Tube connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube connectors suffer from loose connections due to telescopic displacement and insufficient buckling strength, leading to inconvenience in use.
Innovation Solution
A tube connector design featuring a connecting member with cone-shaped studs and tightening sleeves, where the cone-shaped studs have threaded sections and positioning ends, and the sleeves have tapered screw holes and expanding slots, allowing for secure locking and enhanced stability through rotational tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tubes are connected by inner or outer tube socketing, then the connection can be assembled, but the connection becomes loose due to telescopic displacement and gravity pressurization
Solution Approach 1:
The cone-shaped stud with threaded section is pre-installed on the connecting member before assembly. During assembly, the tightening sleeve is screwed onto the threaded section, performing the locking action in advance. This preliminary threading action ensures that the connection is secured before any telescopic displacement or gravity pressurization can occur, preventing the loosening problem while maintaining assembly convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a cone-shaped stud with a threaded section that changes the geometric parameters of the connection. The conical shape provides a tapered geometry that, when combined with the threaded section, creates a mechanical advantage during tightening. The thread pitch and cone angle are specific parameters that transform the rotational motion into axial clamping force, preventing telescopic displacement while maintaining reliable connection.
2Ease of operation
If tubes are connected by insertion connection, then the connection can be assembled, but the tubes can be easily pulled out and dismantled
Solution Approach 1:
The tightening sleeve with tapered screw hole is pre-configured on the connecting member before the actual connection is made. When assembled, the sleeve is screwed onto the cone-shaped stud, performing the locking action in advance. This preliminary threading and tightening action creates a strong mechanical lock that prevents the tubes from being easily pulled out, while the overall process remains simple and straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The cone-shaped stud features a curved, tapered surface rather than a straight cylindrical shape. This conical geometry provides a mechanical advantage where the tapered surface converts rotational tightening motion into axial clamping force. The curved surface area increases with the tightening action, creating a progressive locking effect that significantly enhances connection strength while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If buckle and positioning hole are used for positioning, then the tubes can be positioned, but the buckle strength is insufficient and deforms easily
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional buckle with a cone-shaped stud featuring a threaded section with specific pitch and depth parameters. The thread geometry transforms the connection mechanism from a simple mechanical buckle to a threaded fastening system. The cone angle and thread pitch are optimized parameters that provide both positioning accuracy and high strength, preventing the deformation issues associated with conventional buckles while maintaining reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The cone-shaped stud uses a tapered, curved surface instead of a flat or cylindrical buckle surface. This conical geometry distributes the mechanical loads more effectively across the contact area. The progressive increase in surface area from the base to the tip of the cone provides a mechanical advantage that significantly increases the strength of the connection, preventing buckle deformation while ensuring accurate positioning through the tapered fit.
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 design ensures stable and secure connections between tubes by preventing loosening and enhancing the strength of the connection, allowing for reliable assembly and disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
Each cone-shaped stud has a socket, and the socket has a positioning end larger than an outer diameter of the socket. The tightening sleeves respectively jacket onto two ends of the connecting member, an end of each tightening sleeve has a tapered screw hole
Data Source
AI summary
A tube connector has a connecting member and two tightening sleeves. The connecting member has a circular shaft portion, and two ends of the circular shaft portion respectively have a cone-shaped stud with a threaded section. Each cone-shaped stud has a socket, and the socket has a positioning end larger than an outer diameter of the socket. The tightening sleeves respectively jacket onto two ends of the connecting member, an end of each tightening sleeve has a tapered screw hole, and another end has a through aperture connecting to the taper screw hole.