Pipe Retaining Ring Joint for Secure Escutcheon Plate Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer showerhead replacement kits often include an escutcheon plate that loosens over time, leading to exposed piping and a lack of secure installation, as existing solutions fail to provide a reliable retaining mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A plumbing fastener system featuring a retaining ring with a joint mechanism, such as a T-joint, post clip, or Y-joint, that securely locks around pipes using elastomers or flexible metals, ensuring a flush and reversible connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional escutcheon plate installation is used, then the initial installation is simple, but the plate loosens over time and fails to remain secure
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is designed with flexible material that allows it to dynamically adapt to the pipe surface, maintaining continuous contact pressure to prevent loosening over time while remaining simple in structure
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism changes the physical state of the retaining ring through elastic deformation, allowing it to expand and lock around the pipe securely without complex fasteners
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is added to prevent loosening, then the reliability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic retaining ring can be dynamically compressed for easy installation and removal, then automatically returns to its expanded locked state, providing both security and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring uses its own elastic properties to automatically lock and unlock without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms, making it self-sufficient for both secure fastening and easy removal
3Reliability
If additional adhesives or locking mechanisms are used, then the reliability of the escutcheon plate installation improves, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring combines multiple functions (fastening, sealing, and positioning) into a single integrated component that eliminates the need for separate adhesives or locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic retaining ring provides its own locking action through material deformation, making additional locking mechanisms redundant and allowing a single-component solution
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 solution provides a secure and long-lasting installation of the escutcheon plate without additional adhesives or locking mechanisms, maintaining the plate's position effectively and allowing for easy installation and removal.
Implementation Method 1
The fastener includes an elastomer. The elastomer includes one of a silicone, a rubber, or a flexible plastic. In other embodiments, the fastener includes a flexible metal.
Data Source
AI summary
A plumbing fastener having a retaining ring to encircle a continuous pipe is described. The plumbing fastener may have a fastener flush with the retaining ring. The plumbing fastener may have a joint with a male tab and a female slot configured to receive the male tab, including a T-joint, a joint with a tongue, or a joint with first angled walls and second angled walls. In the T-joint, a male tab includes a T-joint tab received by a female slot. In the joint with first angled walls and second angled walls, a male tab includes first angled walls configured to be received by a female slot with second angled walls. Fasteners may be an elastomer, a silicone, a rubber, a flexible plastic, or a flexible metal. Some rings may have an interior ring surface with a concave cross-section to adhere to a portion of the continuous pipe using suction.