Pipe Joint Stopper Structure for Displacement and Corrosion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe joints face issues with damage and displacement under external forces, leading to potential removal of the inserting pipe portion from the receiving pipe portion, and risk of corrosion due to electrical contact between different types of pipes.
Innovation Solution
A pipe joint design featuring an integral protruding portion and annular stopper member with a restricting face, which restricts displacement and prevents damage, along with a method of assembly that includes a C-shaped ring member and annular integral stopper member to ensure firm fixation and prevent corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a split-type locking member is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to damage at joining portions under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed as an integral construction without splits or joints, merging what would otherwise be separate components. This eliminates the joining portions that are vulnerable to damage under external forces, thereby maintaining reliability while still allowing for straightforward manufacturing as a single piece.
2Reliability
If the locking member is configured as integral construction, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integral locking member is designed with functional segmentation through its geometric features: a body portion for structural support, a locking portion with lateral faces for engagement, and a restricting face for displacement control. This functional segmentation achieves reliable performance without requiring physical separation into multiple components, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the receiving pipe portion is displaced toward the inserting pipe portion under compressive force, then the ease of operation is improved, but the inserting pipe portion may be damaged due to hard contact
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is pre-configured with a restricting face that actively prevents displacement of the receiving pipe portion toward the inserting pipe portion. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the potential harmful displacement before it can occur, protecting the inserting pipe portion from damage while allowing normal operational movement.
4Reliability
If the end portion of the inserting pipe portion is coated with insulating member, then the corrosion resistance is improved, but the insulating member may be damaged under compressive force leading to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The solution extracts and removes the vulnerable insulating coating from the system by preventing the compressive displacement that would cause damage. The locking member's restricting face eliminates the need for protective coatings by preventing the receiving pipe portion from displacing toward the inserting pipe portion, thereby removing the weak link in the corrosion protection system.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe joint is configured such that an inserting pipe portion is inserted along a pipe axis direction to a receiving pipe portion having a flange portion to be connected thereto. The pipe joint includes a protruding portion having an integral construction, the protruding portion being fixed to an outer circumferential face of the inserting pipe portion and protruding radially outwards therefrom, a stopper member having an annular integral construction, the stopper member coming into contact with a first lateral face of the protruding portion to restrict displacement of the inserting pipe portion in a direction away from the receiving pipe portion, a fastening member configured to fasten the flange portion to the stopper member. A restricting face is formed in a second lateral face of the protruding portion disposed on an opposite side to the first lateral face in the pipe axis direction, the restricting face restricting displacement of the inserting pipe portion in a direction for its insertion to the receiving pipe portion.