Female Fluid Coupling Locking Ring With Return Plunger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connection systems for pressurized fluid lines, particularly in cooling systems for computer server facilities, face challenges with bulkiness and unreliable locking/unlocking mechanisms due to radial contact and maintenance issues with multiple springs and parts, leading to jamming and wear.
Innovation Solution
A female element with inclined locking elements and a maneuvering ring that drives the locking elements between distal and proximal positions, utilizing a single resilient member and return plunger to transmit force, reducing bulk and improving reliability by eliminating direct return force on locking elements during unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple individual springs are used to push back each hollow cylinder in the prior art, then the locking and unlocking function is provided, but the system becomes complex and unreliable with potential jamming and wear issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual springs into a single spring that acts on a common return plunger, which in turn acts on all locking elements simultaneously. This merging reduces the number of parts from multiple springs to one spring and one plunger, simplifying the device while maintaining the locking and unlocking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The return plunger serves as an intermediary element between the single spring and the multiple locking elements. Instead of the spring directly acting on each locking element (which would require multiple springs), the plunger transmits the spring's force to all locking elements, reducing complexity while ensuring reliable operation.
2Reliability
If locking elements are returned by direct spring force in the prior art, then the locking function is maintained, but the system becomes bulky in radial direction due to individual spring arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple radial spring arrangements into a single axial spring arrangement that acts through a common plunger. This consolidation reduces the radial space required, making the device more compact while maintaining the locking function through the plunger's uniform action on all locking elements.
3Reliability
If a movable ring with radial contact is used to maintain locking elements in the prior art, then the locking function is provided, but the device becomes bulky in axial direction due to significant ring travel
Solution Approach 1:
The return plunger acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for a movable ring with significant axial travel. The plunger can be actuated with minimal axial movement to push all locking elements simultaneously, reducing the axial space required compared to a ring that must travel radially to maintain contact with multiple locking elements.
4Ease of operation
If individual springs act on each hollow cylinder in the prior art, then the locking mechanism is provided, but the system is prone to jamming due to bracing, surface pollution, and wearing of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent spring-cylinder-locking element assemblies into a unified system with one spring, one plunger, and multiple locking elements actuated simultaneously. This reduces the number of independent mechanical interfaces from many (one per cylinder) to fewer (spring-plunger and plunger-locking element contacts), thereby reducing opportunities for jamming due to bracing, pollution, or wear.
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 provides a compact, reliable, and easy-to-use fluid connection system with reduced wear and jamming risks, allowing for efficient locking and unlocking with a smaller force requirement and improved maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member, which exerts a return force tending to return the return plunger toward its forward position
Data Source
AI summary
A female fluid connection element (5), configured to be coupled with a male element (4). A female body (21), which has an insertion channel (27) of the male element (4); locking elements (31) movable between positions; and a maneuvering ring (71) with an inner sleeve (75) for driving the locking element (31) to their proximal position. In order to have a small bulk and to offer particularly easy and reliable locking and unlocking, the female element (5) has a return plunger (33), returning the locking elements (31) toward their distal position, and a resilient member (43), exerting a return force to bring the return plunger (33) back toward a forward position. By being moved toward its withdrawn position, the maneuvering ring (71) drives the return plunger (33) toward a rear position, such that it does not exert a return force on the locking elements (31).