Quick Connect Swivel Joint for Hose-Free Leak-Safe Fluid Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
The repeated flexing and movement of fluid hoses connected to quick connect fluid connectors on gas cylinders lead to wear and tear, resulting in gas leaks, as they are used to connect and disconnect from fluid manifolds.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect fluid connector swivel is introduced that allows for rotational and longitudinal movement relative to the fluid port, eliminating the need for a fluid hose in the connection path between the connector and the manifold, and can be configured with a shaft and housing design that includes stops and seals to ensure secure fluid communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fluid hose is used to connect the quick connect fluid connector to the fluid manifold, then the connector can be detached and reattached, but the repeated flexing and movement of the fluid hose leads to wear and gas leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fluid hose from the system by directly connecting the quick connect fluid connector to the fluid manifold through a rigid or semi-rigid conduit. This extraction of the flexible hose eliminates the wear and tear problem while maintaining the detachable connection capability through the quick connect mechanism itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a swivel joint or rotational mechanism that allows the connection to accommodate movement and positioning adjustments without requiring a flexible hose. This dynamic element enables the rigid connection to adapt to operational movements while preventing hose wear.
2Reliability
If the quick connect fluid connector is directly connected to the fluid manifold without a fluid hose, then hose wear is eliminated, but the connector needs to accommodate rotational and longitudinal movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a swivel joint or rotational bearing mechanism that enables the direct rigid connection to accommodate rotational and longitudinal movements. This dynamic component allows the connector to move freely while maintaining a sealed, leak-proof connection, eliminating the need for a flexible hose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a swivel joint as an intermediary element between the quick connect fluid connector and the fluid manifold. This mediator component handles the rotational and longitudinal movements, allowing the main connection to remain rigid and sealed while accommodating operational movements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fluid hose is used, then flexibility in positioning is provided, but the hose undergoes wear from repeated flexing and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flexible hose with a rigid or semi-rigid conduit equipped with a swivel joint or rotational mechanism. This dynamic connection provides positioning flexibility similar to the hose while eliminating the wear problem, as the rotational mechanism accommodates movement without degrading the connection integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick connect fluid connector is directly connected to a fluid port of a fluid manifold using a quick connect fluid connector swivel that is configured to permit rotational and/or longitudinal movement of the quick connect fluid connector relative to the fluid port. The relative axial and/or rotational movements provided by the swivel eliminates the need for a fluid hose to be used in the fluid path between the quick connect fluid connector and the fluid port.