Fluid Connector Locking Teeth for Secure Conduit Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connectors struggle to securely engage a wide range of fluid conduits and maintain a stable connection without causing undue damage to the conduit surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector design featuring flexible engagement arms with inwardly directed locking teeth that deform to surround the conduit, providing secure engagement through frictional force and optionally digging into the conduit surface, supplemented by a support mechanism to resist disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid locking mechanisms are used to securely engage fluid conduits, then connection stability is improved, but the risk of damage to conduit surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking teeth are designed with elastic properties, changing the mechanical parameter from rigid to flexible. This allows the teeth to deform during engagement, reducing impact forces on the conduit surface while maintaining secure locking. The elastic material absorbs engagement shocks and distributes pressure more evenly, preventing surface damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic locking teeth inherently provide cushioning before actual engagement with the conduit. When the connector is assembled, the teeth gradually deform and compress, absorbing the impact energy before the locking action is fully engaged. This preliminary cushioning prevents sudden shocks that could damage the conduit surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple locking mechanisms are added to engage different conduit types, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic locking teeth serve multiple functions: they provide the locking action, accommodate different conduit diameters through elastic deformation, and adapt to various conduit materials. This single mechanism replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized locking components for different conduit types, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
By using elastic material with appropriate mechanical properties, the locking teeth can change their engagement parameters (deformation amount, contact pressure, engagement depth) to suit different conduit types. This parametric adaptability allows one design to work with multiple conduit specifications without requiring multiple fixed designs.
3Ease of operation
If the locking element is made removable for reusability, then ease of operation is improved, but connection reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed with dynamic characteristics - it can be easily inserted and removed when needed, yet once engaged, it provides reliable locking through elastic deformation. The ease of operation comes from the simple snap-fit action, while reliability is achieved because the elastic teeth maintain constant engagement pressure and can be re-engaged repeatedly with consistent performance.
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 connector achieves secure attachment of fluid conduits with reduced risk of damage, allowing for easy disassembly and reusability while maintaining fluid tightness and axial alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a locking element comprising a pair of flexible engagement arms extending therefrom... the engagement arms being configured to be urged tangentially by an internal surface of the slot towards the first fluid conduit
Implementation Method 2
The locking teeth are deformed (and so slant) by the first fluid conduit upon engagement of the first fluid conduit and the locking teeth, wherein the locking teeth resist disengagement by reversal of the engagement
Implementation Method 3
one or more sets of inwardly directed locking teeth configured to be disposed at an outer surface of the first fluid conduit with the locking teeth engaging the outer surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~3F
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A connector for forming a fluid connection between at least a first fluid conduit (12; 12') and a second fluid conduit (14; 14'), the connector (10; 10'; 60; 70; 140; 150) comprising:a body (16; 16'; 66; 76; 146) defining at least one aperture configured to receive an end (42) of the first fluid conduit (12; 12');a locking element (18; 18'; 18a,18b) comprising a pair of flexible engagement arms (22a,22b; 22a',22b') extending therefrom, the engagement arms (22a,22b; 22a',22b') being configured so as to accommodate the end of the first fluid conduit (12; 12') therebetween;the locking element (18; 18'; 18a,18b) being configured to be at least partially received by a slot (26; 26a,26b) defined by the body (16; 16'; 66; 76; 146) and, when the end of the first fluid conduit (12; 12') is located within the body (16; 16'; 66; 76; 146) of the connector (10; 10'; 60; 70; 140; 150), to engage the first fluid conduit (12; 12');the engagement arms (22a, 22b) are configured to be urged tangentially by an internal surface of the slot (26; 26a,26b) towards the first fluid conduit (12; 12'); and when the locking element (18; 18'; 18a,18b) is located in the slot (26; 26a,26b) and the end of the first fluid conduit (12; 12') is located in the body (16; 16'; 66; 76; 146) of the connector (10; 10'; 60; 70; 140; 150), the engagement arms (22a, 22b) are retained against the first fluid conduit (12; 12') and have respective lengths such that the locking element (18; 18'; 18a,18b) at least partially surrounds the first fluid conduit (12; 12'); wherein the connector (10; 10'; 60; 70; 140; 150) comprises one or more sets of inwardly directed locking teeth (36; 36'; 36a-f; 86; 116) configured to be disposed at an outer surface (38) of the first fluid conduit (12; 12') with the locking teeth engaging the outer surface (38) when the connector (10; 10'; 60; 70; 140; 150) is assembled and the end (42) of the first fluid conduit (12; 12') is located in the body (16; 16'; 66; 76; 146); and the connector (10; 10'; 60; 70; 140; 150) comprises a support (34; 34'; 34a-f; 118) configured to support the locking teeth against the first fluid conduit (12; 12') when the end (42) of the first fluid conduit (12; 12') is located in the body (16; 16'; 66; 76; 146);wherein the locking teeth (36; 36'; 36a-f; 86; 116) are configured so as to be deformed by the first fluid conduit (12; 12') upon engagement of the first fluid conduit (12; 12') and the locking teeth, wherein the locking teeth resist disengagement by reversal of the engagement; and the support (34; 34'; 34a-f; 118) is integral with, connected to or adjacent to the locking element (18; 18'; 18a,18b) when the connector (10; 10'; 60; 70; 140; 150) is assembled, such that the locking element (18; 18'; 18a,18b) retains the locking teeth in the connector (10;10'; 70) when the connector (10; 10'; 60; 70; 140; 150) is assembled.