Tube Coupling Collet with Biasing Member for Variable Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube couplings are limited in their ability to securely connect a wide range of tube diameters, particularly smaller diameters, due to reduced gripping force, making retrofitting challenging with varying pipe systems from different manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a biasing member that adjusts the position of the collet legs along a tapered surface to maintain an optimal grip for different tube diameters, and providing a kit with tubular inserts of varying diameters to ensure secure sealing and connection, along with tools for reshaping and preparing tube ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a collet coupling is designed to grip smaller diameter tubes, then the gripping force on smaller tubes is reduced, but the ability to connect a wide range of tube diameters is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is designed with resilient legs that can dynamically adjust their position along the tapered bore. The biasing member continuously applies force to maintain optimal contact between the collet legs and the tube surface, allowing the system to adapt to different tube diameters while maintaining sufficient gripping force through elastic deformation of the legs
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered bore geometry creates a changing contact surface as the collet expands. By positioning the collet at different locations along the taper, the effective gripping parameters change - smaller collets engage higher on the taper where the bore is narrower, while larger collets engage lower where the bore is wider, optimizing the grip for each diameter
2Force
If multiple different coupling designs are used for different tube diameters, then adequate gripping force is maintained for each size, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single coupling body with a tapered bore serves multiple functions by accommodating collets of various sizes. The standardized tapered geometry allows different collet sizes to be used with the same coupling body, eliminating the need for multiple specialized coupling designs while maintaining adequate gripping force through the self-adjusting resilient leg mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is segmented into modular components - a standardized coupling body and interchangeable collets of different sizes. This segmentation allows the system to handle various tube diameters by simply changing the collet component rather than replacing the entire coupling assembly
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 secure connection and sealing of a variety of tube diameters, facilitating easy retrofitting without the need for a wide range of fittings and allowing conversion between inner and outer diameter systems, ensuring reliable performance in diverse piping configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member, such as a spring, acting between the collet and the shoulder to urge the collet towards the open end of the coupling body
Implementation Method 2
a tapered surface in the coupling body which urges the legs inwardly to resist withdrawal of the tube
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A tube coupling to receive and hold a tube. The coupling comprises a coupling body (10) having a throughway to receive a portion of the tube. A collet (17) in the coupling body has legs (21) with outer surfaces that engage with a tapered surface (24) in the coupling body which urges the legs inwardly to resist withdrawal of the tube. A biasing member (26) provides a biasing force without the tube inserted to urge the legs axially onto the tapered surface. The collet (17) can grip a large variety of pipe diameters. The coupling may be supplied with a number of inserts for sealing with the inner diameter of a pipe, the inserts having different diameters.