Rotating Snap Connector Assembly for Multi-Oriented Conduit Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for tubes and hoses lack the ability to adapt to various orientations, limiting their versatility in connecting conduits in different settings.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a rotatable connecting end that uses a snap fit connection mechanism, featuring a retention groove and projection, and a sealing barb for fluid sealing without elastomeric seals, allowing 360-degree rotation and adaptation to various conduit orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a connector is designed with fixed orientation connections, then the connection structure is simple, but the adaptability to various conduit orientations is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a rotatable connecting end that can rotate 360 degrees relative to the body, transforming a static fixed-orientation connector into a dynamic multi-orientation connector. This dynamic element allows the connector to adapt to various conduit orientations without requiring multiple different connector designs, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting mechanism uses universal snap-fit components (retention groove and retention projection) that work in any orientation. The retainer member with flexible arm provides universal sealing capability across all rotation positions, making the connector multi-functional for different conduit orientations rather than requiring orientation-specific designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable connecting end is added to enable various orientations, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional components: a body, a rotatable connecting end, a snap-fit mechanism (retention groove and projection), and a separate retainer member for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while enabling rotational capability and multi-orientation connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer member with flexible arm automatically maintains sealing contact with the conduit across all rotation positions without requiring external adjustment or additional sealing materials. The flexible arm self-adjusts to maintain proper sealing pressure, eliminating the need for complex sealing mechanisms or multiple sealing components.
3Reliability
If traditional sealing methods with elastomeric seals are used, then fluid sealing is reliable, but additional sealing materials and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and eliminates the need for separate elastomeric sealing materials by integrating the sealing function directly into the rigid connector components through the retainer member's flexible arm and the snap-fit mechanism. This takes out the dependency on additional sealing materials while maintaining reliable fluid sealing through the mechanical design itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism changes from relying on elastomeric material properties to relying on mechanical geometric parameters - the flexible arm's deflection, the snap-fit engagement force, and the barbed insertion geometry. This parameter change from material-based sealing to geometry-based sealing simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector providing a rotating snap connection for connecting tubes, hoses and/or other conduits where the rotatable portion of the connector snap fits with the remaining portion of the connector is described. A first connector can include a body (22) defining a first internal passage (24), a connecting end (30) defining a second internal passage (42), and a connecting mechanism rotatably connecting the connecting end (30) to the body (22) such that the second internal passage (42) of the connecting end (30) is fluidly connected with the first internal passage (24). A second connector can include a first body, a second body rotatably connected to the first body via a connecting structure, and a connecting structure.