Rotary Fluid Coupling Locking for Secure Valve-Controlled Disconnect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid couplings with rotary valves require complex and costly manufacturing processes due to numerous components and wear-prone parts, leading to increased operational disruptions and manufacturing costs, as well as difficulties in securing the rotational adjustment and preventing unintentional loosening of the coupling connection.
Innovation Solution
A simplified design where a drive device with a drive shaft is arranged on one coupling half to control and secure the rotary valve of the other coupling half, using a locking connection that only allows rotational adjustment when the rotary valves are closed, eliminating the need for conventional securing parts and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional safety mechanisms with multiple locking pins and spring accumulators are used, then the coupling connection is secured against unintentional disengagement, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate safety mechanisms (locking pins, spring accumulators, gear components) into a single integrated locking device. The locking device comprises a locking pin that can be actuated by a spring accumulator, but these components are designed as unified functional units rather than separate assemblies, reducing the overall number of parts while maintaining the security function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it secures the coupling connection against unintentional disengagement, locks the drive shaft in position, and prevents rotation when the rotary valve is closed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing device complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple individual parts and functional surfaces are integrated into the coupling housing wall, then the coupling connection is secured, but wear and susceptibility to malfunctions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed as a separate, extractable component rather than being permanently integrated into the coupling housing wall. The locking pin and spring accumulator can be removed and replaced independently, reducing wear on the housing structure and minimizing susceptibility to malfunctions that would require housing replacement.
3Reliability
If conventional locking devices with numerous components are used, then the coupling is secured, but manufacturing costs and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed as a modular segment that can be manufactured separately and assembled into the coupling housing. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing processes optimized for the locking mechanism, reducing overall production time and costs compared to integrating all components into a single complex housing structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid coupling (1) comprising two coupling halves (2.1/2.2), formed correspondingly similarly to each other, each of which has a rotation body (7.1/7.2) of a rotation valve (6.1/6.2). A drive device (10.1/10.2) for closing and opening the rotation valve (6.1/6.2) is associated with each rotation body (7.1/7.2). Each coupling half (2.1/2.2) has a coupling means (11.1/11.2) for connecting and decoupling the coupling halves (2.1/2.2) by the relative rotational movement thereof about the coupling axis (4). According to the invention, securing means (12.1/12.2) secure the coupling connection when at least one rotation valve (6.1/6.2) is open and close the two rotation valves (6.1/6.2) in order to separate and to correspondingly connect the coupling halves. The drive device (10.1/10.2) arranged on the one coupling half (2.1/2.2) has a drive shaft (16.1/16.2) which is associated with a valve shaft (17.2/17.1) of the rotation body (7.2/7.1) of the other coupling half. In each case a locking connection (13.2/123.1) is provided, which, when the coupling halves (2.1/2.2) are connected to each other, connects the respective drive shaft (16.1/16.2) on the one coupling half to the respective valve shaft on the other coupling half (2.2/2.1) in a rotationally fixed and detachable manner such that the rotational position of the associated rotation body (7.2/7.1) is controllable thereby and the relative rotational movement of the coupling halves (2.1/2.2) about the coupling axis (4) is locked but the relative rotational movement when the rotational valves (6.1/6.2) are closed is permitted.