Pipe Joint Rotation Restriction for Refrigerant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joint units for coupling refrigerant pipes in vehicular air conditioners experience relative rotation issues, leading to wear of sealing portions and leakage due to vibrations, and interference with unevenly arranged rubber hoses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of rotation restricting parts on the outer peripheral surface of the male joint and inner peripheral surface of the female joint, formed through bulge and expansion forming processes, to prevent relative rotation without increasing the number of parts, ensuring proper alignment and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the engagement member is made rotatable about the first pipe member for easy engagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to wear of sealing portions and leakage from vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is divided into a rotating engagement portion (for easy coupling) and a non-rotating sealing portion (for reliable sealing). The sealing portion is fixed to the first pipe member and cannot rotate, while the engagement portion can rotate to facilitate the engagement operation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function without being affected by rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotation restricting part (such as a rotation restricting groove or protrusion) is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the engagement member and the first pipe member. This rotation restricting part allows the engagement member to be engaged easily but prevents excessive rotation that would cause wear and leakage, thus mediating between ease of operation and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the engagement member is made rotatable for easy engagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates due to interference with unevenly arranged rubber hoses
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is segmented into a rotating engagement portion and a non-rotating sealing portion. The sealing portion remains fixed and does not rotate, ensuring consistent alignment with the rubber hoses regardless of how the engagement portion is rotated during the engagement process. This segmentation eliminates interference with unevenly arranged rubber hoses while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If rotation restricting parts are added to prevent relative rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation restricting part is merged with either the engagement member or the first pipe member as an integrated feature rather than a separate component. For example, a rotation restricting groove is formed directly on the engagement member, or a rotation restricting protrusion is formed on the first pipe member. This merging approach prevents relative rotation and improves reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation restricting part is designed to automatically engage and prevent rotation without requiring additional actuators or control mechanisms. The geometric shape of the rotation restricting part (such as a groove or protrusion) self-enables the prevention of relative rotation through its inherent structure, improving reliability without adding complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe joint unit includes a first pipe member with a male joint, a second pipe member with a female joint, and a pipe joint member coupling the first pipe member and the second pipe member. The male joint is received in the female joint such that an outer peripheral surface of the male joint is opposed to an inner peripheral surface of the female joint. The pipe joint member includes an engagement part that is elastically displaceable in the radial direction, and engages with the first and second pipe members. The male joint and the female joint have rotation restricting parts on the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface, respectively, for restricting relative rotation of the first and second pipe members.