External-Latch Fluid Connector for Tight Installation Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid connectors occupy too much space in spatially limited areas, such as inside tubes or vehicle pipe ducts, while maintaining the required fluid line cross-section.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector design featuring a latching body with a non-destructively non-releasable first latching device and a non-destructively releasable second latching device, allowing the connector to snap onto the outer sides of the connector bodies, reducing the outer diameter without compromising the fluid line cross-section, and enabling a ratio of outer diameter to fluid diameter of 2:1 to 3:1.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional fluid connector design is used, then secure connection of fluid lines is achieved, but the outer diameter becomes too large for spatially limited areas
Solution Approach 1:
The latching body is pushed onto the radially outer side of the connector bodies, transitioning the latching mechanism from an internal to an external dimension. This allows the latching elements to engage with the connector bodies without increasing the overall outer diameter of the fluid connector, resolving the contradiction between compact size and secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching device is segmented into multiple latching elements distributed circumferentially on the latching body, with different subgroups having different functions. The first subgroup provides non-releasable latching for secure connection, while the second subgroup provides releasable latching for controlled disconnection. This segmentation allows the connector to maintain both security and controllability within a compact form.
2Volume of moving object
If the outer diameter of the fluid connector is reduced, then space in limited areas is optimized, but the line cross-section for fluid conduction may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The latching body is divided into functionally different subgroups of latching elements: a first subgroup for non-releasable latching and a second subgroup for releasable latching. This segmentation allows the connector to maintain structural integrity and secure fluid line connections while minimizing the outer diameter to optimize space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid connector, comprising a first connector body, a second connector body and a latching body which is configured to connect the first connector body to the second connector body, the latching body having a first non-destructively non-releasable latching device and a second non-destructively releasable latching device, the latching body being configured to be pushed both onto a radially outer side of the first connector body and onto a radially outer side of the second connector body.