Quick Connect Coupling Radial Clamp Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connect couplings for fluid conduits lack precision and security, especially under high-pressure conditions, and are often cumbersome and prone to deterioration, with annular segments and engaging clamps not ensuring secure engagement and being mechanically inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect coupling design featuring a tubular main body with radially movable annular sectors and control pins, allowing for precise radial translation and engagement with terminals, combined with activation devices and springs for secure locking and easy operation, ensuring mechanical tightness and hermetic sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If annular segments are used for coupling with terminals, then the coupling can be quickly connected and disconnected, but the coupling precision and security deteriorate over time and under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into a body portion and a clamp portion that can be independently moved. The clamp portion is segmented into multiple resilient elements that can independently engage with the terminal, providing both quick operation and maintained precision under various conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp portion is designed to be movable relative to the body portion, transitioning between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic design allows for quick connection and disconnection while maintaining secure engagement when connected, as the clamp can adapt its position to ensure proper coupling.
2Device complexity
If a resilient ring element is used to couple annular segments, then the assembly is simple, but the performance deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single resilient ring element, the invention divides the resilient support into multiple discrete resilient elements. Each element independently supports the clamp portion, distributing the mechanical stress and preventing the performance deterioration that occurs with single-element designs over time.
3Ease of operation
If the clamp arms are made long to provide radial opening/closing movement, then the movement range is sufficient, but the longitudinal dimensions of the coupling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp portion utilizes radial movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coupling body. By designing the clamp to open and close in the radial direction rather than requiring long axial arms, the invention achieves sufficient movement range while maintaining compact longitudinal dimensions.
4Strength
If manual tightening with spanners is used, then mechanical tightness can be achieved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp portion is designed to automatically engage and secure the terminal through its resilient elements when the clamp is moved into the engaged position. This self-securing mechanism eliminates the need for manual tightening operations with spanners or other tools, achieving both mechanical tightness and operational simplicity.
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
The design provides a precise, secure, and compact quick connect coupling that maintains mechanical tightness and hermetic sealing even under high-pressure conditions, while being easy to assemble and disassemble, thus enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a control pin mounted on the respective annular sector, radially oriented and slidingly engaged in a respective radial seat fashioned in the main body
Implementation Method 2
at least one clamp operatively engaged to the main body at the first end, wherein said at least one clamp comprises an annular sector and is movable radially relative to the main body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5A~5D
AI summary
The present invention relates to a quick connect coupling comprising: a substantially tubular main body (3) internally delimiting a passage conduit (31 ) for a fluid, wherein the main body (3) has a first end (6) configured to be removably connected with a terminal (2) and a second end (7) configured to be connected with a circuit; at least one clamp (14) operatively engaged to the main body (3) at the first end (6). The clamp (14) comprises an annular sector (15) and is radially movable relative to the main body (3) between a first position of release from the terminal (2) and a second position of engagement to terminal (2). The clamp (14) comprises a control pin (16) mounted on the respective annular sector (15), radially oriented and slidingly engaged in a respective radial seat (10) fashioned in the main body (3). Activation devices (21, 22, 24; 21, 22, 24, 42) are operatively engaged with the clamp (14) so as to determine the passage thereof between the first position and the second position.