Closed Fluid Coupling Element With Movable Seal for Leak-Free Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling systems for closed fluid transfer systems are complex, have poor flow rates, are large, and difficult to disinfect due to inaccessible coupling surfaces, and often lead to fluid residue and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A coupling element with a movable sealing element and a thread-like guide structure that ensures a constant surface pressure during connection, using snap hooks for easy handling and disinfection, and a design that prevents unintentional movement to maintain fluid tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If common coupling systems are used, then fluid transfer function is achieved, but the handling and connection structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is divided into functionally independent segments: a housing with fluid connection, a mandrel with fluid opening, and a separately movable sealing element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall handling while maintaining connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed to be movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis, transitioning between a disconnected position (sealing fluid opening) and a connected position (allowing fluid flow). This dynamic design simplifies the connection structure by eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms while ensuring proper sealing and flow control.
2Productivity
If common coupling systems are used, then connection function is achieved, but flow rate becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the main housing structure and implemented as a separate movable sealing element. This extraction allows the fluid passage to remain open and unobstructed during connection, improving flow rate while the sealing element independently manages the sealing requirement without adding complexity to the connection structure.
3Volume of moving object
If coupling systems are made compact, then size is reduced, but accessibility of coupling surface for disinfection becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sealing element can be positioned in a disconnected state where it seals the fluid opening but leaves the coupling surface accessible. This dynamic positioning allows the coupling element to maintain a compact overall size while ensuring that the coupling surface remains accessible for disinfection when not in use.
4Ease of operation
If constant surface pressure is not maintained, then handling is simplified, but fluid residue occurs on sealing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sealing element dynamically adjusts its position to maintain constant surface pressure on the sealing surface during connection. When the coupling elements are connected, the sealing element is pushed into the housing, ensuring continuous contact and constant pressure that prevents fluid residue and maintains fluid tightness without complicating handling.
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 ensures easy handling, prevents fluid leakage in the disconnected state, and facilitates disinfection by maintaining constant surface pressure and accessibility of coupling surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling housing has a housing section, which surrounds the sealing element receptacle at least partially in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis and has a coupling housing thread section on the inside facing the sealing element, and wherein the sealing element receptacle with the sealing element is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis via the coupling housing thread section
Implementation Method 2
easy handling and disinfection, and a design that prevents unintentional movement to maintain fluid tightness
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling element (100) for a closed fluid transfer system, which comprises: a coupling element housing (10) having a fluid connection (12) and a coupling side (13), wherein the coupling element housing (10) has a longitudinal axis (L1) extending from the fluid connection (12) towards the coupling side (13); a pin (30) having at least one fluid opening (31), which pin is held in a pin receptacle (11) of the housing (10) situated on the fluid connection (12) and extends into the coupling element housing (10) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L1), wherein the at least one fluid opening is situated in an end portion of the pin (30) facing the coupling side; a sealing element receptacle (20) situated in the coupling element housing (10) on the coupling side; and a sealing element (21) which is situated in the sealing element receptacle (20); wherein the coupling housing (10) comprises a housing portion (10a), which at least partially surrounds the sealing element receptacle (20) in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (L1), and comprises, on the inner side facing the sealing element (20), a coupling housing threaded portion (10b); and wherein the sealing element receptacle (20) can be moved, together with the sealing element (21) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L1), in a manner guided by a sealing element receptacle guiding structure (20a), over the coupling housing threaded portion (10b) between a position having a maximum spacing from the fluid connection (12) and a position having a minimal spacing from the fluid connection (12).