Double Cam Lever Safety Lock for Pressurized Fittings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cam lock fittings lack a safety locking mechanism, leading to potential accidental release of pressurized contents, which can result in injury or environmental damage when operators are unsure if the contents are still under pressure.
Innovation Solution
A cam lock fitting with cooperating double cam levers, featuring a larger outer cam lobe and a smaller fork-shaped inner cam lobe, allowing partial opening to check for pressure and enabling quick reclosure if pressurized material is detected, along with a lever latching mechanism to prevent inadvertent opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cam lock fittings are opened without pressure checking, then quick access is achieved, but accidental release of pressurized contents occurs causing injury or environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by requiring operators to perform a pressure check through the pressure indicator window before fully opening the cam lock fitting. The fitting can be partially opened to check pressure status, and only should be fully opened if the indicator shows no pressure. This preliminary pressure checking action prevents accidental release of pressurized contents while maintaining operational efficiency.
2Reliability
If double cam levers are used with partial opening capability, then pressure checking safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the single cam lever into two separate cam levers: an outer cam lever and an inner cam lever. The outer cam lever controls partial opening for pressure checking, while the inner cam lever controls full opening. This segmentation allows the fitting to be partially opened without fully disengaging the locking mechanism, enabling safe pressure checking while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by positioning the inner cam lever inside the outer cam lever structure. The inner cam lever is nested within the outer cam lever's rotational path, allowing both levers to cooperate in a compact arrangement. This nested configuration enables the complex double lever mechanism to achieve pressure checking safety without excessive device complexity.
3Reliability
If lever latching mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent opening, then safety is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by incorporating a visual pressure indicator window that provides immediate feedback about the pressure status inside the fitting. Operators can see the pressure indicator through the window without opening the fitting, allowing them to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with opening. This feedback mechanism maintains ease of operation by providing clear information while preventing inadvertent opening of pressurized fittings.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for an improved safety cam lock fitting having double cam levers having outer and inner portions so that when the outer cam levers are opened and the inner cam lever remain closed, the male and female portions of the cam lock fitting only slightly separate from each other allowing the operator to quickly reclose the cam lock fitting if the operator observes that the cam lock fitting still contains pressurized material. This is accomplished by providing a larger cam lobe on the outer cam lever and a smaller cam lobe on the inner cam lever so that when the smaller cam lobe is in a closed position and protrudes into a peripheral groove on the male portion the male and female ends have a small space therein between. Various lever locking assemblies may be used to prevent the cam levers from being inadvertently opened.