Fluid Coupling Safety Lock via Pressure-Actuated Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug couplings for directing fluid under pressure, especially in breathing-protection devices, have a complex structure due to the arrangement of a fluid chamber and locking sleeve, which makes them expensive to produce and assemble, and provide inadequate security against detachment at lower pressures.
Innovation Solution
A piston is integrated into the plug coupling's pressure-directing channel, which moves to project beyond the valve housing and prevent rotary movement of the locking sleeve when under pressure, simplifying the structure and enhancing security by locking the sleeve in its rotational position, and additional features like indentations on the locking sleeve ensure the piston locks the sleeve in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid chamber and locking sleeve arrangement is used to prevent detachment under pressure, then security against detachment is improved, but the structure becomes complicated and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the security function and locking function into a single integrated locking sleeve mechanism. The locking sleeve performs both the security function of preventing unintended detachment and the locking function of securing the plug part, eliminating the need for a separate fluid chamber and reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the locking sleeve is made rotatable between two positions, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking sleeve is designed as a multi-functional component that combines rotational movement for easy operation with integrated locking and security functions. The single locking sleeve performs multiple roles: it locks the plug part, prevents unintended detachment, and provides pressure-dependent security. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the added operational flexibility.
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
This solution simplifies the plug coupling's structure, reduces production costs, and provides enhanced security against detachment under pressure by using a piston to lock the locking sleeve in place, ensuring the plug coupling remains secure even at lower pressures.
Implementation Method 1
when the plug coupling is closed by the applied pressure, the piston moved into a position that projects beyond the outer perimeter of the valve housing
Implementation Method 2
the locking sleeve, which is spring-prestressed in the axial direction, fixes the locking and in the other axial position releases a movement of the locking means
Implementation Method 3
the locking sleeve, also spring-prestressed in the direction of rotation and can be rotated between a first rotational position and a second rotational position
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for connection to a source of fluid pressure such as in a breathing-protection. The coupling has a socket end and a plug end insertable into the socket end. The socket end has a body and a locking sleeve on the body. As the plug end is inserted into the socket end, the locking sleeve is moved axial from a first axial position to a second axial position locking the plug end within the socket end, and rotationally from a release position to a locked position delimiting the movement of the locking sleeve from the second axial position to the first axial position. When the coupling is pressurized, a piston within the body is moved from a retracted position to an extended position delimiting the rotational movement of the locking sleeve from the locked position to the release position.