Assurance Cap Disconnect Tool for Damage-Free Fluid Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connectors with assurance caps are difficult to disconnect without damage, as the assurance caps are challenging to remove once fully inserted, hindering repairs or component placement.
Innovation Solution
A disconnect tool with an annular collar and plurality of fingers is used to engage the latch fingers of the assurance cap, allowing for the disengagement from the connector body, enabling safe removal without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the assurance cap is designed to be easily movable to the full insertion position, then the ease of operation is improved, but the difficulty of removal increases making it hard to disconnect for repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnect tool is segmented into multiple functional components: an annular collar that engages with the assurance cap, multiple fingers that interact with the latch fingers, and a body that provides structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to achieve the overall goal of safe removal
Solution Approach 2:
The disconnect tool acts as an intermediary device between the user and the assurance cap. Rather than directly forcing the assurance cap off (which would cause damage), the tool mediates the removal process by engaging the latch fingers and systematically releasing them from the groove, enabling damage-free disconnect
2Reliability
If the assurance cap latch fingers are engaged with the exterior opening groove to secure the connector, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for disconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnect tool is designed to preliminarily engage with the assurance cap and latch fingers before the actual disconnection occurs. The fingers of the tool preliminarily contact and grip the latch fingers, preparing them for controlled release from the groove, thus facilitating the subsequent disconnection action
Solution Approach 2:
The disconnect tool serves as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the secure latched state and the disconnected state. It interacts with the existing latch fingers and groove geometry to systematically release the engagement, transforming the secure connection into a disconnected state without damage to any components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the assurance cap is designed to prevent damage during normal operation, then the protection of components is improved, but the complexity of the disconnection process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnect tool is an intermediary device that enables damage-free disconnection by systematically releasing the latch fingers from the groove. It provides a controlled mechanism for disengagement that protects the assurance cap, latch fingers, and groove from damage while managing the complexity of the disconnection process
Solution Approach 2:
The disconnect tool is designed to work with the existing geometry of the assurance cap and connector body. The fingers of the tool self-align with the latch fingers, and the tool leverages the existing groove and latch finger geometry to achieve disconnection, reducing the need for additional complex mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid connector, including a tubular member, a connector body, including an exterior opening groove, and a retainer clip to lock the tubular member to the connector body, an assurance cap including one or more latch fingers engaged with the exterior opening groove, and a tool, including an annular collar mountable over the tubular member, and a plurality of fingers carried on and extending axially from the annular collar, the plurality of fingers operatively arranged to engage the latch fingers when the collar and the plurality of fingers are engaged with the assurance cap to disengage the latch fingers from the exterior opening groove to disconnect the assurance cap from the connector body.