Quick Connector Piston Valve Pressure Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connectors for heat transfer fluid circulation systems in temperature control applications face issues with pressure increases leading to potential ruptures and fluid leakage, particularly in environments where soil contamination is a concern, and require complex and expensive volume compensators to manage pressure variations.
Innovation Solution
A quick connector design that integrates a piston and valve system with a retaining ring mechanism, allowing for pressure compensation without external volume compensators, ensuring sealed operation and preventing fluid leakage by isolating the internal duct from the exterior during uncoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a piston and valve system with retaining ring mechanism is integrated into the quick connector, then pressure compensation is achieved without external volume compensators and fluid leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to additional internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the volume compensation function, valve control, and locking mechanism into a single integrated quick connector assembly. The piston is housed within the connector body, and the retaining ring mechanism is incorporated into the same structure, eliminating the need for separate external volume compensators and reducing the number of discrete components while maintaining pressure control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The connector body serves multiple functions: it acts as the housing for the piston, provides the valve seat, incorporates the retaining ring mechanism for locking, and forms part of the fluid passage system. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed while achieving reliable pressure compensation and leak prevention
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the valve is kept closed to isolate the internal duct during uncoupling, then fluid leakage and soil contamination are prevented, but the fluid circulation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is closed in advance during the uncoupling process to seal the internal duct before the connector is fully disconnected. This preliminary sealing action prevents any potential fluid leakage and soil contamination that could occur during the disconnection process, while allowing fluid circulation to resume immediately upon recoupling
3Device complexity
If the piston is locked in its retracted position using the retaining ring and blocking member, then the connector structure is simplified without requiring additional volume compensators, but the piston movement freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring and blocking member create a dynamic locking system that can transition between locked and unlocked states. During normal operation, the piston is free to move for pressure compensation. During uncoupling, the blocking member engages with the retaining ring to lock the piston in its retracted position, simplifying the structure while maintaining adaptability through this state transition mechanism
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 manages pressure variations within the heat transfer fluid circulation system, preventing leaks and reducing the risk of soil contamination, while simplifying the system structure by integrating compensation means directly into the connector, ensuring reliable operation without the need for additional components.
Implementation Method 1
the piston being movable along the fitting axis, in the uncoupled configuration of the coupling, under the effect of the pressure of the fluid prevailing in the internal duct of the first element
Implementation Method 2
The coupling further comprises sealing means between the piston and the body of the first element... the sealing means are configured to, in the uncoupled configuration of the coupling, isolate the internal duct of the first element from the exterior of the first element
Data Source
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AI summary
The connector (R) has a sealing unit (140) arranged between a piston (130) and a body (110) of an element (100). A maintaining unit (270) keeps a selective movable element (170) in a configuration for locking the piston in a position during separation of the element and another element (200). A valve (150) is kept in a position for closing an inner duct (C100) in a separated configuration of the connector. The sealing unit isolates the duct from an outer side of the former element in the position and another position of the piston and during movements of the piston between the positions. An independent claim is also included for a temperature control system.