Fluidic Coupling Automatic Piston Actuation for Small Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic coupling technologies face challenges in achieving automatic opening of fluid passages during small coupling travels, which is essential for applications like flanging parts, where the distance between coupling elements is minimal and traditional designs fail to provide sufficient fluid passage due to fixed piston/slide valve constructions.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic coupling design featuring a male element with a movable valve and a spring, and a female element with a slide valve and piston, where the male body pushes the slide valve to its open position and the piston is moved forward automatically during coupling, creating a fluid passage around the piston within the male body, facilitated by a lever mechanism that converts slide valve movement into piston movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed piston/slide valve construction is used, then the coupling can accommodate alignment flaws, but the fluid passage is insufficient in small coupling travel configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the fixed piston/slide valve construction into a dynamic system where the piston can move automatically during coupling. The piston is pushed forward by pressure differential created when the slide valve opens, enabling the system to adapt to small coupling travels while maintaining sufficient fluid passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston movement is automated through a self-actuating mechanism that uses the fluid pressure itself to drive the piston forward. This eliminates the need for external actuation while ensuring the fluid passage opens automatically when coupling occurs, making the system self-regulating.
2Length of moving object
If a small male nose element is used, then the coupling travel is reduced, but the fluid passage around the piston becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the piston to move dynamically during coupling, extending forward to create adequate fluid passage even when the initial coupling travel is minimal. This dynamic movement compensates for the reduced mechanical travel distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position parameter of the piston during coupling, transitioning from a retracted position to a forward position. This parameter change allows the fluid passage to be created or enlarged automatically, addressing the insufficient passage problem in small coupling travel applications.
3Quantity of substance
If manual lever actuation is used, then the passage can be opened, but the opening is not automatic during coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is designed to move automatically in response to pressure changes during coupling. The fluid pressure itself acts as the actuating force, eliminating the need for manual intervention while ensuring reliable opening of the fluid passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces pressure differential as an intermediary mechanism that translates the coupling action into piston movement. This intermediary enables automatic actuation by using the fluid pressure generated during coupling to drive the piston forward and open the passage.
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
This design ensures a satisfactory fluid passage in small coupling travel configurations by automatically moving the piston forward during coupling, maintaining sealing engagement before piston disengagement from the slide valve, thus addressing the limitations of traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring pushing the valve back toward its closed position
Implementation Method 2
the or each lever is engaged with the slide valve and with the piston, and moves the piston toward its forward position
Data Source
AI summary
This fluidic coupling (R) comprises a male element (A) comprising a male body (2), a valve (20) and a spring (24) pushing the valve (20) back toward its closed position, and a female element (B) having a sealing gasket (35), a piston (38), a slide valve (34) mounted around the piston (38) between a closed position, in which the sealing gasket (35) cooperates with the slide valve (34) and the slide valve (34) cooperates sealably with the piston (38), and a retracted open position. In a coupling phase, the male body (2) pushes the slide valve (34) back toward its open position and the piston (38) pushes the valve (20) back toward its open position. The piston (38) is mounted with the possibility of movement between a rear position and a forward position. The female element (B) comprises a lever (42) for converting the movement of the slide valve (34) into movement of the piston (38). During the coupling, from the closed position of the slide valve (34) to an offset position of the slide valve (34), in which the male body (2) cooperates with the sealing gasket (35) of the female body (26), the lever (42) is disengaged from the slide valve (34) and/or the piston (38), and the piston (38) is in the rear position. From the offset position of the slide valve (34) to the open position of the slide valve (34), the lever (42) is engaged with the slide valve (34) and with the piston (38), and moves the piston (38) toward its forward position. In the coupled configuration, the piston (38) is in its forward position and extends partially in the male body (2), a fluid passage being formed around the piston (38).