Quick-Release Coupling Stopper Design for Refrigerant Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quick-release couplings for refrigerant cycle systems fail to prevent residual refrigerant leakage during the removal of the mating male connector, leading to environmental pollution and health hazards.
Innovation Solution
A quick-release coupling design featuring a socket with a locking member, air valve control device, and leak-proof device, including a stopper and spring mechanism that allows complete extraction of residual refrigerant before removal and automatically blocks the passage to prevent leaks, utilizing a sliding chuck, rolling balls, and gasket rings to ensure airtight sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pusher pin is moved back to block the passage after refrigerant filling/cycling operation, then the quick-release coupling and mating male connector retain residual refrigerant, but this causes refrigerant leakage and environmental pollution upon removal of the mating male connector
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is preliminarily positioned to block the first passage before the mating male connector is removed. When the pusher pin moves backward, it triggers the stopper to advance and seal the passage in advance, preventing residual refrigerant from leaking when the connector is disconnected
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper mechanism provides preliminary anti-action by preemptively blocking the refrigerant passage before removal occurs. The spring member pre-positions the stopper ready to seal, counteracting the potential harmful effect of refrigerant escape before it can happen
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the stopper is positioned to block the first passage, then refrigerant leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper mechanism is merged with the existing pusher pin assembly. The stopper utilizes the same axial movement space and is triggered by the same pusher pin motion, combining multiple functions (blocking, sealing, and controlling refrigerant flow) into a single integrated component rather than adding entirely separate mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper serves multiple functions: it blocks the first passage to prevent leakage, works in conjunction with the spring member for automatic positioning, and integrates with the pusher pin's existing movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components
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 effectively prevents refrigerant leaks during the removal of the mating male connector, ensuring environmental safety and user health by allowing complete extraction of residual refrigerant and maintaining a sealed system.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member stopped between the stopper and a part of the air valve control device
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-release coupling includes a socket defining a first passage in a connection port thereof, a locking member mounted in a front end of the socket and adapted for locking an inserted external male mating connector, an air valve control device mounted in a rear end of the socket, and a leak-proof device having a stopper mounted in the front end of the socket and defining therein a second passage, which is kept in communication with the first passage upon insertion of an external mating male connector into the front end of the socket to move the stopper backward, or blocked from the first passage after removable of the inserted external mating male connector and a forward movement of the stopper by the air valve control device.