Connector Ball Lock Mechanism for Liquid Container Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for liquid storing containers require troublesome operations for attachment and detachment, leading to inconsistent fastening and potential misalignment of screws, which can result in incomplete sealing and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring a plug and socket with a ball lock mechanism that allows for reliable attachment without manual rotation, utilizing lock balls and a cylindrical member with an urging force generation unit to engage and disengage the lock balls with engagement grooves, enabling easy and secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw fastening mechanism is used to attach the socket to the opening, then the socket can be securely fastened, but the operation becomes troublesome requiring rotation of the sleeve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw fastening mechanism with a bayonet-style coupling mechanism. The socket includes a coupling portion with a coupling hole, and the opening has a coupling protrusion that fits into the coupling hole. This mechanical coupling system eliminates the need for rotation and screw fastening, providing secure attachment through simple insertion and engagement of the coupling structures.
2Ease of operation
If manual rotation and judgment are required for fastening, then the operator can control the process, but the fastening state becomes inconsistent across different operators
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock when the socket is inserted into the opening. The coupling protrusion fits into the coupling hole, and the bayonet-style coupling automatically secures the connection without requiring operator judgment or manual rotation. This self-securing mechanism ensures consistent fastening across all operators.
3Reliability
If a screw fastening system is used, then the connection can be secure, but the device complexity increases due to inside and outside screws
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the screw fastening components (inside screws and outside screws) from the coupling mechanism. Instead, it uses a simplified bayonet-style coupling with a coupling hole and coupling protrusion that provides secure connection without requiring screw threads or fastening hardware, thereby reducing device complexity.
4Reliability
If rotation of the sleeve is required for attachment, then the socket can be secured to the opening, but the attachment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling protrusion is pre-formed on the opening and the coupling hole is pre-formed on the socket. When the socket is inserted into the opening, the coupling structures are already positioned to engage automatically, eliminating the need for rotation or additional fastening steps. This preliminary configuration of the coupling structures enables rapid attachment.
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 connector system ensures reliable and efficient attachment of the socket to the plug without requiring troublesome operations, ensuring complete fastening and preventing liquid leakage or contamination, while maintaining the liquidity of slurry-based liquids by preventing solid particle accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
an urging force generation unit that generates an urging force to push the lock balls toward the engagement grooves
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a connector including a plug to be fixed to an inner peripheral surface of an opening of a liquid storing container, and a socket to be detachably attached to the plug. The plug includes a plug body including, formed therein, a first liquid outflow passage, a first liquid inflow passage, and a first gas passage. The socket includes: a socket body including, formed therein, a second liquid outflow passage, a second liquid inflow passage, and a second gas passage; and a ball lock mechanism that allows lock balls to be engaged with engagement grooves formed along a circumferential direction about an axial line in an outer peripheral surface of the opening of the liquid storing container and fixes the lock balls to the engagement grooves.