Docking Element Bellows with Varying Fold Radii
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing docking elements for detachable line connections, particularly used for transferring liquid manure, are prone to leaks due to limited error tolerances in radial and angular positioning of the suction ball, especially on uneven surfaces, leading to reduced pumping and delivery capacity.
Innovation Solution
The docking element features a bellows with selectively weakened material and varying fold radii, providing increased radial and angular mobility while maintaining optimal axial mobility, and includes a fluorescent or reflective area for improved visibility during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bellows has uniform folds with equal radius, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the radial and angular mobility is limited, causing leakage on uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows is designed with non-uniform folds where at least one fold has a different radius (larger radius of curvature) compared to other folds. This local variation in geometric parameters enables the bellows to accommodate radial and angular misalignments while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a largely uniform structure
Solution Approach 2:
The radius parameter of the bellows folds is intentionally varied, with at least one fold having a larger radius than others. This parameter change allows the docking element to achieve greater radial and angular mobility, enabling it to adapt to incorrect positioning of the suction ball while remaining easy to manufacture
2Adaptability or versatility
If the suction ball positioning is not precise axially, then the connection may be loose, but the bellows can compensate to some extent
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows structure acts as a flexible element that can deform to compensate for axial positioning errors. The flexible folds allow the docking element to maintain gas-tight connection reliability even when the suction ball is not precisely positioned axially, as the bellows can expand or contract to accommodate the misalignment
3Reliability
If the suction ball is incorrectly positioned radially or angularly, then the connection becomes leaky, but uniform bellows folds provide limited compensation
Solution Approach 1:
By creating at least one fold with a larger radius in specific locations, the bellows gains enhanced ability to compensate for radial and angular misalignments. This local geometric modification allows the docking element to maintain gas-tight connections even when the suction ball is incorrectly positioned, significantly improving adaptability to positioning errors
Solution Approach 2:
The non-uniform fold design creates dynamic mobility in the bellows, enabling it to adapt its shape in response to radial and angular misalignments. This dynamic capability allows the docking element to maintain reliable gas-tight connections under varying positioning conditions, transforming a static structure into an adaptive one
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 enhances the docking element's ability to accommodate incorrect positioning, reducing the likelihood of leaks and ensuring a secure, efficient connection for vacuum transfer of free-flowing media, such as liquid manure, by increasing radial and angular mobility and improving insertion accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The cylindrical section is followed by the funnel-shaped section, into which a docking element that corresponds to the funnel and is generally spherical in design, in particular a suction ball designed at the end of a pipeline, is inserted... due to elastic bellows, generic funnel-shaped docking elements are fault-tolerant with regard to an axial, but to a lesser extent with regard to a radial and angular incorrect positioning
Implementation Method 2
the docking element has a fluorescent, phosphorescent or reflective area, preferably on the funnel-shaped section
Implementation Method 3
the docking element has a fluorescent, phosphorescent or reflective area, preferably on the funnel-shaped section
Implementation Method 4
the docking element has a fluorescent, phosphorescent or reflective area, preferably on the funnel-shaped section
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a docking element (1) made of a rubber-elastic material with a funnel-shaped section (2) and a cylindrical section (3) for producing a detachable pipe connection, wherein a cylindrical section (4) can be formed at least partially at or attached to a pipe end, and a cylindrical section (6) has a bellows (7) with at least two folds (8, 9, 10) with fold troughs and fold crests, and wherein the funnel-shaped section (2) follows the cylindrical section (3), into which a docking element corresponding to the funnel (2), generally spherically shaped, can be inserted at the end face, characterized in that at least one fold (8, 9, 10) of the bellows (7) has a material weakening and/or a larger radius of the fold crest compared to the other fold (8, 9, 10).