Leakage Test Connector With Flush Pin and Disposable O-Ring Socket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leakage test connectors for endoscopes often suffer from contamination and require complex maintenance, especially due to exposed valve actuator surfaces and non-disposable O-rings that need servicing, which can lead to contamination and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A leakage test connector design featuring a male connector with a flush valve actuator pin and an O-ring located on the inner surface of the female socket connector, eliminating exposed surfaces and allowing for easy replacement of the female connector when the O-ring degrades, thus minimizing contamination and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve actuator pin is exposed on the male connector, then it can be easily actuated, but it creates contamination risks and requires complex maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The valve actuator pin is nested within the male connector body rather than being exposed on the outer surface. The pin extends internally to engage the female connector's actuation feature, eliminating direct exposure to the external environment and reducing contamination risk while maintaining actuation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The female connector is designed as a disposable component that is replaced when contaminated or worn. This eliminates the need for complex maintenance of the valve actuator system, as the disposable female connector is discarded after use rather than cleaned and reused.
2Reliability
If O-rings are mounted on the male connector, then sealing is achieved, but they require servicing and can lead to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the O-ring on the male connector as in conventional designs, the O-ring is inverted and mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the female connector. This reversal allows the O-ring to be replaced by simply replacing the disposable female connector, eliminating complex maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The female connector with its O-ring is designed as a disposable component. When the O-ring degrades or becomes contaminated, the entire female connector is replaced rather than serviced, simplifying maintenance and preventing contamination spread.
3Ease of repair
If the female connector is made disposable, then maintenance is simplified, but manufacturing precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system is segmented into reusable male connector and disposable female connector components. This segmentation allows the disposable female connector to be manufactured with precise tolerances for reliable mating, while the complex male connector with valve actuator mechanism can be manufactured once and reused.
Solution Approach 2:
The male connector is designed with universal features that can mate with multiple disposable female connectors. This universality ensures consistent manufacturing precision requirements while enabling the disposable design to simplify maintenance across multiple uses.
Data Source
AI summary
A leakage test connector may comprise a male connector having an outer circumferential surface, a female socket connector that mates to the male connector, and an O-ring mounted about an inner circumferential surface of the fluid passage of the female socket connector. The male connector lacks an O-ring on the outer circumferential surface in an unmated state with the female socket connector. The male connector may also comprise a valve actuator pin, while the female socket connector comprises a pin that depresses the valve actuator pin. The valve actuator pin includes a top surface that is disposed flush with a tip of the male connector to minimize the likelihood of contamination on the male leakage connector.