Quick-Connect Pressurized Fluid Valve Lockout Against Accidental Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for supplying pressurized fluid, such as pressurized gas, lack a mechanism to prevent accidental activation of the control member when the valve is not correctly connected, leading to potential damage and safety risks like leakage or ejection.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a connection piece that blocks the control member in its rest position when not connected and allows it to move to its active position only when the connection is secure, using a locking/unlocking mechanism to ensure proper coupling and prevent unauthorized handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control member is made movable to allow fluid flow, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety and reliability deteriorate due to accidental activation when not connected
Solution Approach 1:
The connection piece applies a preliminary blocking action to the control member when the quick-connection system is not engaged. This pre-restraining mechanism prevents unauthorized or accidental activation by opposing the control member's movement until proper connection is established, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary check through the physical coupling requirement: the connection piece must be properly connected to the quick-connection system before the control member can be activated. This preliminary action ensures that the system is in a safe state before allowing operation, maintaining both ease of use and reliability.
2Reliability
If the connection piece blocks the control member, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional blocking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking function is merged with the connection piece that already exists in the quick-connection system. Rather than adding a separate blocking mechanism, the invention utilizes the connection piece's position and movement to simultaneously perform both connection and blocking functions, thereby improving safety without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection piece is given multiple functions: it serves as both the coupling element for connecting/disconnecting the quick-connection system and the blocking element for restraining the control member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, maintaining simplicity while enhancing safety.
3Ease of operation
If the control member can be activated without connection, then the ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to leakage and ejection risks
Solution Approach 1:
The connection piece applies a preliminary restraining action to the control member, preventing activation until the quick-connection system is properly engaged. This pre-restraining mechanism eliminates the possibility of harmful effects such as leakage or ejection by ensuring proper connection before allowing fluid flow control.
Data Source
AI summary
Device for supplying pressurized fluid, including a first valve accommodating an internal fluid circuit, the device having a second valve having an internal circuit, the second valve forming a separate physical entity from the first valve, the first valve and the second valve having respective coupling members that form a male/female quick-connection system for removably connecting the second valve to the first valve, the internal circuits including a set of control valves for allowing or preventing the flow of the fluid towards an outlet of the device when the second valve is coupled to the first valve via the quick-connection system.