Hose Coupling Locking Sleeve for Leak-Safe Hot Fluid Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling systems for hoses and pipes, particularly in injection molding technology, pose a risk of injury due to potential fluid leakage when disconnecting components, especially when handling high-temperature fluids, as it is uncertain whether the connection is fully released.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system with a plug nipple and coupling body that includes a locking mechanism with a movable locking sleeve and multiple locking elements, utilizing a compression spring for automatic disengagement and a thermochromatic substance for temperature indication, ensuring safe disconnection and reducing the risk of burns by providing visual temperature feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with detent elements is used to secure the plug nipple to the coupling body, then the connection reliability is improved, but the risk of fluid leakage during disconnection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a disconnection sequence where the locking sleeve must be fully retracted before the plug nipple can be removed. The guide groove geometry ensures that detent elements disengage from locking notches before the plug nipple separates from the coupling body, preventing fluid leakage by establishing the open state beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the guide groove as an intermediary mechanism between the locking sleeve and plug nipple. The guide groove constrains the movement path of the locking sleeve, ensuring that detent elements disengage from locking notches in a controlled sequence before the plug nipple can separate, thereby mediating the disconnection process to prevent fluid leakage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple locking elements are used to secure the plug nipple, then the connection stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple locking functions into a single integrated locking sleeve component. The locking sleeve simultaneously engages multiple detent elements with corresponding locking notches on the plug nipple, providing multi-point securing through one movable component rather than multiple separate locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking sleeve serves multiple functions: it engages and secures multiple detent elements simultaneously, guides its own movement through the guide groove, and controls the disconnection sequence. This multi-functional design achieves stable connection without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 system ensures safe and reliable disconnection of hoses and pipes by automatically releasing the fixation and providing visual temperature feedback, minimizing the risk of burns and fluid leakage during disconnection, particularly when handling high-temperature fluids.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring (18) which, if the one or more locking elements (6) are disengaged from the plug nipple (2), guides the plug nipple (2) away from the coupling body (3)
Implementation Method 2
at least one thermochromatic substance (62), via which the coupling system (1) outputs optical information representing a respective temperature level of a respective fluid received in the channel (5)
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling system (1) for hoses and/or pipes is disclosed. The coupling system (1) comprises a plug nipple (2) and a coupling body (3) into which the plug nipple (2) can be inserted, so that the coupling body (3) and the plug nipple (2) together form a channel (5) for fluid flow. The coupling system (1) further comprises a locking mechanism which automatically secures the plug nipple (2) to the coupling body (3) when it is inserted and which can be mechanically actuated to release the locking mechanism. The coupling system (1) is designed to output optical information (60) which represents the respective temperature level of the fluid contained in the channel (5).