Rotary Valve Fluid Coupling With Integrated Locking Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid couplings with rotary valves require complex and costly securing mechanisms to prevent accidental disengagement and ensure secure operation, leading to increased production complexity and susceptibility to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A simplified design where the drive device on one coupling half connects non-rotatably to the valve shaft of the other coupling half, allowing reciprocal control of rotary valve positions and blocking relative rotational movement when valves are closed, eliminating the need for custom securing parts and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex securing mechanisms with multiple locking pins and spring accumulators are used, then the coupling connection is secured against accidental disengagement, but the device complexity and production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive shaft and locking pin into a single integrated component. The drive shaft itself serves as the locking element that engages with the coupling partner, eliminating the need for separate locking pins and spring accumulators. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts while maintaining the security of the coupling connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft is designed to perform multiple functions: it transmits rotational motion to open the rotary valve and simultaneously serves as a locking element that secures the coupling connection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated securing components, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If multiple individual parts and functional surfaces are integrated in the coupling housing, then the coupling connection is secured, but the manufacturing precision requirements and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the locking function into the drive shaft itself, the patent reduces the number of separate functional surfaces and parts that need to be precisely manufactured. The simplified design requires fewer precision-machined features in the coupling housing, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements and associated costs.
3Reliability
If special holes, gear parts, and spring accumulators are formed in the coupling housing wall, then the securing function is achieved, but the susceptibility to wear and operational malfunctions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring accumulator and separate locking pin from the system, extracting the harmful elements that cause wear and malfunction susceptibility. The simplified design eliminates complex moving parts that are prone to wear, thereby reducing operational malfunctions while maintaining the securing function through the integrated drive shaft.
4Reliability
If a plurality of components are used in the securing means, then the coupling connection is secured, but the production time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the drive shaft and locking pin into a single component significantly reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This simplification accelerates the production process and reduces costs while maintaining the security of the coupling connection through the multi-functional drive shaft.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid coupling has two similar coupling halves, each with a rotary body of a valve. A drive device for closing/opening the valve is associated with each rotary body. Each half has a coupling means for connecting/decoupling the halves by relative rotation. Securing means secure the connection when at least one valve is open and close the two rotary valves to disconnect/connect the halves. The drive device is arranged on one half and has a drive shaft which is associated with a valve shaft of the rotary body of the other half. A locking connection is configured which, when the halves are connected, connects the drive shaft on one half to the valve shaft on the other in a non-rotatable/releasable manner such that the rotation of the rotary body is controllable and relative rotation of the halves is blocked but the relative rotation when the valves are closed is permitted.