Quick-connect fitting resilient bushing surface damage prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-connect fittings for pipes or conduits often damage the surface during connection, lack effective locking mechanisms to prevent inadvertent loosening, and fail to maintain sealing integrity during fluid filling or leak testing.
Innovation Solution
A fitting with a housing and closure that uses a resilient bushing to seal the inlet without damaging the surface, featuring a locking mechanism to prevent loosening and a protective cover to prevent accidental contact, allowing for quick and secure connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If collets or clamping devices are used to connect the fitting to the pipe, then connection strength is improved, but the pipe surface is damaged (crimped, marred, or damaged)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resilient bushing (flexible element) that expands radially to engage the outer surface of the inlet. This flexible bushing provides sufficient connection strength through radial expansion while maintaining surface integrity, avoiding the crimping and marring caused by rigid collets or clamping devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting utilizes a piston mechanism that changes the radial dimension of the resilient bushing from a compressed state (during insertion) to an expanded state (during engagement). This parameter change enables the bushing to adapt to the inlet outer diameter and provide secure connection without damaging the surface.
2Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to prevent inadvertent loosening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient bushing provides self-locking functionality through its elastic deformation. When the piston compresses the bushing axially, the bushing expands radially and locks onto the inlet outer surface through friction and normal contact forces, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms like set screws or threads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes complex locking mechanisms (set screws, threaded connections) from the design, relying instead on the inherent elastic locking capability of the resilient bushing. This extraction of unnecessary components simplifies the device while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If set screws or threaded devices are used for locking, then anti-loosening capability is improved, but threads and surface areas are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical threading and set screw system with an elastic deformation-based locking mechanism. The resilient bushing's radial expansion creates frictional and normal forces that prevent loosening, eliminating contact with threads and avoiding surface damage associated with threaded fasteners.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a resilient bushing is used to seal the inlet, then surface damage is prevented, but connection security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient bushing acts as a flexible sealing element that expands radially under piston compression to simultaneously achieve secure connection and surface protection. The flexibility of the bushing allows it to conform to the inlet outer surface while providing sufficient radial force for secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston mechanism dynamically changes the radial parameter of the bushing from compressed (small radius during insertion) to expanded (large radius during sealing and connection). This parameter transformation enables the bushing to provide both surface protection and secure connection strength.
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 fitting ensures secure sealing and easy connection/disconnection without damaging the inlet surface, preventing inadvertent loosening and ensuring reliable fluid transfer and leak testing.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient bushing disposed within the cavity between the closure and the piston... the piston axially compresses the resilient bushing against the closure, thereby causing the inner diameter of the bushing to expand radially inwardly to sealingly engage the outer surface of the inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting for sealing against the outer surface of an inlet includes a housing comprising a base and a closure defining a cavity within the housing. A resilient bushing is disposed within the cavity and is positioned between the closure and a piston slidably disposed in the cavity. The fitting has a first condition wherein the inlet can be received within an inner diameter of the bushing through an aperture in the closure. The fitting can be actuated to a second condition wherein the piston axially compresses the resilient bushing against the closure, thereby causing the inner diameter of the bushing to expand radially inwardly to sealingly engage the outer surface of the inlet. When the inlet is sealingly engaged by the resilient bushing in the second condition, fluid may be admitted to the inlet through a fluid passage in the housing.