Pipe Coupling Assembly With Rotational Retention and O-Ring Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid conveyance systems face challenges in creating efficient and easy-to-use fluid-tight connections between piping segments, as traditional connections are often difficult to assemble and disassemble.
Innovation Solution
A pipe coupling assembly comprising a male and female coupling component with a retaining ring and O-ring configuration that allows for a releasable, fluid-tight connection through angular orientation and rotation to align retaining rings with retaining pads, utilizing chamfers and backstop rings for secure insertion and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional threaded connections or compression joints are used, then fluid-tight connections are achieved, but the connections are difficult to assemble and disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into distinct male and female coupling components, each with specific functional features. The male component has a tubular member with a retaining ring, while the female component has a body with a bore, O-ring, and retaining pad. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly operations while maintaining reliable fluid-tight connections through the coordinated interaction of these segmented parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring serves as an intermediary sealing element between the male tubular member and the female coupling body. The retaining ring and retaining pad act as intermediary locking features that engage to secure the connection. These intermediary elements enable easy assembly and disassembly while ensuring reliable fluid-tight sealing without requiring complex threading or compression mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If simple connection mechanisms are used, then ease of operation is improved, but resistance to unintentional disconnection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring on the male component is pre-positioned and the O-ring is pre-installed in the female component before assembly begins. During assembly, these pre-positioned features automatically engage in the correct sequence: the tubular member inserts into the bore, the O-ring immediately provides sealing, and the retaining ring engages with the retaining pad to lock the connection. This preliminary positioning of critical features enables simple one-piece assembly while ensuring strong, secure connections that resist unintentional disconnection.
3Strength
If retaining features are added to prevent disconnection, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire coupling structure complex, the invention applies localized retaining features at specific positions. The retaining ring is positioned at a specific location on the male tubular member, and the retaining pad is positioned at a corresponding location in the female body. The O-ring is placed in a specific groove to provide sealing at the critical interface. These localized features provide strong connection security without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire coupling structure.
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 secure, fluid-tight connection that resists unintentional disconnection and facilitates easy assembly and disassembly, while minimizing debris intrusion, suitable for various fluid conveyance systems including irrigation piping.
Implementation Method 1
An O-ring may be at least partially received in the groove. The O-ring may be sized to sealingly engage an exterior of the tubular member when the tubular member is received within the bore.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe coupling assembly may include a male coupling component including a tubular member having a retaining ring projecting radially from, and extending around a portion of the circumference of the tubular member. A female coupling component may include a body having a bore with a first end sized to slidingly receive the first end of the tubular member. An O-ring may be at least partially received in a radial groove formed in a side wall of the bore, and may be sized to sealingly engage an exterior of the tubular member when the tubular member is received within the bore. The body may also include a retaining pad extending outwardly relative to the bore, and spaced from the first end of the bore to define a channel between a first end of the body and the retaining pad that is sized to at least partially receive the retaining ring.