Disassembly-Prevention Nut Assembly for Refrigerant Pipe Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems using flammable refrigerants face challenges in ensuring non-detachable connections of refrigerant pipes, which is crucial for safety and preventing accidental disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A disassembly-prevention nut assembly is introduced, comprising a pipe connector, a connection nut, and a disassembly-prevention nut. The disassembly-prevention nut is threaded onto the connection nut or pipe connector, creating a secure, anti-disassembly connection between the first and second connection pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard connection nut is used to connect the pipe connector and connection pipe, then the connection can be easily assembled and disassembled, but the connection can be accidentally disassembled which compromises safety
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: the connection nut for initial assembly, the pipe connector for structural support, and the disassembly-prevention nut for security. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve both ease of assembly (through the connection nut) and connection security (through the disassembly-prevention nut).
Solution Approach 2:
The disassembly-prevention nut is pre-installed onto the pipe connector before the connection assembly is finalized. This preliminary action ensures that when the connection nut is later removed for maintenance or replacement, the disassembly-prevention nut remains in place to prevent accidental disconnection of the connection pipe.
2Strength
If the connection nut is made tightly connected with locking torque, then the connection strength is improved, but the connection can still be disassembled by rotating backwards
Solution Approach 1:
The disassembly-prevention nut is installed in advance to counteract the potential harmful action of backward rotation. When someone attempts to rotate the connection nut backwards to disassemble the connection, the disassembly-prevention nut blocks this motion, thereby preventing accidental disassembly even if the connection nut is initially tightly connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The disassembly-prevention nut acts as an intermediary element between the pipe connector and the connection nut. It mediates the connection by providing an additional layer of security that prevents direct disassembly of the connection nut, thus enhancing anti-disassembly capability while maintaining connection strength.
3Reliability
If a protective element with a large bore is used to prohibit public access to the nut, then the anti-disassembly capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disassembly-prevention nut serves multiple functions: it acts as a locking mechanism to prevent disassembly, provides structural support to the pipe connector, and serves as a protective element that prohibits public access to the internal threading. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective elements, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is merged with the disassembly-prevention function in a single component. Instead of having a separate protective cover and a separate locking mechanism, the disassembly-prevention nut combines both functions, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining anti-disassembly capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A disassembly-prevention nut assembly (100) and an air conditioning system are provided. The disassembly-prevention nut assembly (100) is used to fix a first connection pipe (201) and a second connection pipe (202). The disassembly-prevention nut assembly (100) comprises a pipe connector (10), a connection nut (20) and a disassembly-prevention nut (30). One end of the connection nut (20) is fixed at the first connection pipe (201). The second connection pipe (202) and the pipe connector (10) are in an insertion connection and are fixed to each other. The pipe connector (10) is inserted into and threadedly connected to the other end of the connection nut (20). The disassembly-prevention nut (30) is sleeved onto and threadedly connected to the pipe connector (10) or the connection nut (20). The disassembly-prevention nut (30) is used to further reinforce the connection between the pipe connector (10) and the connection nut (20) and to prevent separation of the two.