Blind Mate Liquid Quick Disconnect Coupler Hexagonal Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blind mate liquid quick disconnect couplers face issues such as loose assembly due to flat wrench shapes, unconstrained O-ring compression leading to sealing inefficiencies, and high restriction and poor flow in female components.
Innovation Solution
The proposed blind mate liquid quick disconnect coupler features a male coupling with a hexagonal fitting top for secure assembly, a pressure relief poppet valve with a four-prong carrier poppet for increased flow rate, and a female coupling with a tube plunger and center pedestal spring support for efficient fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flat wrench shape is used on the male component, then the assembly process is simplified, but the component becomes prone to becoming loose during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The male component is designed with a hexagonal shape instead of a flat wrench shape. This asymmetric geometry provides multiple flat surfaces that engage with a hex key or wrench, distributing the gripping force and preventing slippage during assembly while maintaining ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If an O-ring is used to seal between two faces with unconstrained compression, then the sealing structure is simplified, but sealing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism transitions from unconstrained O-ring compression to a constrained compression system where the O-ring is compressed between a sealing face and a deformable sealing element. This changes the compression parameter from unlimited to controlled, improving sealing efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Device complexity
If a conventional female component with high restriction is used, then the component structure is simplified, but fluid flow deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The female component's sealing and flow control functions are segmented into separate elements: a sealing face for sealing, a deformable sealing element for flow control, and a support structure. This segmentation allows optimization of each function independently, improving fluid flow while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 design enhances the security of assembly, improves fluid flow rates, and ensures reliable sealing, addressing the limitations of conventional couplers.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring that biases the pressure relief poppet valve in a first closed position when the male coupling is not mated with the female coupling
Implementation Method 2
a second spring that is positioned about the center pedestal spring support and biases the tube plunger in a second closed position when the male coupling is not mated with the female coupling
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) includes a blind mate liquid quick disconnect coupler that includes a male coupling and a female coupling. The male coupling includes a pressure relief poppet valve that is positioned within the main body of the coupling. The pressure relief poppet valve controls fluid through the male coupling. The pressure relief poppet valve includes an overpressure poppet, a conical spring positioned about the overpressure poppet, and a carrier poppet that includes four prongs. The female coupling includes an opening to accept a main body of the male coupling and an end for coupling with a second fitting base of the female coupling. When the male coupling is mated with the female coupling, the pressure relief poppet valve and the tube plunger are displaced such that fluid flows between the male coupling and the female coupling.