Rotary Milk Hose Coupling with Cam Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hose couplings are not suitable for the food industry, particularly in the dairy sector, due to requirements for chemical inertness, resistance to cleaning chemicals, and mechanical strength, leading to inefficient and labor-intensive connection and disconnection processes that can contaminate milk lines and affect milk quality.
Innovation Solution
A milk hose coupling design featuring a cam-and-recess locking mechanism that allows for secure connection and disconnection with minimal effort, using polyamide materials and an O-ring seal to ensure hygiene and vacuum tightness, with a compact structure that minimizes turbulence and surface irregularities, enabling easy handling and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hose couplings are used in the dairy industry, then mechanical strength and chemical resistance are achieved, but connection and disconnection require significant effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static threaded connection to a dynamic bayonet-style locking system that uses rotational motion to rapidly engage and disengage the coupling, reducing the operational effort and time required
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the time-consuming threading operation from the connection process and replaces it with a simple rotational locking action, separating the essential function of securing the connection from the cumbersome threading motion
2Ease of operation
If coupling parts are added to the fluid line for connection, then connection functionality is achieved, but turbulence and surface irregularities increase affecting milk quality
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling design applies local quality by creating a streamlined internal flow path that minimizes turbulence and surface irregularities in the critical fluid flow area, while the external coupling features (locking mechanisms, threading) are positioned away from the fluid path to avoid affecting milk flow quality
3Productivity
If frequent separation of milk lines is performed for monitoring, then process control is improved, but contamination risk and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling design enables self-service operation where the operator can quickly connect and disconnect the coupling without requiring assistance or complex procedures, simply by aligning and rotating the coupling parts to engage the locking mechanism
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 reliable, efficient, and hygienic connection system that reduces contamination and effort in handling milk hoses, maintaining milk quality and flow integrity while allowing frequent monitoring and control of milk flow in dairy operations.
Implementation Method 1
a seal, in particular in the form of an O-ring, is provided on the first coupling part (100a), which, when the first and second coupling parts (100a, 100b) are locked, ensures a tight connection, in particular a vacuum-tight connection
Implementation Method 2
the first engagement area (120a) has at least one cam (121a), which engages in a locking recess (121b) formed in the second engagement area (120b) in a mutually complementary manner and causes the milk hose coupling (100) to be locked by means of a corresponding rotation
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 1d
AI summary
The invention relates to a hose coupling (100), which can be provided with a low number of individual components (100a, 100b, 100c) due to design measurements such that high reliability during operation and simple handling during coupling and decoupling are achieved. The hose coupling can in particular be locked by rotation within a small angle range without the necessity of moveable components. In some illustrative exemplary embodiments, the hose coupling (100) is used as a coupling in fluid lines in the agricultural sector, for example in milk lines.