Tube Coupling Cartridge Ring for Electrical Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube couplings for plumbing require high manufacturing tolerances and expensive materials like brass for achieving electrical continuity, making them costly and difficult to produce, especially when not all couplings need to provide electrical conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A tube coupling design featuring a stamped, electrically conductive cartridge ring with radial projections that ensures electrical continuity between the grab ring and housing, allowing for reduced manufacturing costs and tolerance requirements, and enabling the same cartridge ring to be used in both conductive and non-conductive applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a machined brass cartridge ring is used to ensure electrical continuity, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from brass to steel and the manufacturing process parameter from machining to stamping. The cartridge ring is now made of steel and formed by stamping operations, which are less expensive and simpler than machining brass, while still providing the required electrical conductivity through proper material selection and surface treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive machined brass components with cheaper stamped steel components. The stamped cartridge ring provides the necessary electrical continuity function at a lower cost, effectively substituting a costly material-process combination with a more economical alternative that achieves the same functional requirement
2Reliability
If close tolerances are used between components to maintain contact, then electrical continuity is ensured, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring element that provides dynamic compliance to the cartridge ring assembly. The spring allows for automatic adjustment and maintenance of contact pressure between components, compensating for tolerance variations and ensuring reliable electrical continuity without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on individual parts
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as a cushioning mechanism that anticipates and compensates for tolerance stack-up and dimensional variations. By incorporating this elastic element beforehand, the design ensures that contact is maintained despite variations in component dimensions, reducing the stringency of tolerance requirements
3Reliability
If projections are formed on the grab ring to ensure electrical contact, then electrical continuity is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex projections to the grab ring, the patent inverts the approach by placing the electrical contact function on the cartridge ring itself. The cartridge ring is designed with integrated contact surfaces and spring elements that provide the necessary electrical connection, simplifying the grab ring structure while achieving the same electrical continuity goal
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 provides reliable electrical continuity at a lower manufacturing cost compared to prior art, using stamped sheet metal for the cartridge ring, which can be made from materials like stainless steel or plastic with conductive coatings, and allows for easier assembly and improved structural strength.
Implementation Method 1
the cartridge ring including a projection that projects radially inwardly and is positioned so that upon insertion of a tube into the tube coupling, an edge of the grab ring bears against the projection and the cartridge ring bears against a facing surface of the housing to provide electrical continuity between the grab ring and the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A tube coupling (10) which includes a tubular, electrically conductive housing (11), a seal (12) for sealing against the outside of a tube, a substantially annular and electrically conductive grab ring (13) for gripping the outside of a tube and an annular cartridge ring (15) between an inner surface of the housing (11) and the grab ring (13). The cartridge ring (15) includes a projection (30) that projects radially inwardly and is positioned so that upon insertion of a tube into the tube coupling (10), an edge of the grab ring (13) bears against the projection (30) and the cartridge (15) bears against a facing surface of the housing (11) to provide electrically continuity between the grab ring (13) and the housing (11).