Pivotable Adapter for Pressurized Fluid Container Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling devices for pressurized containers used in medical and dental handpiece care devices are cumbersome to handle due to the complexity of screw connections, making it difficult to access and replace the storage containers safely and efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A pivotable adapter in the coupling device forms a screw connection with the pressurized container, allowing the adapter to pivot between an operating and maintenance position, facilitating easier access and ensuring a secure, pressure-tight connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screw connection is used to connect the pressurized container with the coupling device, then a reliable and secure connection is achieved, but the handling and accessibility of the container becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidcontainer accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is made pivotable relative to the coupling device, allowing it to move between a retracted position (during operation) and an extended position (during maintenance). This dynamic configuration enables the container to be easily accessed for screwing and unscrewing operations while maintaining a secure connection during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is extended in a direction that is not parallel to the container's longitudinal axis, creating a multi-dimensional arrangement. This allows the screw connection to be formed at an angle, improving accessibility for hand operations while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the adapter is fixed in position, then the connection structure is simple, but the container cannot be easily accessed for screwing and unscrewing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling device structureVSAvoidcontainer accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is made pivotable relative to the coupling device, allowing it to move between a retracted position (during operation) and an extended position (during maintenance). This dynamic configuration enables the container to be easily accessed for screwing and unscrewing operations while maintaining a secure connection during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the container is always accessible for screwing operations, then ease of operation is improved, but the container cannot be kept completely within the device housing during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer accessibilityVSAvoidhousing integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is made pivotable relative to the coupling device, allowing it to move between a retracted position (during operation) and an extended position (during maintenance). This dynamic configuration enables the container to be easily accessed for screwing and unscrewing operations while maintaining a secure connection during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device is divided into separate functional components: the stationary coupling device body and the movable adapter. This segmentation allows the adapter to be positioned optimally for different operations (screwing/unscrewing vs. secure connection) without compromising the overall housing integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2146659B1Device for processing a fluid material
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 KALTENBACH & VOIGT GMBH & CO
  • EP2146659B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2146659B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2146659B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for further processing a fluid material, particularly a care device for medical or dental tool holders, the material being stored in a tank (50) under pressure, the device (1) having a coupling fixture (10) having an adapter (11) forming a screw connection to the tank (50) under pressure, the adapter (11) of the coupling fixture (10) being pivotally supported.