Fluid Coupling Assembly with Ball Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling assemblies for fluid-flow circuits are inconvenient to use, requiring high disconnection forces and posing risks of accidental disconnection, making them difficult to handle and operate safely.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly with an endpiece and a complementary member featuring movable locking elements, a slider, and resilient return springs that allow for simple and natural coupling and uncoupling, ensuring reliable locking and preventing untimely disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high disconnection forces are used to prevent accidental disconnection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is divided into two distinct parts: a female endpiece with a valve and a male coupling member with locking balls. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to be independent from the connection interface, enabling reliable locking through ball engagement in grooves while maintaining easy operation through simple axial movements for coupling and uncoupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking balls are pre-positioned within the coupling member housing, ready to engage with the grooves on the endpiece. The resilient return means pre-loads the control member to automatically return locking balls to their engaged position after uncoupling, eliminating the need for manual resetting and ensuring reliability without complicating operation.
2Reliability
If complex locking mechanisms are used to ensure secure connection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate mechanism from the connection function. Locking balls and grooves handle the locking requirement independently, while the main body handles fluid flow and sealing. This extraction simplifies each component's design and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high locking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient return means automatically returns the control member and locking balls to their engaged position after uncoupling, without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable locking while keeping the device simple, as the return spring performs the resetting function that would otherwise require additional complex mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual resetting of locking elements is required after uncoupling, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient return means automatically returns the control member and locking balls to their precise engaged position after uncoupling, eliminating the need for manual resetting. This self-resetting mechanism maintains high manufacturing precision through the controlled return path while dramatically improving ease of operation by removing the manual resetting step entirely.
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 assembly allows for easy and secure coupling and uncoupling operations, reducing the risk of accidental disconnection and making the system more user-friendly, even in difficult-to-access installations.
Implementation Method 1
return means for returning the control member towards its released position, which return means are interposed between facing walls belonging respectively to the body and to the control member
Implementation Method 2
the return means of the control member are resilient return means, and comprise in particular at least one return spring
Implementation Method 3
locking elements, which elements are movable between a locked position that is radially inner relative to a main axis of the body, and an unlocked position that is radially outer relative to said axis
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling assembly including an endpiece defining a fluid flow passageway and being adapted to be secured to an outlet of a fluid-flow circuit, and a coupling member including a body defining at least one housing for receiving locking balls, a slider defining an axial wall of the at least one housing, a control member surrounding the body and slider and being provided with a ball-locking element that is movable between a rest position in which it and the slider, in an advanced position thereof, retain the locking balls in an innermost locking position, and a release position wherein the slider is movable to allow the locking balls to move both linearly and outwardly to an unlocked position thereof, and return elements for returning the control member to its rest position.