Fluid Latching Connectors with Pressure Locking and Pre-Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick connect latching connectors for fluid systems often fail to provide reliable and leak-proof connections, especially in environments like medical oxygen, where seal exposure leads to deterioration and contamination, and there is a need for secure sealing before fluid flow to prevent leakage.
Innovation Solution
The development of two-piece latching connectors with a male and female portion, featuring a pressure locking sleeve, poppet valve for controlled fluid flow, and colored indicators for proper connection verification, along with a design that seals before fluid flow and includes a deflector to direct vented fluid away from the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the connector allows fast connection, then connection speed is improved, but seal protection from fluid exposure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector performs preliminary sealing action before fluid flow is established. The seal engages with the mating connector surface during the connection approach, creating a seal barrier prior to fluid exposure, thereby protecting the seal from deterioration while maintaining fast connection speed
Solution Approach 2:
The connector introduces a seal as an intermediary element between the fluid and the connector components. This seal acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct fluid contact with vulnerable surfaces, enabling fast connection while maintaining reliability through chemical inertness and fluid isolation
2Reliability
If the connector achieves reliable sealing before fluid flow, then fluid leakage prevention is improved, but connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion, a separate seal element, and a latching mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the seal provides reliable sealing, the latching mechanism ensures secure connection, and the body provides structural support, achieving fluid leakage prevention without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates self-actuating features including an automatic latching mechanism that engages when connectors are brought together, and a self-sealing design where the seal automatically contacts the mating surface upon connection. These self-service features reduce the need for complex external control mechanisms while ensuring reliable sealing before fluid flow
3Reliability
If the connector includes pressure locking mechanism, then connection reliability under pressure is improved, but ease of disconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism transitions from a static locked state during pressurized operation to a dynamic unlocked state during disconnection. The mechanism remains firmly engaged under pressure to ensure connection stability, but can be easily released by applying a disconnection force that overcomes the locking engagement, allowing simple manual operation when needed
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the connector protects seals from fluid exposure, then seal lifetime is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a flexible seal element in the form of an O-ring or similar elastomeric component that naturally conforms to the mating surface geometry. This simple flexible membrane provides effective fluid isolation and protection from chemical exposure, extending seal lifetime without requiring complex protective structures or multiple components
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 connectors ensure a fast, reliable, and leak-free connection, protecting seals from fluid exposure, maintaining their longevity and reliability, and providing visual feedback for proper connection, while preventing accidental disconnection under pressure.
Implementation Method 1
The latching connectors can include a pressure locking sleeve that, once the connector is under pressure, locks the connector to prevent accidental disconnection.
Implementation Method 2
The female portion can also include a deflector that forces vented fluid away from the user during venting.
Implementation Method 3
The latching connectors can also include a colored indicator that is provided on the female portion to provide visual feedback to the user to indicate whether or not proper connection has been achieved with the male portion.
Implementation Method 4
In addition, the male portion and the female portion can each include colored portions. The colored portions are used to indicate, by a matching of colors, that a correct female portion is being connected to a correct male portion.
Implementation Method 5
a seal (368) positioned for sealing engagement with the male connector portion (312)
Implementation Method 6
The male connector portion (312) includes a valve (370) disposed therein for controlling flow through the male connector portion (312). The valve (370) comprises a poppet valve
Data Source
AI summary
Improved latching connectors that can be used to connect a fluid system, such as manufacturing, test, or processing equipment, to an external system, for example charging, evacuation and/or testing equipment. In one embodiment, the connector includes elements by which to protect connector seals from being exposed to fluid being transferred, thereby lengthening the lifetime and reliability of the connector. In another embodiment, the male connector portion and the female connector portion are both valved in a normally closed position. The connector is designed to achieve connection of the male portion to the female portion, and sealing between the male portion and the female portion, prior to the valves in each connector portion being opened and fluid flowing through the connector. The latching connector includes a pressure locking sleeve that, once the connector is under pressure, locks the connector to prevent accidental disconnection.