Quick Disconnect Coupling Preventing Rotation With Non-Circular Mating Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quick disconnect couplings are not suitable for high strength and high torque applications, as they allow the male portion to rotate within the female portion, preventing effective torque transfer and limiting their use in applications requiring secure, non-rotational connections.
Innovation Solution
A quick disconnect tool and male connector system featuring a non-circular inner and outer mating surface with detent holes and a sliding collar mechanism that locks the male connector in place, preventing rotation and ensuring a secure, high-torque connection by using a detent that protrudes into the socket chamber when the collar is closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional quick disconnect coupling is used, then the connection can be quickly made and broken, but the male portion is allowed to rotate within the female portion, preventing torque transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-circular mating surfaces (square, hexagonal, or other polygonal shapes) on both the male connector and female socket. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotational movement while maintaining quick connect/disconnect functionality, as the shaped surfaces engage in a single orientation that transfers torque effectively.
2Device complexity
If a conventional quick disconnect coupling is used, then the structure remains simple, but the connection is not suitable for high strength and high torque applications
Solution Approach 1:
The non-circular mating surfaces provide both structural simplicity and high torque capacity. The geometric interlocking of the shaped surfaces creates mechanical engagement that can withstand high torque loads without requiring complex additional locking mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving high strength.
3Strength
If a non-circular mating surface is used to prevent rotation, then torque transfer is enabled, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-circular mating surfaces are manufactured as integral features of the male connector and female socket components. Common manufacturing methods such as casting, forging, or machining can produce these geometric shapes directly during component fabrication, avoiding the need for separate assembly steps or complex multi-part structures.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a quick disconnect tool and a male connector configured for removably mounting a device on a surface. The tool includes a socket, detents in the socket and a collar to open and close the detents. The male connector fits within the socket and cannot rotate within the socket. The male connector has at a first end a recess into which the detents can lock the male connector inside the socket and threads at a second end opposite the first end. Also provided is a method removably mounting a device to a surface using the quick disconnect too and the male connector.