Fluid Coupling Seal Design for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid couplings experience liquid leakage due to the long distance between seal rings and the complexity of their configuration, leading to increased manufacturing costs and time.
Innovation Solution
A fluid coupling design featuring a guide with a fitted portion and multiple seal members, including O-rings, that ensures a reliable seal by reducing the space where fluid can accumulate and simplifying the configuration to minimize leakage and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance between seal rings is increased to ensure sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the space for fluid accumulation increases leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided between two components: the first seal ring seals the socket-side flow path, while the second seal ring seals the plug-side flow path. This segmentation allows each seal ring to focus on a specific sealing task, improving overall sealing reliability while controlling the space between them through the valve body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body acts as an intermediary structure that controls the space between the first and second seal rings. By designing the valve body with specific internal geometry, the patent limits the accumulation space for fluid while maintaining adequate sealing distance, thus preventing leakage without compromising sealing reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the configuration of seal rings and guide components is simplified, then manufacturing cost and time are reduced, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide component and seal ring support functions are merged into the valve body structure. The valve body simultaneously serves as the housing for the flow path, the guide for the valve, and the mounting structure for both seal rings. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, lowering manufacturing cost and time while maintaining sealing reliability through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple functions: it houses the flow path, guides the valve movement, supports both seal rings, and controls the spacing between them. This universal design eliminates the need for separate guide components and multiple sealing structures, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring reliable sealing through careful geometric design.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the space between seal rings is reduced to prevent fluid accumulation, then leakage is minimized, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed with different local geometries in different regions: the internal flow path area provides adequate space for fluid circulation and sealing contact, while the region between the first and second seal rings is constrained to minimize accumulation space. This local quality differentiation allows the patent to prevent leakage in critical areas while maintaining sealing reliability where needed.
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 design effectively prevents liquid leakage and reduces manufacturing costs and time by ensuring a reliable seal between the plug and socket, maintaining the seal during operation and disconnection.
Implementation Method 1
a guide which is engaged with the fixed valve and is biased by a guide spring so as to be pressed against an inner surface of the socket main body
Implementation Method 2
a movable valve which is biased by a valve spring so as to be engaged with a valve seat
Implementation Method 3
multiple seal members, including O-rings, that ensures a reliable seal by reducing the space where fluid can accumulate
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid coupling includes a socket with a socket main body, a fixed valve, a guide which is engaged with the fixed valve and biased to be pressed against an inner surface of the socket main body, and a guide spring which biases the guide, and a plug with a plug main body, a movable valve, a valve spring, and a valve holder which supports the movable valve and the valve spring. When the plug is inserted into the socket, the guide moves rearward against a biasing force of the guide spring to connect a flow path between the plug and the socket. A fitted portion, which is fitted into the distal end of the plug, is disposed at the end portion of the guide. First seal members are disposed between the fitted portion and a distal end of the plug.