Quick-Connect Collet Locking for Scratch-Free Tube Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quick connect devices for tubular members are difficult to install and uninstall without damaging the members, often requiring significant force and can scratch the tubular members during removal, leading to poor seals when reconnected.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with a housing, engagement members, and collets that allow for easy engagement and disengagement of tubular members without applying continuous force, using locking rings with deflectable pins that are disengaged by the collet's sleeve, enabling smooth installation and removal without scratching the tubular members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional quick connect designs are used, then the connection device can hold tubular members in place, but significant force is required to install and uninstall, and the tubular members may be scratched during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring incorporates deflectable pins that can dynamically change their engagement state. During installation, the pins are deflected by the collet to allow easy insertion. During removal, the pins automatically deflect to disengage from the tubular member, eliminating the need for continuous user force and preventing scratches.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically disengage the locking pins from the tubular member when the collet is rotated. The spring bias on the pins causes them to automatically return to their engaged position after deflection, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for continuous user force during removal.
2Reliability
If conventional quick connect designs with locking rings are used, then the tubular members can be held securely, but the locking ring may not completely disengage, causing scratches on the tubular member
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable pins act as intermediaries between the locking ring and the tubular member. They provide a controlled engagement and disengagement mechanism that prevents direct contact and scratching. The pins are designed to completely clear the tubular member surface during removal, eliminating the harmful scratching effect.
3Ease of operation
If significant force is applied to remove the quick connect, then the locking ring can be released, but the tubular member may be damaged or scratched
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased deflectable pins automatically perform the disengagement function when the collet is rotated. The spring force causes the pins to return to their engaged position after being deflected, making the removal process self-completing without requiring continuous user force or risk of damage.
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
Enables easy and damage-free connection and disconnection of tubular members, maintaining a seal without scratching the tubular members, and allowing for single-handed operation due to the collet's ability to deflect locking pins without continuous user force.
Implementation Method 1
a first collet threadingly engaged with the housing and having a sleeve extending into the first open end of the opening, wherein the first collet is operable to thread onto the housing such that the sleeve engages the first engagement member to disengage the first engagement member from the first tubular member
Implementation Method 2
the first locking ring having a plurality of locking pins spaced from one another along the circumferential direction and operable to engage the first tubular member... the sleeve deflects the plurality of pins of the first locking ring
Data Source
AI summary
A quick connection device for fluidly connecting tubular members is provided. In one example aspect, the connection device includes a housing defining a pass-through opening. Locking rings having a plurality of locking pins are disposed within the pass-through opening and are operable to engage tubular members received therein. The housing includes opposing connection ends each having threaded portions. Collets each having a sleeve can be threadingly engaged with the connection ends of the housing via the threaded portions. The collets can be threaded onto the connection ends such that their sleeves engage the locking pins of the locking rings. The engagement of the sleeves with the locking pins causes the locking pins to deflect, which allows the tubular members to be inserted/removed into or from the pass-through opening without need for a user to apply a continuous force on the locking ring and without scratching the tubular members.