Hinged Fluidic Connector Assembly for Tool-Free High-Pressure Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluidic connections in analytical instrument systems, such as liquid chromatography, are inefficient due to the need for tools, torque application, and potential for leaks, especially in high-pressure applications and when dealing with biological samples, where stainless steel components can contaminate samples and provide inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic connection assembly that uses a body with latch portions and hinges to allow for easy connection and disconnection without torque, featuring a spring mechanism to maintain a constant axial force and ensure a leak-proof seal, compatible with biocompatible materials to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional threaded fittings are used to connect tubing, then the connection can be secure, but the connection process requires tools, torque application, and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is divided into a body portion and a separate tube-receiving portion that can be assembled independently. The tube-receiving portion includes a compression mechanism with a compression member that can be independently adjusted, allowing the connection process to be segmented into tube insertion and compression steps, eliminating the need for threaded assembly and tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting incorporates a dynamic compression mechanism where the compression member can move axially to compress the tube against the tube-receiving portion. This dynamic action allows the connection to be made by simply pushing the tube into place, with the compression automatically occurring through the spring-loaded or manually actuated compression mechanism, eliminating static threaded connections.
2Reliability
If stainless steel components are used in fluidic connections, then the connections are mechanically strong, but they can contaminate biological samples
Solution Approach 1:
The tube-receiving portion is designed to be removable from the body, allowing the tube and its biocompatible material to be easily extracted and replaced. This separation enables the use of materials like PEEK or other biocompatible polymers in direct contact with samples, while the stainless steel body provides structural strength without contacting the sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting combines different materials with complementary properties: the body can be made of stainless steel for mechanical strength, while the tube-receiving portion and compression members use biocompatible materials like PEEK or medical-grade polymers. This composite construction allows the fitting to provide both structural reliability and sample compatibility without contamination.
3Stress or pressure
If high-pressure fluidic connections are made, then the system can handle high-pressure applications, but the seal integrity becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The compression mechanism allows for adjustment of the compression force applied to the tube, enabling the seal to be optimized for different pressure conditions. The spring-loaded compression member can be pre-loaded or adjusted to maintain adequate sealing force even as system pressure varies, ensuring seal integrity across a range of operating pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube-receiving portion and compression surfaces are designed with curved or rounded contact surfaces that distribute the sealing force evenly around the tube. This curved geometry helps maintain uniform seal pressure under high fluid pressure, preventing localized stress concentrations that could compromise seal integrity.
4Productivity
If quick-connect mechanisms are used, then connection speed is improved, but the connection may not provide adequate sealing at high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The tube-receiving portion is pre-configured with the compression mechanism and sealing surfaces in the correct positions before tube insertion. When the tube is inserted, the compression member is already positioned to immediately compress the tube against the sealing surface, providing both quick connection and adequate sealing without requiring post-connection adjustments or torque application.
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
Enables quick, tool-free connections and disconnections at high pressures, maintains seal integrity over time, and prevents sample contamination, providing a reliable and efficient fluidic connection system for analytical instruments.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring located at least partially within the hollow portion of said body, and having a first end abutting an interior surface of the hollow portion of said body
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 7~8
Figure 9~10
AI summary
A fluidic connection assembly and methods for quickly connecting or disconnecting a tube to a port by hand and without the use of tools. A body is adapted to receive a tube therethrough, and may have at least two sides which are hinged. Each of the hinged sides has corresponding latching portions or projections located near a lower end of the body. These projections are adapted to fit into a port or other fitting and be securely held in place. The assembly may include a tube extending through a body and through a spring located between the end of the body and the end of the tube, whereby the spring exerts a force directly or indirectly against the end of the tube and against the body, thus holding the tubing securely and sealingly engaged in the port when the assembly is connected. The body may further comprise an additional body or an adapter, and/or a cap and latch. A second spring may be used to push a projecting member into a groove or notch of an adapter when an end of the adapter is inserted into one end of the latch or the body. The fluidic connection assembly is useful in analytical instrument systems, such as for in vitro applications and/or in high pressure applications, among other things, and may be used in methods for connecting, or disconnecting, tubing or a fluidic connection assembly from a port or other fitting or connection.