Pipe Coupling Coil Spring Locking Structure Against Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe coupling members with coil springs suffer from plastic deformation and disengagement due to excessive forces from high-speed fluid flow, causing instability in the valve mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A pipe coupling member design featuring a coil spring with a fitting portion, locking portion, expanding-contracting portion, and valve support portion, where the locking portion stabilizes the fitting portion within a spring fitting groove, preventing deformation and disengagement, and maintaining the valve element's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the coil spring has an enlarged-diameter portion fitted into an annular groove of the coupling body, then the coil spring can be installed without splitting the coupling body or attaching additional members, but the coil spring may be plastically deformed or disengaged from the groove when excessive force acts on it
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring is divided into distinct functional portions: a fitting portion (18a) for installation into the groove, a locking portion (18b) with adjacent turns to prevent disengagement, and an expanding-contracting portion (18c) for valve operation. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally while working together as a unified spring system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the coil spring are given different structural characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The fitting portion has a diameter matching the groove for secure installation, the locking portion has adjacent turns to prevent radial displacement, and the expanding-contracting portion has spaced turns to provide the necessary elastic deformation for valve actuation.
2Ease of operation
If the valve element is pressed by high-speed fluid flow, then the valve element can be forced open, but the coil spring may be displaced considerably and plastically deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion (18b) with adjacent turns is positioned to engage the fitting portion (18a) before excessive displacement can occur. This preliminary engagement creates a mechanical constraint that prevents the spring from being displaced beyond its elastic limit, even when subjected to high forces from fast-moving fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portion acts as a preventive measure against plastic deformation. By having the adjacent turns engaged and constrained within the groove, the spring is protected in advance from the harmful effects of excessive displacement that would otherwise cause permanent deformation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the enlarged-diameter portion of the coil spring is reduced in diameter to allow insertion, then the coil spring can be installed through the fluid passage, but the enlarged-diameter portion may be pulled inward and disengaged from the groove
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting portion (18a) is designed with a specific diameter that matches the annular groove (26) to ensure proper engagement. During installation, the spring is compressed to reduce its diameter temporarily for insertion, then expands to engage the groove. The locking portion (18b) with adjacent turns provides an additional mechanical constraint that prevents the fitting portion from being pulled inward and disengaged after installation.
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 design enhances the structural stability and prevents plastic deformation of the coil spring under high forces, ensuring reliable operation and simplified installation without the need for splitting the coupling body or additional support members.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring formed by helically winding a wire, the coil spring being disposed between the coupling body and the valve element to urge the valve element toward the closed position
Implementation Method 2
a locking portion contiguous with the fitting portion, the locking portion being formed by winding the wire a plurality of turns such that the turns of wire are adjacent to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Provided is a pipe coupling member configured to prevent a coil spring from being plastically deformed or dislodged from a coupling body even when a large force acts on a valve element. A pipe coupling member (10) includes a coupling body (14) having a fluid passage (12), a valve element (16) displaceable in the fluid passage (12), and a coil spring (18) urging the valve element (16) toward a closed position. The coil spring (18) is formed by helically winding a wire and has a fitting portion (18a) fitted and secured in a spring fitting groove (26), a locking portion (18b) contiguous with the fitting portion (18a) and having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the fitting portion (18a) when fitted in the spring fitting groove (26), a valve support portion (18e) supporting the valve element (16), and an expanding-contracting portion (18c) extending between the locking portion (18b) and the valve support portion (18c) to expand and contract. When the coil spring (18) is compressed, the locking portion (18b) is supported by the fitting portion (18a) and thus prevented from passing through the fitting portion (18a).