Self-Centering Blind Mate Coupling for Radial and Angular Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blind mate coupling designs have insufficient misalignment tolerance, which limits their application in environments with less stringent enclosure tolerances, such as electronic data centers.
Innovation Solution
The proposed blind mate coupling incorporates an alignment mechanism with movable engagement parts that cooperate with the valve body to enhance self-centering and misalignment compensation, allowing for greater radial and angular misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional blind mate coupling designs are used, then the manufacturing process remains simple and economical, but the misalignment tolerance is insufficient (only 1 mm radial and zero angular misalignment)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic self-centering mechanism where the valve body can move axially and radially relative to the housing to automatically compensate for misalignment. The biasing member provides a dynamic restoring force that pushes the valve body back to the centered position after it has moved to accommodate misalignment, enabling the coupling to adapt to varying alignment conditions without requiring precise manual adjustment or complex rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the coupling by allowing the valve body to move through a range of positions (axial and radial displacement) rather than remaining fixed. This parameter change enables the coupling to accommodate misalignment up to 5 mm radial and 5-degree angular deviation while maintaining sealing and functional integrity, significantly expanding the tolerance range compared to conventional fixed designs.
2Manufacturing precision
If the coupling members are designed with tight tolerances for precise alignment, then misalignment tolerance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and economical manufacturing processes are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling design employs a self-centering mechanism that automatically compensates for misalignment without requiring external adjustment tools, skilled operators, or post-assembly calibration. The biasing member and movable valve body work together to self-correct alignment issues during the mating process itself, enabling the use of less precise (and therefore less expensive) enclosure manufacturing while still achieving proper coupling alignment and function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve body is made movable relative to the housing, then misalignment compensation is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment compensation function from the overall coupling structure and implements it as a separate, dedicated self-centering mechanism consisting of the movable valve body and biasing member. This isolated subsystem handles misalignment compensation independently, allowing the rest of the coupling structure to remain simple and straightforward, thereby enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling member for a blind mate fluid coupling includes a housing and a valve body that is self-centering and alignable relative to the housing. The valve body may include at least two radial shoulder portions that are configured to engage at least two corresponding radial abutments of the housing to improve self-centering when in a decoupled state. An engagement member, such as a socket, may be provided in the housing to engage a radial shoulder of the valve body with a concave interface to enhance the misalignment compensating and/or self-centering functionality. The engagement member may be free to float radially relative to the housing to further enhance such effects. A compensator that urges an engagement member against a shoulder of the valve body may be provided to compensate for misalignment and/or provide self-centering in both a decoupled and mated state.