Anti-Rotation Connector With Two Coupling Orientations
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Solution Overview
Problem
In HVAC and fire control systems, field devices such as actuators and sensors face challenges in being coupled and decoupled from fluidic components under constrained space and limited access conditions, requiring orientation-specific mounting and configuration, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, and needs to be done quickly, conveniently, and fail-safe.
Innovation Solution
The use of anti-rotation and locking connectors and counter-connectors that allow for releasable coupling without additional tools, providing two distinct coupling orientations that ensure rotational locking and axial locking, enabling easy mounting and decoupling, with features like anti-rotation structures, locking members, and manual release mechanisms for convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If field devices are coupled with fluidic components under constrained space conditions, then the coupling is compact and space-efficient, but the operation becomes difficult and time-consuming due to limited access and sight
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with self-aligning features including a control shaft with a first anti-rotation structure that automatically engages with a second anti-rotation structure on the drive shaft. The coupling mechanism is self-servicing as the control shaft can be inserted without precise alignment, and the anti-rotation structures automatically lock the rotational positions, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex manual adjustment procedures during installation in constrained spaces.
2Manufacturing precision
If orientation-specific mounting is required for correct operation, then the operational precision is improved, but the mounting time increases and errors become more susceptible
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs asymmetric anti-rotation structures consisting of protrusions and corresponding recesses on the control shaft and drive shaft. These asymmetric features allow the control shaft to be inserted into the connector in only one correct rotational orientation, automatically ensuring proper alignment without requiring the installer to manually set or verify the orientation. This eliminates mounting errors and reduces time while maintaining precise operational orientation.
3Manufacturing precision
If programming and configuration are required for correct operation, then the operational accuracy is improved, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical anti-rotation coupling structures serve as a physical configuration system that automatically establishes the correct operational relationship between the control shaft and drive shaft. The geometric constraints of the anti-rotation protrusions and recesses inherently configure the system to the correct orientation without requiring separate programming steps, eliminating configuration errors and reducing setup time while maintaining operational accuracy.
4Productivity
If quick and convenient coupling is desired, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability may be compromised without additional tools and fail-safe mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates pre-configured anti-rotation structures and alignment features that are built into the design before installation. The control shaft includes a first anti-rotation structure and the drive shaft includes a second anti-rotation structure that are preliminarily positioned to automatically engage upon insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures that quick coupling does not compromise reliability, as the fail-safe mechanical locking is already in place, eliminating the need for additional tools while maintaining both speed and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-rotation connector for releasable coupling a field device with an inner room of a fluidic component via an anti-rotation counter-connector includes a connector stub, an access channel, and a first connector-sided anti-rotation structure. The connector stub has a stub body that extends along a connector axis. The access channel is coaxial with respect to the connector axis and extends through the stub body. The first connector-sided anti-rotation structure is arranged at a lateral stub body surface and is rotationally symmetric of order two with respect to the connector axis. The first connector-sided anti-rotation structure is engageable with a first counter-connector-sided anti-rotation structure of the anti-rotation counter-connector by relatively displacing the connector and the counter-connector towards each other. A locking connector for the releasable coupling includes the connector stub, the access channel, and a circumferential locking structure that is arranged at a lateral stub body surface.