Plug-in Coupling Tilting Prevention via Radial Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
In plug-in couplings for pressure medium lines, especially in motor vehicle brake systems, there is a risk of unintentional disconnection during pressure buildup due to improper plugging, leading to potential leaks and safety issues, as the existing designs may not adequately secure the plug shank against tilting and premature release.
Innovation Solution
The integration of radially protruding support means within the latching recess between the two latching elements reduces tilting and ensures a secure transition from the pre-latched to fully latched position, with a radial offset ensuring continuous overlap and preventing sudden release, thus maintaining a high degree of security against complete loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wide annular groove is used as a radial latching recess to accommodate two latching elements, then the pre-locking and full locking positions are guaranteed, but the plug shank can tilt relative to the axis of the receiving opening, impairing plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing support means with a specific geometric shape (radially protruding with a support surface) at a specific location (within the latching recess between the two latching elements) to provide localized guidance. This localized structural feature reduces the tilting angle without affecting the overall wide annular groove design that accommodates both latching elements for reliable locking.
2Reliability
If the plug shank is held in a force-fitting manner via a sealing ring, then sealing is achieved, but the coupling may be unintentionally disconnected if the latching element has not yet snapped into place
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ensuring that the first latching element engages in a pre-locking position before full insertion is complete. The support means facilitates this by guiding the plug shank and ensuring the first latching element snaps into place early in the insertion process, creating a secure pre-locked state that prevents unintentional disconnection even before the second latching element engages in the full locking position.
3Reliability
If a double latching element system is used to ensure pre-locking and full locking positions, then leakage is prevented in the locked position, but the transition between positions may allow complete separation under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing support means as a mediator between the plug shank and the latching recess. This support means ensures proper alignment and guidance during the transition from pre-locking to full locking position, preventing complete separation by maintaining controlled contact and reducing the risk that pressure buildup could cause sudden disconnection during the transition phase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design significantly reduces the tilting angle of the plug shank, ensuring a secure and complete locking mechanism, preventing unintended disconnection and maintaining a pressure-tight seal, even under pressure-related acceleration, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of the plug-in coupling.
Implementation Method 1
radially protruding support means are arranged within the latching recess in an area that lies axially between the two latching elements in the full latching position, with these support means also improving guidance of the plug shank within the receiving opening in the region of the axially very wide latching recess in order to reduce a possible tilting angle cause between the plug axis and the opening axis
Implementation Method 2
a double latching element with two latching elements arranged one behind the other at an axial distance is arranged within the receiving opening of the housing part. The plug shank has a very wide annular groove, viewed in the axial direction, as a radial latching recess, which is delimited on one side by a holding flank in such a way that in the pre-latched position, initially only the first latching element radially latches into the latching recess and thereby engages behind the holding flank
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The present invention relates to a plug-in coupling (1) for pressure-medium lines, comprising two coupling parts (2, 4), specifically a housing part (2) and a plug part (4), wherein the plug part (4) can be inserted into a receiving opening (8) in the housing part (2) by way of a plug shaft (6) in a sealed manner and can be locked against coming loose by means of a locking device (12). The locking device (12) is designed in such a way that a partially inserted preliminary latching position and a fully inserted full latching position are ensured, wherein the plug shaft (6) is incompletely sealed in the receiving opening (8) so as to allow leakage of the pressure medium in the preliminary latching position, whereas sealing is complete in the full latching position. The locking device (12) firstly comprises a radial latching recess (16), which is bounded by a retaining flank (24), of one coupling part (2; 4) and secondly comprises a double-latching element (18) of the other coupling part (4; 2), wherein the double-latching element (18) has two radially spring-elastic latching elements (20, 22) which are arranged axially one behind the other in such a way that the first latching element (20) engages behind the retaining flank (24) of the latching recess (16) in the preliminary latching position and the second latching element (22) engages behind said retaining flank of the latching recess in the full latching position. Radially protruding support means (30) are arranged within the latching recess (16) in a region which is situated axially between the two latching elements (20, 22) in the full latching position.