Modular Fluid Adapter With Quick-Connect Sheath
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid transfer adapters in automotive and energy sectors face challenges with slow disconnection times, safety checks, and potential pollution during maintenance, requiring cumbersome systems that disrupt production and increase the risk of accidents due to fluid spills.
Innovation Solution
A modular adapter system with a quick connection mechanism, featuring a connecting block integrated with a sheath and a quarter-turn pin system for secure and rapid disconnection, allowing for easy maintenance and fluidic isolation without purging, and an operator interface for cycle control and safety monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adapter is connected to a long sheath with connection assemblies, then fluid transfer is enabled, but disconnection time increases and maintenance becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter system is divided into separable components: the adapter body that remains with the vehicle and the sheath that connects to the filling machine. This segmentation allows the sheath to be quickly disconnected and replaced without affecting the adapter body, thereby reducing disconnection time while maintaining fluid transfer reliability through the reusable adapter body.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assembly is extracted from the sheath and integrated into the adapter body. This extraction allows the sheath to be a simple, quick-connect component while the complex connection mechanisms remain in the stationary adapter body, enabling rapid sheath replacement without dismantling connection assemblies.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the sheath is mechanically reinforced for durability, then the adapter becomes heavier, but the sheath experiences minimal wear and can be mechanically reinforced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into the lightweight, replaceable sheath and the stationary, reinforced adapter body. The adapter body can be mechanically reinforced for durability without increasing sheath weight, as the reinforcement is placed in the stationary component that remains with the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is designed as a simpler, potentially replaceable component with lower weight requirements, while the adapter body serves as the durable, reinforced structure. This allows the stationary part to be heavy and robust while the moving sheath remains lightweight.
3Productivity
If fluid connectors are disconnected quickly, then maintenance speed increases, but safety verification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter body is pre-configured with integrated connection assemblies and sealing mechanisms that automatically engage when the sheath is connected. This preliminary setup ensures that safety features are already in place before connection, allowing quick maintenance while maintaining safety verification through pre-installed check valves and sealing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system incorporates self-verifying features such as automatic sealing upon connection and integrated check valves that prevent backflow. These self-service safety mechanisms verify connection integrity automatically, enabling quick maintenance without extensive manual safety checks.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the adapter design prevents fluid spills, then work area safety improves, but connection system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates self-sealing mechanisms that automatically close valves or seal connections when the sheath is disconnected or出现故障. This self-service approach prevents fluid spills without requiring complex external safety systems, maintaining simplicity while improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter body serves as an intermediary between the filling machine and the fluid circuit, incorporating sealing elements and check valves that prevent fluid leakage. This intermediary structure manages fluid containment with moderate complexity while significantly reducing spill risks.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a test or filling adapter allowing increased change flexibility, having application, in particular, in tests and filling of fluids 2 such as liquid refrigerant, brake fluid and air conditioning fluid, for the corresponding fluid circuit 3 of a vehicle, and in the filling of such a circuit, for example on a motor vehicle assembly line, or in the energy sector for the filling of heat pumps, or of fluid-containing electric radiators. The adapter 1 is intended to be connected to the circuit 3, and to a filling machine 5 by a sheath 4 comprising a fluid supply conduit 6 linked to the machine 5 and a control supply conduit 7 linked to a control fluid supply source. The sheath also comprises a fluid transfer conduit 6' intended to be connected to the supply conduit 6, and a control conduit 7' for controlling members of the adapter 1, in particular for controlling the flow rate of fluid, intended to be connected to the control fluid supply conduit 7. A first portion 9 is capable of being connected to the sheath 4 and a separate second portion 10 is capable of being connected to the fluid circuit 3. The first and second portions 9, 10 comprise a first connection assembly 12, 28 and a second connection assembly 12', 28', capable of being connected to ensure the fluid continuity of conduits 6 and 6' and of conduits 7, 7', and capable of being disconnected to ensure the fluid separation of conduits 6, 6' and conduits 7, 7'; assembly means 14, 15 for assembling the first and second portions are capable of being assembled to ensure either the connection between the first and second portions and simultaneously the fluid continuity between the first and second connection assemblies, or the disconnection of the first and second portions and simultaneously the fluid isolation of the first and second connection assemblies.