Aircraft Quick-Coupling Connector with Articulated Bellows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current quick-coupling connectors for aircraft fluidic service circuits require precise machining and assembly tolerances to ensure correct coupling, leading to high production costs and potential leaks due to misalignments, which can have catastrophic consequences if not properly aligned.
Innovation Solution
A quick-coupling connector design featuring a deformable tubular bellows element that allows for articulation between the male and female components, enabling adaptation to misalignments and wider tolerances, with a screw mechanism to limit excessive deformation and ensure secure sealing through an O-ring and conical inlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If narrow machining and assembly tolerances are used to ensure correct coupling, then coupling reliability is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rigidity parameter of the connector components by introducing elastic elements (springs) and articulated mechanisms. This allows the connector to adapt to tolerance variations through controlled deformation, enabling wider manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the rigid connector structure into a dynamic one with movable and articulated parts. The elastic elements and joints allow the connector to automatically adjust its configuration during assembly, compensating for misalignments without requiring precise pre-manufacturing tolerances.
2Manufacturing precision
If narrow machining tolerances are used for support element and seat, then coupling accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the stiffness and geometric parameters of the connector components to enable self-alignment. The elastic elements deform to accommodate angular and positional deviations, reducing the need for high-precision machining of the support element and seat interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces elastic intermediary elements between the rigid components. These elements act as mediators that absorb and compensate for manufacturing imperfections, allowing simpler, less precise machining of the main structural components while maintaining overall coupling accuracy.
3Strength
If rigid body connectors are used, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to misalignments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid bodies with a dynamic structure incorporating elastic elements and articulated joints. This allows the connector to adapt its shape and orientation to accommodate misalignments while the overall structural integrity is maintained through the engineered flexibility of the elastic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs elastic elements and flexible articulated mechanisms that can deform to accommodate misalignments. These flexible components maintain sufficient structural strength to ensure reliable coupling while providing the necessary adaptability to tolerate manufacturing and assembly variations.
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 connector compensates for misalignments, reduces production costs by allowing wider machining and assembly tolerances, and ensures a high level of certainty in correct coupling without the need for precise alignment, thereby preventing leaks and ensuring reliable fluidic circuit operation.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable tubular bellows element that allows for articulation between the male and female components
Implementation Method 2
ensures secure sealing through an O-ring
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-coupling connector (1), particularly for fluidic service circuits for aircraft, the connector comprising a female element (2), to be connected to a first duct of a fluidic circuit and having an axial seat (5) defined therein, and a male element (3), to be connected to a second duct of a fluidic circuit and matable with the seat (5) of the female element (2) for connecting the second duct to the first duct, the male element (3) comprising a first component (11) to be connected to the second duct and a second component which is insertable in the seat (5) of the female element (2), the second component (12) being articulated to the first component (11) to vary the arrangement of the second component (12) relative to the first component (11) of the male element (3) and adapt that arrangement to the arrangement of the seat (5) of the female element (2).