Threaded Plastic Plug With Variable Wall Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing threaded plastic plugs face issues with intense tightening torque causing permanent deformation, incorrect thread engagement, and laborious maintenance due to the use of high-strength steel tools, leading to potential damage and compromised seals.
Innovation Solution
The plug design features a head with variable wall thickness and integrated cylindrical collars to facilitate automatic thread engagement and withstand intense torque without deformation, allowing correct sealing and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If high-strength steel operating tools are used for forced screwing, then tightening torque capacity is improved, but permanent deformation of the plastic plug head occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The plug head wall thickness is made non-uniform, being greater in specific regions (particularly at the equatorial zone where the operating tool engages) to locally reinforce the structure against deformation while maintaining overall plastic material properties. This allows the plug to withstand high tightening torques from steel tools without permanent deformation of the head.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard operating tools with circumferential play are used, then tool versatility is improved, but incorrect thread engagement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is designed with a conical leading portion or guide face that precedes the threaded section. This preliminary geometric feature automatically aligns and centers the plug with the receiving thread before engagement occurs, compensating for the circumferential play in standard operating tools and ensuring correct thread engagement without requiring manual alignment.
3Strength
If cautious tightening is applied to avoid damage, then plug head integrity is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plug head wall thickness is increased in specific regions to locally reinforce the structure against deformation while maintaining overall plastic material properties. This allows the plug to withstand high tightening torques from steel tools without permanent deformation of the head.
4Strength
If increased wall thickness is applied throughout the plug head, then deformation resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug head wall thickness is made non-uniform, being greater in specific regions (particularly at the equatorial zone where the operating tool engages) to locally reinforce the structure against deformation while maintaining overall plastic material properties. This allows the plug to withstand high tightening torques from steel tools without permanent deformation of the head.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
A threaded plastic plug (1) comprises a single-piece structure, having a longitudinal axis (2) of symmetry, and comprises a head (5), a body (3) with an outer thread (6) and a cylindrical collar (17b), and a tightening flange (4) interposed between the head (5) and the body (3). The head (5) has the shape of a tubular solid (8) projecting from the flange (4) in a direction parallel with the axis (2) of the plug (1), and comprises an inner cavity (7), accessible from the outside through one end of the solid (8), the cavity (7) being laterally surrounded by a non-circular surface (22) of an annular wall (9). The wall (9) of the tubular solid (8) which surrounds the cavity (7) having a variable thickness, the greater thickness being located close to the flange (4) and entirely facing towards the inside of the cavity (7).