Automatic Sealing Conduit Coupling with Internal Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conduit couplings for fluid transport systems often leak when disconnected, as existing solutions lack effective sealing mechanisms, and their connection/disconnection mechanisms are complex, exposing biasing members to external contact and risking accidental disconnection.
Innovation Solution
The coupling design incorporates internal biasing members that push annular seals against walls to create an automatic seal when disconnected, and a releasable lock assembly with non-linear tracks and stubs for secure connection, ensuring fluid containment during both connected and disconnected states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a quick connecting/disconnecting coupling mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to fluid leakage when disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing automatic sealing members that are pre-positioned to seal the fluid passages immediately upon disconnection of the coupling. The biasing members continuously urge the sealing members against the coupling bodies, ensuring that sealing is activated in advance before any fluid leakage can occur when the coupling is disconnected.
2Ease of operation
If a complex connection/disconnection mechanism with external biasing members is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to exposed biasing members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by positioning the biasing members and sealing members entirely within the coupling bodies. The biasing members are nested inside the coupling, with their ends urging the sealing members against internal surfaces of the coupling bodies. This internal nesting eliminates exposed external biasing members, reducing device complexity and improving reliability while maintaining the quick connection/disconnection function.
3Device complexity
If no automatic seal is provided upon disconnection, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to fluid discharge and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of pressure differential during disconnection into a beneficial sealing force. The biasing members are positioned to take advantage of the pressure differential and mechanical movement during disconnection to automatically drive the sealing members into firm contact with the coupling body surfaces, ensuring complete fluid containment. The disconnection action itself becomes the trigger that enhances the sealing effect rather than causing leakage.
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 solution provides a reliable automatic seal when disconnected, preventing fluid leakage and simplifying the connection/disconnection process while ensuring secure locking and easy unlocking of conduit sections.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing member positioned to bias the moveable channel member positioned within a first fluid chamber
Implementation Method 2
The moveable channel member can have a first plug portion with a seal member connected to the first plug portion
Implementation Method 3
a second biasing member positioned to bias the moveable wall member
Implementation Method 4
the seal connected to the outer surface of the moveable wall member is compressed against a contact surface
Implementation Method 5
one or more non-linear tracks on the female portion for use in releasably and securely locking the female portion to the male portion
Implementation Method 6
Corresponding lock members formed on the male portion, such as stubs, can be insertable into the tracks and moveable in a non-linear fashion within the tracks to lock the male portion in a connected position with the female portion
Data Source
AI summary
A conduit coupling can have a male portion and a female portion, with each portion having an internal biasing member. When the male portion is disconnected from the female portion, the internal biasing member in the male portion can cause a seal on a moveable plug to be biased against a lip of a stationary wall member to seal liquid from leaking out of the male portion. Also, the internal biasing member in the female portion can cause a lip of a moveable wall member to be biased against a seal that is connected to a stationary plug. Both the stationary plug and moveable plug can be connected to retaining portions by strips that are disposed away from an axis of the conduit coupling.