Ball Joint Pipe Coupling With Securing Ring for Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling assemblies for pipes fail to provide a cost-effective and stable connection that can compensate for tolerances and axis errors between components, especially under high temperature and pressure conditions, while also preventing accidental disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly comprising a ball joint element with a female and male ball joint, and a securing element that forms a form-fit connection, allowing for minimal rotation and angle compensation, and featuring a steel ring or high-strength plastic reinforcement to prevent accidental opening, along with anti-rotation devices and slots for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional rigid coupling assembly is used, then structural stability is improved, but it cannot compensate for tolerances and axis errors between components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a ball joint connection where a spherical ball segment of the first component engages with a corresponding spherical recess in the second component. This spherical geometry allows rotational movement and angle compensation while maintaining structural stability, directly resolving the contradiction between rigidity and tolerance compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamically adaptable one through the ball joint mechanism. The ball joint enables controlled rotational movement and angular adjustment, allowing the assembly to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and axis errors while maintaining overall structural integrity under operating conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a ball joint design with minimal rotation (0°-5°) is implemented, then tolerance compensation is improved, but connection stability under high temperature and pressure may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the ball joint components are made from high-strength materials capable of withstanding high temperature and pressure environments. The ball segment and recess are designed with reinforced geometries and appropriate material selections to maintain connection stability under extreme conditions while preserving the minimal rotation capability for tolerance compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly features localized reinforcement at critical stress points, particularly at the ball joint interface. The ball segment and recess are designed with enhanced local geometries and material properties specifically at the contact regions to ensure stability under high temperature and pressure, while the overall minimal rotation design remains intact.
3Reliability
If a securing element is added to prevent accidental opening, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing element is integrated into the existing ball joint structure rather than being a completely separate component. The design merges the securing function with the ball segment or recess geometry, maintaining connection reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing element acts as an intermediary component that bridges the ball segment and recess, providing accidental opening protection without requiring complete redesign of the ball joint mechanism. This intermediary element adds minimal complexity while significantly improving reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If form-fit connection is used for the ball joint elements, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but precision of alignment may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical geometry of the ball joint provides self-aligning properties that compensate for manufacturing tolerances. The curved surfaces naturally guide the components into proper alignment during assembly, reducing the need for high-precision manufacturing while maintaining connection quality through the form-fit design.
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 assembly provides a stable, cost-effective, and compact connection that compensates for tolerances and axis errors, prevents accidental disconnection, and distributes loads uniformly, making it suitable for high-temperature and pressure applications like charge air conduits in motor vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The ball joint elements form the ball joint by form fit
Implementation Method 2
an undesirable opening of the ball joint can advantageously be prevented by form fit
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling assembly, to be flowed through by fluid, for coupling two components has a coupling element and a ball joint assembly with a female ball joint element, a male ball joint element, and a securing element. The female and male ball joint elements form a ball joint by form fit. The male ball joint element has a ball segment and the female ball joint element has an expandable ball segment. The ball segment of the male ball joint element engages the expandable ball segment so that the female ball joint element at least partially encloses the male ball joint element. The securing element contacts externally an outer contour of the female ball joint element. The coupling element forms one of the female and male ball joint elements. One of the two components forms the other one of the female and male ball joint elements.