Filling Head Rotary Joint Torque Limiting Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling heads lack adequate security measures to prevent incorrect operation and ensure a reliable, leak-proof connection during the filling process, particularly for sensitive liquids like aqueous urea solutions.
Innovation Solution
A filling head with a rotary joint element featuring a bayonet lock or screw thread connection that requires rotation to secure, combined with a torque limiter and sensor system to detect proper connection and prevent over-tightening, ensuring a secure and sealed connection before allowing the filling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary joint element with bayonet lock or screw thread is used to ensure secure connection, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: the rotary joint element (bayonet lock or screw thread) for mechanical connection, the torque limiter as an independent safety device, and the sensor system for detection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while keeping the overall system manageable and maintainable.
2Reliability
If a torque limiter is added to prevent over-tightening, then connection safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque limiter is pre-configured with a threshold torque value that automatically triggers the decoupling mechanism. This preliminary setup ensures that before any damage can occur from over-tightening, the system has already built-in protection that activates automatically when the predetermined torque limit is reached, preventing harmful effects before they occur.
3Reliability
If a sensor system is implemented to detect proper connection, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system provides real-time feedback about the connection status to the control unit. When the sensor detects proper connection (or lack thereof), it sends a signal that enables or disables the filling process accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system only operates under safe conditions, automatically preventing incorrect operation without requiring complex manual monitoring procedures.
4Reliability
If rotation is required to secure the connection, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary joint element with bayonet lock or screw thread design allows the connection to self-secure through the rotation action. The mechanical features (locking lugs, threading) automatically engage and lock into place during the rotation process, providing self-verifying connection without requiring additional tools or complex procedures. The torque limiter also provides self-protection by automatically disengaging if excessive force is applied.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
Figure 3c
AI summary
A filling head 10 for filling a liquid into a tank nozzle 14 is described. To ensure a high level of operational safety, a rotary connection element 26 is provided to form a mechanical connection relative to the tank nozzle 14 by rotation. A rotatable control unit 30 serves to rotate the rotary connection element 26. The control unit 30 is coupled to the rotary connection element 26 via a torque-limiting coupling device 32, which releases in at least one direction of rotation at a threshold torque and decouples the rotatable control unit 30 from the rotary connection element 26. A sensor is provided to detect the release of the torque-limiting coupling device 32 and to issue a release signal indicating that the connection has been established.