Plug Part for High-Pressure Coupling Tilting Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plug-in couplings for high-pressure cleaning devices face challenges in maintaining a secure, liquid-tight connection under high pressure and transverse loads, often resulting in unintentional detachment due to tilting or mechanical stress.

Innovation Solution

A plug part design featuring a first and second sliding guide section with a sealing ring groove and locking groove, respectively, where the outer diameter of the second sliding guide section is at least one quarter larger than the first, and the distance between the sealing ring groove and locking groove centers is at least 1.5 times the first sliding guide section's diameter, providing enhanced stability and preventing unintentional detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single sliding guide section is used for plug insertion, then the structure is simple, but the plug may tilt during insertion causing misalignment and difficulty in connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding guide section is divided into two distinct sections: a first sliding guide section with a smaller outer diameter and a second sliding guide section with a larger outer diameter. This segmentation allows each section to perform a specific function - the first section guides initial insertion while the second section prevents tilting and ensures proper alignment, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and insertion ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a dimensional variation by making the second sliding guide section have a larger outer diameter than the first section. This dimensional change creates a stepped configuration that provides mechanical advantage during insertion, preventing the plug from tilting while maintaining overall structural simplicity through the logical arrangement of these dimensional variations.

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

2Reliability

If the sealing ring groove is positioned close to the plug tip for easy sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the locking mechanism cannot effectively resist transverse loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidload resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The functional elements are segmented along the axial direction with the sealing ring groove positioned in the first sliding guide section and the locking groove positioned in the second sliding guide section. This spatial segmentation allows the sealing function and locking function to be independently optimized - the sealing groove remains accessible for effective sealing while the locking groove is positioned farther back to effectively resist transverse loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes axial distance as a dimensional parameter to resolve the contradiction. By positioning the locking groove at a distance of at least 1.5 times the first sliding guide section's outer diameter from the sealing ring groove, the design ensures that the locking mechanism can effectively resist transverse loads while the sealing groove maintains its sealing effectiveness.

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

3Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unintentional detachment, then connection security is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is merged with the sliding guide sections, utilizing the existing structural elements. The locking groove is integrated into the second sliding guide section, and the locking pins are incorporated into the socket part's receiving section. This merging approach provides effective locking to prevent unintentional detachment while minimizing additional complexity by reusing existing structural components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism operates automatically through spring-loaded locking pins that engage with the locking groove when the plug is properly inserted. The springs provide the necessary force for engagement without requiring additional actuation mechanisms, allowing the system to self-lock and maintain connection security without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Stability of the object's composition

If the outer diameter of the second sliding guide section is increased to prevent tilting, then insertion stability is improved, but the overall plug size and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion stabilityVSAvoidplug size
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding guide function is segmented into two sections with different outer diameters. The first sliding guide section has a smaller diameter for initial guidance, while the second sliding guide section has a larger diameter specifically for preventing tilting during insertion. This segmentation allows the larger diameter to be localized only where needed, minimizing overall plug size while maintaining insertion stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by making only the second sliding guide section have a larger outer diameter, specifically at the location where tilting prevention is most critical. This localized increase in diameter provides the necessary insertion stability without unnecessarily increasing the overall plug volume or material usage throughout the entire plug structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3548786B1Plug part for a plug-in coupling, and plug-in coupling having a plug part
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3548786B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3548786B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3548786B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a plug part (12) for a plug-in coupling (10) for liquid conduits of a high-pressure cleaning device, wherein the plug part (12) has a through-channel (18) extending coaxially to the longitudinal axis (16) of the plug part (12) for highly pressurised liquid and forms a plug-in nipple (20) which can be inserted into an associated plug receptacle (72) in a socket part (14) of the plug-in coupling and can be detachably latched to the plug receptacle (72). The plug-in nipple (20) has a circular-cylindrical first sliding guide section (38), in which a sealing ring groove (34) is arranged which runs in the circumferential direction and has a sealing ring (36), and a circular-cylindrical second sliding guide section (44) and a latch receptacle into which two mutually parallel, diametrically opposing, spring-loaded cylindrical locking pins of the socket part (14) can latch. In order to develop the plug part such that it does not tilt when inserted into the plug receptacle and also does not unintentionally become detached from the plug receptacle, the invention proposes that the outer diameter of the second sliding guide section (44) be at least a quarter of the size of the outer diameter of the first sliding guide section (32), and that the latch receptacle be arranged in the second sliding guide section (40) and be in the form of a locking groove (46) running in the circumferential direction, wherein the distance between the sealing ring groove (34) and the locking groove (46) is at least one and a half times the outer diameter of the first sliding guide section (32).