Hybrid Pipe Coupling Connector for Vibration-Stable Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick coupling arrangements for liquid or gas pipe ducts are prone to vibrations and pressure influences, requiring improved stability with reduced space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A connector comprising a thermoplastic female duct with a metallic sleeve and crimped teeth, featuring slots and a locking element that extends into a circumferential locking groove of a male duct, providing mechanical robustness and compactness with a hybrid thermoplastic and metallic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional quick coupling arrangement is used, then the coupling can be established quickly, but the connection becomes unstable under vibrations and high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement combines a thermoplastic female duct with a metallic sleeve to create a hybrid structure. The metallic sleeve provides enhanced mechanical strength and vibration resistance, while the thermoplastic component maintains ease of assembly. This composite construction directly addresses the instability issue under vibration and pressure by integrating materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element features a curved engagement geometry that fits into a corresponding circumferential locking groove. This curved design allows the locking element to engage more effectively with the male duct, distributing forces more evenly and preventing disengagement under vibrational loads, thereby improving connection stability.
2Strength
If a full metal connector is used, then mechanical resistance is improved, but the external diameter and mounting space increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire connector from metal, the invention applies the metallic sleeve only in the critical regions where mechanical strength and vibration resistance are needed. The non-critical portions remain as thermoplastic, maintaining a compact external diameter. This localized application of materials optimizes the strength-to-size ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid construction uses a metallic sleeve integrated with a thermoplastic female duct. The metallic portion provides the necessary mechanical resistance, while the thermoplastic portions maintain compact dimensions. This composite approach achieves full-metal-level strength without the penalty of increased external diameter throughout the entire connector.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling arrangement (100) for coupling a first connector (10) and a second connector (60), the first connector (10) comprising a female duct (12) with an opening (80) for receiving at least a male duct (62) of the second connector (60), the first connector (10) further comprising a circumferential sleeve (16) being fixed to the female duct (12) in axial direction (90), the sleeve (16) providing at least one slot (28), in particular at least three slots (28), arranged in a circumferential wall (32) of the sleeve (16). A locking element (70) is provided having at least one insertion part (72, 74, 76, 78), the at least one insertion part (72, 74, 76, 78) of the locking element (70) extending through the at least one slot (28) into the opening (80) of the female duct (12) and clamping the male duct (62) by extending, in a closed state of the locking element (70), into a circumferential locking groove (64) of the male duct (62), when the second connector (60) being arranged in its end position in the first connector (10). The invention relates also to a connector (10) for such a coupling arrangement.