Emergency Release Coupling with Adjustable Cam Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breakaway couplings for fluid delivery lines are prone to jamming and destruction due to excessive tensile forces, and lack a reliable mechanism for adjusting the separating force effectively.
Innovation Solution
A compact breakaway coupling design featuring two coupling halves with self-closing fluid locks, where latching levers with unequal lever arms and compression springs engage with inclined surfaces to control the release force, allowing for adjustable contact force and automatic fluid barrier closure upon excessive tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If retaining ring sections are pressed radially outwards by wedge forces to release the coupling, then the coupling can be disconnected, but jamming may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wedge force mechanism with a cam mechanism. The cam profile is designed to provide a controlled release path that avoids the jamming problem inherent in radial pressing. As the cam rotates, its profile gradually lifts the retaining ring sections, ensuring smooth disengagement without sudden radial movements that cause jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a rotating cam that dynamically controls the release process. Instead of static wedge forces, the cam's rotation creates a time-dependent, controlled movement of the retaining ring sections. This dynamic approach allows the system to transition smoothly from the locked to the released state, eliminating the jamming risk associated with static mechanical forcing.
2Volume of moving object
If the coupling design is made compact, then space is saved, but adjusting the separating force becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the adjusting mechanism within the compact coupling structure by nesting the cam mechanism inside the coupling body. The cam, adjusting elements, and retaining ring sections are arranged in a nested configuration that minimizes the overall volume while maintaining full adjustability of the separating force. This allows force adjustment functionality to be incorporated without significantly increasing the coupling's external dimensions.
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 coupling device allows for non-destructive separation of fluid lines under high tensile forces while ensuring automatic fluid lock activation, preventing damage and facilitating easy reassembly.
Implementation Method 1
The longer lever arms are each under the action of an associated compression spring
Implementation Method 2
the longer lever arms are each under the action of an associated compression spring
Implementation Method 3
an end flange or collar with a sealing surface which rests sealingly on one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Emergency release coupling between two lines. The first coupling half (1) has an opening mouth which is formed by detents (32a) of the short lever arms (32) of first-order detent levers (3) that are pretensioned in the closing direction by pressure springs (4) while engaging behind inclined surfaces (21a) of an end flange (21) of the second coupling half (2). The emergency release coupling is released when a predetermined tensile force on the lines is exceeded.