Female Fluid Connector Memory Ring for Short-Insertion Auto Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing female fluid coupling elements require significant longitudinal dimensions and complex mechanisms to ensure automatic locking and sealing, especially when the male element has a constant diameter without grooves or shoulders, making them inefficient for compact designs and easy installation.

Innovation Solution

A female fluid connection element with a radially movable latch and a memory ring that automatically transitions to a retaining position upon male element insertion, utilizing elastic means and a pusher mechanism to secure the lock without needing intermediate surfaces, allowing for compact design and easy installation even with male elements of constant diameter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a frustoconical surface on the latch tooth is used for automatic coupling, then automatic locking is achieved, but a significant length of the male element must be introduced into the female element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic lockingVSAvoidinsertion length of male element

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a frustoconical surface that requires deep insertion to generate locking force, the invention inverts the approach by using a latch tooth with a frustoconical surface that engages with a collar on the male element. The collar's tapered profile automatically moves the latch from retaining position to release position during insertion, achieving automatic coupling with minimal insertion depth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The latch is designed to be movable between retaining and release positions, dynamically responding to the insertion of the male element. The spring-loaded mechanism allows the latch to automatically transition positions based on the presence and depth of the male element, enabling automatic locking without fixed geometric constraints that would require long insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a transverse pin is used to hold the lock in the retaining position, then the locking mechanism is simplified, but the user must manually push the pin to allow locking and unlocking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking mechanismVSAvoidmanual operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs its own locking and unlocking operations automatically. The spring automatically moves the latch to the retaining position when the male element is inserted, and the collar's tapered profile automatically moves the latch to the release position during insertion, eliminating the need for manual pin operation while maintaining mechanism simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If balls housed in a movable locking ring are used to wedge the peripheral surface, then automatic locking is achieved, but the female element has significant longitudinal dimension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic lockingVSAvoidlongitudinal dimension of female element

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the locking ring component from the system, replacing it with a simpler latch mechanism that achieves automatic locking without requiring the additional longitudinal space that a locking ring would occupy. This reduces the overall length of the female element while maintaining automatic locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution ensures automatic locking of the male element within the female element, providing a compact and efficient fluid connection that maintains sealing integrity without requiring extensive longitudinal length or complex mechanisms, facilitating easier installation and operation.

Implementation Method 1

elastic means returning the latch to its retaining position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a pusher, movable in the internal channel of the female body along the longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3670992B1Female connection element and fluid connector including a male connection element and said female connection element

Publication Date: 2022.09.14 STAUBLI FAVERGES SA

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AI summary

A female fluidic fitting element (11) comprises a female body (21) adapted to receive a male fitting element (2), a locking mechanism (41) mounted for transverse sliding between a retaining position and a release position of the male fitting element, and a pusher (51) movable between forward and rear positions. To automatically prevent the male element inserted into it from being withdrawn, even if the male element is of short length, the female fitting element (11) includes a memory ring (61) movable between an advanced position for retaining the locking mechanism (41) in the release position and a rearward position for allowing the locking mechanism (41) to move towards its retaining position. The pusher (51) moves the memory ring (61) towards the rearward position when the pusher moves towards the rearward position, and the memory ring is in the advanced position in the uncoupled configuration.