Rapid Coupling Actuator with Pivoting Lever for One-Hand Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rapid coupling systems for transferring fluids, especially from gas stations, are user-unfriendly, particularly under high pressures, making single-hand operation difficult for technically unskilled individuals, which hinders market acceptance of natural gas stations.
Innovation Solution
An actuating apparatus with a lever mechanism and pivoting levers on the housing enables secure and rapid one-hand operation by using a familiar gasoline pump nozzle-like hand lever, ensuring secure locking and sequential valve control for fluid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional rapid coupling system with multiple valves and a control lever is used, then secure sealing and connection are achieved, but operation becomes complex and difficult for single-hand use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions (inlet valve, outlet valve, and sealing mechanisms) into a single integrated rapid coupling body. The control lever is merged with the coupling structure itself, allowing all valve operations to be performed through one unified actuating motion rather than requiring separate controls for each valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid coupling device is designed to perform multiple functions through a single actuating mechanism. The control lever simultaneously controls the inlet valve, outlet valve, and sealing elements, making the device multi-functional while maintaining simple operation. This universal design allows technically unskilled persons to operate the system easily.
2Extent of automation
If a control lever with eccentric shaft and slide sleeve mechanism is used, then sequential valve control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements such as the eccentric shaft that converts rotational motion into linear displacement, and the slide sleeve that moves sequentially to actuate different valves. These dynamic components enable automatic sequential control of multiple valves through a single rotating motion of the control lever, reducing the need for complex independent control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid coupling system is designed to automatically control the sequence of valve operations through its own internal mechanism. The eccentric shaft and slide sleeve arrangement causes the inlet valve to close and outlet valve to open in a predetermined sequence simply by rotating the control lever, without requiring external control signals or complex automation systems.
3Reliability
If multiple valves and locking mechanisms are included, then connection security is improved, but ease of use for technically unskilled persons deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of multi-valve control from the user's task by incorporating it into the automatic mechanism of the control lever. The user only needs to perform the simple action of rotating the lever, while the extracted complex functions of coordinating multiple valves and locking mechanisms are handled automatically by the internal eccentric shaft and slide sleeve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters from requiring multiple discrete actions (opening/closing individual valves, engaging locks) to a single continuous rotational motion of the control lever. This parameter change simplifies the user interaction while maintaining all necessary security functions through the programmed sequence of the mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to create a simply designed actuating device with a reliable handling for a rapid coupling (10) for transferring gaseous and/or liquid fluids, comprising a tubular housing (11) and a slide (41), which is mounted in a manner that enables it to be displaced relative to the housing and which is coupled to a lever mechanism (42), the invention provides that the lever mechanism (42) has at least one pivoting lever (43) laterally mounted inside said housing (11).