Clamshell Coupling Assembly With Parallel Links for Leak-Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional couplings are difficult to assemble, prone to failure, and often fail to form a tight seal, requiring skilled artisans and leading to media leakage or environmental contamination.
Innovation Solution
A clamshell variety coupling assembly with a hinge and latching mechanism, featuring parallel links and resilient cantilever members for secure connection and electrical bonding, ensuring a reliable seal and efficient assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional couplings are used, then connection is achieved, but assembly difficulty increases and skilled artisans are required
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two separate coupling members (first and second coupling members) that can be independently handled and assembled. Each coupling member has its own cavity and bonding finger structure, allowing for simpler individual assembly operations while achieving complete connection when joined together.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding fingers act as intermediary elements that facilitate the connection between the two coupling members. These resilient cantilever members with bonding tips provide a mediating mechanism that guides the assembly process and ensures proper engagement without requiring complex alignment procedures.
2Reliability
If conventional couplings are used, then connection is achieved, but sealing reliability deteriorates and media leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding fingers are constructed as resilient cantilever members that can flex and conform to the mating surfaces. This flexibility allows the bonding tips to maintain intimate contact with the coupling member surfaces, creating an effective seal that prevents media leakage while accommodating surface irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding tips are formed with curved or rounded surfaces that complement the cavity surfaces of the coupling members. This curvature design ensures maximum surface contact area and uniform pressure distribution, enhancing the sealing effect and preventing media escape.
3Reliability
If conventional couplings are used, then connection is achieved, but electrical bonding is lost in open position
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding fingers maintain continuous electrical contact throughout the entire range of motion of the coupling members. Whether the coupling is in the closed position or open position, the resilient bonding fingers remain engaged with the cavity surfaces, ensuring uninterrupted electrical bonding while allowing positional adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding fingers are designed as resilient cantilever members that can dynamically adjust their position and contact pressure based on the coupling member positions. This dynamic capability allows the electrical bonding to be maintained across different operational states while providing the versatility needed for various positions.
4Productivity
If conventional couplings are used, then connection is achieved, but assembly time increases due to complex procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding fingers are designed to automatically engage and bond the two coupling members together without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly procedures. The resilient nature of the cantilever members allows them to self-adjust and secure the connection upon simple bringing together of the coupling members, significantly reducing assembly time.
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 coupling assembly provides a secure, efficient, and cost-effective connection that maintains electrical bonding in both open and closed positions, reducing part count and ensuring redundancy, thus preventing media leakage and environmental contamination.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second bonding fingers are defined by resilient cantilever members having has ends unitarily formed with one of the first and second link walls of each of the first and second links
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling assembly (100) includes a coupling body (102) defined by first and second arcuate coupling members (102a, 102b) each having a first end (102c, 102d) and a second end (102e, 102f), a hinge arrangement (104) for pivotally connecting the second ends of the first and second arcuate coupling members together such that the first and second arcuate coupling members are pivotally moveable between an open position and a closed position, the first and second arcuate coupling members surrounding a central axis (A) of the coupling body when in the closed position, the first and second arcuate coupling members defining a circumferential gap between the second ends, the hinge arrangement including first and second links (200a, 200b) that are parallel and that are spaced-apart from one another, and a latching arrangement (106) for latching the first ends of the first and second arcuate coupling members together to latch the first and second arcuate coupling members in the closed position.