Tube Connector Structure for Misaligned or Short Pipe Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube connectors are inflexible and cannot effectively join pipes that are slightly mis-aligned or of insufficient length for direct threaded engagement.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrically shaped tube connector with a hollow interior and pipe aligning structures, including X-shaped projections and a compressible elastic material, allows for centering and secure fastening of pipes with slight mis-alignments, using fasteners to retain the pipes within the connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional threaded engagement is used to connect pipes, then the connection structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate mis-aligned or insufficiently long pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body acts as an intermediary component between two pipes, providing a receiving space that accommodates pipe ends. The pipe aligning structures within the connector serve as mediators to center and align the pipes, enabling connection even when pipes are mis-aligned or too short for direct threaded engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into functional segments: a cylindrical body providing the receiving space, pipe aligning structures for centering, threaded bores for fastening, and elastic material for cushioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively solving the adaptability problem.
2Manufacturing precision
If pipe aligning structures are added to the connector, then mis-aligned pipes can be centered, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe aligning structures are pre-formed as integral parts of the connector body during manufacturing. These structures include centering features that automatically guide and position pipe ends at the correct location before fastening, ensuring precise alignment without requiring additional assembly steps or complex post-processing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If elastic material is added for cushioning, then noise and vibration are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic material is placed within the receiving space of the connector body before pipe installation. This pre-positioned cushioning material absorbs vibrations and reduces noise generated by pipe movement or thermal expansion, protecting the connected structure from harmful mechanical effects while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.
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
Enables reliable connection of mis-aligned or short pipes by centering and cushioning them, reducing noise and vibration, and providing a secure fastening mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible elastic material, allows for centering and secure fastening of pipes with slight mis-alignments, using fasteners to retain the pipes within the connector
Data Source
AI summary
A tube connector that includes a cylindrically shaped body having a hollow interior defining a cylindrical inner surface therein. The cylindrically shaped body has a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening. The first and second openings are both open to the hollow interior. The cylindrically shaped body has a pipe aligning structure within the hollow interior spaced apart from the cylindrical inner surface dimensioned and shaped to receive a hollow pipe and center the hollow pipe with the hollow interior.