Rotary Pipe Joint Locking to Prevent Accidental Uncoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe joint assemblies face issues with accidental uncoupling due to unintended rotation of the rotary coupling member, requiring large forces for coupling and potential degradation of seal members, especially when using elastic seals.
Innovation Solution
A pipe joint assembly with a movable locking member that can be displaced between unlock and lock positions, inhibiting the rotary coupling member from uncoupling, and functioning as a handle to facilitate easy rotation without needing a separate handle, thus reducing the need for a large recess in the engaging surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large recess is provided in the engaging surface to prevent accidental uncoupling, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the locking function from the engaging surface structure itself and transfers it to a separate movable locking member. This allows the engaging surface to remain simple while the locking member provides the anti-uncoupling function through its ability to engage with protrusions on the rotary coupling member.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable locking member acts as an intermediary element between the rotary coupling member and the pipe joint body. It mediates the locking relationship by engaging with protrusions on the rotary coupling member, preventing accidental rotation without requiring complex modifications to either the rotary coupling member or the pipe joint body.
2Reliability
If a deep recess is provided to fully receive the engaging projection, then reliability is improved, but the force required for coupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for a deep recess by extracting the locking function to a separate movable locking member that actively engages with protrusions on the rotary coupling member, allowing coupling to occur without excessive force.
3Reliability
If the seal member is compressed to a considerable extent to achieve sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but the seal member degrades faster
Solution Approach 1:
The movable locking member performs the locking action during the coupling process, ensuring that the rotary coupling member is properly positioned before final engagement. This preliminary locking action allows the seal member to be compressed to the appropriate degree without excessive force, balancing sealing performance with service life.
4Ease of operation
If a separate handle is provided to facilitate rotation of the rotary coupling member, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable locking member serves multiple functions: it acts as both the locking mechanism to prevent accidental uncoupling and as the handle for rotating the rotary coupling member. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate handle, maintaining ease of operation while reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe assembly includes male and female joints. The female joint includes a rotary coupling member rotatable around an outer peripheral surface of a female joint body, and a locking member pivotable relative to the rotary coupling member. The rotary coupling member has a surface facing a rear end portion thereof. A male joint body is configured to be inserted into the rotary coupling member such that rotation of the rotary coupling member to a coupling position causes a projection to engage the surface, and the male and female joint bodies to be sealingly engaged in a coupled state. The locking member is configured to be pivoted to a lock position in the coupled state wherein the locking member interferes with the projection, thus inhibiting the rotary coupling member from rotating from the coupling position to an uncoupling position where the surface is out of engagement with the projection.