Push-Fit Pipe Fitting With Visual Seating Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Push-fit pipe fittings lack a clear indication of correct pipe seating and torque, leading to potential pipe bursting under pressure due to incomplete insertion or improper assembly.
Innovation Solution
A push-fit pipe fitting design incorporating a locking nut, compression fitting, locking ring, inner body, and main body with visual or physical indicators to signal correct pipe retention, ensuring proper seating and torque through indicator windows and special tool requirements for disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no visual indicator is provided, then the fitting structure remains simple, but the user cannot determine if the pipe is correctly seated leading to potential bursting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating an indicator element that displays different colors or visual states to indicate whether the pipe is correctly seated in the fitting. When the pipe reaches the proper insertion depth, the indicator changes appearance (e.g., from red to green, or from hidden to visible), providing immediate visual confirmation to the user without adding complex mechanical structures.
2Manufacturing precision
If the pipe insertion depth is not visible, then the fitting assembly is simpler, but the pipe may be partially inserted causing it to burst under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary indicator element that translates the internal pipe insertion state into an externally visible signal. This mediator component allows the user to indirectly observe the pipe insertion depth without requiring direct visibility into the fitting interior, thereby ensuring precise insertion while maintaining a relatively simple overall assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the user pushes the pipe down until unable to push further, then no additional components are needed, but the pipe may still not be inserted deep enough and burst when pressurized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by providing a visual indicator that gives real-time information to the user about the pipe insertion status. Instead of relying on tactile feedback alone (pushing until resistance is felt), the visual indicator provides objective confirmation that the pipe has reached the correct insertion depth, thereby improving both ease of operation and reliability simultaneously.
4Measurement precision
If marking the pipe to match the orifice depth is used, then no additional fitting components are required, but the method is imprecise and does not ensure correct seating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual marking method (a mechanical/visual estimation technique) with a built-in indicator mechanism that automatically provides precise measurement feedback. This substitution eliminates the need for users to manually mark pipes and provides more accurate and reliable insertion depth indication through the integrated indicator element.
Data Source
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AI summary
A push-fit type fitting that can be used to connect a pipe to either another pipe or a variety of other fittings. The fitting consists of a visual indicator that provides a visual confirmation to the user once the pipe has been correctly retained in the device.