Pipe Joint Retainer Geometry for Reliable Spool Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joint structures face issues where the detection arm is bent towards the outer radial direction of the housing, leading to the detection arm riding on the spool, causing incomplete locking or detachment of the pipe.
Innovation Solution
A pipe joint design with a detection arm featuring an inclined surface and a parallel surface, where the inclined surface converts the pressing force from the spool into a radial outward force, and the parallel surface maintains the detection arm's position on the spool, ensuring reliable locking and preventing detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the detection arm is bent toward the outer radial direction of the housing to eliminate contact with the wall, then the retainer can be pressed into the locking position, but the detection arm may ride on the spool and fall off unless a flat part is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The detection arm is designed with different local geometries: an inclined surface for converting axial force to radial bending, and a flat part for maintaining stable contact with the spool. This local differentiation allows the arm to both bend effectively during insertion and remain reliably positioned during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection arm transitions from axial alignment to radial bending through the inclined surface, utilizing a dimensional change in orientation. The flat part then provides stability in the radial dimension while maintaining functional contact with the spool.
2Ease of operation
If the inclined surface is made large to ensure effective bending of the detection arm, then the detection arm can be reliably bent by pressing force, but the flat part for maintaining position on the spool is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface is designed with an optimized inclination angle that balances two competing requirements: a sufficiently large angle to generate effective radial bending force, and a controlled size to preserve adequate flat part area for stable spool contact. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between bending effectiveness and positional stability.
3Ease of operation
If the detection arm is provided with an inclined surface pressed by the spool, then the retainer can be moved from releasing position to locking position, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detection arm with its inclined surface automatically converts the axial pressing force from the spool into radial bending motion, causing the retainer to transition from releasing to locking position without external intervention. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for separate actuating mechanisms.
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 effectively bends the detection arm to ensure complete insertion and locking of the pipe, preventing incomplete connections and maintaining the detection arm's position on the spool, thereby enhancing the stability and reliability of the pipe joint.
Implementation Method 1
a detection claw including an inclined surface provided at the detection arm so as to be inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the pipe into the housing and converting a pressing force received from the spool of the pipe inserted into the housing, into a force toward the outer side in the radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe joint includes a housing, a retainer capable of moving from a releasing position to a locking position, a detection arm provided in the retainer, regulating pressing of the retainer by a regulating wall of the housing in a state in which the retainer is at the releasing position, and releasing the regulation by the regulating wall by bending to an outer side in a radial direction of the housing, a pipe lock arm provided on a rear side compared to the detection arm and facing a spool of the inserted pipe in a state in which the retainer is at the locking position, and a detection claw including an inclined surface provided on the detection arm so as to be inclined with respect to an insertion direction and converting a pressing force received from the spool into a force toward the outer side in the radial direction, and a parallel surface provided on the detection arm so as to be parallel to the insertion direction of the pipe on an inner side in a radial direction of the inclined surface, in which a thickness of a part of the inclined surface is from 20% to 90% of a thickness of the detection claw.