Flow Regulator Coupling with Movable Lock for Live Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow regulating devices in water piping systems are not efficiently or easily accessible for maintenance or replacement, requiring specialized personnel and interrupting water flow during decoupling.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a movable locking mechanism that allows for easy coupling and decoupling of flow regulating devices from the piping system, featuring an inlet, outlet, and a holder with a locking device that engages and disengages to facilitate removal without interrupting water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flow regulating devices are permanently installed in water piping systems using couplers or threading connections, then the devices are securely fixed in place, but they become difficult to access for maintenance or replacement requiring specialized personnel and interrupting water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into separate components: a holder that remains permanently installed in the piping system, and a flow regulating device that can be independently removed. The locking device further segments the system by providing movable engagement points, allowing the flow regulating device to be accessed without removing the entire coupling assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed to be movable between locked and unlocked positions, transforming the static permanent connection into a dynamic system. This allows the connection to be secure during normal operation but easily releaseable when maintenance is needed, resolving the contradiction between reliable fixation and ease of access.
2Reliability
If flow regulating devices are permanently installed using specialized connections, then they are securely fixed, but replacement requires specialized personnel and time
Solution Approach 1:
The flow regulating device is extracted as a separate removable component from the permanent coupling device. The holder remains installed in the piping system while the flow regulating device can be independently removed and replaced, significantly reducing the time and expertise required for maintenance compared to replacing entire permanent installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is pre-assembled with the holder and locking mechanism before installation, so that only the flow regulating device needs to be installed or replaced during maintenance. This preliminary preparation of the coupling structure enables quick swaps without requiring specialized personnel to work on the entire assembly.
3Reliability
If flow regulating devices are installed with permanent connections, then they are securely fixed in place, but water flow must be interrupted during decoupling for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a permanent holder portion and a removable flow regulating device portion. This allows the holder and connected piping to remain in place with water flowing through them, while only the specific flow regulating device component is removed for maintenance, maintaining water flow continuity in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary component that remains permanently installed and maintains the water flow path, while the flow regulating device is a temporary component that can be removed. This intermediary structure enables maintenance of the flow regulating device without interrupting water flow through the holder and piping system.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling device for coupling and decoupling a flow regulating device from a water piping system. The coupling device includes an inlet and an outlet, each arranged to be connected to a pipe of the piping system, and a holder arranged between the inlet and the outlet for holding the flow regulating device. The coupling device further includes a locking device which is movable from and towards the holder between an unlocked and a locked position. In the locked position, the locking device is arranged to engage and lock the flow regulating device held in the holder and the device is coupled to the inlet and the outlet. In the unlocked position, the locking device is moved away from the flow regulating device for removal of the flow regulating device from the coupling device.