Nozzle Assembly Lug Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spray nozzle systems for particulate-contaminated fluids, such as white water, require tools for assembly and disassembly, are cumbersome, and prone to misalignment and debris accumulation, which complicates maintenance and affects spray pattern integrity.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle assembly with a multiple lug and receptacle combination allows for tool-free assembly and disassembly, featuring a compressive locking mechanism using bayonet-type lugs and O-rings, ensuring secure engagement and correct orientation without the need for tools, and a design that minimizes debris collection and facilitates cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional threaded retaining socket system is used, then secure sealing and retention are achieved, but tool-free assembly and disassembly cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining socket system is divided into separate functional elements: a retaining ring with external threading for secure retention, and a separate cap with internal threading for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while enabling tool-free assembly through their coordinated engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring acts as an intermediary element between the nozzle assembly and the pipe fitting. It provides both retention functionality through external threading and serves as a mounting surface for the cap, facilitating tool-free assembly while maintaining secure connection.
2Reliability
If a low profile mounting socket with significant diameter is used, then the spray pattern is not fouled or disrupted, but the assembly becomes awkward and cumbersome to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into a base fitting with low profile design for spray pattern integrity, and a separate cap component with internal threading. This allows the base to maintain its optimized low profile geometry while the cap provides the necessary threading engagement, improving handleability without compromising spray pattern integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a single integrated mounting structure to a multi-component system where the cap provides vertical threading engagement. This dimensional separation allows the base to remain low profile for spray integrity while the cap handles the assembly operation, resolving the handling difficulty.
3Strength
If fine thread pitch is used in the retaining plug, then secure retention is achieved, but assembly becomes difficult to commence and hold in correct position
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is segmented into a retaining ring with external threading for secure retention, and a cap with internal threading for positioning. This segmentation allows the fine thread pitch to provide secure retention while the separate cap component can be manually positioned and engaged without difficulty, as the threading engagement is distributed across multiple engagement points.
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle assembly includes a base fixed to a spray pipe containing an internal brush system, a cap that can engage to the base in only one orientation by a multiple lug and receptacle combination, including at least a first lug and a second lug and a first receptacle and a second receptacle, and a nozzle disc able to be held compressively between the base and the cap with a bore extending through the spray pipe, the base and the cap. The nozzle disc includes a nipple extending into the spray pipe when the nozzle assembly is assembled, in which the multiple lug and receptacle combination has at least two circumferentially spaced male lugs or female lugs for engaging complementary receptors, so that the cap is manually able to be engaged to the base by applying axial compression to the cap and twisting the cap relative to the base until the first lug and second lug are locked in engagement in the corresponding first receptacle and second receptacle in the one orientation.