Quick Connect Adaptor for Multi-Fluid Valve Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quick connect couplings for fluid media systems are bulky, heavy, and limited to handling a single type of fluid media, making them impractical for newer automotive designs with multiple cameras and sensors, such as self-driving vehicles, where space and weight constraints are significant.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect adaptor with a female connector and locking mechanism that allows for multiple fluid media sources, featuring offset inlets and outlets, enabling secure connection of a flow control valve to multiple sources of fluid media, including liquids and gases, while reducing the number of connections needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional quick connect couplings are used to handle multiple fluid media types, then the system requires numerous separate couplings and connections, but this increases device complexity, weight, and bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor body is designed with multiple inlet ports and outlet ports that can accommodate different fluid media types (water, air, gas, liquid) through a single unified structure. The quick connect coupling mechanism is configured to handle various connector types, allowing one adaptor to replace multiple specialized couplings, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility across different fluid media applications
2Reliability
If conventional quick connect couplings are used to establish continuous flow paths, then reliable fluid connection is achieved, but the adaptor becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism integrates multiple locking features into a single unified structure that secures the male connector firmly within the adaptor body. The locking member incorporates both axial retention and radial sealing functions in one component, eliminating the need for separate heavy-duty locking mechanisms while maintaining secure, leak-proof connections for reliable fluid flow paths
3Productivity
If conventional quick connect couplings are used in automotive designs with multiple cameras and sensors, then fluid media delivery is established, but space and weight constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor is designed as a multi-functional unit that can deliver multiple fluid media types (water, air, gas) through a single compact structure, replacing what would traditionally require several separate coupling devices. This consolidation significantly reduces the overall weight of the fluid delivery system while maintaining full capability to supply multiple cameras and sensors with their required fluid media
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor body is segmented into multiple functional zones with separate inlet ports and outlet ports for different fluid media types, allowing independent flow paths within a compact unified structure. This segmentation enables efficient space utilization and weight reduction compared to using multiple separate couplings, while maintaining the ability to deliver various fluid media to multiple automotive components
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an adaptor with a quick connect coupling for joining a flow control valve, or other device, with a source of fluid media. The adaptor includes a female connector configured to receive a male connector and a locking member slidable in a transverse direction to lock the connectors together. The adaptor can handle multiple fluid media, and accordingly includes a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets for the passage of fluid media through the adaptor. Vehicles and systems incorporating the adaptor are also disclosed.