Vacuum Breaker Tube Connector With Lock Ring Blowout Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing connectors for vacuum breaker tubes are prone to blow-outs due to insufficient securement, leading to flooding when subjected to high velocities from flush valves.
Innovation Solution
A plumbing connector design featuring a fitting with external threads, a tube, an annular gasket, a compression ring, a lock ring, and a nut that compresses the gasket and lock ring to create a secure seal, with the lock ring's inner edge biting into the tube and the outer edge forming a sealing engagement with the gasket, enhancing the connection's stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber gasket is compressed between a nut and fitting to secure a vacuum breaker tube, then a seal is created, but the grip on the tube is insufficient to prevent blow-outs under high velocity flushing
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into multiple functional components: an outer lock ring with biting edges for mechanical engagement with the tube, an inner lock ring for additional securing, and a rubber gasket for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the lock rings providing secure mechanical attachment and the gasket providing watertight sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber gasket acts as an intermediary element between the lock rings and the tube, providing both sealing and additional friction-based grip. The gasket is compressed by the lock rings to create a seal while also enhancing the mechanical grip on the tube through friction, thereby preventing blow-outs under high velocity flushing conditions.
2Reliability
If the gasket is compressed tightly to improve sealing, then the seal becomes more effective, but the tube may be damaged or deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The lock rings serve as intermediary elements that distribute the compressive force uniformly across the gasket, preventing localized over-compression that could damage the tube. The biting edges of the lock rings engage with the tube externally, while the gasket compresses uniformly against the tube surface, maintaining seal effectiveness without causing deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression force applied to the gasket is carefully controlled through the threading mechanism of the lock rings. As the lock rings are threaded onto the fitting, the gasket is gradually compressed to the optimal level needed for sealing, avoiding excessive compression that could damage the tube while ensuring sufficient compression for an effective seal.
3Device complexity
If a simple gasket-based connection is used, then the device complexity is low, but the connection fails under high velocity flushing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional parts: outer lock ring, inner lock ring, and rubber gasket. Each segment performs a specific function - the lock rings provide mechanical engagement and compression, while the gasket provides sealing. This segmentation achieves high reliability without requiring overly complex integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner lock ring is nested within the outer lock ring, and both are nested over the rubber gasket, which in turn is nested over the vacuum breaker tube. This nested arrangement allows multiple locking and sealing mechanisms to work together in a compact configuration, providing robust connection stability while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
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 significantly increases the pullout force required to remove the tube from the fitting, reducing the likelihood of blow-outs and ensuring a watertight seal, as demonstrated by a 20% increase in pullout force during testing.
Implementation Method 1
the gasket is compressed, an inner edge of the lock ring bitingly engages the outer diameter of the tube, and the gasket forms a seal with at least the first end of the fitting, the outer diameter of the tube, and an outer edge of the lock ring
Implementation Method 2
contact between the compression ring and the lock ring deforms the lock ring pushing the inner edge of the lock ring into a biting engagement with the outer diameter of the tube
Data Source
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AI summary
A plumbing connector comprising: a fitting (24) having external threads (30) on at least the first end; a tube (32) having a first end (34) inserted into the first end of the fitting; and an annular gasket (38), a compression ring (40), a lock ring (46), a friction ring (68) and a nut (52) coaxial with and surrounding the outer diameter of the tube. The nut has internal threads adapted to engage the external threads of the fitting and is adapted to contain the gasket, the compression ring, and the lock ring upon threading of the nut onto the fitting. Upon threading and tightening of the nut onto the fitting, the gasket is compressed, an inner edge of the lock ring bitingly engages the outer diameter of the tube, and the gasket forms a seal with at least the first end of the fitting, the outer diameter of the tube, and an outer edge of the lock ring, wherein the friction ring (68) is placed between the gasket and the compression ring and the friction ring (68) has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the lock ring (40).