Self-Aligning Fluid Coupling With Three-Part Valve Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid couplings for connecting liquid containers to automated analyzer systems are difficult to operate, prone to leakage, and risk air contamination due to misalignment and air entrapment during the coupling process.
Innovation Solution
A fluid coupling system featuring a stationary and movable part with a three-part valve mechanism, including elastic rings and a rod with different diameters, and a sealing lip to ensure secure fluid connection, integrated with a sensor for air detection and a filter to prevent particle entry, allowing for self-alignment and easy container replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fluid couplings are used with integrated connectors, then the coupling structure is compact, but the operation becomes difficult and prone to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate components: a container with integrated coupling elements and a separate connector assembly. This segmentation allows the container to be easily handled and replaced while the connector provides precise alignment features, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling elements are nested within the container structure, with coupling ribs and sealing surfaces integrated into the container wall. This nesting approach maintains a compact overall structure while providing the necessary complexity only where needed for reliable coupling
2Reliability
If thorough mating of connectors is performed to prevent leakage, then sealing reliability improves, but the operation time increases and air entrapment risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements are pre-configured with alignment ribs, positioning features, and pre-compressed sealing lips that automatically engage when the container is inserted. This preliminary arrangement of sealing surfaces ensures reliable sealing occurs automatically during the insertion process, eliminating the need for additional manual alignment steps and reducing operation time
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to self-align and self-seal through integrated positioning ribs and elastic sealing lips that automatically conform to the mating surfaces. This self-service capability ensures reliable sealing without requiring precise manual operation, reducing both operation time and air entrapment risk
3Measurement precision
If sensors are placed near the ascending pipe to detect fluid presence, then detection accuracy improves, but the system requires additional electrical connectors increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid detection sensor is integrated directly into the coupling structure at the fluid interface, combining the sensing function with the existing mechanical coupling elements. This merging eliminates the need for separate electrical connector assemblies while maintaining precise detection capability at the critical fluid presence location
4Ease of manufacture
If long tubing is used to connect sensors to the container, then sensor integration in the instrument is simplified, but air volume increases requiring more priming
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the main instrument body and repositioned to the coupling interface near the container. This extraction places the sensor at the source of fluid entry, enabling immediate detection of fluid presence and air entrapment conditions, thereby minimizing the priming volume and time while simplifying the overall tubing routing
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 system enhances the ease of use and reduces air uptake during container replacement, minimizing leakage and contamination risks, while eliminating the need for additional inline filters and reducing priming efforts.
Implementation Method 1
a first member composed of two rings that are connected by elastic arms
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid coupling for automated analyzer systems suitable to provide liquids to the system, wherein the fluid coupling comprises a stationary part and a movable part for a fluid connection, wherein both parts have a three-part valve for sealing said stationary and movable part against leakage, said three-part valve comprising a first member composed of two rings that are connected by elastic arms, a second member composed of a rod having different diameters on both ends and a third annular member, wherein at least two member of both parts comprise at least one sealing surface and one sealing lip that get in contact for preventing leakage.