Retaining Clip Coupling Assembly for Secure Fluid Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling assemblies lack a reliable mechanism for secure engagement and easy disengagement of male coupling devices, leading to potential fluid leaks and operational inefficiencies in fluid flow applications.
Innovation Solution
A female coupling device with a clip member featuring arms that adjust between two distances, allowing for secure engagement and disengagement with a male coupling device through a locked and unlocked position, utilizing a spring mechanism and contoured portions for actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a coupling assembly uses a simple connection mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of secure engagement and prevention of fluid leaks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clip member incorporates a spring mechanism that enables dynamic movement between locked and unlocked positions. The spring allows the clip to automatically adjust and maintain engagement force, providing reliable secure engagement without requiring a complex multi-component locking system. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by achieving high reliability through controlled movement rather than static complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded clip member is designed to automatically engage and lock into the groove of the mating coupling device without requiring additional fastening operations. The spring force automatically maintains the locked position, and the mechanism can be easily released by applying force to the actuator. This self-service capability achieves reliable engagement with minimal complexity.
2Reliability
If a coupling assembly uses a secure locking mechanism, then the reliability of fluid flow integrity is improved, but the ease of operation for disengagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism provides a dynamic locking system where the clip automatically returns to the locked position after engagement, ensuring fluid flow integrity. For disengagement, the actuator allows the spring to be compressed and the clip moved to an unlocked position. This dynamic design maintains reliable locking during operation while enabling easy disengagement when needed, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary element between the user and the spring-loaded clip mechanism. By applying force to the actuator, the user can easily override the spring force and move the clip to the unlocked position. This intermediary provides a simple interface that maintains reliable locking during normal operation but enables easy disengagement when required.
3Manufacturing precision
If the clip member uses a fixed arm distance for engagement, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different coupling configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clip member is designed with arms that can move between two defined distances through the spring mechanism. In the locked position, the arms are at a first distance optimized for secure engagement with the groove. In the unlocked position, the arms move to a second distance that allows disengagement. This dynamic adjustment of arm distance provides adaptability for different coupling configurations while maintaining precise manufacturing tolerances for each position, resolving the contradiction between precision and versatility.
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
Ensures reliable fluid flow by securely retaining male coupling devices in a locked position and allowing easy removal in an unlocked position, maintaining fluid integrity and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a spring mechanism and contoured portions for actuation
Data Source
AI summary
A female coupling device includes: a main body, and a clip member coupled to the main body, the clip member having a plurality of arms extending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms forming at least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a first distance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the first distance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male coupling device, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the mating male coupling device. In a locked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device. In an unlocked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device.