Pipe Joint Retainer Locking Through Inclined Detection Arm Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joint structures face challenges in effectively bending detection arms by the pressing force received from a spool of a pipe inserted into a housing, leading to incomplete locking of the pipe.
Innovation Solution
The pipe joint incorporates a detection arm with an inclined surface that converts the pressing force from the spool into a force bending the arm radially outward, allowing the retainer to be pressed into the locking position only when the pipe is fully inserted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detection arm is made to contact the regulating wall to hold the retainer at the releasing position, then the retainer can be prevented from premature locking, but the pressing force from the spool cannot effectively bend the detection arm to release the regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The detection arm is designed with a curved shape featuring a first curved surface and a second curved surface. The first curved surface contacts the spool to receive pressing force, while the second curved surface contacts the regulating wall. This curved geometry enables effective force transmission from the spool to bend the arm and release the regulation, resolving the contradiction between preventing premature locking and enabling effective arm bending.
2Reliability
If the detection arm is positioned to face the spool at the locking position, then the pipe can be securely locked, but the arm may be deformed or displaced during the locking process
Solution Approach 1:
The detection arm is preliminarily positioned by the regulating wall at the releasing position before the locking operation. The curved surfaces are designed to guide the arm through a controlled movement path as the spool is pressed, ensuring the arm reaches the correct locking position without deformation or displacement, thus maintaining position stability while achieving secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved surfaces of the detection arm are designed with specific geometric parameters that change during the locking process. The first curved surface receives force from the spool, causing the arm to bend and change its position parameter, while the second curved surface maintains contact with the regulating wall to guide this change, ensuring stable and controlled movement to the locking position.
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
This design ensures that the retainer is securely locked only when the pipe is fully inserted, preventing defects where the retainer is pressed in while the pipe is insufficiently inserted and not locked.
Implementation Method 1
an inclined surface provided at the detection arm so as to be inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the pipe into the housing and converting a pressing force received from the spool of the pipe inserted into the housing into a force toward the outer side in the radial direction
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A pipe joint includes a housing formed with an insertion hole into which a pipe is inserted, a retainer attached from a storage opening of the housing and movable from a releasing position to a locking position, a detection arm provided in the retainer, regulating pressing of the retainer into the housing by a regulating wall of the housing in a state of being at the releasing position, and releasing the restriction by bending toward an outer side in a radial direction of the housing, a pipe lock arm on a rear side in an insertion direction of the pipe compared to the detection arm and facing, in a state in which the retainer is at the locking position, a spool of the inserted pipe on the rear side in the insertion direction, an inclined surface provided on the detection arm so as to be inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the pipe and converting a pressing force received from the spool into a force toward the outer side in the radial direction, and a facing wall provided on the housing and facing the detection arm of the retainer at the releasing position on the rear side in the insertion direction.