Fluid Conduit Connector Catch Release for Secure Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector systems for medical tubing lack secure and easy-to-use designs that prevent inadvertent disconnection and ensure fluid flow integrity, particularly in biomedical applications.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring a female coupler with a catch and catch-receiving element, along with a release element that travels along the coupler's surface to engage and disengage the catch, and external valve-biasing members to control fluid flow, ensuring secure connection and easy disconnection while maintaining fluid flow integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a connector system uses a simple coupling mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of preventing inadvertent disconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic catch mechanism that transitions between engaged and disengaged states. The catch is biased by a spring to automatically engage with the catch-receiving element upon connection, but can be deliberately disengaged by applying force to the release element. This dynamic behavior provides secure connection during normal use while allowing intentional disconnection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The release element serves as an intermediary between the user's intentional action and the catch's disengagement. When the user manipulates the release element (pushing, pulling, or rotating it), this intermediate component translates the user's action into movement of the catch, which then disengages from the catch-receiving element. This intermediary mechanism ensures that disconnection only occurs when deliberately initiated by the user.
2Reliability
If a connector system uses a secure locking mechanism, then the reliability of preventing inadvertent disconnection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic catch mechanism that transitions between engaged and disengaged states. The catch is biased by a spring to automatically engage with the catch-receiving element upon connection, but can be deliberately disengaged by applying force to the release element. This dynamic behavior provides secure connection during normal use while allowing intentional disconnection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased catch mechanism provides self-service by automatically engaging with the catch-receiving element when the connectors are brought together, ensuring secure connection without requiring user intervention. The mechanism then waits for a deliberate user action on the release element to disengage, balancing automatic security with controlled operability.
3Ease of manufacture
If valve-biasing members are disposed inside the fluid flow path, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors worsen due to potential contamination of the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The valve-biasing members (springs) are extracted from the fluid flow path and disposed in cavities within the connector bodies, outside the lumen through which fluid flows. This extraction eliminates the contamination risk while maintaining the valve's functionality. The springs remain enclosed within the connector structure, providing biasing force to the valve without contacting the fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector body cavities serve as intermediaries that house the valve-biasing members. These cavities provide a protected space for the springs, isolating them from the fluid flow path while allowing the springs to transmit their biasing force through the valve mechanism to control fluid flow. The intermediary cavity structure resolves the conflict between manufacturing simplicity and fluid contamination prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.