Sealed Sleeve Structure for Fast Pipe Coupling and Leak Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of refrigerant pipes in air-conditioner and refrigeration systems is hindered by long installation times, inconvenient sealing and coupling of pipes with different diameters, and difficulty in recognizing the direction of the sleeve.
Innovation Solution
A sealed sleeve with a pillar-shaped main body and a through-hole featuring a pressing portion that applies sealing pressure, an identification structure for direction recognition, and a curved pressing introducing portion to facilitate the connection of pipes with different diameters, ensuring proper alignment and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional sleeve structure is used for connecting pipes with different diameters, then the connection can be achieved, but the installation time is excessively long and the sealing is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve incorporates a pressing portion with a specific inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the second pipe, creating a localized sealing zone. This pressing portion is positioned at a specific location within the through-hole to apply sealing pressure exactly where needed at the insertion coupling portion, rather than requiring complex overall structural adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is designed with a predetermined pressing portion that automatically applies sealing pressure when the pipes are inserted and coupled. The sealing action occurs automatically as part of the insertion process, eliminating the need for separate sealing operations or complex adjustment procedures during installation
2Ease of operation
If a conventional sleeve structure is used, then the connection can be made, but workers have difficulty recognizing the direction of the sleeve
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve incorporates an identification structure that creates an asymmetric appearance, allowing workers to easily distinguish the front and back directions of the sleeve during installation. This asymmetric feature provides clear directional information without adding functional complexity to the sealing mechanism
3Reliability
If pipes with different inner and outer diameters are connected using conventional methods, then the connection can be achieved, but sealing performance is compromised and cross-section breaks may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion is designed with specific dimensional parameters where its inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the second pipe, creating a localized interference fit that provides both sealing pressure and mechanical strength. This localized design prevents cross-section breaks while ensuring reliable sealing at the critical insertion coupling portion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the dimensional parameters of the pressing portion, specifically setting its inner diameter to be smaller than the outer diameter of the second pipe by a controlled amount. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient sealing pressure while maintaining structural integrity and preventing cross-section breaks during installation and operation
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 solution reduces refrigerant leakage, minimizes cross-section breaks, simplifies the mounting process, and allows workers to easily recognize the sleeve's direction, leading to quicker and more reliable connections.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing portion that applies a sealing pressure to the insertion coupling portion
Data Source
AI summary
A sealed sleeve installed at an insertion coupling portion in a state in which a first pipe and a second pipe are insertion coupled to each other in order to seal couple the first pipe having a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter and the second pipe having a second outer diameter and a second inner diameter larger than the first outer diameter includes: a pillar shaped-main body having a main body central shaft; a through-hole formed using the main body central shaft as a central shaft on the main body and having an inlet as a second pipe side opening in an installation state and an outlet as a first pipe side opening in an installation state, wherein in the through-hole, a pressing portion that applies a sealing pressure to the insertion coupling portion is formed in a portion of an inner wall, and an inner diameter of the pressing portion is smaller than the second outer diameter.