Fluid Conduit Connector With Sliding Release and External Valve Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector systems for medical tubing lack secure and easy-to-use designs that prevent accidental disconnection and ensure fluid flow integrity, particularly in bio-medical environments.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring a female coupler with a catch and catch-receiving element, along with a release element that travels along the coupler's surface to engage and disengage the catch, and external valve-biasing members to control fluid flow, ensuring secure connection and easy disconnection while maintaining fluid flow integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a connector system uses a simple coupling mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability is worsened due to accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic catch mechanism that transitions between engaged and disengaged states. The catch is biased by a spring to automatically engage with the catch-receiving element upon coupling, but can be deliberately disengaged by applying force to the release element. This dynamic behavior allows the connector to be secure during normal operation while enabling intentional disconnection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The release element serves as an intermediary component between the user's manual operation and the catch mechanism. By traveling along the female coupler outer surface, it translates user input into controlled disengagement of the catch from the catch-receiving element, providing a deliberate and reliable disconnection path without affecting the secure engaged state.
2Reliability
If a connector system uses a secure locking mechanism, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened due to difficulty in disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system segments the disconnection function into a separate, dedicated release element distinct from the coupling action. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism (catch and catch-receiving element) to remain secure and simple for connection, while the release element provides a separate, easy interface for disconnection without complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The release element acts as an intermediary that simplifies the disconnection operation. Instead of requiring direct manipulation of the catch mechanism, the user operates the release element which travels along the female coupler outer surface to disengage the catch, making disconnection easy while maintaining the security of the locked state during operation.
3Ease of operation
If valve-biasing members are disposed inside the passageway, then the valve control is improved, but the fluid flow integrity is worsened due to potential contamination or obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The valve-biasing members (springs) are extracted from the fluid passageway and disposed in cavities within the connector body. This extraction eliminates the risk of these components contaminating or obstructing the fluid flow path, while the valves remain controllable through their connection to the passageway walls. The springs operate in isolated cavities, separating their mechanical function from the fluid flow function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity structures serve as intermediaries that house the valve-biasing members while maintaining fluid flow integrity. These cavities provide a separate space for the springs to operate, acting as a barrier between the mechanical components and the fluid path, thus preserving fluid cleanliness while enabling valve control functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.