Modular Fluid Coupling Valve Assembly for Spill-Free Disconnect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid handling couplings face challenges in preventing spillage and air inclusion during connection and disconnection, leading to material loss, contamination, and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a main body with a valve cartridge, retainer member, and clip, which allows for internal valve components to block fluid flow, preventing spillage and air inclusion, and features a modular construction for easy assembly and reduced component parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fluid couplings are used for quick connection and disconnection, then operational speed and ease of use are improved, but fluid spillage and air inclusion occur during connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is positioned to block the fluid passage in advance before the coupling connection is fully made. During the connection process, the valve closes beforehand to prevent fluid from spilling out or air from being drawn in, eliminating the harmful effects while maintaining quick operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling design incorporates a valve mechanism that preemptively counteracts the potential harmful effects of spillage and air inclusion by closing the fluid passage before the connection/disconnection action completes, thus preventing the harmful factors from occurring in the first place
2Object-generated harmful factors
If internal valve components are added to prevent spillage, then fluid containment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is integrated directly into the coupling body structure, merging the valve function with the coupling component itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate valve housings and complex mounting mechanisms, achieving spillage prevention while keeping the overall device structure simple and compact
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling component serves multiple functions: it provides the mechanical connection interface and simultaneously houses the fluid control valve mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed, maintaining simplicity while achieving spillage prevention
3Reliability
If multiple components are used to ensure reliable fluid sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided into multiple sealing surfaces and contact points distributed along the fluid passage and coupling interfaces. This segmentation of the sealing function across several locations provides redundant sealing paths, ensuring reliable fluid containment while using simple geometric features that are easy to manufacture and assemble
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling design incorporates specific local features such as tapered sealing surfaces, O-ring grooves, and contact interfaces at critical locations along the fluid passage. These localized quality enhancements provide reliable sealing where needed most, while the rest of the structure remains simple and easy to manufacture
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid couplings described herein are designed to prevent spillage of fluid when connecting and disconnecting the couplings. In some embodiments, the fluid couplings described herein include internal valve components. In example embodiments, the fluid couplings are designed with minimal component parts and are designed for easy assembly so that the fluid couplings are economical to produce.