Press-Down Pipe Joint Venting to Prevent Plug Jump-Out
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joints with sockets and plugs face difficulties in easy coupling and uncoupling, and there is a risk of the plug unexpectedly separating, leading to fluid leakage during uncoupling.
Innovation Solution
A press-down type pipe joint design featuring a socket with a built-in plug, steel balls, and an O-ring for sealing, allowing for airtight, semi-airtight, and non-inserted states, preventing unexpected uncoupling and fluid leakage by managing pressure through communication holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a press-down type mechanism is used to facilitate uncoupling of socket and plug, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of unexpected separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a retainer that prevents the plug from being pulled out in the opposite direction to the pressing-down operation. The retainer is positioned to engage with the plug and block its movement outward, counteracting the force that would cause unexpected separation. This allows the press-down mechanism to easily facilitate uncoupling while the retainer pre-empts the harmful effect of accidental pull-out.
2Ease of operation
If engagement structure is simplified for easy coupling, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving good engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spheroidality by using steel balls as the engagement elements between the socket and plug. The spherical shape of the steel balls allows for easy coupling as they can roll into place, while also providing precise engagement through their curved surfaces. The steel balls are housed in recesses that guide their positioning, combining ease of operation with reliable engagement without requiring high manufacturing precision of the engagement surfaces themselves.
3Reliability
If airtight sealing is maintained during uncoupling, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to pressure management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sealing function into multiple O-rings positioned at different locations. One O-ring seals the interface between the socket and plug, while another O-ring seals the interface between the plug and the retainer. This segmentation allows pressure to be managed at multiple points, preventing leakage during uncoupling without requiring a single complex pressure management system. Each O-ring independently handles sealing at its specific location.
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 ensures secure coupling and uncoupling of the socket and plug, prevents fluid leakage during uncoupling, and maintains airtightness by using an O-ring and communication holes to manage pressure, thereby preventing the plug from jumping out.
Implementation Method 1
an O-ring housed in the housing groove and arranged between the inner surface of the built-in base portion and an outer surface of the built-in plug part, the O-ring is adapted to seal a gap therebetween
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of communication holes that penetrate portions of the built-in base portion on the rear end side of the housing groove, the plurality of communication holes are configured to cause a space in the built-in base portion and the hole portion of the base portion to communicate with each other
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention provides a socket and a pipe joint which facilitate coupling and uncoupling of the socket and a plug and which can prevent the plug from jumping out of the socket in the uncoupling. In a socket 10 of the present invention, fluid in a built-in plug part 22 is released to the outside via communication holes 40 of a second base portion 18 and a through hole 51 of a third base portion 19 in a semi-inserted state. Accordingly, the pressure in a hole portion 34 does not become excessively high and an engaged part 42 is not unexpectedly pushed upward. Thus, an engagement portion 38 and a second engaged portion 26 can surely engage with each other. Hence, the plug 12 can be prevented from jumping out toward the front end side in the semi-inserted state.