Detachable Tap Spring Fastening for Sealing and Easy Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing taps for fluidic connections in the biological and medical fields are difficult to dismantle for cleaning and disinfection, and are often costly to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A tap design featuring a conical connecting and disconnecting element with a manual actuating element, coupled mechanically, and a main body with a spring element for secure positioning and sealing, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining a sealing effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the tap is designed with a complex fastening mechanism to ensure secure connection, then the reliability of the fluidic connection is improved, but the ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure connectionVSAvoidease of assembly and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tap employs a dynamic spring element that automatically adjusts its compressive force based on the assembly state. During assembly, the spring's elastic force automatically secures the connecting element without requiring complex fastening operations. During disassembly, the spring force can be easily overcome by manual manipulation, enabling simple dismantling. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction between secure connection and ease of assembly/disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element serves itself by automatically providing the necessary fastening force upon assembly. The elastic deformation of the spring during assembly naturally creates the securing effect without requiring additional fastening steps or complex mechanisms. The system uses its own structural properties (spring elasticity) to achieve both secure connection and easy disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of repair

If the tap is designed to be easily dismantled for cleaning, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaning and disinfectionVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element provides a dynamic securing mechanism that maintains reliable connection during normal operation through its continuous elastic force. When cleaning is required, the same spring mechanism can be easily overcome by manual manipulation, allowing simple disassembly. The dynamic nature of the spring force ensures both connection stability and ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element changes its mechanical state (compressed during assembly, decompressed during disassembly) to provide different functional outcomes. During normal operation, the spring maintains high compressive force for reliable sealing and connection. During cleaning operations, the force can be easily reduced by manual manipulation, enabling simple disassembly without compromising the reliability during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a spring element is added to provide form-fitting fixing and surface pressure, then the manufacturing precision and sealing quality are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveform-fitting fixing and sealing qualityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides form-fitting fixing of the connecting element, generates surface pressure for sealing between contact faces, and maintains connection stability. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single component, the design achieves high manufacturing precision and sealing quality without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for precise manufacturing of the spring itself while keeping the overall assembly process simple. The modular nature enables easy replacement and maintenance without affecting other parts of the tap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enables simple and cost-effective assembly and disassembly of the tap, ensuring effective sealing and easy cleaning and disinfection, while allowing for the replacement of worn parts without destruction.

Implementation Method 1

at least one spring element (34) is provided for form-fitting fixing the position of the connecting and disconnecting element (6) with respect to the main body (12) and preferably for producing a surface pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the contact surface (16) is of negative configuration at least in sections with respect to the conical surface component (28) of the connecting and disconnecting element (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10969022B2Detachable tap having a spring element for fastening and prestressing
Publication Date: 2021.04.06 OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
  • US10969022B2 patent drawing
  • US10969022B2 patent drawing
  • US10969022B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A tap for producing and disconnecting a fluidic connection between at least two connector parts. The tap includes one connecting and disconnecting element, a manual actuating element for rotating the connecting and disconnecting element. The manual actuating element and the connecting and disconnecting element are coupled mechanically. The tap includes a main body having at least one connector part and an interior space for receiving the connecting and disconnecting element, the interior space includes a contact surface for being brought into contact with the connecting and disconnecting element.