Quick Coupling Cam Mechanism for High-Pressure Fluid Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick couplings for fluid circuits lack precision, stability, and security, especially under high-pressure conditions, and are often bulky and prone to performance deterioration over time.
Innovation Solution
A compact quick coupling design featuring pins with threaded or profiled ends and a system of spheres and springs that allow for precise engagement and disengagement of terminals, ensuring a secure seal and easy assembly/disassembly, with the ability to adjust the number of pins based on pressure requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If annular sectors are moved by means of a simple elastic ring, then the coupling operation is simplified, but the coupling precision deteriorates and performance deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple elastic ring mechanical system with a cam mechanism that converts rotational motion into precise linear displacement. The cam profile is specifically designed to control the movement of locking balls, ensuring precise engagement of the annular sectors with the terminal while maintaining ease of operation through rotational activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces locking balls as intermediary elements between the cam mechanism and the annular sectors. These balls transmit and control the force from the cam to the sectors, ensuring precise positioning and stable engagement while allowing the operation to remain simple and tool-free.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hooking clamp arms are made sufficiently long to provide radial opening/closing, then the coupling capacity is improved, but the longitudinal dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from long radial arms to a cam mechanism that operates in the angular dimension. By rotating the cam around its axis, the locking balls are displaced radially to engage or disengage the annular sectors, achieving the same coupling capacity without increasing longitudinal dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic cam mechanism where the profile of the cam is designed to provide the necessary radial displacement of locking balls during rotation. This dynamic system replaces the static long arms, maintaining coupling capacity while minimizing the longitudinal footprint of the device.
3Reliability
If multiple pins are used to ensure secure engagement, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs annular sectors that engage with the terminal at multiple points simultaneously through their circumferential contact. This single multi-functional element replaces multiple discrete pins, providing secure engagement across the interface while simplifying the overall device structure and reducing the number of individual components.
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 provides a more reliable, compact, and economical quick coupling that ensures a secure seal across varying pressure ranges, maintaining performance over time without the need for manual tools and ensuring easy operation.
Implementation Method 1
an annular connection body made up of a plurality of annular segments elastically joined to one another by means of an elastic ring
Implementation Method 2
at least one locking ball for locking the end piece that can move axially relative to the annular element and radially between an unlocked position and a locked position in which it is capable of axially blocking the end piece
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a quick coupling (1) for profiled or threaded terminals (2), comprising a substantially tubular main body (3) internally delimiting a passage conduit (4) for a fluid and extending along a main axis (X-X), and a jaw (14) engaged to the main body (3). The jaw (14) operates between a first unhooked position from the terminal (2), in which it does not constrain the terminal (2) to the quick coupling (1), and a second hooked position to the terminal (2) in which it constrains the terminal (2) to the quick coupling (1). The jaw (14) comprises a plurality of pins (10) housed in respective radial seats (9) defined at a first end (5) of the main body (3). The pins (10) are configured for sliding internally of said radial seats (9) and have a profiled or threaded radially internal end (11) that is configured for being coupled to the profiled or threaded terminal (2). In the second position of the jaw (14) the profiled or threaded radially internal end (11) of the pins (10) is engaged to the terminal (2) so as to retain the terminal (2) in engagement to the quick coupling (1). The quick coupling (1) further comprises at least an activating device (16, 17) that is operatively engaged with said at least a jaw (14) for determining the passage of the jaw (14) between the first and the second position and hooking/unhooking devices (15, 18, 21, 31) configured for operating on the auxiliary body (16) so as to regulate the relative axial position between the auxiliary body (16) and the main body (3).