Pipe Fitting Retaining Ring for Quick Disconnect and Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe fitting connections are generally permanent and do not allow for efficient or quick disconnection and reconnection, nor do they permit relative rotation of the pipe and fitting after installation, often requiring destruction or disassembly for removal.
Innovation Solution
A connection system featuring a fitting body with radial openings and a retaining ring with resilient tabs that can be axially moved to disengage from the pipe, allowing for easy removal and reinsertion without the need for solvent welding, using a removal tool to transition the retaining ring from a locked to an unlocked position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a permanent mechanical connection is used to connect pipe to fitting, then connection strength is improved, but ease of disconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic reversible connection. The retaining ring can be axially moved between a first position (locked state) and a second position (unlocked state), allowing the connection to adapt between secured and disconnected states. This dynamic mechanism enables both strong connection when locked and easy disconnection when unlocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is divided into separable components: a fitting body, a retaining ring, and a pipe. The retaining ring acts as an independent segment that can be moved axially to control the connection state. This segmentation allows the connection to be made or broken by moving just the retaining ring segment, providing ease of disconnection while maintaining connection strength when assembled.
2Stability of the object's composition
If solvent welding is used to join pipe and fitting, then connection permanence is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical bonding (solvent welding) with a mechanical retention system. Instead of using volatile organic solvent cements that create permanent chemical joints, the system uses a retaining ring with resilient tabs that mechanically engage with the pipe through radial and axial forces. This mechanical substitution allows the connection to be both permanent when locked and adaptable when unlocked, enabling disconnection and reconnection without chemical degradation.
3Reliability
If a locked retaining ring position is used to secure the pipe, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of disconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient retaining tabs automatically engage with the pipe when the retaining ring is in the first (locked) position, providing self-securing functionality. When disconnection is needed, the system allows easy transition to the second (unlocked) position where the tabs disengage from the pipe. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable connection without requiring additional locking steps, and enables quick disconnection by simply moving the retaining ring axially.
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
Enables efficient and quick connection and disconnection of pipes to fittings without chemical solvents, allowing for reuse of both the pipe and the connection, and accommodating relative axial movement, thus overcoming the limitations of prior art connections.
Implementation Method 1
each resilient retaining tab having a radially inwardly extending portion and a radially outwardly extending portion; wherein relative axial movement of the retaining ring with respect to the fitting body from the first locked axial position to a second unlocked axial position causes the chamfered body engaging surface of each radially outwardly extending portion to operatively engage the angled tab engaging surface of the corresponding body radial opening to resiliently radially outwardly deform each resilient retaining tab
Data Source
AI summary
A connection to releasably connect and disconnect to a pipe to a fitting provides a pipe fitting body for receiving a pipe and a retaining ring located within the fitting body for retaining and releasing the pipe. The retaining ring has axially extending resilient retaining tabs, each of which has a radially inwardly extending portion for engaging the pipe, and, a radially outwardly extending portion which extends through corresponding radial openings in the fitting body. When the pipe is inserted into the fitting body to an inserted position and the retaining ring is in the first locked axial position, the radially inwardly extending portions engage and retain the pipe in the inserted position. Relative axial movement of the retaining ring with respect to the fitting body from the first locked axial position to a second unlocked axial position causes the radially outwardly extending portions to operatively engage the corresponding body radial openings to resiliently radially outwardly deform each resilient retaining tab thereby disengaging the radially inwardly extending portions from the pipe and permitting removal of the pipe from the inserted position.