Plug With Handle Sealing Tube Interior
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Tubes in fluid systems, such as air conditioning and refrigeration, often become re-contaminated during storage or transport, requiring additional cleaning before assembly, which increases time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A plug with a cylindrical body and integrated handle is designed to seal the tube, featuring a conical end wall and circumferential ribs for a robust seal, eliminating the need for a separate O-ring and allowing nitrogen gas to maintain a clean state within the tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate O-ring is used for sealing the tube, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sealing function directly into the plug body by incorporating circumferential sealing ribs on the outer surface of the cylindrical body. This eliminates the need for a separate O-ring component, reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability through the rib structures that directly contact the tube interior surface.
2Reliability
If multiple sealing components are used, then the seal robustness is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is designed as a single integrated component with sealing ribs formed directly on the cylindrical body. This unified structure eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble multiple separate sealing components, significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining seal robustness through the integrated rib design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented into multiple circumferential ribs on the plug surface, allowing the seal to be distributed across several contact points with the tube interior. This segmentation provides robust sealing without requiring multiple separate components, as all ribs are formed as part of the single plug body.
3Reliability
If additional sealing components are added, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the sealing function into the plug body itself through integrated ribs, the system eliminates the need to install separate sealing components during assembly. The plug provides complete sealing functionality as a single unit, reducing assembly time while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
4Ease of operation
If a simple plug design is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plug incorporates circumferential ribs at specific locations on the cylindrical body to provide localized sealing contact with the tube interior. This local quality enhancement allows the simple plug design to achieve effective sealing at critical contact points without requiring complex overall structure, maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug for sealing an interior of a tube and including a cylindrical body having a first end that is open and includes an annular surface, and a second end that is closed by a conical end wall. The cylindrical body having a plurality of ribs that are configured to engage the interior of the tube and provide a seal between the plug and the interior of the tube. The plug also includes a handle unitary with the cylindrical body that extends from the annular surface. The handle has a cylindrical inner surface that is coextensive with an interior surface of the cylindrical body and an outer surface that is coextensive with an exterior surface of the cylindrical body.