Plastic Pipe Union Integral Locking Structure Vibration Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic pipe unions are prone to loosening due to torqueing and vibration, leading to potential leaks in piping systems, especially when connected to devices like centrifugal pumps.
Innovation Solution
A plastic pipe union with an integral locking structure featuring a cylindrical tail piece and nut member, where a biasing means, such as an elastomeric ring or spring coils, compresses to maintain engagement between scalloped surfaces on the tail piece and nut, preventing loosening by providing a positive lock against torque and vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard nut and tail piece union is used, then the union allows quick connection and disconnection, but the nut can work loose due to vibration and torqueing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a biasing means (such as a spring or elastomeric ring) that pre-loads the nut against the tail piece before any loosening forces are applied. This pre-loading ensures that the nut maintains constant engagement pressure, counteracting the effects of vibration and torqueing that would otherwise cause loosening. The biasing means is installed in advance to provide continuous locking pressure throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the biasing means to create a pre-compressive force that opposes and counteracts the loosening forces generated by vibration and torqueing. This anti-action is built into the structure beforehand, so when disruptive forces are applied, they are immediately resisted by the pre-established compressive load from the biasing means, preventing the nut from working loose.
2Ease of operation
If the nut is allowed to move freely along the tail piece for disconnection, then easy disconnection is achieved, but the nut cannot provide sufficient locking under torque
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing means is installed in advance to provide continuous locking pressure on the nut, ensuring it remains engaged with the tail piece even when subjected to torqueing forces. This pre-established force maintains the locking engagement without interfering with the nut's ability to move for disconnection when the end device is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the force parameter by introducing a biasing means that continuously applies a compressive force to the nut. This force parameter modification ensures the nut maintains sufficient engagement pressure under torque while still allowing movement along the tail piece for disconnection when the end device is removed, as the biasing force only acts to maintain engagement, not to restrict movement.
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 locking mechanism effectively prevents the nut from coming loose due to vibration or torque, ensuring a secure seal and reducing leakage risks in piping systems.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing means is disposed between the seating face of the tail piece and the matching seal face at the end of the male nipple. When compressed, the biasing means provides the load which maintains the locking engagement of the engagement faces of the tail piece and the nut member
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic pipe union has an integral locking mechanism which is activated when nut member of the union is sufficiently tightened to the threads of an adjoining male nipple. The nut member and the tail piece of the plastic union each have matching engagement surfaces, where each engagement surface has a scalloped profile. Once sufficiently tightened, tactile feedback is provided to a personal manually tightening the nut member, indicating that the scalloped structures of the opposing engagement surfaces have interacted and reached a locked configuration.