Quick Lock Coupling Guide Groove Prevents Unintentional Unlocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quick-release couplings for hoses and pipelines can unintentionally unlock due to axial displacement, especially when pulled over obstacles, leading to unintended decoupling and complexity in the fastening structure.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a guide groove with an axially running first section and an obliquely running second section into the unlocking sleeve, requiring an additional rotary movement for unlocking, which prevents unintentional actuation and ensures manual operation, while being compatible with existing parts and low-cost production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the unlocking sleeve is designed to move axially for unlocking, then the operation is simple and quick, but unintentional unlocking can occur when pulled over obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunlocking operationVSAvoidprevent unintentional unlocking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the unlocking mechanism from a single axial movement to a two-dimensional operation requiring both axial movement and rotational movement. The guide groove with its first axial section and second oblique section forces the guide pin to undergo both axial and rotational displacement, preventing unintentional unlocking while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Extent of automation

If a spring-loaded mechanism is used to return the unlocking sleeve, then the coupling automatically locks, but the spring can fail causing unintentional rotation and unlocking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic lockingVSAvoidprevent spring failure unlocking
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the guide groove structure to prevent the harmful effect of spring failure before it can cause unintentional unlocking. The oblique second section of the guide groove creates a mechanical constraint that prevents rotational movement unless deliberately initiated, counteracting the potential harmful effect of spring failure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If a guide groove with oblique section is added to prevent unintentional unlocking, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevent unintentional unlockingVSAvoidguide groove structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the guide groove structure directly into the unlocking sleeve, combining the safety function with the existing unlocking component. This integration approach adds the necessary rotational constraint without requiring separate guide structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Prevents unintentional unlocking by ensuring that both axial and rotary movements are manually controlled, enhancing safety and ease of use with one-hand operation, and maintaining structural stability and assembly simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

a valve (5) arranged within the unlocking sleeve (3), which is mounted within the unlocking sleeve (3) so that it can be displaced by a connector part (2) against the spring force of a compression spring (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP1985907B1Quick lock coupling
Publication Date: 2009.11.18 TEMA MARKETING
  • EP1985907B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1985907B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1985907B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The quick-fit coupling (10) has an externally or internally threaded coupling part (1) axially displaceable inside a release sleeve (3) which has a guide groove (7) which guides a guide element (4) on the coupling part so that an additional rotational movement of the sleeve is required in order to release the plug part (2). The coupling part supports at an end close to the plug part a ring-shaped stop element embedded in a external groove of the coupling part to bear against a stop face (30) of the release sleeve in the coupled position.