Quick Coupling Seal Assembly to Minimize Dripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick couplings for pressurized fluid pipes face issues with fluid accumulation between moving parts, leading to dripping during connection and disconnection, particularly due to dimensional variations in manufacturing tolerances, which is problematic in applications like food and electronics sectors and causes environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A quick coupling design featuring a male and female element with seals that contact each other first during coupling and last during uncoupling, ensuring a permanent sealing function, even with dimensional variations, using a shutter and spool mechanism with radial seals that occupy specific volumes and have locking beads for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional seals are used at the interface between moving parts, then the quick coupling can be assembled, but fluid accumulates in spaces between parts causing dripping during connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The seal's front surface is positioned to make contact before the edge planes of the male and female elements during coupling. This preliminary sealing action prevents fluid from entering the space between moving parts before the connection is fully made, eliminating the source of dripping during disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a specifically positioned seal that acts as an intermediary barrier between the pressurized fluid and the space between moving parts. This seal prevents fluid accumulation in the interstitial spaces, thereby eliminating dripping without requiring changes to the basic coupling mechanism.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If manufacturing tolerances are reduced to eliminate spaces between parts, then dripping is prevented, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the precision fit between edge planes and creates a dedicated sealing element (the seal with its specific front surface position). This allows the use of standard manufacturing tolerances while maintaining effective sealing, as the seal compensates for dimensional variations rather than relying on tight tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sealing parameter from relying on edge plane contact (which requires tight tolerances) to using a seal's front surface contact that is positioned to engage first. This parameter change allows standard tolerances to be used while achieving the same dripping prevention effect.
3Reliability
If the seal is positioned at the edge plane, then it seals the interface, but it cannot prevent fluid accumulation in front of the edge plane during coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The seal's front surface is positioned axially forward of the edge plane, allowing it to make contact and create a seal before the edge planes meet during coupling. This preliminary sealing action blocks fluid from accumulating in front of the edge plane, while the seal still maintains its interface sealing function when the connection is fully made.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick coupling (2) includes a male element and a female element, each with a male or female tubular body, a distal mouth and a movable shutter or a plunger and a spool. A first seal is partially housed in the male tubular body and rests radially on a cylindrical surface of the movable shutter in an advanced position. A second seal rests radially on a cylindrical wall of the plunger. The first seal includes a front surface which is further advanced than a first edge plane along a longitudinal axis of the male tubular body. The second seal includes a front surface which is further advanced than a second edge plane along a longitudinal axis of the female tubular body. The first and second front surfaces contact each other when the male and female elements are fitted together.