Magnetic Quick-Connector Female Element for Compact Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-connect fittings for fluid pipelines are complex to manufacture, bulky, and costly due to intricate mechanical designs and additional mechanical parts, which affect industrialization and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A female quick-connect element with magnetically attracted locking members and a pusher mechanism that secures the connection without additional mechanical parts, allowing for a compact and simple design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical linkage is used to connect the operating ring to locking fingers, then the locking mechanism can be actuated, but the shapes of the operating ring and locking fingers become more complex, increasing manufacturing difficulty and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical linkage system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. The operating ring generates a magnetic field that directly acts on the locking fingers, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages. This substitution simplifies the shapes of both the operating ring and locking fingers, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining full actuation functionality.
2Reliability
If additional mechanical parts are added to achieve secure locking, then the locking reliability improves, but the radial size of the female element increases, affecting space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates additional mechanical parts by using a magnetic field-based locking system. The operating ring generates a magnetic field that directly secures the locking fingers in position, replacing the need for extra mechanical retention components. This approach maintains high locking reliability while minimizing the radial size of the female element, improving space utilization.
3Reliability
If complex mechanical designs are used to ensure secure connection, then the connection reliability improves, but the manufacturing cost and industrialization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical designs with a magnetic field-based connection system. The operating ring generates a magnetic field that ensures secure connection through direct magnetic attraction on the locking fingers, eliminating the need for complex mechanical assemblies. This substitution significantly reduces manufacturing cost and industrialization difficulty while maintaining high connection reliability.
4Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical linkage is used for unlocking, then the locking mechanism can be released, but the overall size of the female element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical linkage system with a magnetic field-based unlocking mechanism. The operating ring generates a magnetic field that directly acts on the locking fingers to release them from the locked position, eliminating the need for additional mechanical components. This approach enables full unlocking capability while minimizing the overall size of the female element.
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 a secure, easy-to-manufacture, and compact quick-connect fitting that ensures reliable fluid pipeline connections with minimal thickness and complexity, facilitating efficient assembly and disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
Each locking member and the pusher are configured to be magnetically attracted to each other, and the pusher is capable of magnetically driving each locking member towards its proximal position when the pusher is moved towards its rear position.
Data Source
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AI summary
This female quick-connect element (100) (R) is intended to be coupled with a complementary male element (10) and comprises a female body (102) defining an insertion channel (V106) receiving the male element, locking members (132), which are received in housings (130) provided in the female body, a pusher (170), which is movable along a central axis (A100) of the female element and which pushes each locking member towards a distal position where this locking member protrudes into the insertion channel, and an operating ring (160), which surrounds the female body and which is configured to drive the pusher.For simpler and more compact manufacturing, each locking member (132) and the pusher (170) are configured to be magnetically attracted to each other, while the pusher is capable of magnetically driving each locking member towards its proximal position when the pusher is moved towards its rear position.