Hydraulic Fitting with Spring and Ball Valves for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic pipe fittings for bicycles and motorcycles are structurally complex, heavy, and not compatible with weight reduction requirements, often requiring 'bleeding' to prevent fluid leakage and air entry, which is inefficient and unsuitable for sports applications.
Innovation Solution
A fast fitting with spring valves and snap-action coupling mechanism that ensures fluid-tight connection without air introduction, featuring reduced dimensions and weights, allowing easy assembly and disassembly without the need for bleeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fast connectors are used to ensure fluid-tight connection without leakage and air entry, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is divided into two separate elements: a first fitting element with a spring valve and a second fitting element with a ball valve. Each element contains its own sealing and valve mechanism, allowing independent operation and simplified assembly. The segmentation enables each component to be optimized for its specific function while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted and concentrated at the contact surfaces between the two fitting elements. The spring valve in the first element and ball valve in the second element are specifically designed to create a fluid-tight seal at the interface, separating the sealing mechanism from the main body of the fitting and allowing for simpler overall design.
2Reliability
If conventional fast connectors are used to prevent fluid leakage and air entry, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting uses simple, lightweight valve components (spring valve and ball valve) that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The design prioritizes weight reduction while maintaining reliability through the use of these straightforward mechanical elements rather than complex, heavy-duty components.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the fitting into two lightweight elements with distributed valve mechanisms, the overall weight is reduced compared to a single heavy connector design. Each element can be optimized for minimum weight while maintaining its sealing function.
3Ease of operation
If conventional fast connectors are used to ensure rapid connection without leakage, then ease of operation is improved, but dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex locking mechanism that requires significant space, the invention inverts the approach by using spring-loaded and ball-loaded valve systems that automatically engage and seal when the fitting elements are brought together. This allows for rapid connection without requiring large dimensional clearances.
Solution Approach 2:
The division into two compact elements allows each to be minimized in size while maintaining its sealing and valve functions. The first element contains the spring valve and second element contains the ball valve, allowing for compact, space-efficient design suitable for tight spaces in bicycle and motorcycle hydraulic systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If simple fitting design is used to reduce dimensions and weight, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential leakage and air entry
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted and concentrated at the contact surfaces between the two fitting elements. The spring valve in the first element and ball valve in the second element are specifically designed to create a fluid-tight seal at the interface, ensuring reliability even in the compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses spring-loaded and ball-loaded valve systems that automatically engage and seal when the fitting elements are brought together, inverting the conventional approach of using complex mechanical locks. This ensures reliable sealing while maintaining compact dimensions suitable for bicycle and motorcycle applications.
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 provides rapid, reliable, and leak-proof connections, enabling efficient assembly and disassembly of hydraulic systems without air introduction, suitable for compact applications like bicycles and motorcycles, and allowing fluid communication without structural compromise.
Implementation Method 1
a first valve (3) capable of opening and closing a fluid communication with the first pipe (2)... the first valve (3) is provided with first contact surfaces (8, 10), which can be superimposed precisely on respective second contact surfaces (9, 11) of the second valve (6)
Implementation Method 2
a second valve (6) for opening or closing a fluid communication with the second pipe (7)... the pairs of contact surfaces (8/9) and (10/11) are superimposed without intermediate empty spaces
Implementation Method 3
The two fitting elements (1, 5) can be joined via removable fast-coupling means (21) to set up a fluid communication between said first and second pipes (2, 7)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A hydraulic fast fitting for hydraulic pipes, comprising a first fitting element (1) in fluid communication with a first pipe (2), provided with a first valve (3) for opening and closing the fluid communication with the first pipe (2), and a second fitting element (5), provided with a second valve (6) for opening or closing a fluid communication with a second pipe (7), and further comprising removable fast-coupling means (19) for connecting said first and second fitting elements (1, 5) and establishing a fluid communication between said first and second pipes (2, 7).