Quick-action pipe coupling with axial control part verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutches lack a simple method to verify the proper transfer of the securing part from the protruding pre-assembly position to the inserted securing position, which is crucial for ensuring a reliable connection between the male and female parts, particularly in assembly line settings.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a control part that can only be removed axially when the safety part is in the proper pushed-in safety position, allowing workers to confirm the correct connection by counting the removed control parts and comparing them to the installed couplings, ensuring a fluid connection is established.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a securing part with locking arms is used to achieve high locking resistance, then the connection reliability is improved, but there is no simple method to verify proper transfer of the securing part from pre-assembly position to securing position
Solution Approach 1:
A control part is introduced as an intermediary element that visually indicates the position of the securing part. The control part is coupled to the securing part such that its position changes correspond to the securing part's position, providing a simple visual verification method without compromising the locking mechanism's reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The control part provides visual feedback about the securing part's position. When the securing part is properly transferred to the securing position, the control part assumes a corresponding position that can be easily observed, enabling workers to verify proper connection establishment
2Ease of operation
If locking arms are made flexible in the axial direction to enable movement between positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arms are made flexible in the axial direction through the properties of the plastic material used and/or corresponding dimensioning. This flexibility allows the locking arms to move between the pre-assembly position and securing position without requiring complex mechanical joints or additional moving components
Solution Approach 2:
The flexibility of the locking arms is achieved by carefully selecting the material properties and dimensional parameters of the plastic components. By adjusting parameters such as wall thickness, material modulus, and arm geometry, the desired flexibility is obtained while maintaining structural integrity and avoiding additional complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling has a locating part (1 ) into which a plug-in part can be inserted, and a locking part (7) which, after insertion of the plug-in part, can be moved from a projecting prefitting position into a pushed-in locking position. There is a control part (12) which has a C-shaped basic body formed with side legs (13, 14) and encloses, in the prefitting position of the locking part (7), a section (16) of the locating part (1). The control part (12) comprises a stop section (18), which, in the prefitting position of the locking part (7), bears in a stop position against the locking part (7) and which, in the locking position of the locking part (7), is disengaged from the locking part (7), wherein the control part (12), in the locking position of the locking part (7) can be displaced in the axial direction from the stop position into a removal position, in which it can be removed from the locating part (1 ). As a result, the proper connection of the plug-in part and the locating part (1 ) can be controlled in a simple manner.