Threaded Coupling Assembly With Visual Rings for Leak-Free Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current threaded coupling assemblies for fluid-carrying conduits lack effective means to ensure complete assembly, leading to potential leaks due to human error and inefficiencies such as cross-threading and high assembly angles, with existing visual indication systems being prone to misinterpretation under poor lighting or installer impairment.
Innovation Solution
A threaded coupling assembly featuring tapered threads for reduced cross-threading risk and self-alignment, along with a pair of telescoping indicator rings providing a three-component visual contrasting system to clearly indicate incomplete assembly, ensuring proper connection and minimizing assembly angle requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual torque stripes are used to indicate complete assembly, then visual indication of assembly status is provided, but human error and environmental factors cause incorrect marking leading to leaking connections
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator rings are automatically positioned during the assembly process itself, eliminating the need for separate manual marking operations. The rings move relative to each other as the coupling is assembled, providing self-service indication of assembly status without human intervention for marking.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicator system provides immediate feedback during the assembly process by showing the assembler the current state of connection. The contrasting colors and window alignment give real-time information about whether the assembly is complete, allowing correction before final tightening.
2Ease of manufacture
If straight threads are used for coupling assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but cross-threading and large assembly angle requirements increase assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric thread profiles where the male and female threads have complementary but non-identical geometries. This asymmetry allows the threads to self-align during assembly, guiding the components into proper orientation and preventing cross-threading while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Device complexity
If a two-color visual indication system is used, then simple visual contrast is provided, but erroneous interpretation may occur due to poor lighting, limited viewing angle, or installer visual impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system uses different visual characteristics (colors, patterns, or textures) at different locations and angles around the coupling assembly. This local variation in visual properties ensures that at least one indication method is always visible and interpretable regardless of lighting conditions, viewing angle, or installer visual capabilities.
4Measurement precision
If the visual indication calls attention to proper assembly, then correct assembly is confirmed, but appropriate steps cannot be taken to correct improper assembly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of indicating proper assembly with a visible signal, the system inverts the approach by indicating improper assembly or incomplete connection through the visual indicator. The contrasting colors show when the assembly is NOT complete, naturally guiding the assembler to continue until the correct state is achieved, while also allowing easy identification of correction needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A threaded coupling assembly include a union (12), a tube end (14), and a coupling nut (16). A pair of telescoping indicator rings (30, 32), a radially outer ring and a radially inner ring, are respectively connected to the union and the nut. The inner ring has a first visual characteristic contrasting with a second visual characteristic of the inner ring. The outer ring has a third visual characteristic contrasting with the second visual characteristic of the inner ring. The first visual characteristic is aligned with and viewable through the window (60) of the outer ring when the threaded coupling assembly is in the fully assembled state, and the first visual characteristic is out of alignment with the window when the threaded coupling assembly is not in the fully assembled state. The assembly may utilize tapered threads and have one or more features for self-alignment and/or sealability.