Latch Assembly for Conduits with Ramped Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conduit coupling devices are inefficient and time-consuming, particularly in emergency situations, as they require alignment and twisting, which can lead to insecure connections and potential leaks, especially in medical applications where quick and secure connections are critical for patient safety.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with cantilevered release buttons and engagement features that allow for quick and secure coupling of fluid conduits by advancing male and female portions together, providing a secure and efficient connection without the need for alignment and twisting, using a slot and ramped engagement mechanism for easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded connections are used for splicing conduits, then the connection can be secure, but the connection process becomes time-consuming and requires alignment and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device is divided into a male portion and a female portion with distinct engagement features. The male portion includes a ramped engagement feature that interfaces with a slot in the female portion, allowing sequential engagement rather than requiring full alignment and twisting simultaneously. This segmentation enables faster connection while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot in the female portion is pre-configured to guide and receive the ramped engagement feature of the male portion. This preliminary configuration of the engagement path eliminates the need for complex alignment during connection, reducing connection time while ensuring secure engagement through the predetermined interaction geometry.
2Reliability
If threaded connections are used for splicing conduits, then the connection can be secure, but the operation becomes complex requiring alignment and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the user to actively align and twist components as in threaded connections, the design inverts the approach by using a ramped engagement feature that passively guides itself into the slot through simple linear insertion. The geometry of the ramp automatically performs the alignment function, dramatically simplifying the operation while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramped engagement feature and slot configuration enable the connection to self-align and self-engage during insertion. The components guide themselves into proper alignment through their geometric interaction, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations and reducing the skill level required for proper connection.
3Loss of time
If quick connection mechanisms are used, then connection time is reduced, but the connection may become insecure or leak
Solution Approach 1:
The ramped engagement feature utilizes curved or angled surfaces that guide the male and female portions into intimate contact during insertion. This curved geometry ensures that the surfaces engage progressively and uniformly, creating a secure, leak-resistant connection through the geometric constraint of the ramp-slot interface rather than relying on threading or clamping forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly for connection of conduit, the assembly comprising a female portion and a male portion, wherein each of the female portion and the male portion have a shell and a connection device. The connection device of the female portion includes a connection assembly with a molded-in slot, a release button, and a raised rib or alternatively is a connection opening. The connection device of the male portion includes a cantilevered region with a ramped engagement feature or alternatively is a raised cantilevered release button. When connected the cantilevered region or button deflects to accommodate the female portion until the ramped engagement feature or button engages the molded-in slot or connection opening, thus releasing the deflection. Depressing the release button disengages the latch allowing separation of the assembly.