Breakaway Connector Cover for Fluid Pathway Impurity Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breakaway connectors are prone to ingress of water, dirt, and impurities, which renders them unserviceable and difficult to disconnect.
Innovation Solution
A cover system with a substantially cylindrical shape, featuring a first and second end with radial ridges, and an intermediate portion of greater diameter, formed from elastic material, which is locatable over the connector portions to prevent impurity ingress and maintain an engaged configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If breakaway connectors are used to provide leak-proof connection, then connection reliability is improved, but impurities can enter and accumulate in the fittings making them unserviceable
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is positioned over the connector portions before engagement to prevent impurity ingress from occurring in the first place. This preliminary protective action eliminates the harmful effect before it can affect the connector interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic cover acts as an intermediary barrier between the external environment and the connector interior. It mediates by physically blocking impurities while allowing the connector to maintain its leak-proof connection function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover system is added to prevent impurity ingress, then protection against harmful factors is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic cover provides effective impurity protection while maintaining simplicity through its flexible, thin-walled construction that can be easily positioned and removed without complex assembly procedures.
3Ease of operation
If the cover is made from elastic material to allow easy disengagement, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic material properties are selected to provide sufficient strength for protective function while allowing deformation for easy engagement and disengagement. The parameter of material elasticity is optimized to balance strength and operational ease.
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 cover system effectively prevents impurities from entering the fluid pathway, ensuring the connector remains functional and allows for easy disengagement by rolling back the cover, thus maintaining the connector's integrity and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the cover comprises: a substantially cylindrical first end; a substantially cylindrical second end; and an intermediate portion located between the first and second ends... formed from elastic material... rolling back a first end of the cover... unrolling the first end of the cover
Data Source
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AI summary
A cover for a connector, wherein the cover is adapted to be locateable over at least a portion of the connector, and wherein the connector has a fluid pathway formed therethrough. The connector has a first portion and a second portion, and wherein, when the cover is located over the portion of the connector, ingress of impurities into the fluid pathway is prevented.