Quick Coupler Sealing Structure for Leak-Resistant Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick disconnect couplers (QDCs) face challenges in processing precision due to the need for sealing ring grooves on inner walls, leading to issues like scratching, loosening, and increased leakage under pressure, especially when connecting and disconnecting pipes frequently.
Innovation Solution
The quick coupler structure features sealing members fitted on the outer walls of male and female couplers in annular grooves, eliminating the need for inner wall processing and preventing turning, loosening, or scratching during connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing ring grooves are pre-formed on the inner wall of the female housing, then sealing function is achieved, but processing difficulty and manufacturing precision control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional sealing structure by moving the sealing ring grooves from the inner wall of the female housing to the outer wall of the male housing. This allows the sealing rings to be installed on the exterior surface, which is much easier to process and assemble. The groove on the male housing outer wall can be simply formed by machining the external surface, eliminating the need for precise internal groove formation in the female housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the sealing ring installation from a radial/inner-dimension approach (grooves on inner wall) to an axial/outer-dimension approach (grooves on outer wall). By placing grooves on the outer surface of the male housing, the sealing structure utilizes the external dimension space, making processing and assembly significantly easier while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
2Strength
If the inner diameter of sealing rings is reduced to decrease deformability, then resistance to scratching and turning is improved, but packing force and fluid pressure resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the approach to protecting sealing rings from damage. Instead of reducing the inner diameter to increase rigidity, it positions the sealing rings on the outer wall where they are naturally protected from shearing forces and scratching during connection operations. This allows the sealing rings to maintain their optimal dimensions for both sealing pressure resistance and durability.
3Device complexity
If sealing ring holding grooves are pre-formed on inner wall, then sealing structure is complete, but product precision and quality control become uncontrollable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the groove location from the inner wall to the outer wall of the male housing. This simple positional inversion transforms a difficult-to-control internal machining operation into an easy-to-control external machining operation, significantly improving product precision and quality control while maintaining complete sealing structure functionality.
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
This design enhances air-tightness and reliability by maintaining sealing integrity under pressure, reducing production complexity and costs while ensuring precise assembly and disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (43) received in the male housing (41). The movable valve (42) is fitted in the male coupler fluid passage corresponding to an opening of the plugging end (413), and a sealing ring (44) is circumferentially fitted on around the movable valve (42)
Implementation Method 2
The sealing rings (55, 56) can work with the movable sealing member (54) to achieve a radially airtight state in the male and the female coupler (4, 5)
Implementation Method 3
the fixed valve (52) presses on and pushes the movable valve (42) to together move into the male coupler fluid passage in the male housing (41), such that the fluid passages in the male coupler (4) and the female coupler (5) are communicable with one another
Data Source
AI summary
A quick coupler structure includes a male and a female coupler. The male coupler internally receives a fixed valve core surrounded by a spring and a connecting tube for connecting to a coupling platform at an upper part of the female coupler. The connecting tube is externally provided with sealing members to enhance airtight connection with the male coupler. The coupling platform defines a central thru-hole with a movable valve received therein to normally close it. When the fixed valve core is caused to expose from the connecting tube, it pushes the movable valve out of the central thru-hole to open the latter, allowing the male and the female coupler to communicate with each other. The sealing member won't be turned or loosened by a shearing force when the male and the female coupler are assembled or disassembled, giving the quick coupler structure upgraded air-tightness, pressure resistance and coupling reliability.