Female Quick-Connection Element with Safety Ring for Fluid Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick coupling systems for fluid distribution in vehicles face challenges such as fluid leaks, pressure drops, and cumbersome maneuverability due to guide elements obstructing fluid flow and requiring long axial movements during coupling.
Innovation Solution
A compact female quick coupling element with a safety ring that allows axial movement only when in a specific position, preventing premature displacement and incorporating a valve that moves freely to ensure fluid flow, along with a male element design that immobilizes the safety ring during fitting, facilitating easy and secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If guide elements (rollers in helical grooves) are used to guide the valve, then the valve movement is controlled, but the guide elements obstruct the fluid stream and create pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the guide elements (rollers and helical grooves) from the fluid passage conduit. The valve is guided only in axial translation by simple stops, while rotational guidance is eliminated. This extraction of obstructive guide elements from the fluid path eliminates the obstruction to fluid flow and the associated pressure drops, while still providing necessary valve control through alternative means.
2Stability of the object's composition
If helical grooves with rollers are used to guide valve rotation and translation, then valve positioning is achieved, but the fluid flow volume is limited due to obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The helical grooves and rollers that obstructed the fluid stream are completely removed from the fluid passage conduit. The valve is positioned and controlled through alternative mechanisms that do not intrude into the fluid path, thereby maximizing the fluid flow volume while maintaining adequate valve positioning control.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve guidance function is segmented from the fluid passage. The valve is controlled by separate axial stops and rotational constraints that act on the valve body without extending into the fluid conduit space, allowing full fluid flow cross-section while maintaining valve control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If long axial movements are used to guide connecting parts during coupling, then proper positioning is achieved, but the device becomes less maneuverable and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is changed from requiring long axial movements to a rotation-based operation. The operating ring rotates around the body, and this rotational motion is transformed into axial movement of the body relative to the operating ring through transformation means (such as a drive ring with helical grooves). This parameter change from linear to rotational operation significantly improves maneuverability while achieving proper positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism uses dynamic transformation of motion: the operating ring's rotational movement is converted into axial displacement of the body through the drive ring and helical groove interaction. This dynamic motion transformation allows compact coupling action with improved maneuverability while ensuring proper positioning of connecting parts.
4Ease of operation
If the body can rotate freely with the operating ring, then the coupling is simpler, but premature displacement occurs increasing leakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The safety ring is positioned to engage with the body before the operating ring can cause premature displacement. This preliminary engagement action prevents the body from moving axially until the proper coupling sequence is followed, thereby preventing leakage while maintaining operational simplicity. The safety ring acts as a preliminary constraint that is released only when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety ring serves as an intermediary element between the operating ring and the body. It mediates the coupling process by controlling when axial displacement can occur, preventing premature movement that would cause leakage, while still allowing the simplified rotational operation of the operating ring. The intermediary safety ring ensures reliable sequencing without complicating the overall operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
This female quick-connect fitting element (10) (2) is designed to cooperate, by insertion (F1) along an insertion axis (X10-X20), with a male element (20). It comprises a body (102) centered on a longitudinal fluid passage axis (X10) and having a flat front face (108), a valve (120) including a poppet (110) housed in the fluid passage and movable along the longitudinal axis, and an operating ring (130) mounted to slide around the body and defining, at its distal end (134), an opening (E10) for receiving the male element. The operating ring is equipped with at least one engagement ridge (136) with a corresponding ridge (226) on the male element. The female connecting element further includes a safety ring (150) mounted around the body (102), radially inside the operating ring (130), which is axially movable relative to the body (102) between a first position and a second position.The female element also includes means (170, 158) for transforming, when the safety ring (150) is in its second position, a rotational movement of the operating ring, around the longitudinal axis (X10) and relative to the safety ring (150), into an axial translational movement of the body (102) relative to the operating ring (130).