Quick Coupling Dust Cap and Lock Wire Lug Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick couplings lack effective protection for lock wires and are prone to damage from dust and contaminants, which can lead to improper installation and fluid leakage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a lock wire receiving lug with a dust cap that protects the lug and aperture, allowing easy access for lock wire installation while preventing damage, and a radially outwardly projecting grip ring for ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a dust cap is added to protect the lock wire receiving lug and aperture, then protection from dust and contaminants is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dust cap is designed as a separate, removable component that can be attached to and removed from the coupling member independently. This segmentation allows the protective function to be added without permanently complicating the main coupling structure, enabling easy access to the lock wire aperture when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dust cap acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the lock wire receiving aperture. It provides protection when installed while allowing controlled access when removed, mediating between the need for protection and the need for accessibility without requiring complex mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If the lock wire receiving aperture is formed during machining of the wrench flat, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock wire receiving aperture is integrated into the wrench flat feature, combining two functional elements into a single machined feature. This allows the aperture to be positioned precisely relative to the wrench flat during a single machining operation, improving precision while avoiding the need for separate manufacturing steps.
3Ease of operation
If a radially outwardly projecting grip ring is added to the release sleeve, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grip ring is added only to the specific location on the release sleeve where user interaction is needed. This localized addition provides enhanced grip and operability without modifying the entire release sleeve structure or affecting other functional areas of the coupling mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A first coupling member 10 has a body 11 and an internal poppet 16. The exterior of the body 11 includes flats 30. A lug 31 is formed on one of the flats 30 during machining of the flats 30. A dust cover attached to the first coupling member 11 includes a cover portion 40 and a tether portion 41. The cover portion 40 protects an exterior surface 19 of the body, and the cover portion 40 to and tether portion 41 each protects one lateral side of the lug 31. The tether portion 41 includes an annular ring portion 43 disposed in an annular groove 25. A second embodiment 110 of the first coupling member is also disclosed. A second coupling member 210 may be coupled to or uncoupled from either of the first coupling members 10 or 110.