Fluid Coupling Assembly Retaining Clip Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid coupling assemblies for pneumatic and hydraulic connectors often loosen due to stress, vibration, and pressure, leading to leaks and integrity issues, particularly in obscured assembly areas where lock wires are unsuitable, and previous lockwireless solutions require additional parts, increase weight, and complicate installation.
Innovation Solution
A self-locking fluid coupling assembly featuring a nut with a circumferential groove and a retaining clip with arcs and knobs that engage with a ferrule, preventing rotational movement without the need for external lock wires, ensuring a leak-tight seal and secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lock wires are used to secure the coupling, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lock wire from the system entirely and replaces it with an integrated retaining clip that is part of the coupling assembly itself. The retaining clip is a simple U-shaped component that engages with the ferrule and connector, providing locking functionality without requiring separate lock wires, drilling operations, or external securing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining clip integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides locking engagement with the ferrule, prevents rotation of the connector, and maintains the sealing interface. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms and reduces the overall number of parts required in the assembly.
2Reliability
If lock wires are used to secure the coupling, then the connection reliability is improved, but the installation time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip is pre-installed on the connector before the coupling assembly is put together. This preliminary positioning allows the worker to simply slide the connector into the coupling without requiring subsequent drilling, bending, or securing operations that would be needed for lock wires. The locking action occurs automatically during the assembly process itself.
3Reliability
If multiple parts are used to achieve locking, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate locking components by integrating the locking function into the retaining clip, which is already part of the standard coupling assembly. This extraction of the locking function from a separate component reduces the total number of parts while maintaining reliable locking through the clip's engagement with the ferrule and connector.
4Reliability
If the connector length is increased to incorporate locking features, then the connection reliability is improved, but the weight and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking features are merged into the existing ferrule and retaining clip components rather than being added as separate elements that would increase connector length. The retaining clip's arms engage with the ferrule's geometry to provide locking without requiring additional length or mass in the connector itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for joining fluid conduits includes a nut portion having a circumferential groove that extends at least partially along an interior surface thereof. The nut portion further includes a tab opening extending therethrough. A cylindrical shaft portion extends from the nut portion. A retaining clip is disposed within the circumferential groove of the nut portion and includes a tab disposed within the tab opening. A first arc of the retaining clip extends from the tab in a first circumferential direction, and a second arc of the retaining clip extends from the tab in a second, opposing circumferential direction. The first arc includes a first knob and terminates in a second knob, and the second arc includes a third knob and terminates in a fourth knob. The second and fourth knobs are larger than the first and third knobs, respectively.