Flat-Face Coupler with Frontal Annular Seal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluid transmission quick coupling fittings require increasing effort to couple as residual pressure in the circuit increases, are mechanically cumbersome, and fail to prevent impurities from entering the female coupler when uncoupled or during coupling/uncoupling.

Innovation Solution

A fluid transmission flat-face coupler with a frontal annular seal and a pressure compensation system that relieves residual pressure independently of the coupling effort, featuring a cam mechanism and radial seal to maintain sealing and prevent impurities, ensuring easy coupling and user safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional quick coupling fittings are used, then fluid transmission connection is achieved, but the coupling effort increases incrementally as residual pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling effortVSAvoidresidual pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is segmented into two independent systems: a frontal annular seal for impurity prevention and a radial seal for pressure sealing. This segmentation allows the coupling mechanism to overcome residual pressure without requiring excessive force, as the frontal seal handles the impurity barrier while the radial seal manages pressure containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frontal annular seal is pre-positioned to cover the wide frontal opening of the female coupler before coupling occurs. This preliminary sealing action prevents impurity entry during the coupling process and maintains sealing effectiveness independent of the force required to overcome residual pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional fittings without comprehensive sealing are used, then mechanical simplicity is maintained, but impurities can enter the female coupler when uncoupled or during coupling/uncoupling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpurity introductionVSAvoidsealing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the frontal sealing function and radial sealing function into a unified coupler system. The frontal annular seal and radial seal work together to provide comprehensive impurity protection during all operational states (coupled, uncoupled, and transition phases) without requiring separate complex sealing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The frontal annular seal serves multiple functions: it prevents impurity entry when the coupler is uncoupled, prevents impurity entry during coupling/uncoupling operations, and works in conjunction with the radial seal to maintain overall sealing effectiveness. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized sealing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution allows for coupling with minimal effort regardless of residual pressure and effectively prevents impurities from entering the female coupler during all operational states, enhancing user safety and mechanical simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

a cam (7) adapted to relieve the pressure from a chamber (54) inside the female coupler (47)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 2

a radial seal (19) adapted to prevent the introduction of impurities into the female coupler (47)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

stressed by a spring (71)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3069066B1Fluid transmission flat-face coupler with frontal annular seal.
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 STUCCHI SPA
  • EP3069066B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3069066B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3069066B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fluid transmission fitting (100) is described comprising a flat-faced female coupler (47) with a frontal annular seal (400) to protect from the introduction of impurities, when uncoupled, during the step of coupling-uncoupling and when coupled to a flat-faced male coupler (48).