Gardening Fluid Connection Device With Rotating Sleeve And Locking Elements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gardening fluid connection devices are difficult to open and close, and it is challenging to determine their operational position, as they rely on complex mechanisms like L-shaped depressions and stop ribs which can be confusing for users.

Innovation Solution

A gardening fluid connection device featuring a body with multiple retainers, a resilient element, and a fitting sleeve with spaced engagement teeth and locking elements, where the resilient element pushes the fitting sleeve to rotate and open or close the device, allowing easy connection and disconnection from water spray guns or sprinklers, with a stop rib and locking elements ensuring clear positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional gardening fluid connection device uses an L-shaped depression and stop rib mechanism, then the device can be opened or closed, but it is difficult to determine the operational position and challenging to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening and closingVSAvoidcomplexity of L-shaped depression mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a body with retainers, a fitting sleeve with engagement teeth, and a resilient element. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific function, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient element automatically pushes the fitting sleeve to rotate to the correct position, eliminating the need for complex L-shaped depression mechanisms. The system self-regulates its operation through the resilient element's automatic action, making it easier to use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If a conventional gardening fluid connection device uses a fitting sleeve that reciprocates, then the device can open or close, but it is difficult to distinguish the opening or closing position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclarity of position indicationVSAvoidease of determining position
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual differentiation through the interaction of engagement teeth and locking elements, creating distinct positional states that are easily distinguishable. The locking elements engage with specific teeth to indicate clear opening or closing positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The locking elements provide immediate feedback when they engage with the engagement teeth, clearly indicating whether the device is in the opening or closing position. This feedback mechanism eliminates ambiguity about the current state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the fitting sleeve rotates reciprocatingly to open or close the device, then the operation is simplified, but the positioning clarity may be compromised without proper locking mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of rotation operationVSAvoidreliability of position locking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting sleeve is designed to rotate dynamically between opening and closing positions, with the resilient element providing the driving force. This dynamic rotation is controlled by the interaction between engagement teeth and locking elements, ensuring reliable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking elements are pre-positioned within the body to engage with specific engagement teeth on the fitting sleeve. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the fitting sleeve rotates, it automatically locks into the correct position without requiring additional user action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 device allows for easy opening and closing by using the stop rib and locking elements, making it simple to determine whether the device is open or closed, facilitating effortless connection and disconnection from water supply devices.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient element; the resilient element abuts against the body and the fitting sleeve... the resilient element pushes the fitting sleeve to rotate and open or close the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3546814B1Gardening fluid connection device
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 YUAN MEI CORP
  • EP3546814B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3546814B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3546814B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A gardening fluid connection device contains a body (10) including multiple retainers (101), a resilient element (30), and a fitting sleeve (40) including multiple spaced engagement teeth (43). The resilient element (30) abuts against the body (10) and the fitting sleeve (40). The body (10) includes a stop rib (13), and the multiple spaced engagement teeth (43) are pushed by the resilient element (30) to abut against the stop rib (13). The body (10) includes at least one retaining element (17), each retaining element (17) is located on a first side of each spaced engagement tooth (43), and a width of each spaced engagement tooth (43) is equal to a rotation distance of the fitting sleeve (40), hence the fitting sleeve (40) is rotated reciprocatingly to open or close of the gardening fluid coupling device by using the stop rib (13), each retaining element (17), each spaced engagement tooth (43) and the resilient element (30), and each retaining element (17) is stopped when moving to a second side of each spaced engagement tooth (43).