Male Fitting with Spring-Loaded Actuating Member for Bulkhead Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bulkhead fittings face issues with leakage and contamination due to residual stresses in thin container walls, which can lead to cracking and increased footprint in space-limited environments, and are cumbersome to attach in sterile conditions.

Innovation Solution

A male fitting with a spring-loaded actuating member and retaining feature that securely engages with a receiver body without threading, reducing mechanical stress and potential contamination, and allowing for quick connection and disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If threading is used to secure the bulkhead fitting to the container, then the fitting can be securely attached, but residual stresses cause cracking and leakage in thin container walls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidcracking and leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting is divided into a body portion and a separate securing mechanism (actuating member with retaining feature). The body portion inserts into the container opening while the actuating member independently engages with a retaining slot in the container wall, separating the insertion function from the securing function to avoid threading-induced cracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional threaded mechanical connection is replaced with a spring-loaded actuating member that engages a retaining slot. This substitution eliminates the need for threads in thin container walls while maintaining secure attachment through a different mechanical principle (spring pressure against a slot).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If thread sealing tape is used to prevent leakage, then sealing is improved, but contamination risk increases in sterile environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thread sealing tape is completely removed from the system. Instead of using tape on threads, the design uses a threadless insertion method with a retaining feature that engages a slot, eliminating the need for any sealing material that could contaminate sterile environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design eliminates disposable sealing materials (tape) in favor of a permanent, reusable mechanical retention system that maintains sealing through the spring-loaded actuating member pressing against the container opening, reducing contamination risk from tape removal and application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If conventional bulkhead fittings extend outward from the container, then connection is achieved, but footprint and volume increase in space-limited environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoidfootprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating member is nested within the fitting body when not in use, and the entire fitting design minimizes external protrusion. The spring-loaded mechanism collapses or retracts to reduce the overall volume occupied while maintaining connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Strength

If threading is used to attach the fitting, then secure connection is achieved, but attachment becomes cumbersome and time-consuming in sterile conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidattachment time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is pre-loaded during manufacturing to exert the necessary retaining force. During installation, the user simply inserts the body portion and releases the actuating member, which automatically engages the retaining slot without requiring manual threading or tightening operations, significantly reducing attachment time in sterile environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution reduces the risk of leakage and contamination, minimizes structural damage to containers, and simplifies attachment in confined spaces by eliminating the need for threading and thread sealing tape, while optimizing space usage.

Implementation Method 1

A spring is disposed between the body and the actuating member. The spring exerts a force on the actuating member so as to position the retaining feature radially outward from the slot.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS8840150B2Male fitting with actuating retaining feature

Publication Date: 2014.09.23 SIERAD LESLIE

AI summary

A male fitting has a body that defines a fluid passage that extends through the body from a first end to a second end. The body may include a first portion adjacent to the first end, a second portion adjacent to the second end and a middle portion separating the first and second portions. The body may further define a slot between the middle portion and the second end. The slot extends at least partially circumferentially around the body. An actuating member may extend at least partially around the body. The actuating member may have at least one stop feature that engages with the body, and a retaining feature that is at least partially aligned with the slot. A spring disposed between the body and the actuating member may exert a force on the actuating member so as to position the retaining feature radially outward from the slot.