Retaining Frame for Multicoupling Misalignment and Hose Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing multi-coupling systems for chemical plant containers face challenges in simplifying the coupling process, particularly due to imprecise positioning and alignment requirements, which can lead to cumbersome and inefficient handling of bulky and heavy containers during filling and emptying operations.

Innovation Solution

A holding frame with a mounting device and compensating devices that allow for adjustable positioning and angular alignment of the multi-coupling, including linear, rotational, and tilt compensation, enabling flexible and adaptable coupling without precise alignment, and incorporating a curved delivery hose design to prevent kinking and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a multi-coupling system is used for filling and emptying chemical plant containers, then the coupling capability is improved, but the positioning and alignment precision requirements increase, making the operation more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling capabilityVSAvoidpositioning and alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding frame incorporates compensating devices with slot-guided arms that allow dynamic adjustment of the multi-coupling position and orientation. The slots enable the coupling to adapt to positional deviations through guided movement, transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamic system that self-adjusts during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes geometric parameters (position coordinates and angular orientation) of the multi-coupling relative to the container through the compensating mechanism. By allowing continuous variation of these parameters within the slot constraints, the system accommodates imprecise positioning while maintaining coupling functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If precise alignment is required for coupling, then the coupling reliability is improved, but the handling time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidhandling time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The compensating device with slot-guided arms enables the system to self-align automatically. When the multi-coupling approaches the container, the slots guide the arms into the correct positional and angular configuration without requiring external alignment operations, thus maintaining reliability while reducing handling time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The holding frame is pre-configured with compensating devices that are ready to accommodate any positional deviation before coupling occurs. The slot geometry is designed in advance to provide the necessary adjustment range, so when misalignment is detected, the system can immediately compensate without additional alignment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the multi-coupling is rigidly fixed to the holding frame, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to compensate for positional deviations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidposition compensation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the multi-coupling and holding frame is made dynamic through the slot-guided arm mechanism. The arms can pivot and slide within the slots, providing controlled degrees of freedom that maintain structural integrity during normal operation while enabling position compensation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid connection is segmented into multiple components: the holding frame, the slot-guided arms, and the multi-coupling. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the frame provides stable support, the arms provide adaptive positioning, and the coupling ensures secure connection - resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2758703B1Retaining frame for a multicoupling for filling and/or draining a chemical plant container
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 BAYER AG
  • EP2758703B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2758703B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2758703B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a retaining frame (12) for a multicoupling (14) for filling and/or draining a chemical plant container, comprising an mounting device (20) for fastening the retaining frame in a substantially stationary manner and at least one compensation device (32, 38, 42) that can be coupled indirectly or directly to the multicoupling for varying a position of the multicoupling relative to the mounting device in a vertical direction and/or in a horizontal direction and/or for varying an angular position of the multicoupling relative to the mounting device about a vertical and/or horizontal rotational axis. Simple coupling of a multicoupling is thus enabled.