Quick Coupling Elastic Restoring Force via Segmented Legs

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional quick coupling structures face issues with reliable position restoration due to uneven pressure distribution and elastic element deformation, leading to reduced effectiveness and potential damage from friction and wear.

Innovation Solution

A quick coupling design featuring a hollow tubular main body with an annular elastic element and a sleeve, where the elastic element has supporting plates with elastically pressable sections that deform to generate a restoring force, and the sleeve has pushing blocks that apply pressure directly to these sections, ensuring consistent force transmission and minimizing wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a circular elastic ring is used in the quick coupling, then the structure is simple, but the elastic ring twists under uneven pressing force and becomes less effective in restoring the sleeve to its original position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidposition restoration effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element is divided into multiple independent elastic legs (at least three) arranged radially around the central axis, each capable of independent deformation. This segmentation allows each leg to respond independently to pressing forces, preventing the twisting problem that occurs with a single circular elastic ring while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each elastic leg is designed with specific local characteristics including a free end, a fixed end, and a pushing surface, allowing different parts of the same elastic element to perform different functions. The pushing surfaces are positioned to contact the sleeve at specific locations, ensuring uniform force distribution and effective position restoration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If pushing blocks are provided on the sleeve to press the elastic legs, then the downward force is distributed, but the elastic legs are deformed laterally outward causing friction and wear against the inner wall of the sleeve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce distributionVSAvoidfriction and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic legs are designed with specific local characteristics including a free end, a fixed end, and a pushing surface, allowing different parts of the same elastic element to perform different functions. The pushing surfaces are positioned to contact the sleeve at specific locations, ensuring uniform force distribution and effective position restoration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic legs are designed with curved configurations, particularly with arc-shaped pushing surfaces that contact the sleeve. This curvature allows the elastic legs to deform elastically in a controlled manner, pushing the sleeve axially without causing lateral outward deformation that would lead to friction and wear against the sleeve's inner wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Force

If the elastic legs are deformed laterally outward by the pushing action, then the restoring force is generated, but the free ends move radially outward causing friction and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelastic restoring forceVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic legs are designed with curved configurations, particularly with arc-shaped pushing surfaces that contact the sleeve. This curvature allows the elastic legs to deform elastically in a controlled manner, pushing the sleeve axially without causing lateral outward deformation that would lead to friction and wear against the sleeve's inner wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic legs are designed with specific local characteristics including a free end, a fixed end, and a pushing surface, allowing different parts of the same elastic element to perform different functions. The pushing surfaces are positioned to contact the sleeve at specific locations, ensuring uniform force distribution and effective position restoration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If uneven force is applied to press the sleeve downward, then the operation is simple, but inconsistent deformation occurs in the elastic legs impairing the position restoration function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidposition restoration function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element is divided into multiple independent elastic legs (at least three) arranged radially around the central axis, each capable of independent deformation. This segmentation allows each leg to respond independently to pressing forces, preventing the twisting problem that occurs with a single circular elastic ring while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the restoring force, guides the sleeve movement, distributes the applied force evenly across multiple contact points, and prevents lateral deformation. This multi-functionality ensures reliable position restoration regardless of how uneven the initial pressing force may be.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design ensures reliable and rapid restoration of the sleeve to its original position while reducing the risk of damage by maintaining consistent elastic restoring force and minimizing wear, thus enhancing operational efficiency and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

each pushing block is pressed on the elastically pressable section of the corresponding supporting plate such that the elastically pressable sections of the supporting plates are elastically deformed and generate an elastic restoring force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3587886B1Quick coupling

Publication Date: 2020.11.04 QING YI METAL PROD ENTERPRISE CO LTD

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AI summary

A quick coupling includes a main body (11), an elastic element (21), and a sleeve (31). The main body has therein a channel (12) extending along an axial centerline (O). The elastic element is mounted around the main body and has plural supporting plates (24) arranged at intervals. Each supporting plate has an elastically pressable section (25) extending toward the axial centerline. Each elastically pressable section has a distal end (251) abutting against an abutting portion (19) of the outer periphery (111) of the main body. The inner wall (311) of the sleeve is provided with plural pushing blocks (32) corresponding respectively to the elastically pressable sections. When the sleeve is pressed downward, the pushing blocks are pressed on and thereby elastically deform the elastically pressable sections of the supporting plates respectively such that the elastically pressable sections generate an elastic restoring force to restore the sleeve in position rapidly.