Pipe Joint Cover Preventing Particle Intrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe joints in clean environments, such as semiconductor manufacturing, risk generating fine particles during thread engagement, which can contaminate fluid passages, compromising cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A pipe joint design featuring a cover portion on the male threaded member to prevent fine particles from entering fluid passages, combined with an excessive fastening preventing gap between flanges, ensuring a high degree of cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional pipe joint with male and female threaded members is used, then the joint can be assembled and disassembled, but fine particles are generated during thread engagement and can enter the fluid passage
Solution Approach 1:
A cover portion is introduced as an intermediary component on the male threaded member. This cover portion extends along the threaded portion and covers the outer peripheral surface of the abutting portion, creating a protective barrier that prevents fine particles generated during thread engagement from entering the fluid passage, while still allowing the threading operation to proceed
Solution Approach 2:
The male threaded member is segmented into distinct functional zones: the cover portion that protects against particle intrusion, the threaded portion that enables assembly/disassembly, and the abutting portion that provides sealing surface contact. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without interfering with others
2Volume of moving object
If the distance between abutting end surfaces of sleeves is equal to gasket width, then the joint is compact, but fine particles can easily enter the fluid passage
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion acts as an intermediary protective structure that extends over the threaded portion of the male member. Even in the compact configuration where the distance between abutting end surfaces equals the gasket width, the cover portion maintains its protective function by covering the outer peripheral surface and preventing particle access to the fluid passage
3Reliability
If flanges are positioned with excessive fastening preventing gap, then fine particle intrusion is prevented and excessive fastening is avoided, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The excessive fastening preventing function is merged with the fine particle prevention function through the cover portion design. The cover portion not only protects against particle intrusion but also contributes to preventing excessive fastening by its geometric configuration, combining multiple protective functions into a single integrated component rather than requiring separate mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe joint for preventing fine particles generated when a male threaded member and a female threaded member are threadedly engaged with each other from entering a fluid passage thus maintaining a high degree of cleanliness. Joint members are joined to each other by a male threaded member formed on one joint member and a female threaded member formed on the other joint member. A cover portion which covers outer peripheral surfaces of abutting portions of both joint members is formed on the male threaded member.