Guided Pilot Connector for Low-Force Fluid-Tight Tube Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for fluid piping often require significant force for assembly, are prone to connection errors, and may not ensure a fluid-tight seal due to the wire retainer interfering with the tube endform during insertion, and can be lost during disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a guided pilot and retention clip system that includes an indicator piece and guide members, allowing the pilot to slide from a mounting to a final position, ensuring proper alignment and sealing while preventing contact between the tube endform and the wire retainer, and featuring a visible indicator for secure coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wire retainer is used to secure the tube endform in the connector, then the tube can be locked in position, but the wire retainer scrapes the endform during insertion preventing a fluid-tight seal
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional zones: a pilot section that guides the endform through the wire retainer, and a sealing section where the seal ring engages the endform. The pilot acts as a separate guiding element that protects the sealing surface from retainer interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot serves as an intermediary element between the wire retainer and the seal ring. It guides the endform through the retainer's engagement arms, preventing the retainer from scraping the sealing surface while still allowing the retainer to secure the connection.
2Reliability
If significant force is applied during assembly to secure the connection, then the tube can be firmly locked, but connection errors increase and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot is pre-positioned in the connector to guide the endform during insertion. This preliminary guiding action ensures proper alignment before the wire retainer engages, allowing the connection to be secured with minimal force and reducing assembly errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot automatically guides the endform through the wire retainer's engagement arms during insertion. This self-guiding mechanism eliminates the need for precise manual alignment and reduces the force required for assembly while ensuring reliable connection.
3Reliability
If the pilot is not guided during insertion, then the assembly is simpler, but the pilot may not reach the final position causing connection errors
Solution Approach 1:
Guide members are added only in specific locations where the pilot needs guidance - in the mounting position and transition zone. The guide members are not present throughout the entire insertion path, maintaining simplicity where guidance is not needed while ensuring proper positioning where required.
4Reliability
If the indicator piece remains in the mounting position, then the structure is simpler, but there is no visible indication of proper coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator piece changes its visible state (position/visibility) to indicate coupling status. When the pilot reaches the final position, the indicator piece moves to provide visible confirmation of proper coupling, allowing users to verify connection without adding complex verification mechanisms.
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
Facilitates easy and secure connection of tubes to devices with reduced assembly force, minimizes connection errors, and ensures a reliable fluid-tight seal by preventing wire retainer interference and providing a visible indication of proper coupling.
Implementation Method 1
A retention clip having legs is urged into a spread condition during a transition between the mounting position and the final position
Implementation Method 2
The connector may include a seal ring between an inner periphery of a socket in the connector and an outer periphery of the endform to provide a fluid-tight seal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A connector 10 and process for coupling a tube 12 and the resulting assembly is disclosed. A receptacle 16 includes a pilot 80 in a mounting position. The pilot 80 including an indicator piece 90 and guide members 82, 83 each located in a respective channel 56, 58 on the receptacle 16 and slidable within the channels from the mounting position to a final position. A retention clip 60 having legs 62, 63 is urged into a spread condition during a transition between the mounting position and the final position wherein in the final position the legs of the retention clip retract to a relaxed condition, the indicator piece 90 becomes visible on the receptacle 16 and the first and second guide members 82, 83 latch the pilot 80 to the receptacle 16.