Quick-Locking Union Connector for Leak-Safe Pipe Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe unions experience leakage issues due to improper tightening and are inconvenient for adjustments at height, requiring forcible bending that can lead to accelerated fracture and further leakage.
Innovation Solution
A quick-locking union connector with an interior male unit, exterior female unit, and locking unit, featuring an annular locking groove, sealing groove, and a rod body with rotational positions for secure engagement and disengagement, utilizing an o-ring seal and elastic fastener for gas-tight sealing and easy rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pipe unions are used for piping work at height, then connection of pipes can be achieved, but unfavorable leaking problems occur due to inappropriate tightening of mating threads
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate male and female units with distinct locking and sealing components. The locking unit with rod body and elastic fastener member operates independently from the sealing O-ring, allowing each function to be optimized separately without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic fastener member automatically engages with the locking groove to secure the connection without requiring additional tightening operations. The O-ring seal self-activates upon insertion to provide sealing, eliminating the need for manual tightening adjustments that cause leakage in conventional unions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If threaded pipe unions are tightened, then connection stability is improved, but further rotation is unallowable and leakage occurs more readily
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static threaded connection to a dynamic system where the rod body can rotate between locked and unlocked positions. The elastic fastener member provides continuous pressure to maintain stability while allowing controlled movement for adjustment or disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection state is changed from relying on thread tightness to relying on the positional parameter of the rod body (locked vs. unlocked). The elastic fastener member maintains constant sealing pressure regardless of rotational position, providing stability while enabling adjustability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If forcible bending action is applied to modify pipe angular orientation, then pipe orientation can be adjusted, but the pipe is subjected to additional bending stress that incurs accelerated fracture of sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic fastener member acts as an intermediary that absorbs and distributes stresses, protecting the O-ring seal from direct exposure to bending forces. The flexible nature of the elastic fastener allows it to accommodate orientation adjustments without transmitting damaging stresses to the sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection allows orientation adjustment through rotation of the rod body rather than bending the pipe. This changes the adjustment mechanism from bending (which stresses seals) to rotation (which does not compromise sealing component integrity).
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional pipe unions are used for pipe connection, then pipe connection can be achieved, but the process is decelerated and inconvenient for work at height
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring seal is pre-installed in the female unit before connection, and the elastic fastener member is pre-positioned in the locking unit. When the male and female units are brought together, sealing and locking occur automatically without requiring additional manual operations, greatly accelerating the connection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector components self-assemble and self-lock upon insertion. The elastic fastener member automatically engages the locking groove, and the O-ring seal automatically contacts the mating surface to provide sealing, eliminating the need for manual tightening or adjustment operations.
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 rapid and secure connection and disconnection of pipes, preventing leakage and reducing bending stress, while ensuring a gas-tight seal and improved safety for work at height.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic fastener member (33). The rod body of the locking unit is coaxially inserted into and fittingly engaged with the bore slot of the exterior female unit
Implementation Method 2
The sealing groove, installed with an o-ring seal, is more distant to the male connection portion
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a quick-locking union connector. A sealing groove is arranged on the outside peripheral surface of a male inner sleeve to retain an o-ring seal. Close contact of the o-ring seal with the inside peripheral surface of a female outer sleeve leads to a robust sealing effect. The female outer sleeve is provided with a bore slot that penetrates through the inside peripheral surface, in an outside-to-inside manner. A locking unit rotates within the bore slot to quickly lock and unlock the engaged interior male unit and exterior female unit. Locked connection of pipes via obstructing protrusion of the locking unit into an annular locking groove can be readily and quickly executed, facilitating accelerated deployment of pipe networks.