Quick Connector Assembly With Variable Teeth for High-Pressure Tube Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies for fluidly connecting pipes of different materials, such as copper, CPVC, and PEX, are often costly, laborious to install, and unreliable, especially when exposed to high pressures.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring a housing with deflectable fingers and axially spaced teeth that engage with the tubes to resist pull-out, providing a secure and fluid-tight connection without the need for adhesives or welding, capable of withstanding pressures up to 800 psi.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional adapter designs are used to connect PEX tubing with copper or CPVC piping, then material compatibility is achieved, but installation becomes costly and laborious requiring adhesives or welding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical joining methods (adhesives, welding) with a pure mechanical insertion system. The connector features a body with an opening that receives the tube end, and circumferential elements (teeth, ribs, or lips) that engage with the tube to provide both connection and sealing through mechanical interference fit alone, eliminating the need for chemical adhesives or thermal welding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements including circumferential lips that can deform to conform to the tube surface, and in some embodiments O-rings or gaskets that provide sealing through elastic deformation. These flexible elements accommodate manufacturing tolerances and tube surface variations while maintaining fluid-tight seals under pressure
2Ease of operation
If traditional adapter designs are used, then connection is achieved, but installation becomes laborious requiring adhesives or welding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical joining methods (adhesives, welding) with a pure mechanical insertion system. The connector features a body with an opening that receives the tube end, and circumferential elements (teeth, ribs, or lips) that engage with the tube to provide both connection and sealing through mechanical interference fit alone, eliminating the need for chemical adhesives or thermal welding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different local geometries to different circumferential elements to optimize their functions. Some teeth have sharper leading edges for cutting into the tube for secure engagement, while lips have rounded surfaces for sealing. This differentiation of local qualities allows each element to perform its specific function optimally under high pressure conditions
3Reliability
If known adapters are used, then connection is established, but they fail when exposed to high pressure fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements including circumferential lips that can deform to conform to the tube surface, and in some embodiments O-rings or gaskets that provide sealing through elastic deformation. These flexible elements accommodate manufacturing tolerances and tube surface variations while maintaining fluid-tight seals under pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different local geometries to different circumferential elements to optimize their functions. Some teeth have sharper leading edges for cutting into the tube for secure engagement, while lips have rounded surfaces for sealing. This differentiation of local qualities allows each element to perform its specific function optimally under high pressure conditions
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 connector assembly offers increased pull-out resistance and a secure, fluid-tight seal at high pressures, eliminating the need for costly and laborious installation methods while preventing contamination from brass or lead.
Implementation Method 1
The at least three axially spaced teeth have differing angles of the angled portions... Each of said teeth extends by a height to a leading edge of an upper surface which also includes an angled portion that extends at an angle relative to the axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The connector assembly includes a housing with an open bore which extends along an axis from an open first end to an open second end. The housing further includes a plurality of fingers that are spaced circumferentially from one another and are deflectable in a radial direction. At least one of the fingers has a plurality of teeth that are spaced axially from one another and extend into the open bore of said housing for biting into the first tube to resist pull out of the first tube from the open bore. Each of the teeth also extends by a height to a leading edge of an engagement surface which also includes an angled portion that extends at an angle relative to the axis. The axially spaced teeth have at least one of differing heights and differing angles of the angled portions.