Adjustable Quick-Disconnect Latch for Fluid Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid conduit coupling systems fail to provide a reliable and adjustable means for automatic disconnection without fluid leakage or damage, especially under emergency conditions, due to manufacturing variations and inconsistent break forces, leading to potential hazards from fluid release.
Innovation Solution
A quick-disconnect connector with a latch mechanism comprising a pin connector and a release connector, where the latch pin is spring-biased and adjustable via a screw, allowing for adjustable break force and minimizing the risk of unintentional disengagement, featuring a tapered nose casing to cam latch arms inward for release and a manual release mechanism for additional control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single helix spring is used to provide break force, then the device structure is simple, but the break force is inconsistent due to manufacturing variations and rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The single spring is divided into multiple discrete springs (at least two, preferably three or four) arranged circumferentially around the latch pin. Each spring independently provides breaking force, and their combined effect creates a more consistent total breaking force that is less sensitive to individual spring variations and rotational position.
Solution Approach 2:
Different springs can be positioned at different locations around the latch pin to compensate for specific manufacturing variations. The distribution of springs around the circumference allows each spring to be optimized for its specific position, improving overall breaking force consistency.
2Ease of manufacture
If the break force is fixed by spring specification, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it cannot be adjusted for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The breaking force is made adjustable through a mechanism that allows dynamic modification of spring compression. A compression member (such as an adjustable screw or threaded rod) enables the user to vary the initial compression of the springs, thereby adjusting the breaking force to match different application requirements while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.
3Device complexity
If a single contact point latching surface is used, then the device structure is simple, but the surface finish becomes critical and abrupt perpendicular force causes delatching
Solution Approach 1:
The single contact point latching surface is replaced with multiple latching surfaces distributed around the circumference. This segmentation distributes the latching load across multiple points, reducing sensitivity to surface finish variations at any single point and preventing accidental delatching from abrupt perpendicular forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism transitions from a single-point contact (zero-dimensional) to a distributed multi-point contact system (one-dimensional circumferential distribution). This dimensional change provides redundancy and stability, as the latching force is distributed across multiple contact points around the latch pin.
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, adjustable, and repeatable disconnection of fluid conduit connectors, reducing the risk of fluid leakage and damage, while ensuring consistent performance across manufacturing variations and minimizing hazards from fluid release.
Implementation Method 1
A bias spring is disposed around the casing sleeve with one end abutting the first spring flange to bias the latch pin toward the sleeve base
Implementation Method 2
A pin casing assembly includes a nose casing with a tapered cavity... where the pin casing assembly is attached to the casing sleeve so that the latch pin slides axially relative to the pin casing assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A quick disconnect latching device for use in a liquid conduit coupling has two halves: a pin half and a release half. The pin half includes a casing sleeve into which a latch pin is slidably retained. The latch pin is spring biased into a retracted position within the sleeve. Latch pin dogs are located at the ends of arms extending from the latch pin to interact with a catch within the release half. A hollow nose casing is tapered to cam the arms inward when a sufficient separating axial force is applied to one or both of the pin half and the release half, so that the latch pin dogs release the catch. The amount of force required to separate the latch halves can be adjusted by varying the spring bias using an adjustment screw.