Fluid Coupling Sealing Structure for Leak-Free Reconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for medical fluid transfer fail to effectively prevent involuntary displacement and leakage, especially under high pressure and flow rate conditions, posing risks to patients and medical staff, and are not easily disconnected or reconnected.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a first and second housing, a tube portion, and control elements that seal the fluid pathway upon disconnection, ensuring leak-free interruption and easy reconnection, designed for high-pressure and high-flow applications, with a locking mechanism and resilient membranes for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the coupling device uses a simple sealing mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of sealing under high pressure and flow rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is divided into multiple independent sealing elements (first sealing element in the second housing, second sealing element in the third housing) that work together. Each sealing element can independently seal against the tube portion, providing redundant sealing paths that maintain reliability under high pressure while keeping individual components simple
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are designed to be displaceable rather than fixed. When high pressure or flow rate occurs, the sealing elements can dynamically adjust their position to maintain contact with the tube portion, ensuring continuous sealing without requiring complex mechanical sealing structures
2Reliability
If the coupling device uses a robust locking mechanism to prevent displacement, then the reliability improves, but the ease of operation for disconnection and reconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are pre-positioned in the housings to be ready for immediate sealing action. When disconnection occurs, the sealing elements are already in place to seal the openings, eliminating the need for additional locking or sealing actions during disconnection, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability
3Ease of operation
If the tube portion remains exposed during disconnection, then the ease of operation for quick disconnection improves, but the object-affected harmful factors (fluid leakage) worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are pre-positioned in the housings before disconnection occurs. When the tube portion is pulled out during quick disconnection, the sealing elements immediately seal against the housing openings, preventing fluid leakage without requiring any additional actions or exposing the tube portion for extended periods
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are positioned to counteract the potential harmful effect of fluid leakage before it can occur. When disconnection is initiated, the sealing elements are already in place to prevent fluid escape, neutralizing the harmful effect before it manifests
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 device provides reliable sealing and prevents leakage during fluid transfer and disconnection, reducing the risk of contamination and damage, while allowing quick and intuitive reconnection, making it suitable for high-pressure and high-flow medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
resilient membranes for enhanced sealing
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A coupling device (100) for transferring a fluid is provided. The coupling device comprises a first housing (110), a tube portion (140) projecting into the first housing, and a second housing (200) displaceably arranged within the first housing. A third housing (300) is releasably connectable to the second housing and displaceably arranged within the first housing when connected to the second housing. Control element(s) are configured to conditionally seal first and/or second sealing elements when the second housing and the third housing are connected. In a first position of the second housing, the first and second channels constitute a passage which is sealed by the first and second sealing elements when the second housing and the third housing are connected. In a second position, the tube portion projects through the first and second sealing elements and into the sealed passage for enabling a transfer of fluid through the coupling device.