Female Fluid Connector Slot Angle for Lower Disconnect Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connecting and disconnecting fluid couplings require high forces for connection and disconnection, leading to fatigue and potential health risks for mechanics, especially in applications with frequent connections and limited space.
Innovation Solution
A female fluid connector design with a housing, latching pin, and guiding slot, where the guiding slot is angled at more than 45.5° with respect to the axial direction, reducing the force required for connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional quick connecting/disconnecting fluid couplings are used, then fluid connection can be established and disconnected quickly, but high forces (around 50 N) are required for connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the guiding slot angle from the conventional 45° to more than 45.5° with respect to the axial direction. This parameter change optimizes the force distribution during connection and disconnection, reducing the required force by at least 25% while maintaining the quick connecting/disconnecting functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specific angular dimension (greater than 45.5°) for the guiding slot that was not present in conventional designs. This dimensional change creates a more favorable force vector during the latching pin movement, enabling easier connection and disconnection operations
2Reliability
If higher forces are required for connection and disconnection, then resilience against inadvertent disconnection is improved, but user fatigue and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the guiding slot angle to more than 45.5°, the patent achieves a balance where the connection remains sufficiently secure against inadvertent disconnection while requiring at least 25% less force for intentional disconnection, thereby reducing user fatigue and health risks associated with repetitive high-force operations
Data Source
AI summary
A female fluid connector (2) for a quick connecting and disconnecting fluid coupling (1) includes a housing (4) with an axially arranged inner recess (5) for receiving a corresponding male connector (3) of the quick connecting and disconnecting fluid coupling (1); a latching pin (13) for reversible fixation of the male fluid connector (3) inside the female fluid connector (2) of the quick connecting and disconnecting fluid coupling (1) in a latching position (FIG. 2); and a guiding slot (12) that is provided in the housing (4) for guiding said latching pin (13) during a movement of the latching pin (13), wherein said guiding slot (12) is arranged at an angle (α) with respect to the axial direction (7). The angle (α) that is enclosed by the direction of the guiding slot (12) and the axial direction (7) is larger than 45.5°, preferably larger than 46°.