Self-Locking Fluid Coupling Assembly Without Safety Wire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid coupling assemblies in aeronautical systems require manual installation of safety wires to prevent loosening, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A self-locking fluid coupling assembly featuring non-resilient protrusions and serration assemblies on the male, ferrule, and nut couplings to increase loosening resistance without the need for manual safety wires, utilizing additive manufacturing for integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual safety wire installation is used to prevent loosening, then loosening resistance is improved, but installation time and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly incorporates self-locking features including non-resilient protrusions on the male coupling that engage with corresponding recesses on the female coupling, and a locking mechanism with a locking ball and groove that automatically engages upon assembly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual safety wire installation while maintaining high loosening resistance, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and installation time
2Reliability
If manual safety wire installation is used to prevent loosening, then connection security is improved, but device complexity and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is integrated directly into the coupling components themselves. The non-resilient protrusions are formed as integral features of the male coupling, and the locking ball and groove are built into the coupling bodies. This merging of the locking function into the primary coupling components eliminates the need for separate safety wire hardware and reduces overall assembly complexity while maintaining connection security
3Productivity
If traditional coupling design is used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate due to manual safety wire installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs additive manufacturing (3D printing) to create complex geometries including non-resilient protrusions, locking balls, and interlocking features that would be difficult or time-consuming to manufacture using traditional subtractive methods. This parameter change in manufacturing approach enables integrated self-locking features to be produced efficiently as single-piece components, improving productivity without sacrificing manufacturing feasibility
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the fluid coupling assembly's resistance to loosening, ensuring a secure fluid tight connection without the need for manual safety wire installation, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk of leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of non-resilient protrusions spaced along the circumferential direction for contacting an opposing surface and increasing a loosening resistance of the fluid coupling assembly
Data Source
AI summary
In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure a fluid coupling assembly defining an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction is provided. The fluid coupling assembly includes a male coupling including a first MC attachment interface, a second MC attachment interface, and an outer surface extending along the circumferential direction; a ferrule coupling including an FC attachment interface pressed against the first MC attachment interface, a lip extending along the radial direction, and an outer surface extending along the circumferential direction to define a circular shape; and a nut coupling including an NC attachment interface rotatably engaged with the second MC attachment interface, a flange extending along the radial direction and pressed against the lip of the ferrule coupling, and an inner surface extending along the circumferential direction to define a circular shape; wherein the outer surface of the male coupling, the outer surface of the ferrule, or the inner surface of the nut coupling includes a plurality of non-resilient protrusions spaced along the circumferential direction for contacting an opposing surface and increasing a loosening resistance of the fluid coupling assembly.