Adapter Locking Mechanism for Hollow Body Internal Rinsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters for connecting hollow body objects to devices for internal flushing face challenges such as high spring force requirements for secure connection, potential for rinsing shadows, and complexity in handling and installation.
Innovation Solution
The adapter features an inner and outer part that are movable relative to each other, with a locking device comprising a body and a movement-limiting device. This design allows for a positive connection to hollow body objects without requiring high spring force, minimizes rinsing shadows, and facilitates easy handling and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high spring force is used to secure the connection of the adapter to the hollow body object, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in attaching and detaching
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter employs a dynamic locking mechanism where a locking element can move between a locked position (protruding to engage the hollow body object) and an unlocked position (retracted). This allows the connection strength to be dynamically adjusted - strong when locked for reliability during flushing, and easily releaseable when unlocked for operation
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is divided into functional segments: an outer part with the locking device, an inner part, and a movable locking element. This segmentation allows the locking function to be isolated and optimized independently from the connection function, enabling reliable locking without requiring excessively high spring force across the entire connection interface
2Ease of operation
If the adapter design is simplified for easy handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection security under high flushing pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable locking element provides a simple operational interface - it can be easily actuated to move between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic mechanism delivers both ease of operation (simple actuation) and connection security (positive locking engagement) without requiring complex structures
3Productivity
If the adapter structure is made compact to minimize rinsing shadows, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the locking mechanism design
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is movably integrated within the adapter body structure, nesting the locking function within the existing adapter geometry. This allows the locking mechanism to be compact and not protrude significantly, minimizing rinsing shadows while maintaining the necessary locking functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is merged with the adapter body structure rather than being a separate attachment. The outer part, inner part, and locking element work as an integrated unit, reducing the number of separate components and minimizing the overall footprint that could create rinsing shadows
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1F
Figure 1D~1E
AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter (2) for connecting a hollow body object (3) to a device for internally rinsing hollow body objects. The adapter (2) has an inner part (5) and an outer part (4) that at least partially surrounds the inner part (5), which are movable relative to each other and extend along a longitudinal axis (L). The outer part (4) has an outer wall (12) with at least one locking device, wherein the locking device comprises an opening (13) in the outer wall (12), a body (18) movably mounted in the opening (13), and a movement limiting device (17, 24).The opening (13) has a first opening (16) in an inner surface (14) of the outer wall (12) oriented towards the inner part (4) and a second opening (17) in an outer surface (15) of the outer wall (12), wherein the movement limiting device (17, 24) limits movement of the body (18) in the radial direction towards the second opening (17) and prevents the body (18) from passing completely through the second opening (17) to the outside. The locking device can be adjusted by a movement between a release position and a locking position by means of a relative movement between the outer part (4) and the inner part (5), wherein an outer surface of the locking device does not project beyond an outer envelope of the outer wall (12) in the release position, but projects beyond the outer envelope of the outer wall (12) in the locking position.