Compact Quick Coupling Layout for High-Pressure Jaw Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick couplings are cumbersome, have large dimensions, and are limited by high fluid pressure forces, making them difficult to use and install, especially in confined spaces, and they require significant manual effort for connection and disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A compact quick coupling design featuring radially guided jaws with a guide ring and motion transmission rods between the engagement/detachment slider and obturator, allowing precise radial movement and reducing radial dimensions while maintaining functionality, enabling higher pressure handling and easier installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the slider and obturator are positioned radially outside the guide ring to enable interaction, then the coupling can achieve jaw release functionality, but the outer diameter becomes considerable, causing difficulty in use and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by positioning the slider and obturator radially inside the guide ring rather than outside. The slider is arranged within the guide ring's radial space, and the obturator is positioned to interact with the slider through the guide ring's structure, thereby reducing the overall outer diameter while maintaining the jaw release functionality through this nested configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a radial outside positioning to a radial inside positioning, utilizing the internal radial space of the guide ring. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the slider and obturator to be accommodated within the existing radial envelope, reducing the outer diameter without sacrificing operational capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling has large dimensions to accommodate all components, then all functional elements can be included, but the coupling becomes difficult to use and install in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the slider and obturator within the guide ring's radial space, allowing all functional elements to be contained within a compact overall diameter. This nested arrangement enables the coupling to maintain complete functionality while reducing its external dimensions for easier installation in confined spaces.
3Ease of operation
If the coupling structure includes slider, obturator and guide ring for jaw control, then jaw positioning functionality is achieved, but the structure becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces structural complexity by nesting the slider within the guide ring and positioning the obturator to interact through the guide ring's internal features. This nested configuration eliminates the need for additional external structural elements, achieving jaw positioning control with a more compact and less cumbersome overall structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 3C~3D
AI summary
A quick coupling for threaded or shaped terminals comprises: a main body (3) internally delimiting a passage duct (C) for a fluid; a plurality of jaws (17) arranged around a main axis (X-X) of the passage duct (C) and operatively engaged with the main body (3); an obturator (26) axially movable with respect to the main body (3) between an advanced position towards engagement portions (18) of the jaws (17), in which it radially and at least partially overcomes the engagement portions (18) of the jaws (17) to hold them in a first release position from the terminal (2), and to a retracted position, in which it frees the engagement portions (18) and allows the radial movement of the jaws (17); a radially internal body (8) axially movable with respect to the main body (3) between a retracted position with respect to the engagement portions (18) of the jaws (17), corresponding to the release position of the jaws (17), and an advanced position, in which it radially pushes the jaws (17) into a second position coupled to the terminal (2); an engagement/detachment slider (32) coaxial with the main body (3) and axially movable with respect to the main body (3); latching/releasing elements (37) movable in through holes (35) obtained in the main body (3), wherein said latching/releasing elements (37) are engaged/engageable with the engagement/detachment slider (32) or with the radially internal body (8); at least one motion transmission rod (38) axially interposed between the engagement/detachment slider (32) and the obturator (26) to transmit an axial movement of the obturator (26) to the engagement/detachment slider (32).