Quick Coupling for Flexible Tube with Removable Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick couplings for flexible tubes in agricultural seeders require heating or splitting to remove the tube for maintenance, leading to premature shortening and damage, limiting reuse.
Innovation Solution
A quick coupling design featuring an outer annular coupling element with a central bore and an annular insert with arcuate sections and barb elements that allow for removable retention and easy detachment of the flexible tube without damage, enabling reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hose barbs are used to retain the flexible tube in the quick coupling, then the tube is securely retained in place, but the tube cannot be removed without heating or splitting, leading to damage and shortening
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into an outer coupling body and an inner removable insert containing the barbs. This segmentation allows the insert to be removed from the coupling body, enabling tube removal without damaging the tube itself. The barbs remain on the removable insert rather than being permanently attached to the coupling body.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed insert is extracted as a separate removable component from the coupling body. This extraction allows the barbs to be temporarily engaged with the tube during installation, then removed along with the insert when tube replacement is needed, avoiding permanent damage to the tube.
2Productivity
If the flexible tube is repeatedly installed and removed using traditional hose barbs, then maintenance can be performed, but the tube becomes shortened and damaged, limiting reuse
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the barbed insert from the coupling body, the design allows repeated insertion and removal of the insert without affecting the tube. The tube remains intact while the removable insert handles the repeated engagement and disengagement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed insert is designed to be repeatedly installed and removed (recovered) without being discarded. The tube is preserved for reuse while the insert serves as the sacrificial component that handles the mechanical stress of repeated operations.
3Ease of operation
If traditional quick couplings are used, then quick connection is achieved, but the tube requires heating or splitting for removal, increasing complexity of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is segmented into a permanent coupling body and a removable barbed insert. This allows quick connection through simple insertion while removal is simplified by extracting the insert rather than requiring heating or splitting operations on the tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed insert is extracted as a removable component, transforming the removal process from a complex heating or splitting operation into a simple extraction of the insert from the coupling body, reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick coupling for a flexible tube has an outer annular element with a bayonet connection and a central bore which receives an annular insert having two arcuate sections and holding the flexible tube in place through barbs. The inserts are removable from the outer annular coupling by means of a detent at which point the arcuate sections may be easily removed from the flexible tube.