projecting parts, while the safety ring includes radial slits that engage these parts circumferentially. This merging of functions ensures that both axial and circumferential alignment occur simultaneously during a single rotation, eliminating the need for separate alignment steps and reducing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If lugs must be pushed along slits in the inner ring by moving the outer ring back and rotating the male element, then the coupling can be connected, but the process requires multiple movements and is not automatic
Solution Approach 1:
The locking slots and safety slots are pre-configured with notches positioned to automatically engage the radially projecting parts upon axial insertion. The elastic return means are pre-loaded to provide the necessary force for the rings to rotate into the locked position without requiring additional manual manipulation. This preliminary configuration enables automatic locking in a single axial movement, significantly improving both productivity and ease of operation.
4Ease of operation
If the coupling elements are locked automatically in a single movement, then the operation is simplified and productivity increased, but the structure becomes more complex with multiple rings and slots
Solution Approach 1:
Both the locking ring and safety ring serve multiple functions: they guide the radially projecting parts during insertion through their respective slots, provide elastic return force through integrated springs, enable automatic rotation into the locked position, and maintain the locked state through notched engagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby achieving automatic locking without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity.
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 reliable and automatic locking and disconnection of pipe elements, reducing the risk of unlocking during connected states and minimizing mechanical stress, while allowing for efficient ergonomic operation with reduced part size and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
means (3) able to push the locking ring (2) and the safety ring (4) to rotate as one
Data Source
AI summary
A female coupling element includes two superposed coaxial rings, a locking ring and safety ring which are rotatably mounted about a body of the coupling element. The locking ring is axially immobilized with respect to the body while the safety ring is able to slide with respect to the locking ring and with the body. The locking ring (2) has at least one locking slot for receiving a projection of a second element inserted within the coupling element and a notch to lock the projection axially with respect to the coupling element, and the safety ring includes at least one safety slot having a notch which locks the projection circumferentially in the notch of the locking ring.