Hose Coupling Jaw Geometry for High-Pressure Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling elements for connecting fluid pipes to hoses fail to provide a safe and effective holding mechanism, particularly when high fluid pressure is involved, and often require difficult connections and disconnections due to mismatched diameters.
Innovation Solution
A coupling element with articulated jaws and a pusher mechanism that uses lever arms and elastic return members to ensure reliable clamping and secure attachment of the hose to the cannula, even under high pressure, through optimized geometric configurations and lever arm ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the outer diameter of the cannula is made much greater than the inner diameter of the hose to increase elastic clamping, then the clamping force is improved, but the ease of connection and disconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw is made movable between a clamping position and a retracted position, allowing the system to dynamically adjust between high clamping force during operation and easy connection/disconnection when the jaw is retracted. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by separating the clamping function from the connection function temporally and spatially.
2Ease of operation
If a jaw is articulated about a perpendicular axis distant from the longitudinal axis to enable clamping, then the clamping capability is improved, but the reliability of holding under high pressure deteriorates due to insufficient leverage
Solution Approach 1:
A lever is introduced as an intermediary element between the articulated jaw and the operating force. The lever, secured to the jaw and accessible from outside the body, provides mechanical advantage to amplify the operating force, ensuring the jaw can reliably counteract high fluid pressures while maintaining ease of operation.
3Force
If the pressurizing means are made articuable about a perpendicular axis to enable clamping, then the clamping function is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like levers and springs
Solution Approach 1:
A spring is used to automatically return the jaw to the clamping position after the lever is released. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional actuators or complex control systems, as the spring automatically restores the functional position, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective pressurizing force.
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 solution ensures effective resistance to separation forces, allowing reliable connections and disconnections while maintaining a secure fit under high fluid pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a member for elastic return of the pusher towards a forward position
Implementation Method 2
the first bearing surface of the pusher is configured to exert on the first jaw a force for moving the first jaw from the retracted position thereof to the clamping position thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling element comprising a cannula, a body and at least one first jaw movable in rotation about a first axis of rotation. In a clamping position, the first jaw presses a hose against the cannula in a zone defined by a boundary plane spaced from the first axis of rotation by a first distance. The coupling element further comprises a movable pusher having a first bearing surface configured to exert a movement force on a force-receiving surface of the first jaw. When the first jaw is in the clamping position thereof, a first radial gap between the first axis of rotation and a contact point of the force-receiving surface and of the first bearing surface has a value greater than the value of the first distance.