Non-Circular Push-to-Connect Fitting for Anti-Rotation Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Push to connect fittings allow for rotation between the pipe or tube and the fitting, which can lead to a 'loose' joint appearance despite being liquid-tight or gas-tight, lacking the stability provided by soldered or solvent cemented fittings.
Innovation Solution
An anti-rotational push to connect fitting design featuring a non-circular housing with a grip ring and support, along with an optional unlock ring, prevents rotation by using flexible angled fingers and a non-circular shape to secure the conduit, ensuring a stable and secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a push to connect fitting uses a circular housing and grip ring design, then the fitting allows for easy installation and removal, but the pipe or tube can rotate relative to the fitting resulting in a loose joint appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the circular housing and grip ring to a non-circular shape. The housing includes a non-circular outer surface, and the grip ring has a non-circular cross-section that complements the housing shape. This asymmetric design prevents rotation of the pipe relative to the fitting while maintaining the push-to-connect installation and removal ease.
2Reliability
If a push to connect fitting uses metal spurs or fingers to grip the pipe, then the fitting provides liquid-tight or gas-tight seal, but the pipe or tube can still rotate relative to the fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function with anti-rotation by making the grip ring and housing non-circular. The asymmetric shape provides both the gripping force for sealing and the geometric constraint that prevents rotation, eliminating the need for separate rotational restraint mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a push to connect fitting uses a non-circular housing and grip ring, then rotation is prevented and joint stability is improved, but the fitting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the housing and grip ring structure. The non-circular housing simultaneously provides structural support, sealing surface, and rotational constraint. The grip ring integrates the gripping function and anti-rotation feature in a single component, reducing overall device complexity despite the non-circular design.
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 design effectively prevents rotation between the conduit and the fitting, maintaining a secure and leak-proof seal while allowing for easy installation and removal without tools.
Implementation Method 1
The grip ring has a peripheral portion and one or more inwardly oriented gripping members. In an embodiment, the gripping members are a series of circumferentially positioned, inwardly projecting flexible, angled fingers.
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-rotational push to connect fitting includes a housing defining an internal cavity, the internal cavity having, at least in part, a non-circular shape. The housing has a conduit receiving region having an inwardly oriented wall. A seal is positioned in the housing adjacent to the conduit receiving region. A grip ring support is positioned in the housing adjacent to the seal. The grip ring support has a transverse flange having an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge and a longitudinal wall extending from the flange spaced from the inner and outer peripheral edges to define gaps between the longitudinal wall and a wall of the housing and inwardly of the longitudinal wall. A grip ring is positioned adjacent to the grip ring support and is seated on an end of the wall. The grip ring has a non-circular shape configured to cooperate with the housing internal cavity and the grip ring support. The grip ring has a peripheral portion that seats on the longitudinal wall and a series of circumferentially positioned, inwardly projecting flexible, angled fingers.