Elastic Clamping Ring Coupling for Variable Filler Neck Diameters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filling devices struggle to securely attach to filling nozzles or nipples with different diameters and profiles, requiring multiple clamping ring types and increasing manufacturing and storage costs, while ensuring a secure hold and easy disengagement.

Innovation Solution

A clamping ring with a single interruption in the circumferential direction, made of elastic material like POM, PVC, or PP, that adapts to the radius of the wall through elastic deformation, allowing engagement from both outside and inside, and automatically disengages upon actuation release, with a rib for enhanced security and a conical surface for precise fitting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple clamping ring types are used to fit different nozzle diameters and profiles, then the adaptability to various filling nozzles is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to various filling nozzlesVSAvoidnumber of clamping ring types

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping ring is designed with a conical outer surface and elastic material properties, allowing a single universal design to adapt to filling nozzles with different diameters and profiles. The elastic deformation capability enables the same clamping ring to securely fit various nozzle sizes without requiring multiple specialized ring types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping ring utilizes elastic deformation to change its dimensional parameters dynamically. When installed, the elastic material allows the ring to deform and adapt its inner diameter to match different nozzle dimensions, providing a secure fit across a range of sizes without requiring multiple fixed-dimension rings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a secure hold is ensured through precise matching of clamping ring dimensions to nozzle profile, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the ease of manufacture and storage is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure holdVSAvoidmanufacturing and storage costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic material property allows the clamping ring to dynamically adjust its dimensions through deformation, ensuring a secure fit across various nozzle sizes. This eliminates the need to manufacture and store multiple precisely-matched ring types, reducing manufacturing complexity and storage requirements while maintaining reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the clamping ring is designed to engage from both outside and inside, then the adaptability to different engagement directions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement from both outside and insideVSAvoidclamping ring design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping ring features an asymmetric design with a conical outer surface and a single interruption in the circumferential direction. This asymmetric geometry enables the ring to function effectively whether engaged from the outside or inside of the nozzle, providing bidirectional adaptability without requiring separate designs for each engagement direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution provides a secure and universal fit for various nozzle diameters, reduces the number of clamping ring types needed, and facilitates easy replacement, ensuring a reliable and cost-effective attachment and detachment process.

Implementation Method 1

During the elastic deformation of the clamping ring, the radius of curvature of the clamping ring also changes with the diameter, whereby the latter adapts to the radius of curvature of the wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3529526B1Filling device for filling a fluid reservoir, and device for coupling the filling device to a filling duct of the fluid reservoir

Publication Date: 2021.10.06 SAT ANLAGENTECHN GMBH

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Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (30) for coupling a filling device (10) to a filling duct (16) of a fluid reservoir (12), comprising fixing means (40) for releasably fixing the filling device (10) in relation to the fluid reservoir (12), sealing means (36) for sealing the filling duct (16) with respect to the surroundings, and linearly movable actuating means (42), by way of the advancing of which the fixing means (40) can be brought into engagement with a generally cylindrical wall (20) which surrounds the filling duct (16). In order to make fixing possible on walls (20) with somewhat different dimensions, profiles or tolerances, it is proposed according to the invention that the fixing means (40) comprise, according to the invention, an elastically deformable single-piece clamping ring (14) which is provided in the circumferential direction thereof with an interruption (46), and that the actuating means (42) press the clamping ring (44) against an abutment (50) during the advancing, as a result of which the clamping ring (44) is deformed elastically and comes into engagement with the wall (20) with a change in the diameter of said clamping ring (44).