Fluid Conduit Connection Device Sealing and Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection devices for fluid lines are not suitable for cleaning-intensive environments, such as the food industry and medical technology, as they have design shortcomings that allow dirt and aggressive cleaning media to penetrate, leading to functional impairment and hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with a union nut that screws into a combined clamping and sealing position, using a sealing ring to create a tight seal with the carrier component, preventing dirt and cleaning media ingress, and featuring a design that facilitates easy cleaning with curved transitions to prevent dirt accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connection device uses a conventional union nut design without sealing section, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but dirt and cleaning media can penetrate into the base body, causing hygiene issues and functional impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing section is integrated into the union nut structure, nesting the sealing function within the existing clamping component. The sealing ring is positioned between the sealing section and the carrier component, creating a nested sealing arrangement that prevents dirt ingress without requiring a separate sealing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged with the clamping function of the union nut. The sealing section is formed as part of the union nut body, combining two functions (clamping and sealing) into a single integrated component, thereby improving hygiene performance without significantly increasing structural complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If the connection device has multiple dirt edges and gaps in the conventional design, then it is easy to manufacture with simple geometry, but dirt accumulates in these areas making thorough cleaning impossible without dismantling
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing section features curved transition areas instead of sharp edges and gaps. The rounded geometry eliminates dirt accumulation zones, allowing cleaning media to flow smoothly over the surfaces without getting trapped in sharp corners or gaps, thereby significantly improving cleanability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
3Reliability
If the base body is directly exposed to cleaning measures, then the structure remains simple, but aggressive cleaning media penetrate and impair the functionality of the connection device
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing section acts as an intermediary barrier between the external cleaning environment and the internal base body. The sealing ring, positioned between the sealing section and carrier component, mediates the protection function, blocking aggressive cleaning media from reaching the base body while maintaining structural simplicity
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 connection device ensures reliable sealing and protection from aggressive cleaning media, maintaining functionality and hygiene standards, even under high-pressure cleaning conditions, while being easy to clean and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
cooperates with a sealing ring of the connecting device resting on an outer surface of the carrier component framing the fastening opening with this outer surface
Implementation Method 2
causes a clamping force that acts on a fluid line plugged into the connection section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device (1) has a sleeve nut (28) including a rear end section, which faces towards a fastening section (12) of a base body (16) and is designed as a sealing section (43). The sleeve nut is screwed on the base body, which adopts a usage position, in a combined clamping and sealing position. The sleeve nut produces clamping force relative to a fluid conduit (5) in the clamping and sealing position. The sealing section of the nut is interlocked with an outer surface (14) of a carrier component (4) under simultaneous sealing impact of a sealing ring (3), which lies at the outer surface.