Quick Coupling Lever Fulcrum Modulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick couplings face issues with precise coupling, durability, and compactness, particularly due to the use of elastic rings and hooking clamps that require long arms, leading to insecure and unreliable connections under varying pressures.
Innovation Solution
A quick coupling design featuring a lever with an adjustable fulcrum that modulates the locking force and sealing pressure, utilizing a regulator and elastic elements to ensure secure engagement and disengagement of the jaw with smooth terminals, allowing for compact and reliable operation across different pressure ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastic rings and hooking clamps with long arms are used, then the coupling can be activated in push-pull mode, but the connection becomes insecure and unreliable under varying pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw is designed to be movable between unlocked and locked positions, allowing dynamic adaptation to pressure variations. The lever mechanism enables the jaw to transition from an open position (for insertion) to a locked position (for secure connection), maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the jaw changes from retracted to extended, and the lever transitions between different angular positions. These parameter changes enable the system to achieve both easy activation and secure connection under varying pressure conditions.
2Ease of operation
If hooking clamps with long arms are used, then the coupling can be manually activated, but the device size increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using long arms extending in one dimension, the lever mechanism utilizes rotational movement in a different dimension (angular displacement) to achieve the same functional effect, thereby reducing the overall device volume while maintaining manual operability.
3Device complexity
If the fulcrum position is fixed, then the lever mechanism is simple, but the locking force and sealing pressure cannot be modulated
Solution Approach 1:
The fulcrum position is made adjustable along the lever, transforming a static mechanism into a dynamic one. This allows the user to modulate the locking force and sealing pressure by changing the fulcrum position, enhancing adaptability while adding only minimal complexity to the mechanism.
4Reliability
If manual locking operations requiring keys or tools are used, then the coupling can be securely locked, but the operation becomes onerous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism enables the user to lock and unlock the coupling using only hand operation, without requiring keys or external tools. The mechanical advantage provided by the lever and fulcrum system allows secure locking to be achieved through simple manual effort, greatly improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability.
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 compact, reliable, and flexible quick coupling that ensures secure sealing and easy operation with minimal manual force, maintaining performance and reliability across varying pressures and flow rates, including vacuum and high-pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a second elastic element operating between the second portion of the tubular body and the plate, said second elastic element being configured for pushing said plate towards said jaw
Implementation Method 2
A quick coupling design featuring a lever with an adjustable fulcrum that modulates the locking force and sealing pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
The present invention relates to a quick coupling (1) for smooth terminals. The quick coupling (1) comprises a main body (2) defining a passage conduit (7) for a fluid destined to cross the quick coupling (1) and configured for being coupled to a circuit, a tubular body (3) engaged to the main body (2) and configured for being removably coupled to a smooth terminal (4) and a jaw (16) engaged to the tubular body (3). The jaw (16) is configured for operating between at least a first unhooked position from the terminal (4), in which it does not axially constrain the terminal (4), and a second hooked position to the terminal (4) in which it is locked onto, and axially constrains, the terminal (4) to the tubular body (3). The lever (27) is activatable about a fulcrum (28) borne by the tubular body (3), and operates on the main body (2) for axially displacing the main body (2) with respect to the tubular body (3). The activation of the lever (27) further determines an axial sliding of the jaw (16) with respect to the tubular body (3) and the passage of the jaw (16) from the first unhooked position to the second hooked position.