Fluid Line Coupling With Visual Lock-State Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid line couplings in automotive engineering face challenges in visually and automatically verifying the latching state, often requiring increased assembly effort and manual reworking, with existing solutions either being prone to tilting or lacking clear visual indicators.
Innovation Solution
A fluid line coupling design featuring a coupling sleeve with axially outward-facing collar, resilient locking arms, and a blocking ring with a spring mechanism, where actuating/signaling surfaces change visibility upon locking, allowing for automated optical detection of the locking state through color differentiation, and incorporating features like bevels and guide webs for secure alignment and prevention of incorrect positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid line coupling uses a standardized plug geometry with large guide length, then secure mechanical latching is achieved, but visual verification of the latching state becomes difficult and requires increased assembly effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by providing the actuating surfaces with a color different from the blocking ring color. When the locking arms are in the engaged position, the actuating surfaces protrude through the openings and are visible through the blocking ring, providing clear visual verification of the latched state. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining secure mechanical latching while enabling easy visual verification without increased assembly effort.
2Loss of information
If a fluid line coupling uses two locking elements that engage in one another, then optical latching indicator is achieved, but tilting of elements occurs under axial load causing latching failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the locking function into multiple independent locking arms (at least two) that are distributed around the circumference of the locking element. Each locking arm independently engages with the coupling sleeve through separate openings, preventing tilting under axial load. The actuating surfaces on each arm provide individual visual indicators, maintaining latching state visibility while eliminating the tilting problem through distributed independent engagement points.
3Extent of automation
If a fluid line coupling uses a blocking ring with spring part compressed between base part and blocking part, then automated optical detection of locking state is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a blocking ring with a spring part that acts as a mediator between the locking mechanism and the visual indicator system. The spring part automatically positions the blocking ring relative to the actuating surfaces based on the locking state, enabling automated optical detection. While this adds some structural elements, the blocking ring integrates multiple functions (visual occlusion, automatic positioning, spring mechanism) into a single component, minimizing the overall complexity increase.
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
Enables easy, automated visual verification of the locking state, ensuring secure and reliable coupling with reduced assembly effort and preventing misinterpretation of incorrect positions, while maintaining the coupling's secure and detachable nature.
Implementation Method 1
the base part and blocking part being resilient variably spaced apart in the axial direction by means of the spring part
Implementation Method 2
the locking element is arranged axially displaceably inside the coupling sleeve and has a number of resilient locking arms
Data Source
AI summary
A reversibly detachable fluid line coupling (1), at least having a coupling sleeve (2), a locking element (3) and a coupling plug (4) with a locking collar (41). The reversibly detachable fluid line coupling has a locking state of which can easily be checked automatically. This coupling has actuating/signaling surfaces (312) which are only visible when the coupling is in the unlocked state.