Quick Coupling Ball Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior quick coupling assemblies require the use of tools for connecting and disconnecting threaded parts due to significant friction between inner and outer tubular elements, making manual operation difficult and unsafe.

Innovation Solution

A quick coupling design featuring a female body with a bearing to reduce friction and radially movable ball elements that engage with a circumferential slot on the male body, allowing for manual connection and disconnection without tools, using a ring nut and spring mechanism for locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective ring nut element is used to clamp under torque to prevent accidental detachment, then connection safety is improved, but tool requirement increases and operation complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection safetyVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional threaded connection system with a ball-and-socket mechanical locking system. Spherical elements engage with corresponding recesses to provide automatic mechanical locking, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners and torque-wrench operations while maintaining connection safety through positive mechanical engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The quick coupling mechanism incorporates self-aligning spherical elements that automatically engage with recesses when components are brought together. The design provides self-centering and self-locking capabilities through the geometry of the spherical elements and their interaction with the coupling bodies, eliminating the need for external tools or complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Strength

If traditional threaded connection is used between male and female elements, then connection strength is improved, but friction increases making manual operation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmanual operability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the threaded mechanical system with a spherical engagement system. The spherical elements provide connection strength through their geometric interlocking and contact area, while eliminating the high friction inherent in threaded connections. This allows manual operation without the torque requirements of traditional threading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs spherical elements as the core connection mechanism. The curved surfaces of the spheres reduce contact friction compared to flat-threaded interfaces, and the spherical geometry provides natural rolling motion during engagement and disengagement, significantly reducing the force required for manual operation while maintaining connection integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If ball elements are made radially movable for engagement in circumferential slot, then ease of connection is improved, but locking reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connectionVSAvoidlocking reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring elements are pre-loaded to maintain constant radial pressure on the spherical elements, ensuring they remain engaged with the circumferential slots. This preliminary action of spring pre-compression guarantees locking reliability by continuously forcing the movable balls into their locking positions, preventing any possibility of disengagement during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamically adaptable spherical elements that can move radially within their housings. During connection, the spheres move outward to engage the slots; during operation, they maintain radial contact through spring pressure; during disconnection, they move inward to release. This dynamic movement provides ease of connection while the spring-maintained radial pressure ensures continuous locking reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables easy, tool-free sliding connection and disconnection of threaded parts, ensuring a safe and efficient connection by eliminating friction and allowing manual operation.

Implementation Method 1

an inner tubular body (8) housing a bearing (11) on which an outer tubular body (3) bears

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

said ball elements being adapted to be driven against a counter-biasing spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS7661724B2Quick coupling

Publication Date: 2010.02.16 FASTER SPA

AI summary

A quick coupling comprises a male element (2) which can be threadably assembled to a female element (3), housing an inner tubular supporting body (8) in turn housing a bearing (11) thereon the female element (3) bears, the female element (3) including a plurality of radially extending holes (20) in which are engaged ball elements (21) which can be fitted in a circumferential slot formed in the male body (2) and being adapted to be radially locked by an enlarged portion (16) formed on an inner side of a ring nut which can be driven against an urging spring (17) pertaining to the female element.