Fluid Coupling Visual Indicator for Secure Oxygen Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid coupling devices for connecting oxygen bottles to breathing apparatuses often suffer from leaks due to poor connection between the male and female couplers, making it difficult to ensure a secure fit, particularly in critical situations like firefighting.
Innovation Solution
A fluid coupling device equipped with a depression indicator, featuring an elastomeric seal in an annular groove of the operating ring, which changes visibility based on the coupler's position, allowing for visual verification of correct fitting and using balls and springs for secure locking and unlocking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the male coupler is not sufficiently fitted into the female coupler, then the connection is incomplete and difficult to verify, but adding a visual indicator increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes of an indicator element (such as a ring or marker) to visually indicate the insertion depth of the male coupler into the female coupler. When the male coupler is correctly inserted, the indicator displays a specific color or color pattern that is visible through a window in the housing, providing immediate visual confirmation of proper connection without adding complex mechanical verification mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indicator mechanism that mediates between the physical insertion of the couplers and the user's need to verify connection status. This indicator system acts as a mediator that translates the mechanical state of coupling into a visible signal, allowing users to confirm proper connection without directly manipulating or disassembling the coupling components.
2Reliability
If an axial force is exerted on the male coupler to check proper fitting, then connection status can be verified, but this method is difficult to perform reliably under all conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-verifying coupling system where the indicator automatically displays the connection status without requiring the user to perform manual verification actions. The indicator is mechanically linked to the coupling process itself, so that proper insertion automatically positions the indicator to show the correct color or pattern, eliminating the need for users to exert axial forces or perform other manual verification steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides immediate visual feedback about the connection status through the color-changing indicator. As the male coupler is inserted into the female coupler, the indicator transitions between different color states, giving the user real-time feedback about the insertion depth and connection status. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for trial-and-error verification methods.
3Reliability
If the operating ring is made visible to indicate correct fitting, then visual verification is possible, but the indicator must be exposed which may affect sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the visual indicator within the sealed housing structure, nesting the indicator mechanism inside the protective enclosure. The indicator is positioned within the housing but visible through a dedicated window or opening that does not compromise the overall sealing integrity. This nested arrangement allows the indicator to perform its visual verification function while remaining protected within the sealed environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific viewing window in the housing that allows visual access to the indicator while maintaining sealing integrity in all other areas. The housing material and structure are designed with differentiated properties: transparent or translucent in the window region for visibility, and sealed and impermeable in the surrounding regions to maintain pressure containment and environmental protection.
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
Ensures a simple and reliable method to confirm correct fitting of the male coupler into the female coupler, preventing leaks and ensuring secure fluid transport, even under pressure.
Implementation Method 1
an operating ring mounted movably on the body between a first axial position in which the retaining means are inactive, and a second axial position in which the retaining means are active and towards which the operating ring is returned by a first spring when the male coupler is correctly fitted in the body
Implementation Method 2
the depression indicator is an elastomer seal housed in the annular groove of the operating ring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Fluid coupling device (1) comprising a female coupler (10) and a male coupler (30) intended to be fitted into the female coupler, the female coupler comprising a tubular body (11), retaining means (14) for securely fastening the male coupler in the body, an operating ring (19) movably mounted on the body between a first axial position in which the retaining means are inactive and a second axial position in which the retaining means are active, a cover (26) arranged on the body to conceal an end portion (19.3) of the operating ring, and a insertion indicator (21) of the male coupler in the female coupler, the insertion indicator being arranged in an external annular groove (19.4) of the end portion of the operating ring so that it is visible from outside the device when the operating ring is in its first axial position, and so that it is hidden by the cover when the operating ring is in its second axial position.