Fluid Coupling Latch Geometry for Rotation-Resistant Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid couplings lack effective resistance to inadvertent disconnection, especially when subjected to rotation while pressurized, and are not convenient for quick coupling and decoupling.
Innovation Solution
A female fluid coupling with a movable latch mechanism and an oval cross-sectional shape that provides strong resistance to disconnection, featuring a protrusion that becomes seated in a groove of the mated male coupling, allowing for easy coupling and decoupling while maintaining secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional fluid coupling design is used, then the coupling can be connected and disconnected, but it provides insufficient resistance to inadvertent disconnection when subjected to rotation while pressurized
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to be movable between a latched position (providing strong resistance to disconnection) and an unlatched position (enabling easy decoupling). This dynamic transition allows the coupling to adapt its locking strength based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism automatically engages when the male coupling is inserted into the female coupling, providing self-latching functionality. This automatic engagement ensures reliable connection without requiring manual intervention, while still allowing easy manual disengagement when needed.
2Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent disconnection, then resistance to rotation while pressurized improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is integrated into the coupling body structure, merging the locking function with the existing coupling components. This integration approach adds the necessary latching functionality while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by reusing existing structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock when the male and female couplings are connected, eliminating the need for separate manual locking operations. This self-latching feature provides reliable resistance to inadvertent disconnection without requiring complex control systems or additional operational steps.
3Reliability
If the latch mechanism is positioned to provide maximum resistance to disconnection, then reliability improves, but the ease of decoupling decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism can dynamically transition between a engaged state (providing maximum resistance to disconnection) and a disengaged state (allowing easy decoupling). This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain strong locking during normal operation while enabling quick release when decoupling is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism automatically engages to provide maximum resistance to inadvertent disconnection, but can be easily disengaged by applying a simple manual force in the opposite direction. This self-latching design ensures reliability during operation while maintaining ease of decoupling through intuitive manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid handling couplings can be made to connect and disconnect other members of a fluid handling system. For example, this document describes fluid couplings that are convenient to couple/decouple and that provide strong resistance to inadvertent disconnection when subjected to rotation while pressurized. In some embodiments, the resistance to inadvertent disconnection is facilitated by a latch mechanism of the female coupling that includes a protrusion that becomes seated in a groove of a mated male coupling.