Fluid System Connection Nozzle Assembly Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid system connection nozzles face challenges in providing a secure, intuitive, and easily attachable/detachable connection for transferring liquefied natural gas and other fluids, requiring a design that accommodates pressure, volume, and force while ensuring a fluid-tight seal and ease of use for laypersons.
Innovation Solution
The connection nozzle assembly includes an inner fluid product tube, a tube sleeve, an outer nozzle sleeve, and a locking mechanism with a J-groove bracket, clamping members, and a drop pin, allowing for multiple locking positions and secure attachment to a receptacle coupling through axial rotation and linear movement, enabling secure and intuitive fluid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented to ensure a fluid-tight connection, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: a locking member with engagement features, a bracket with slots, and a guide element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is disposed within the nozzle sleeve and interacts with the bracket through nested positioning. The guide element extends into the bracket, creating a nested arrangement that ensures proper alignment and secure locking while minimizing the overall structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple locking positions are provided to accommodate different pressures and volumes, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the locking member to engage with different slots in the bracket corresponding to different locking positions. This enables adaptation to various pressure and volume requirements while maintaining ease of operation through simple positional adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element acts as an intermediary that guides the locking member into proper engagement with the bracket slots. This intermediary component simplifies the operation by ensuring automatic alignment, allowing users to select different locking positions without complex manual alignment procedures.
3Reliability
If a secure and sealed connection is ensured to handle high pressure, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the locking mechanism itself. The locking member and bracket are designed to create both the mechanical lock and the fluid-tight seal through their engagement, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection nozzle assembly includes an inner fluid product tube, a tube sleeve secured about the fluid product tube, an outer nozzle sleeve, and a locking mechanism disposed between the fluid product tube and the nozzle sleeve. The nozzle sleeve includes a body portion and a rear portion, each being moveable between a plurality of locking positions. The nozzle assembly includes one or more grips configured to rotate forward and backward to lock and unlock the nozzle assembly to a receptacle coupling, respectively. The nozzle sleeve is moved between the plurality of locking positions, thereby engaging the locking mechanism to secure the connection nozzle assembly to a receptacle coupling. The connection nozzle assembly can be uncoupled by reversing the nozzle sleeve.