Quick Coupling Intermediate Ring for Jam-Free Uncoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick coupling systems for pressurized fluid pipes face difficulties in uncoupling due to wedged locking balls, leading to wear and loss of tightness, especially in conditions of difficult access, where operators must manually disengage the balls blindly, resulting in malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A female quick coupling element with an improved ball lock system featuring a movable intermediate ring that transitions from a rear locked position to a forward position during uncoupling, allowing locking balls to retract and facilitating uncoupling in the same direction as the male element's release, reducing the forces required and preventing jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball locking system is used to secure the male element in the female element, then the coupling reliability is improved, but the uncoupling operation becomes difficult and causes wear on parts and seals
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into two independent functional rings: an inner ring that controls the locking balls' radial movement, and an outer ring that controls the uncoupling operation. This segmentation allows each ring to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, enabling reliable locking while simplifying uncoupling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking balls are designed to dynamically change their position between protruding into the insertion channel (locked state) and retracted into their seats (unlocked state). This dynamic positioning, controlled by the inner ring's axial movement, allows the system to transition smoothly between locked and unlocked states without creating wedging forces.
2Strength
If the locking balls are wedged in the cone configuration to prevent uncoupling, then the locking strength is improved, but the forces required to uncouple increase and cause difficulty in operation
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic frustoconical face that created wedging forces has been removed from the male element's flange. Instead, the locking balls are retained purely by the inner ring's axial position, eliminating the harmful wedging action while maintaining locking strength through proper ball positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner ring acts as an intermediary component that directly controls the locking balls' position without relying on the male element's frustoconical surface. This intermediary mechanism allows the balls to be held in position by axial forces on the inner ring rather than radial wedging forces, reducing uncoupling effort.
3Ease of operation
If the operator must manually disengage the locking balls in conditions of difficult access, then the uncoupling capability is maintained, but the time required for operation increases and wear on parts occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The uncoupling operation merges two actions into one: pulling the outer ring simultaneously unlocks the locking balls (by moving the inner ring axially) and disengages the male element. This combined operation eliminates the need for separate manual disengagement steps, reducing operation time and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service during uncoupling: the outer ring's movement automatically triggers the inner ring's axial displacement, which in turn releases the locking balls without requiring direct manual manipulation. The operator simply pulls the outer ring, and the mechanism handles the ball release automatically.
Data Source
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AI summary
This female quick-connect fitting element (A) (R) for the removable joining of two pressurized fluid lines is adapted to receive, by insertion along a longitudinal axis (X-X') of this female element (A) and into an insertion channel (42) located on a front side of the female element (A), a male fitting element (B), and comprises a body (40) through which a fluid circulation conduit (400) passes, locking balls (74) for the male element (B) in a coupled configuration, positioned in radial recesses (72) of the body (40) and adapted to project radially into the insertion channel (42), and an operating member (90) movable in translation along a longitudinal axis (X-X') between a first position, in which the male element (B) is locked in the female element (A) in the coupled configuration, and a second position, in which the male (B) and female (A) elements are in uncoupled configuration,during a disengagement maneuver of the male element (B) and the female element (A). The female element (A) of the connector (R) includes an intermediate locking ring (70), movable in axial translation between a rear position in which an internal wall (702a) of the intermediate ring (70) maintains the locking balls (74) protruding in the insertion channel (42) in the coupled configuration of the connector (R), and a front position on the front side of the female element (A) in which the locking balls (74) are free to be pushed away from the longitudinal axis (X-X') of the female element (A) so as not to protrude in the insertion channel (42), under the action of the operating member (90) during the disengagement maneuver.