Low-Spill Coupling Assembly With Multi-Stage Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling assemblies face challenges in providing a reliable and low-spill fluid flow path connection between male and female coupling devices, particularly in applications requiring precise sealing and easy connection/disconnection, such as biomedical and beverage dispensing.
Innovation Solution
The coupling system incorporates a female coupling device with a spring-biased sleeve and multiple seals, and a male coupling device with a valve member and spring, allowing for fluid flow by displacing seals when the male device is inserted, and a clip member for quick connection/disconnection, ensuring fluid-tight configurations and efficient fluid passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional coupling assembly is used, then connection between male and female coupling devices is achieved, but fluid spill occurs during connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly performs preliminary sealing actions before full connection is achieved. The first seal engages the outer surface of the male coupling device during insertion, and the second seal engages the inner surface, creating fluid-tight seals before the connection is complete, thereby preventing fluid spill during the connection process
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is divided into multiple segments: a first seal for outer surface sealing, a second seal for inner surface sealing, and a third seal at the opening. This segmentation allows each seal to perform its specific function at different stages of connection, ensuring continuous fluid-tight sealing without spill
2Reliability
If multiple seals are added to prevent spill, then fluid-tight sealing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve component performs multiple functions: it houses the first seal for outer surface sealing, the second seal for inner surface sealing, and provides the structure for the third seal at the opening. By consolidating multiple sealing functions into a single multi-functional component, the design achieves fluid-tight sealing without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
3Ease of operation
If a spring-biased sleeve mechanism is used, then automatic sealing is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased sleeve mechanism is self-actuating during connection. When the male coupling device is inserted, the sleeve automatically moves under spring bias to engage the seals with the male device surfaces, creating fluid-tight sealing without requiring manual intervention or complex external actuation mechanisms
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 enables reliable, low-spill fluid flow with easy connection and disconnection, maintaining fluid-tight seals and ensuring efficient fluid passage through the coupling assembly, suitable for various applications including biomedical and beverage dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
a spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position
Implementation Method 2
a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a low-spill coupling assembly including a female coupling device and a male coupling device.