Quick Connector for Pipe Preheating Conduit Loops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for preheating thick large diameter pipes in the welding industry are time-consuming due to the complexity of mounting and demounting electrical cables and cooling systems around the pipes.

Innovation Solution

A quick connector system featuring a tubular male and female member with radially outward protuberances and an undercut lip, allowing for rapid connection and disconnection by rotating the male member relative to the female member, facilitating efficient installation and removal of the conduit loop around the pipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mounting and demounting methods are used for electrical cables and cooling systems, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmounting and demounting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into separate male and female members with distinct coupling and decoupling mechanisms. The male member includes an outer body with protuberances and an inner body, while the female member has corresponding slots and an undercut lip, allowing independent manipulation of each component for efficient assembly and disassembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector employs a dynamic coupling mechanism where rotation of the inner male member relative to the outer male member transforms the engagement state. The protuberances on the inner male member rotate into and out of the slots in the female member, enabling quick transition between coupled and decoupled states without complex tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conduit loop is frequently mounted and demounted around pipes, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the time required for each operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of installationVSAvoidtime for mounting and demounting

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connector features pre-configured alignment elements including protuberances on the male member and corresponding slots on the female member. These elements are positioned to automatically align during insertion, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and enabling rapid coupling without time-consuming adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The decoupling mechanism inverts the conventional approach by using rotation to disengage rather than direct extraction. Rotating the inner male member causes the protuberances to move out of the slots, and the undercut lip prevents reverse rotation, creating a one-way locking mechanism that simplifies both coupling and decoupling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20170033484A1Quick connector

Publication Date: 2017.02.02 STEIN INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

A quick connector has a tubular male member with an interior lumen, an outbound end configured to allow connection to a hose and to a current conductor, and a pair of opposed radially outwardly projecting protuberances. A tubular female member has an interior lumen, an outbound end configured to allow connection to a hose and to a current conductor, and an inbound end sized to receive an inbound end of the male tubular member. The female member has a sleeve with an undercut lip at an inbound end with opposed slots sized to receive the opposed protuberances of the tubular male member.