Fluid Line Plug-In Connection With Elastic Collar Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in connections for fluid lines face challenges in simplifying assembly and disassembly, especially in applications with limited space, and there is a risk of losing the holding part during assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A plug connection design featuring a holding part with an open ring contour and elastic collars that allow for radial expansion, enabling one-finger unlocking and secure detachment without the need for extensive radial displacement, reducing the risk of loss and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holding part is designed with a closed ring contour to prevent loss, then the risk of losing the holding part is reduced, but the radial extension increases and assembly space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holding part is segmented by introducing a longitudinal slot that divides the ring into two halves, allowing the ring to be opened and closed. This segmentation enables the holding part to be captured on the coupling part during assembly while maintaining the ability to radially expand during disassembly, thus resolving the contradiction between preventing loss and reducing radial extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding part transitions from a static closed ring to a dynamic structure that can radially expand and contract. The elastic material and slot design allow the ring to dynamically adjust its radial dimension - remaining closed during assembly to prevent loss, and expanding during disassembly to reduce space requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and volume.
2Reliability
If extensive radial displacement is required for disassembly, then the holding part can be securely detached, but the assembly space requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic modulus and radial dimension of the holding part are changed during disassembly through controlled radial expansion. The slot allows the ring to expand radially when force is applied to the protruding end, changing its dimensional parameters to enable secure detachment without requiring excessive disassembly space or effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding end of the holding part serves as an intermediary element that transmits disassembly force to the entire ring structure. By applying force to this single accessible point, the force is distributed through the elastic material to radially expand the entire ring, enabling secure detachment with minimal disassembly space.
3Reliability
If the holding part is made radially rigid to maintain locking grip, then the locking reliability improves, but the ability to expand for assembly and disassembly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the holding part have different radial rigidity characteristics. The portions engaging the retaining webs are designed with higher radial rigidity to maintain stable locking grip, while the region containing the slot and the protruding end are designed with lower rigidity to allow radial expansion during assembly and disassembly, thus resolving the contradiction between locking reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding part utilizes composite construction or material properties that combine rigidity and flexibility. The elastic material with embedded slot creates a composite structure that exhibits rigid behavior during locking (maintaining grip stability) while allowing controlled radial expansion during assembly and disassembly, resolving the contradiction between locking reliability and radial movement capability.
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 facilitates easy, quick, and secure assembly and disassembly, even in tight spaces, with reduced risk of losing the holding part and optimized installation space usage.
Implementation Method 1
a holding part (5) which, in a pre-assembled state, can be mounted in an axially and radially fixed manner on one of the two coupling parts and, in the assembled state, with at least one holding section, which is particularly C-shaped in axial section and has two collars and is radially elastically movable
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a plug-in connection (1) for fluid lines, comprising two plug-together coupling parts (2, 3), which, in the plugged-in state, can be arrested in a releasable manner via a locking device (4), which consists, on the one hand, of two outer, radially projecting retaining crosspieces (21, 31) of the two coupling parts (2, 3), said retaining crosspieces, in the plugged-in state, being adjacent axially (X-X), as seen in the plug-in direction (S), and, on the other hand, of a retaining part (5), which, in a pre-installation state, can be fitted in an axially and radially fixed manner on one of the two coupling parts (3) and, in the installation state, engages axially and radially around the retaining crosspieces (21, 31) of the two coupling parts (2, 3) by way of at least one radially elastically movable retaining portion (53), which has two collars (51, 52) and is in particular C-shaped, as seen in axial section. In order to ensure that the retaining part (5) is held captive and to minimize the amount of space required, in particular for removal purposes, it is proposed that the collars (51, 52) of the retaining part (5) should be designed to be differently sized and/or shaped such that, when the retaining portion (53) moves radially elastically outwards from the installation state, a first collar (52), which, in the installation state, butts against the retaining crosspiece (21) of the one coupling part (2), releases said retaining crosspiece (21) of the coupling part (2), while the other, second collar (51) engages, at least in part, behind the retaining crosspiece (31) of the other coupling part (3), against which it butts.