Coupling Device Radial Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for conduits conveying hydrocarbon liquids and vapors, such as crankcase ventilation conduits, face manufacturing complexity due to the need for intricate undercuts in the groove formation, which complicates the injection molding process and installation.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device design featuring a coupling body with a connecting piece receiving section and a locking member that can be laterally guided into place using an installation recess, eliminating the need for undercuts and allowing for easier manufacturing and installation, with a locking mechanism that prevents the connecting piece from being pulled out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a second groove is formed in the receiving space to enable locking, then the locking mechanism is effective, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to the need for a complex multi-component tool for undercut formation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming the locking groove directly in the receiving space (which creates an undercut requiring complex tools), the invention inverts the approach by forming the groove in the connecting piece itself. This allows the groove to be created using simple single-component injection molding tools, eliminating the manufacturing complexity while maintaining the locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention moves the locking groove formation from the radial dimension (where it would create an undercut in the receiving space) to the axial dimension (where it can be formed as a simple feature on the connecting piece). This dimensional shift eliminates the need for complex undercut formation tools while preserving the locking mechanism's effectiveness.
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex multi-component tool is used for groove formation, then the locking groove can be formed, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the locking groove formation from the receiving space and relocates it to the connecting piece. This separation allows the groove to be formed using simple injection molding tools during connecting piece manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex multi-component tools and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Ease of operation
If the locking member is installed axially, then the installation process is straightforward, but the locking member cannot be properly positioned without undercuts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating undercuts in the receiving space to facilitate axial installation of the locking member, the invention inverts the approach by forming the locking groove axially on the connecting piece. This allows the locking member to be installed axially through a simple radial opening without requiring any undercut features, simplifying both manufacturing and installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling device (1; 1′) for conduits conveying hydrocarbon liquids and hydrocarbon vapors, in particular for crankcase ventilation conduits, fuel conduits or tank ventilation conduits, includes a coupling body (2) with a connecting piece receiving section (6); and a locking member (4; 4′) for locking into place a connecting piece (24) guided into the connecting piece receiving section (6); wherein the connecting piece receiving section (6) has an installation recess (10) open radially toward the side, and wherein the locking member (4; 4′) can be guided into the connecting piece receiving section (6) laterally in radial direction (MR) by an installation recess (10).