Detachable Metering Coupling for Tool-Free Fluidic Unit Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing systems face challenges in quickly and tool-free coupling of fluidic units to actuator units, especially in confined spaces with limited accessibility, requiring complex assembly and disassembly processes.
Innovation Solution
The dosing system is designed with a first and second plug-in coupling part that interact via projections and recesses, allowing for a bayonet-like connection and optional eccentric mechanism to secure the coupling without tools, enabling tool-free attachment and detachment of the fluidic unit to the actuator unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional coupling methods (screws, clips, adhesives) are used to attach fluidic unit to actuator unit, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes complex and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into two separate plug-in coupling parts: a first plug-in coupling part on the fluidic unit and a second plug-in coupling part on the actuator unit. These segmented components can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing for simple tool-free attachment while maintaining secure connection through their complementary geometric features.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug-in coupling parts are designed with nested geometric features where projections on one component fit into recesses on the mating component. This nesting arrangement allows the fluidic unit to be inserted into and locked by the actuator unit through a simple pushing motion, eliminating the need for complex fastening mechanisms or tools.
2Reliability
If complex assembly processes are used to ensure secure coupling, then the connection reliability is high, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug-in coupling parts are pre-designed with complementary projections and recesses that automatically align and engage when the fluidic unit is pushed into the actuator unit. This preliminary design of the coupling geometry ensures that the correct alignment and secure connection are achieved in a single motion, eliminating the need for multiple adjustment steps or tool operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-locking through its geometric features. The projections on one coupling part automatically fit into the recesses of the mating part, and the interference fit creates a secure connection without requiring external tools or additional fastening actions. The system serves itself by using its own geometric structure to achieve both alignment and secure attachment.
3Ease of operation
If traditional fastening methods are used, then the coupling is secure, but the ability to work in confined spaces with limited accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism extracts the need for external fastening tools and complex assembly procedures by integrating the connection function directly into the plug-in coupling parts. The projections and recesses are built into the components themselves, allowing the coupling to be performed by simple insertion motion that can be executed even in confined spaces with limited accessibility, while maintaining secure connection through the interference fit of the geometric features.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a metering system (100), comprising an actuator unit (60) and a fluidic unit (10), which can be detachably coupled to the actuator unit, wherein the fluidic unit (10) has a nozzle (20) and a movably mounted element (30) and the actuator unit (60) has an actuator system (90) for actuating the movable element (30) of the fluidic unit (10), and the fluidic unit (10) has a first plug-in coupling part (11) and the actuator unit (60) has a second plug-in coupling part (61), which plug-in coupling parts can be inserted into one another along a plugging axis (S) and can be coupled to each other in themselves in order to couple the fluidic unit (10) to the actuator unit (60). The invention further relates to a fluidic unit (10) and to an actuator unit (60) for such a metering system (100) and to a method for detachably coupling a fluidic unit (10) to an actuator unit (60) of a metering system (100).