Plug Lock Fitting Assembly Retaining Member Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid coupling locking mechanisms fail to securely retain plugs during pressure testing, leading to potential disengagement and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A fitting assembly with a plug, retaining member, and locking member configuration, where the retaining member extends through an aperture into a hole on the plug to prevent axial movement, and the locking member is positionally controlled to restrict the retaining member's radial movement, ensuring the plug remains engaged with the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retaining member extends through an aperture into a hole on the plug to prevent axial movement, then the plug is retained securely, but the retaining member can still disengage radially leading to unwanted disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent functional components: a retaining member that prevents axial movement and a locking member that prevents radial disengagement. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one direction of constraint, improving overall reliability without adding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member acts as an intermediary element between the retaining member and the external environment. It provides an additional layer of security by constraining the retaining member itself, ensuring that even if the retaining member is subjected to radial forces, it cannot disengage from the plug.
2Reliability
If a locking member is added to restrict retaining member movement, then disengagement is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member and retaining member are combined into a integrated locking assembly where the locking member is positioned to constrain the retaining member. This merging of functions into a single assembled unit reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining dual-directional constraint capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member serves multiple functions: it constrains the retaining member radially, prevents plug disengagement, and works in conjunction with the aperture and hole geometry to provide secure retention. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Reliability
If the locking member restricts radial movement of the retaining member, then secure engagement is maintained, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to dynamically adapt to slight misalignments between the aperture and hole through its geometric configuration. The interaction surfaces and constraint geometry allow for self-adjustment within a range of tolerances, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining reliable retention.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a fitting having an inner surface defining a passageway, an outer surface, and at least one aperture extending from the outer surface to the inner surface. A plug extends into the passageway and has a plug surface defining at least one hole. A retaining member extends through the aperture and into the hole to retain the plug with respect to the fitting. A locking member is operatively connected to the fitting and the plug, and is positioned such that the locking member restricts movement of the retaining member out of said at least one hole.