Quick Fluid Line Coupling With Quarter-Turn Sealed Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection units for fluidic lines, particularly in aerospace and space station applications, face challenges in making secure connections under pressure, requiring complex and expensive solutions for movable sealing elements within male connectors and are not suitable for robotic arm operation due to threaded connections.
Innovation Solution
A connection unit comprising two identical female connectors and a double-male coupling element with a ring nut mechanism that allows for a 90° rotation to establish fluidic continuity, featuring additive manufacturing for pressure loss minimization and a key system for correct alignment, enabling reliable and automated connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a threaded ring nut connection is used to couple the male connector to the female connector, then a secure mechanical connection is achieved, but the connection cannot be made through a robotic arm due to requiring several turns for connection
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a threaded connection where the nut rotates onto the male connector, the invention inverts the approach by using a bayonet coupling where the male connector rotates into a locked position within the female connector. This quarter-turn coupling mechanism allows robotic arms to easily perform the connection without requiring multiple rotational turns, thus improving automation capability while maintaining secure mechanical connection.
2Reliability
If a movable sealing element is placed inside the male connector to provide sealing when disconnected, then sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by placing the movable sealing element inside the female connector instead of the male connector. The female connector now contains the retractable sealing element that provides sealing when disconnected, while the male connector becomes a simpler double-male element without complex internal sealing mechanisms. This reduces male connector manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining sealing reliability through the female connector's sealing element.
3Productivity
If a double-male coupling element is permanently coupled to a female connection element, then immediate fluidic connection is established, but the connection unit becomes too complex for space-constrained applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the connection unit into separable components: a female connector that can be permanently coupled to a circuit branch, and a separate double-male coupling element that connects to the female connector when needed. This segmentation allows the fluidic connection to be established quickly through the bayonet coupling mechanism while keeping the overall system structure manageable and adaptable to space-constrained applications, unlike a permanently integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection unit comprising two female connectors configured to be connected to respective circuit branches of a fluidic line and a coupling element for coupling the connectors together and establish a fluidic connection between the circuit branches, wherein the connectors are provided with first, normally closed sealing elements to define a sealing termination of the circuit branches when the connectors are disconnected from each other; the coupling element includes a double-male connector separable from the female connectors and provided with a pair of shanks that can be coupled to the respective female connectors and a control element movable between a first position where the coupling element can be coupled to the connectors in a mechanical pre-coupling condition without fluidic connection between the female connectors and a second position where the shanks of the double-male connector engage the respective female connectors and establish a fluidic connection therebetween.