Quick-Connect Coupling with Multi-Groove Ball Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressing devices with exchangeable heads face challenges in transmitting high longitudinal forces while ensuring operational safety and preventing incorrect assembly, as existing quick-connect coupling mechanisms may fail under high pressures or allow improper connection.
Innovation Solution
A quick-connect coupling design featuring multiple radially movable balls engaging with peripheral grooves on the exchangeable head, including an additional groove closer to the pressing device, and a locking ring mechanism that prevents locking if the head is misaligned, allowing for secure engagement of multiple grooves to distribute forces effectively and prevent wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a quick-connect coupling mechanism with movable locking bodies (balls) is used to enable easy exchange of heads, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates under high longitudinal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into multiple independent locking elements (at least two balls) that engage with separate grooves on the shaft. This segmentation distributes the longitudinal force across multiple contact points, preventing any single locking element from bearing the entire load. The segmentation principle directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation through simple ball-and-groove engagement while improving reliability through force distribution across multiple locking points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane locking mechanism to a multi-dimensional arrangement where balls are positioned at different angular positions around the shaft perimeter. This dimensional change allows the locking mechanism to engage the shaft from multiple directions simultaneously, creating a more robust connection that resists longitudinal forces while maintaining the simplicity of quick-connect operation.
2Reliability
If multiple locking bodies are used to increase reliability under high forces, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses identical, homogeneous locking elements (balls) with uniform geometry and material properties. This homogeneity simplifies manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance compared to using different types of locking mechanisms. The standardized ball design reduces device complexity while achieving improved reliability through the use of multiple identical elements distributed around the shaft, making the system both reliable and simple.
3Reliability
If the coupling mechanism is designed to withstand high longitudinal forces, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased locking strength
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted from a complex, high-strength mechanical interlock and simplified to a ball-and-groove engagement system. By taking out the essential locking function and implementing it through simple spherical elements that engage with grooves, the invention achieves strong longitudinal force transmission while maintaining ease of operation. The balls can be easily inserted and engaged, yet provide robust locking when multiple elements work together.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A quick-connect coupling for connecting an exchangeable head (1) to a pressing device (4) has a number of balls K1 with a diameter D1, which are radially movably disposed in a ball-holding part (3) on the pressing device (4). On the exchangeable head (1) a peripheral groove (14) with a groove depth N to partially hold the balls K1 is present on a shaft part (13) with a radius R1 with the pressing device (4) and the exchangeable head (1) in a connected state. A locking ring (2) is movably attached to the ball-holding part (3) in an axial direction, the balls K1 being held radially fixed in the peripheral groove (14) by said locking ring when the pressing device and the exchangeable head are in the connected state. Furthermore, on the shaft section (13) of the exchangeable head (1) there is a further peripheral groove (15), which is disposed closer to the pressing device (4) in an axial direction, namely at a distance d from the peripheral groove (14). The further peripheral groove (15) is designed to hold further balls K2, wherein the further balls K2 are likewise disposed in a radially movable manner in the ball-holding part (3) and wherein the balls K1 and the further balls K2 are likewise spaced at distance d in the ball-holding part (3). The shaft part (13) also has in an area disposed closer to the pressing device (4) in an axial direction and likewise spaced at a distance d from the further peripheral groove (15) a form A that prevents the further balls K from moving radially when contact is made with the further balls K and thereby prevents the locking ring (2) from moving.