Quick Connector Check Valve for Backflow Without Bulkier Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connectors and check valves for fluid lines, particularly in automotive applications, often require complex modifications and are incompatible with various types of connectors, leading to increased complexity and unnecessary reshaping or resizing, which can exacerbate packaging issues and allow backflow in fluid systems.
Innovation Solution
A check valve integrated into a fluid line quick connector with a rigid partition wall and a flexible diaphragm, allowing fluid flow in one direction while preventing backflow, is designed to be compatible with various quick connectors with minimal modifications, featuring a simple two-component design that includes a partition wall and a diaphragm with an extension for anchoring, enabling easy retrofitting and maintaining flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a check valve is integrated into a quick connector, then backflow prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the check valve functionality directly into the quick connector housing, merging two separate components (connector and check valve) into a single integrated unit. This integration ensures backflow prevention while reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps compared to using separate check valves with connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick connector is designed to perform multiple functions: connecting fluid lines and preventing backflow. The check valve mechanism is incorporated into the connector itself, allowing the same component to serve both connection and flow control purposes, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If existing quick connectors are modified to include check valves, then backflow prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity and packaging demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve mechanism is designed as a distinct module within the connector housing, with separate components (diaphragm, seat, spring) that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing processes for each component while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates a diaphragm with specific material properties and geometric parameters that enable effective check valve functionality. By optimizing parameters such as diaphragm thickness, material elasticity, and seat geometry, the design achieves reliable backflow prevention while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication processes.
3Reliability
If a check valve is added to quick connectors, then fluid flow control is improved, but the connector size and packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve components are nested within the existing connector housing structure. The diaphragm is positioned inside the connector body, and the check valve mechanism utilizes the available internal volume of the connector, effectively nesting one functional element within another without significantly increasing overall connector dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve mechanism utilizes the axial dimension of the connector housing, arranging components along the length of the connector rather than requiring additional radial or lateral space. This dimensional arrangement allows effective backflow prevention while maintaining a compact cross-sectional profile suitable for standard packaging requirements.
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 solution effectively prevents backflow in fluid systems while minimizing modifications to existing connectors, reducing complexity and packaging demands, and is suitable for diverse applications including automotive, aircraft, and marine fluid lines, ensuring efficient fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
urging of movement of the diaphragm downstream of the partition wall by the fluid-flow travel
Implementation Method 2
Surface-to-surface abutment between the partition wall and the diaphragm closes the through-hole(s)
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid line quick connector for joining fluid lines together, such as coolant fluid lines in electric vehicle automobile applications, among other possible applications. A check valve is incorporated into the fluid line quick connector in order to preclude unwanted backflow through a passage of the fluid line quick connector. The check valve has a rigid partition wall and a flexible diaphragm. The partition wall has one or more through-holes residing therein. The diaphragm closes the through-hole(s), and moves relative to the partition wall in order to open a portion or more of the through-hole(s).