Preassembled Pipe Coupling With Deformable Engaging Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipeline connecting devices require disassembly of components during installation, making the process time-consuming and costly, and lack efficient methods for quick and stable coupling of pipeline elements.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline connecting device with preassembled coupling units featuring engaging keys with varying radii of curvature, allowing for direct assembly onto pipeline elements without disassembling the gasket and fasteners, and utilizing a fastening element to deform the engaging keys for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional pipeline connecting devices use preassembled components (gasket and fasteners) that require disassembly during installation, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket and fasteners are preassembled with the coupling body before installation. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need to disassemble components during installation, allowing the entire assembly to be installed as one unit on the pipeline elements, thereby reducing installation time and labor while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling body, gasket, and fasteners are merged into a single preassembled unit. This combination allows all components to be installed simultaneously in one operation rather than requiring sequential assembly and disassembly steps, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and installation efficiency
2Reliability
If conventional pipeline connecting devices use circular engaging surfaces on engaging keys, then the engagement stability is ensured, but the installation process requires precise alignment and multiple adjustment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging surface is changed from a circular shape to a spherical shape. This curvature allows the engaging key to automatically self-align with the groove on the pipeline element during insertion, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and multiple adjustment steps while maintaining stable engagement through the spherical contact surface
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pipeline connecting devices require disassembly of components during installation, then the device can be adapted to different pipeline configurations, but the installation cost increases due to additional labor and time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket and fasteners are preassembled with the coupling body in various configurations before installation. This preliminary preparation allows the device to be adapted to different pipeline configurations without requiring disassembly during installation, reducing installation complexity and cost while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple components are merged into a preassembled unit that can be installed as one piece. This merging maintains the adaptability to different pipeline configurations while eliminating the complex disassembly and reassembly steps, thereby reducing installation process complexity
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
Facilitates quick and reliable installation of pipeline elements by eliminating the need for disassembly and reducing installation steps, ensuring stable and efficient coupling without the need for additional tools or manual adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
each of the engaging surfaces is deformed to change the varying radiuses of curvature, so as to substantially match a radius of curvature of the groove circumference
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Disclosed are a pipeline connecting device, a pipeline element coupling piece and a coupling method therefor. The pipeline element coupling unit comprises a plurality of coupling units, a gasket arranged at the coupling unit, and a fastening element. Each coupling unit comprises two engaging keys located at two coupling ends thereof, each engaging key has an engaging surface, and each engaging surface has a variable curvature radius. The fastening element is coupled to the coupling unit, wherein the pipeline element coupling piece is adapted to be pre-mount onto the two pipeline elements and be aligned with engaging keys and corresponding grooves of the pipeline elements. When the fastening element is operated to fasten together the coupling units, each engaging surface is deformed to change the curvature radius to substantially match the curvature radius of the groove circumference of the bottom of the groove of the pipeline element.