Union Nut Pipe Fitting Retaining Ring With Gap-Controlled Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe detachment preventing devices for union nut pipe fittings require complex tightening mechanisms and are prone to loosening during transportation due to vibrations, necessitating the use of torque meters and risking bolts and nuts coming off.
Innovation Solution
A pipe detachment preventing device with a retaining ring composed of divisional components featuring a flange portion with a through hole and a wall portion that allows for elastic deformation, using a compressively-deformable rubber member to maintain a loose-fit state and ensure uniform tightening, facilitated by a simple structure that prevents components from coming into contact until the desired torque is achieved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the abutting surface of the hook portion protrudes toward the other divisional component to form a gap, then tightening can be performed with the hook portion as a base point, but the tightening state must be managed using a torque meter and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
A wedge-shaped intermediary component is introduced between the hook portion and the abutting surface of the divisional component. This wedge serves as a mediator that automatically maintains the required gap during tightening operations, eliminating the need for complex torque meter management while keeping the structure relatively simple.
2Productivity
If the pipe detachment preventing device is transported in a temporarily-assembled state, then assembly work can be performed uniformly, but bolts and nuts might come off due to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped component is designed to preliminarily counteract the effects of vibration and loosening forces before they can cause bolts and nuts to come off. The wedge geometry creates a mechanical interlock that prevents relative movement between divisional components during transportation, thereby maintaining fastener retention while allowing uniform assembly work.
3Ease of operation
If the end portions of the wall portions protrude toward the other divisional component, then a gap can be formed when components are loosely fitted, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wall portions are designed with localized protrusions only at specific end portions that contact the other divisional component. This local quality approach creates the necessary gap-forming geometry precisely where needed, rather than complicating the entire component structure. The protrusions are strategically positioned to maintain gaps during loose fitting while keeping the overall design simple.
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 device maintains a temporarily-assembled state with improved workability, reduces the need for manual handling during assembly, and ensures consistent tightening, preventing loosening and detachment during transportation.
Implementation Method 1
The retaining ring has an elastically-deformable rubber member through which the tightening means is inserted and which is held between the flange portions opposed to each other. The rubber member forms a gap between the end portions of the wall portions when the pair of divisional components are coupled by the tightening means and latched to the union nut in a loose-fit state.
Implementation Method 2
The tightening means is tightened until the end portions of the wall portions are brought into contact with each other and the gap disappears, thus causing a part of the rubber member to protrude out in the axial direction from the flange portion and tightening and fixing the pair of divisional components to the outer-peripheral surface of the pipe.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a pipe detachment preventing device for a union nut pipe fitting that can keep a temporarily-assembled state and enables tightening work to be performed uniformly, while having a simple structure. A protruding portion has at least a flange portion 75 having a through hole 76 through which tightening means penetrates, and a wall portion 77 extending from the flange portion 75. An end portion 77a of the wall portion 77 opposed to another divisional component is formed so as to protrude toward the other divisional component relative to an end portion 73a of an arm 73 and a hook 72 opposed to the other divisional component. A retaining ring 7 has a compressively-deformable held member 8 through which the tightening means is inserted and which is held between the flange portions 75 opposed to each other. The compressively-deformable held member 8 forms a gap S between the end portions 77a of the wall portions 77 when a pair of divisional components are coupled by the tightening means and latched to a union nut 4 in a loose-fit state. The tightening means is tightened until the end portions 77a of the wall portions 77 come into contact with each other, thus tightening and fixing the pair of divisional components to an outer-peripheral surface of a pipe.