Dispense Head Actuating Ring With Closure Torque Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Screw connections in dispensing systems for liquid chemicals can be damaged by excessive closure torque, especially when made of plastic, leading to difficulty in releasing and potential impairment of the thread and mating thread.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system with an actuating ring featuring overload protection that limits the closure torque to a predefined limit, using a mechanical design with asymmetrical recesses and locking segments to prevent over-tightening, accompanied by an audible click indicating the torque limit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the thread is screwed into the mating thread with high closure torque to ensure secure connection, then the screw connection becomes very tight and reliable, but the thread is tilted or jammed on the mating thread making release difficult and excessive torque can damage the thread components
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating ring is designed with a detachable coupling between outer and inner rings that transitions from coupled to decoupled state based on torque conditions. During tightening, the rings are coupled to transmit torque to the thread. During release, the coupling detaches to allow the inner ring to rotate freely without transmitting torque to the outer ring, enabling easy release without damaging the thread components.
2Reliability
If the thread is screwed into the mating thread with high closure torque to ensure secure connection, then the screw connection becomes very tight and reliable, but excessive torque can damage the thread and mating thread components
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating ring employs a detachable coupling mechanism that dynamically transitions between coupled and decoupled states. During the tightening phase, the coupling is engaged to transmit torque from the outer ring to the inner ring and thread. When excessive torque is detected or during release, the coupling detaches to prevent torque transmission that could damage the thread components, thus protecting the plastic thread components from deformation or breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable coupling in the actuating ring serves as a pre-designed protection mechanism against excessive torque. By incorporating this coupling that can detach under excessive load, the system beforehand cushions against potential thread damage, ensuring that even if excessive force is applied, the thread components remain protected from permanent deformation or failure.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing system with a dispense head and at least one container. The dispense head is connectable to a container opening of the container by means of a screw connection, so that stored material is dispensable from or suppliable to the container by means of the dispense head. There is an actuating ring on the dispense head, wherein the screw connection is established by rotating the actuating ring in a closure direction. The screw connection is released by rotating the actuating ring in a release direction. The actuating ring has an overload protection by means of which an effective closure torque is limited to a limit closure torque when the screw connection is established.