Pipe Joint O-Ring Structure for Misalignment Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joints with elastic bodies for center alignment may not provide adequate sealability and can leak fluid, especially when there is misalignment of shaft centers.
Innovation Solution
A pipe joint design featuring a male joint with a cap and an O-ring, where the O-ring is compressed radially to absorb misalignment and maintain sealability, with a clearance between the male joint main body and cap allowing for 3 to 13% of the O-ring's diameter, ensuring effective connection and fluid prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an elastic body is used to allow the connection body to shift relative to the base body for center alignment, then misalignment of shaft centers can be absorbed, but adequate sealability cannot be ensured and fluid leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is separated from the alignment function. The elastic body (V-shaped rubber) provides alignment tolerance by allowing relative shifting, while a separate O-ring provides the sealing function. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring acts as an intermediary sealing element between the male and female joints. It is positioned in a groove and compressed when the joints are assembled, creating a reliable seal that prevents fluid leakage while allowing the elastic body to handle the alignment adjustment.
2Reliability
If multiple O-rings are provided between the elastic body and base/connection bodies to prevent fluid leakage, then sealability is improved, but the device configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the elastic body structure and implemented by a dedicated O-ring component. This simplifies the overall design by concentrating the sealing function in a single, well-proven component rather than relying on multiple O-rings distributed throughout the elastic body assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
A single O-ring type is used for sealing between the male joint main body and cap, providing consistent sealing performance throughout the connection. This homogeneous approach with one sealing element type simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to using multiple different sealing components.
3Reliability
If the clearance between the male joint main body and cap is increased to allow O-ring compression for sealing, then sealability is maintained, but the structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clearance between the male joint main body and cap is precisely controlled within the range of 3 to 13% of the O-ring's cross-sectional diameter. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient compression of the O-ring for reliable sealing while maintaining adequate structural stability and preventing excessive deformation or instability.
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 design allows for reliable connection and sealability by compressive deformation of the O-ring, effectively preventing fluid leakage even with misaligned shaft centers, improving the efficiency of connecting multiple pipes while maintaining seal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention allows the male joint and the female joint to be connected to each other while absorbing misalignment of the shaft centers and maintaining the sealability by compressive deformation of the male joint O-ring in a radial direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe joint and a joint connection device have simpler configurations while preventing fluid leakage and absorbing misalignment of shaft centers. A pipe joint includes a male joint and a female joint into which the male joint is inserted. The male joint has a male joint main body and a cap that is fixed at a base end of the male joint main body, with a male joint O-ring interposed between the cap and the male joint main body. The cross-section diameter of the male joint O-ring is 3 to 10 mm, and a clearance-between the male joint main body and the cap is 3 to 13% of the cross-section diameter of the male joint O-ring.