Leakage Minimized Fluid Coupling with External Control Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid couplings face challenges with radial installation space requirements, unintentional decoupling, and miniaturization limitations due to complex designs and large actuation paths, particularly in hydraulic applications where leakage is a concern.
Innovation Solution
A socket part design featuring transverse bores for locking elements, an external control ring with a trapezoidal rib, and a simplified locking mechanism that allows for pre-centering and reduced actuation force, along with a valve for low leakage, all while minimizing component count and radial space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a control ring is placed inside the socket body to hold locking balls in the radially outer position, then the locking mechanism works reliably, but the dead volume increases significantly causing large leakage when disconnecting
Solution Approach 1:
The control ring is extracted from the interior of the socket body and repositioned to the exterior. This removes the source of dead volume that caused leakage, while the control ring continues to perform its function of holding the locking balls in the radially outer position when uncoupled.
Solution Approach 2:
The control ring is moved from the axial dimension (inside the socket) to the radial dimension (outside the socket). This spatial reconfiguration eliminates the dead volume problem while maintaining the control function through a different geometric arrangement.
2Loss of substance
If flat-face coupling design is used to reduce leakage by placing the valve directly in the opening area, then leakage is reduced, but the number of components increases making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control ring is merged with the actuating sleeve, eliminating the need for a separate control ring component. This integration reduces the total component count while maintaining the functionality of controlling the locking balls' radial position.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating sleeve is given multiple functions: it acts as both the actuating mechanism for locking/dunlocking and as the control ring that holds the locking balls in the radially outer position. This multi-functionality reduces component count.
3Reliability
If traditional locking mechanism with internal control ring is used, then locking reliability is maintained, but the actuation path becomes very long requiring user to exert force over a long distance
Solution Approach 1:
The control ring is extracted from the interior and placed on the exterior of the socket body. This shortens the actuation path because the control ring no longer needs to travel through the entire length of the socket interior, making the locking mechanism easier to operate.
4Reliability
If internal control ring design is used, then locking function is achieved, but radial installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control ring is moved from the axial interior space to the radial exterior space of the socket body. This dimensional change allows the control function to be performed outside the main radial envelope, reducing the radial installation space requirement.
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 enables a compact, low-leakage fluid coupling with reduced actuation force and simplified assembly, achieving a leakage rate comparable to flat-face couplings without the complexity and size issues of traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded actuating sleeve which surrounds the mouthpiece of the plug part and can be moved in the longitudinal direction
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A leakage minimized fluid coupling (1) has a connector plug (3) which is shaped like a flush face coupling. The socket part (2) has a recessed valve (7), with the front surface (61) of the valve lifter (56) for the opening of the connector plug valve (84) and the front surfaces (66) of the valve closing member (55) lying on a common plane. The retention of the connector plug (3) in the coupling part (2) takes place by means of balls (18) which engage with a catch groove (74) at the mouthpiece (73) of the connector plug (3). The control of the radial position of the balls (18) occurs with the help of a control ring (41) which can swivel axially on the socket body (4) and which can also move in the opposite direction of the actuating socket (6). By this means, the control ring (41), which is usually located on the inside of the socket body (4) and which substantially increases the dead volume, can be dispensed with.