Unisex Ball Valve Coupling With Simplified Safety Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid couplings with control valves and safety locking mechanisms are complex to manufacture and operate due to the use of multiple gear teeth and additional locking pins, which complicates the locking and valve control processes.
Innovation Solution
A simplified fluid coupling assembly with a spring-loaded lock indicator and a single leg actuator that interacts with a sliding locking pin, allowing for effective locking and valve control without the need for multiple gear teeth or additional locking pins, enabling a unisex coupling configuration with enhanced ease of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple gear teeth and additional locking pins are used in conventional fluid couplings, then the locking and valve control functions are achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex multiple gear teeth mechanism from conventional fluid couplings and replaces it with a single leg actuator that directly operates the ball valve. This extraction of unnecessary components simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the essential locking and valve control functions through the locking pin and actuator assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the coupling system into distinct functional components: a locking pin for safety locking, a single leg actuator for valve operation, and a ball valve for fluid control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to the integrated gear teeth mechanism.
2Reliability
If multiple gear teeth and additional locking pins are used in conventional fluid couplings, then the locking and valve control functions are achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complex multiple gear teeth mechanism that requires precise alignment and multiple moving parts for valve control. Instead, a single leg actuator directly operates the ball valve, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable valve control and locking functions.
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 simplified and effective locking mechanism that prevents disconnection of fluid system components while allowing fluid flow, reducing manufacturing complexity and improving operational ease by using a single leg actuator and spring-loaded lock indicator.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded lock indicator with a sliding locking pin
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling assembly (10) is reconfigurable among three states. In a disconnected state, a spring-biased lock indicator (20) is in a first lock indicator position, and the lock indicator includes a restriction member (40) that in the first lock indicator position retains an actuator in a first actuator position such that a valve is in a closed position and a locking pin is in a retracted position. In a connected/valve-closed state, the lock indicator (20) is in a second lock indicator position in which the restriction member (40) permits movement of the actuator (30), but with the actuator (30) still being in the first actuator position such that the valve is in the closed position and the locking pin (46) is in the retracted position. In a connected/valve-open state, the lock indicator (20) is in the second lock indicator position to permit movement of the actuator (30), and now with the actuator (30) being in the second actuator position such that the valve is in the open position and the locking pin (46) is in an extended position to lock a second coupling assembly to the coupling assembly to form a unisex coupling connection.