Single Cylindrical Packing for Pipe Joint Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pipe joints face issues with increased parts and assembly steps, leading to higher costs, and leakage of pressure fluid due to complex sealing mechanisms, which also result in resistance during connection and pressure loss during fluid flow.

Innovation Solution

A pipe joint design featuring a single cylindrical packing with a body sealing portion, a plug sealing portion, and a valve sealing portion, which reduces the number of parts and assembly steps, and ensures reliable fluid tightness between the socket, holder, and plug, using a return spring and ball mechanism to regulate displacement and prevent leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sealing rings are provided individually, then sealing reliability is improved, but the number of parts and assembly steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated packing structure. The packing includes a body sealing portion for sealing between the socket and holder, a plug sealing portion for sealing with the plug, and a valve sealing portion for sealing with the valve body, all as one unified component rather than separate sealing rings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single packing structure performs multiple sealing functions simultaneously. It provides sealing between the socket and holder, sealing with the plug, and sealing with the valve body, making one component that fulfills the roles of multiple separate sealing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple sealing rings are provided individually, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly steps and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the valve body is pressed by the plug during insertion, then connection is enabled, but pressure fluid leaks before sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectionVSAvoidsealing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packing is pre-installed in the holder before the plug is inserted. This preliminary positioning ensures that the plug sealing portion and valve sealing portion are already in place to prevent leakage as soon as the plug makes contact with the valve body during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If the valve body is pressed against the valve seat during insertion, then sealing is achieved, but resistance to insertion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoidinsertion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is designed with a tapered shape on its insertion end, creating a gradual transition rather than an abrupt contact. This geometric parameter change allows the valve body to be guided into position with reduced resistance, and the sealing surface is positioned to engage only when proper alignment is achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reduces the number of parts and assembly steps, prevents pressure fluid leakage, and enhances ease of connection and disconnection, while minimizing pressure loss and operational resistance, allowing for effective fluid flow.

Implementation Method 1

a return spring and ball mechanism to regulate displacement and prevent leakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a single cylindrical packing with a body sealing portion, a plug sealing portion, and a valve sealing portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing contact: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8181933B2Pipe joint

Publication Date: 2012.05.22 SMC CORP

AI summary

The present invention concerns a pipe joint, which includes a socket, and a plug arranged in confronting relation to the socket. A holder is disposed on one end of the socket. Further, a packing is retained between the socket and the holder. In addition, the packing is constructed from a body sealing portion disposed on an outer circumferential side thereof, a plug sealing portion disposed on an inner circumferential side thereof that abuts against an outer circumferential surface of the plug, and a valve sealing portion provided with a seating surface upon which a valve, which is disposed displaceably inside of the socket, can be seated.