Bellows Fluid Connector Without Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid connectors are custom-made for specific tube sizes and configurations, leading to high manufacturing costs and long lead times due to the need for multiple connections, and often require coil springs and internal dynamic seals.
Innovation Solution
The development of fluid connectors that can be rapidly custom manufactured using additive manufacturing (3D printing), constructed from minimal components, and operate without coil springs or internal dynamic seals, allowing for integration of the connector body and sleeve as a single piece or separate pieces, enabling efficient connection and sealing of fluid systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid connectors are custom-made for specific tube sizes and configurations, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and lead time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid connector is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple tube sizes and configurations through a single standardized body design. The adapter component provides the customization capability, allowing one connector body to serve multiple tube types without requiring custom manufacturing for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into separate components: a standardized connector body and a configurable adapter. This segmentation allows the main body to be mass-produced efficiently while only the adapter portion needs to be customized for specific tube configurations, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If conventional fluid connectors use multiple separate components including coil springs and internal dynamic seals, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are merged into a single integrated seal component that incorporates both static and dynamic sealing capabilities. The bellows structure integrates the sealing element with the connector body, eliminating the need for separate coil springs and multiple internal dynamic seals while maintaining sealing reliability through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows structure provides self-biasing functionality, eliminating the need for external coil springs. The bellows naturally maintains sealing pressure through its geometric configuration and material properties, providing self-service sealing without requiring additional active components.
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
This approach reduces production time and costs, allows for customization, and maintains functionality comparable to conventional connectors while minimizing parts, enabling faster and more affordable production of fluid connectors for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows element positioned to collapse when the connector sleeve is moved to the connected position and expand when the connector sleeve is moved to the disconnected position
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid connector having a connector body that is connectable to a first fluid system. The connector body includes a connection mechanism that is connectable to a tube of a second fluid system, and the connector body defines a fluid passageway that allows fluid to flow between the first fluid system and the second fluid system. A connector sleeve surrounds the connector body and is connected thereto, and the connector sleeve is actuatable relative to the connector body between a retracted position and a connected position. The connector sleeve actuates the connection mechanism as the connector sleeve is actuated from the retracted position to the connected position. In addition, the fluid connector is devoid of coil springs and dynamic seals.