Flexible Membrane Coupling for Airtight Low-Force Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices face challenges in efficiently managing the transition between open and closed states with minimal manual force, while ensuring airtight sealing and preventing product accumulation as residual impurities.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a flexible membrane actuated by a lever drive, allowing for minimal force actuation and inherent elasticity to transition between open and closed positions, featuring a waveform movement and integral hinge joint for stable behavior, ensuring airtight sealing and product containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closure part is used to seal the conduit portion, then airtight sealing is achieved, but the transition between open and closed states requires significant manual force
Solution Approach 1:
The closure part is implemented as a flexible membrane that can be easily actuated. The membrane's flexibility allows it to deform and seal the conduit portion effectively while requiring minimal force for operation. The membrane is fixed at its edges to the coupling element, creating a compliant sealing solution that transitions smoothly between open and closed states without requiring significant manual force.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the closure part completely seals the conduit portion, then product accumulation as residual impurities is prevented, but the transition movement becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed with a dome-shaped configuration that provides structural stability during its transition movement between open and closed positions. The curved geometry of the dome-shaped membrane ensures stable behavior throughout its actuation cycle while allowing it to completely seal the conduit portion in the closed state, effectively preventing product accumulation as residual impurities.
3Productivity
If components are connected to the free cross-section at the edges, then the passage is kept free for material transport, but the risk of product accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure part is designed to completely seal and isolate the conduit portion when closed, effectively extracting and containing any remaining product within the sealed volume. This complete sealing action removes the risk of product accumulation at the edges or in residual spaces, ensuring that all material is either transported through or fully contained, preventing contamination or waste.
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
Achieves efficient, airtight sealing with minimal manual force and prevents product accumulation, facilitating seamless transitions and reliable material transport without obstruction.
Implementation Method 1
the closure part comprises a flexible membrane. If the membrane, which is designed to be flexible, releases the free cross-section of the conduit portion when said membrane is in its actuated position
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a coupling device having at least one coupling part which has an actuating device which actuates a closure part, wherein a flexible line part having a free cross section can be connected to the coupling part. The closure part, in its actuated position, opens up the free cross section of the line part and, in a further actuated position, closes said cross section, wherein the closure part has a flexible diaphragm.