Pressure Line Coupling Retaining Ring Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling parts for pressure-medium lines face challenges with assembly reliability, damage from excessive seal compression, and failure under high internal pressures due to stressed threaded connections, which affect operational reliability and manufacturing simplicity.

Innovation Solution

A coupling part design featuring a separate retaining ring held by a disc-shaped retaining element, which is plastically deformed to create a secure, non-positive fit with the valve body, eliminating elastic compression and enhancing pressure resistance up to 420 bar, and incorporating a stop element for axial support and defined seal seating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a retaining screw is used to secure the ring seal to the valve body, then the seal can be retained, but the threaded connection is stressed under high internal pressure leading to failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidthreaded connection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining screw is replaced by a segmented retaining ring that can be separately assembled onto the valve body. The retaining ring is secured by a deformable retaining element that creates a form-fitting connection, distributing the load away from threaded connections and eliminating the stress concentration that caused failures under high pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded mechanical connection (retaining screw) is replaced by a deformation-based mechanical fastening system. The retaining element is plastically deformed to create a riveted joint with the retaining ring, substituting the threaded connection with a deformation-induced form-fitting connection that better withstands high internal pressures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the ring seal is compressed tightly to ensure sealing, then sealing performance improves, but excessive compression causes seal damage and shearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidseal damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining ring acts as an intermediary element between the retaining element and the ring seal. It provides a distributed support structure that evenly distributes the retaining force across the seal, preventing localized over-compression and shearing while maintaining adequate sealing pressure through the defined chambered space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the retaining screw is secured with adhesive to prevent loosening, then retention reliability improves, but the production process becomes complex and unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention reliabilityVSAvoidassembly process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chemical bonding method (adhesive) is replaced by a purely mechanical deformation-based fastening system. The retaining element is plastically deformed during assembly to create a form-fitting riveted joint with the retaining ring, eliminating the need for adhesive application and curing processes, thereby simplifying manufacturing and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Strength

If high internal pressure resistance is achieved through threaded connections, then pressure resistance improves, but the threaded connections fail under very high pressures above 400 bar

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vulnerable threaded connections are extracted and replaced by a deformation-based fastening system. The retaining element is plastically deformed to create a form-fitting connection with the retaining ring, eliminating the threaded structures that were prone to failure under very high internal pressures above 400 bar.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design ensures reliable assembly, prevents damage from excessive seal compression, and maintains high operational reliability under high pressures while simplifying the manufacturing process and ensuring optimal sealing performance.

Implementation Method 1

the retaining element that holds the retaining ring is designed in such a way that it is plastically deformed or deformable from a pre-assembly state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

the valve body having an elastic ring seal in its front peripheral area pointing in the closing direction, which interacts as an axial seal with a sealing surface of the clutch housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic sealing: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2690339B1Coupling section for a pressure line coupling

Publication Date: 2014.11.19 VOSWINKEL ENTWICKLUNGS UND VERWALTUNGS GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~9

AI summary

The coupling part (2) has an annular seal (30) which is formed from a retaining ring from front partially covering retaining section (36). The retaining ring is held by a holding element (40) which is connected with a valve body (26) in a single-piece manner. The retaining ring at its radial inner circumference has an axial stop element which is fitted directly on the valve body for axial support in an area enclosed by the annular seal.