Quick Connect Coupling Locking Sleeve With Three-Position Safety Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connect couplings lack a simple, reliable, and space-efficient safety feature that is easy to operate and manufacture, while ensuring user safety and preventing accidental uncoupling under high pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism featuring a safety ring and spring that is axially displaceable and rotatable, with a track and locking element system, allowing the locking sleeve to transition between locked and unlocked positions, providing a robust and intuitive safety mechanism that is adaptable to new and existing couplings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety mechanism is added to prevent accidental uncoupling, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety ring is integrated with the locking sleeve and coupling body, combining multiple functions into a unified structure. The safety ring serves both as a locking element and a safety indicator, while the spring mechanism provides both locking force and visual feedback through ring displacement, reducing the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded safety ring automatically engages with the locking sleeve to prevent accidental uncoupling without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates through the spring force that maintains the ring in a position that blocks the locking sleeve from moving outward, providing passive safety.
2Reliability
If a safety mechanism is added to prevent accidental uncoupling, then safety is improved, but the available space within the coupling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The safety ring is positioned partially inside and partially outside the locking sleeve, nesting the safety mechanism within the existing coupling structure. The spring is housed within the coupling body, and the track system utilizes the annular space around the locking sleeve, maximizing space utilization without increasing overall coupling volume.
3Reliability
If a safety mechanism is added to prevent accidental uncoupling, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The track system uses grooves with specific dimensional parameters (first groove length corresponding to first axial position, second groove end point corresponding to third axial position) that can be directly formed during machining or molding of the coupling body. The spring and safety ring are standard components that can be sourced from conventional suppliers, keeping manufacturing costs low.
4Ease of operation
If the safety mechanism operation is made intuitive, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety ring's axial displacement provides visual feedback to the user about the coupling state. When the ring is in the first axial position, it indicates one state (e.g., locked), and when displaced to another position, it indicates a different state (e.g., unlocked or warning), making the system's status immediately apparent without requiring technical knowledge.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety ring is designed to be movable along the axial direction, allowing it to dynamically respond to the coupling state. The ring can be manually displaced by the user to initiate unlocking, and it automatically returns to its original position when the locking sleeve is re-engaged, providing intuitive tactile and visual feedback throughout the operation.
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 mechanism ensures secure locking and easy operation, providing enhanced safety without occupying excessive space, while being inexpensive and easy to manufacture, thus addressing the need for a reliable safety feature in quick connect couplings.
Implementation Method 1
The spring acting between the locking sleeve (100) and the safety ring (200), the spring (300) comprising a spring force forcing the locking sleeve (100) and the safety ring (200) away from each other
Data Source
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AI summary
A locking mechanism for a quick connect coupling having a locking sleeve (100) is disclosed. The locking sleeve is axially displaceable for locking the quick connect coupling in a locked position (110) and for unlocking the quick connect coupling in an unlocked position (120). The locking mechanism comprises a safety ring (200), the safety ring (200) is axially displaceable for engaging the locking sleeve (100) and the safety ring (200) being partly inside or partly outside the locking sleeve (100). The safety ring being positionable in three different axial positions, a first axial position (210) for allowing the locking sleeve (100) to be in the unlocked position (120), a second axial position (220) for allowing the safety ring (200) to rotate, and a third axial position (230) for allowing the locking sleeve(100) to be in the locked position (110). The locking mechanism comprises a spring (300), the spring acting between the locking sleeve (100) and the safety ring (200). The spring (300) comprising a spring force forcing the locking sleeve (100) and the safety ring (200) away from each other. Methods using the locking mechanism are also disclosed.