Female Hose Coupling Ring-Guided Locks for Secure Pressure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick-coupling devices for hoses under high pressure risk accidental uncoupling and fail to provide secure locking, especially on hoses with slightly variable thicknesses, leading to potential leaks and breakage.
Innovation Solution
A quick-coupling female element with radial openings and movable locks controlled by an operating ring, utilizing inclined guide grooves and return members to apply orthogonal pressing forces, compensating for thickness variations and ensuring secure coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If balls or rings are used to penetrate into the pipe wall for locking, then locking force is concentrated, but the pipe surface is marked and sufficient gripping force is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented from a single concentrated point (ball or ring) to multiple distributed points (multiple locking elements arranged circumferentially). This segmentation distributes the locking force over a larger surface area, preventing pipe marking while maintaining sufficient gripping force.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from radial penetration (one dimension) to a combination of radial clamping and axial positioning (multiple dimensions). The locking elements engage both radially with the pipe and axially with the coupling body, creating a multi-dimensional locking action that increases gripping force without concentrating stress on the pipe surface.
2Reliability
If an internal clamp pinches the tube directly onto the nipple, then locking is achieved, but the pipe is marked and stressed axially by friction
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful functions (direct pinching and axial friction) are extracted from the locking mechanism. Instead of the clamp directly pinching the tube onto the nipple, the locking elements independently engage the pipe circumferentially while the spring provides uniform radial pressure, eliminating direct pinching marks and reducing axial friction stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are designed with specific local properties: smooth contact surfaces that conform to the pipe outer diameter, preventing marking. The contact geometry is optimized to distribute pressure locally without creating stress concentrations or axial friction components.
3Force
If a spring presses the hose against the nipple through the ring, then retention is attempted, but the force is insufficient under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The spring force is made dynamic rather than static. The spring automatically adjusts its pressing force based on the operating conditions: under normal conditions it provides baseline retention, and under pressure it increases force to compensate for hose expansion, maintaining reliable retention throughout the pressure cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring force is merged with the mechanical advantage of the locking elements' geometry. The spring provides radial pressure that is converted into enhanced gripping force through the friction and mechanical interlocking of the locking elements, creating a combined effect greater than the spring force alone.
4Reliability
If the coupling is designed for secure locking, then reliability is improved, but the ease of disconnection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling operation follows a periodic cycle: insertion triggers automatic locking, and a deliberate unlocking action releases the locks. The locking phase occurs automatically upon coupling, providing secure locking, while the unlocking phase requires a specific manual action, ensuring ease of intentional disconnection while maintaining security during normal operation.
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
Reduces the risk of leaks and breakage by applying consistent locking forces across varying hose thicknesses, enhancing security and ease of disconnection without degrading the pipe.
Implementation Method 1
a return member, configured for returning each lock to the first position thereof
Implementation Method 2
the guide grooves associated with each lock being geometrically supported by a guide plane inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that: each lock is driven from the second position thereof to the first position thereof when the operating ring is moved from the unlocking position thereof to the locking position
Data Source
AI summary
Quick-coupling female element. The female element includes a nipple configured for being fitted into a hose and which is rigidly attached to a hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis and which defines a receiving volume. Radial openings provided in the body along a guide axis emerge into the receiving volume and each receive a lock which is guided in translation between a locking position and an unlocking position. The female element includes an operating ring mounted to slide around the body between a locking position and an unlocking position and which comprises guide grooves which cooperate with pins of each lock. The guide grooves associated with each lock are geometrically supported by a guide plane inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that each lock is driven between the locking and unlocking positions thereof when the operating ring is moved between the locking and unlocking positions thereof.