Female Quick Coupling Locking Member Pivoting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing female quick coupling elements for pipes under pressure face challenges in compact design and risk of peening due to the radial clearance required for locking fingers, which increases the coupling's radial size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A female quick coupling element with locking members that pivot about a stationary axis, using spherical surfaces to move between engaged and disengaged positions, reducing radial size and enhancing robustness while minimizing peening risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If locking fingers move in translation along an inclined direction, then the locking mechanism is simple, but the radial size of the coupling increases due to required radial clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is provided with at least one surface in the form of a portion of a sphere, and moves by pivoting about an axis passing through the center of curvature of the spherical surface. This curved motion path allows the locking member to engage and disengage from the peripheral groove while minimizing the radial clearance required, thereby reducing the overall radial size of the coupling compared to linear translation mechanisms.
2Reliability
If locking fingers move in translation parallel to an oblique axis, then the risk of peening is reduced, but radial space must be provided between tab and control ring increasing coupling size
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical surface on the locking member enables it to pivot about a stationary axis passing through the center of curvature. This curved pivoting motion reduces the risk of peening between contacting surfaces while requiring minimal radial space between the locking member tab and the control ring, thus maintaining reliability without increasing coupling size.
3Reliability
If locking members are made robust, then locking reliability improves, but the radial size of the coupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member features a spherical surface that pivots about an axis through its center of curvature. This geometric configuration allows the locking member to be robust and reliable while maintaining a compact radial profile, as the spherical geometry efficiently distributes stresses and allows for optimized material usage without increasing the overall radial dimension of the coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
The female quick coupling element is fitted with at least one locking member (40) movable in a housing (27) between a first position in which a fraction (46) of the locking member projects out from the housing (27) and a second position in which the fraction (46) of the locking member is disengaged from a groove in a male element endpiece (11) engaged in the female element. A control ring that is slidable relative to the body of the female element parallel to its central longitudinal axis (XA-X′A) is suitable for moving the locking member between its first and second positions. The locking member (40) is provided with at least one surface (42, 43) in the form of a portion of a sphere. The locking member moves between its first and second positions by pivoting about a fixed axis passing through the center of curvature (C40) of the surface (42, 43) in the form of a portion of a sphere of the locking member (40) and perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis (XA-X′A) of the female element.