Retractable Fitting With Joint Head For Probe Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retractable fittings for inserting plug-in devices into pressurized containers often incur high mechanical stresses and are complex, making them expensive and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A retractable fitting with a detachable linear guide, a carriage with translational degrees of freedom, and a joint head providing additional rotational and translational movements to minimize stress during insertion, featuring a fork and pin mechanism to limit movement and reduce friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If existing retractable fittings are used to insert plug-in devices into pressurized containers, then the insertion function is achieved, but high mechanical stresses are induced in the plug-in devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stress on plug-in deviceVSAvoidinsertion reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting incorporates a joint head with multiple degrees of freedom (two translational and two rotational) that allows dynamic adjustment during insertion. This enables the system to adapt to misalignments and pressure variations in real-time, reducing mechanical stress on the plug-in device while maintaining reliable insertion into pressurized containers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting is divided into separate functional components: a linear guide for axial movement, a carriage for positioning, and a joint head for orientation adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the joint head independently compensating for alignment errors without transmitting stress to the plug-in device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If complex retractable fittings are used to ensure reliable insertion, then insertion reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion reliabilityVSAvoidfitting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into the joint head component: it provides both translational movement (first and second degrees of freedom) and rotational adjustment (third and fourth degrees of freedom). This consolidation achieves reliable insertion without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The joint head serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it guides the plug-in device axially, compensates for lateral misalignments, adjusts angular orientation, and accommodates pressure variations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, simplifying the overall fitting structure while ensuring reliable insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If fittings with multiple adjustment mechanisms are used to reduce stress, then mechanical stress is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stress on plug-in deviceVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The four degrees of freedom in the joint head create a dynamically adaptable system that automatically adjusts to insertion conditions. The translational and rotational movements are interconnected, allowing stress reduction through passive adaptation rather than active control mechanisms, thereby reducing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2598847B1Retractable fitting and system for inserting a measuring probe into a container
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 ENDRESS HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
  • EP2598847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2598847B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Retractable fitting for introducing a push-in device into a container through a container opening, having a linear guide which is releasably attachable to the container via a holder, having a carriage which is guided along the linear guide and on which carriage a swivel head is mounted such that it has at least two degrees of freedom perpendicular to the linear guide, along which degrees of freedom the swivel head is moveable, wherein the push-in device in the mounting state is at least axially guided in the swivel head.