Steel Pipe Joint Locking Ring for Visible Tightening Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection mechanisms for steel pipes and joints are prone to loosening due to vibration and aging, leading to potential fluid leaks, and lack visual confirmation of complete connections, especially in large-scale installations.
Innovation Solution
A connection mechanism featuring a joint with a male thread, a nut with a female thread, and an elastic ring that interposes between the joint and nut, utilizing ratchet teeth and fluorescent paint for visual confirmation, preventing loosening through frictional forces and ensuring secure connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded coupling is used to connect joint and nut, then connection is achieved, but loosening occurs due to vibration and aging
Solution Approach 1:
A wedge-shaped key is introduced as an intermediary component between the joint and nut. The key fits into corresponding keyways in both the joint and nut, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents relative rotation and loosening of the threaded coupling under vibration and aging conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the threaded coupling for axial connection, the wedge-shaped key for rotational prevention, and the corresponding keyways for key retention. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally.
2Productivity
If connection mechanism is used in large buildings with hundreds or thousands of connections, then fluid transport is enabled, but visual inspection of connection completion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped key is made visible through color coding or contrasting material appearance. When the key is properly inserted and the connection is complete, the visible portion of the key provides immediate visual confirmation of correct assembly, enabling efficient inspection of numerous connections in large-scale installations.
3Reliability
If elastic ring with ratchet teeth is used to prevent loosening, then loosening prevention is achieved, but visual confirmation of complete connection is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped key serves as a dual-function intermediary: it prevents loosening through its wedge geometry and frictional engagement with the ratchet teeth, while simultaneously providing visual confirmation of complete connection through its visible portion extending from the assembly.
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
Prevents loosening and fluid leaks by maintaining secure connections, allowing visual confirmation of completion, enhancing work efficiency and safety in large-scale installations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic ring, one end of which is fixed to the joint, between the joint and the nut, and then abutting the other end portion of the elastic ring, which is elastically biased in the direction of the nut
Implementation Method 2
increasing the friction between the engaged part and an inner surface of an engagement hole, thus preventing the rotating in the circumferential direction and preventing loosening
Implementation Method 3
a steep inclined surface with a steep angle in the direction of relative rotation for loosening the nut
Data Source
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AI summary
A connection mechanism for a steel pipe and a joint is provided to allow visual confirmation from the outside that the tightening between the joint and a nut has been reliably completed in piping work where the steel pipe is connected by the joint and the nut. In the connection mechanism for a steel pipe and a joint, a male thread of the joint and a female thread of the nut are screwed together to tightly connect the steel pipe, and the other end side of an elastic ring, which is clamped between the joint and the nut and has one end side fixed to the joint, abuts on the steep inclined surface of a ratchet tooth on the side face of the nut to prevent relative loosening of the nut and the joint, and upon completion of the screwing of the male thread and the female thread, a hidden cylindrical portion covers the outer circumference of the elastic ring, allowing visual confirmation from the outside that the connection between the joint and the nut is complete.