Quick Connect Indicator Tab for Leak-Safe Full Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick connect couplings in mass production settings often fail to be fully engaged during assembly, leading to errors and potential fluid leaks due to the lack of a reliable indication method.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect connection assembly featuring an indicator tab with radially outward and inward facing surfaces and apertures, which ensures the coupling is fully engaged by allowing the indicator tab to be removably secured only when the connection is complete, utilizing elastically deformable materials and RFID tags for tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If quick connect couplings are used in mass production, then assembly speed is improved, but assembly errors increase due to lack of engagement indication
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator tab changes its physical state (position, visibility, or color) to provide visual feedback about connection status. When the quick connect coupling is fully engaged, the indicator tab moves to a specific position or changes appearance to clearly indicate proper connection, eliminating assembly errors while maintaining quick connect speed benefits
2Ease of operation
If traditional quick connect couplings are used, then ease of operation is improved, but connection status detection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator tab serves as an intermediary element that translates the internal mechanical engagement state into an externally visible signal. This mediator component allows operators to easily detect connection status without adding complexity to the quick connect operation itself
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A quick connect connection assembly, including a quick connect (60), including a first end, a second end, a first radially outward facing surface, a first radially inward facing surface (78), a second radially inward facing surface, and at least one aperture (66, 68) extending from the first radially outward facing surface to the first radially inward facing surface, and an indicator tab (40) operatively arranged to be removably secured to the quick connect, the indicator tab including at least one arm (46, 48), wherein the at least one arm is arranged to extend through the at least one aperture and radially inward from the first radially inward facing surface.