Self-Resetting Stop Mechanism for Quick Connect Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick connect couplings face a risk of inadvertent disconnection, leading to potential damage, injury, or system failure due to the need for manual removal and potential loss of safety stops, which compromises safety and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A quick connect coupling with a self-resetting stop mechanism that is axially secured to the male coupling, allowing for secure connection without manual stop removal, featuring a slidable stop that automatically resets to prevent inadvertent disconnection, utilizing a biasing element and geometric features to ensure the stop remains in place until intentional disconnection is initiated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional stop is used to prevent inadvertent disconnection, then safety is improved, but the stop must be manually removed for disconnection which leads to loss of the stop and compromised safety
Solution Approach 1:
The stop is designed to dynamically change position between a first position (preventing disconnection) and a second position (allowing disconnection). The stop moves along the longitudinal axis in response to insertion forces, automatically transitioning between safety modes without manual removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop automatically performs the function of preventing inadvertent disconnection and then automatically transitions to allow intentional disconnection. The system serves itself by using the insertion force to move the stop, eliminating the need for manual removal and preventing stop loss.
2Reliability
If the stop is axially secured in a fixed position to prevent inadvertent disconnection, then safety is improved, but the ability to disconnect the coupling is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The stop transitions from a fixed position appearance to a dynamically movable component. It is positioned at a first location to prevent disconnection, but can move to a second location when insertion force is applied, providing both safety and disconnection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop is preliminarily positioned to prevent inadvertent disconnection (anti-action), but this prevention is automatically reversed when the coupling is intentionally inserted for disconnection. The system built-in countermeasures against the initial safety constraint.
3Ease of operation
If the stop is made removable to enable disconnection, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of stop loss and safety compromise increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of being removable, the stop is designed to be movable along a defined path. It slides between two positions in response to operational forces, maintaining attachment to the coupling while providing the necessary functional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop remains permanently attached to the coupling and serves itself by automatically transitioning between safety positions. The insertion force directly moves the stop, eliminating the need for manual removal and preventing stop loss while maintaining disconnection capability.
4Reliability
If a self-resetting stop mechanism is implemented, then safety is improved by preventing stop loss, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism uses simple dynamic movement along the longitudinal axis, utilizing the existing insertion force to move the stop between positions. The geometry of the coupling and stop interact to provide automatic resetting without complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop automatically resets to its safety position using the insertion force itself, without requiring external resetting mechanisms. The system uses its own operational forces to maintain safety, minimizing additional complexity.
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
The self-resetting stop mechanism significantly reduces the risk of inadvertent disconnections, ensuring the coupling remains securely connected until intentional disconnection, thereby enhancing safety and operational reliability by preventing stop loss and simplifying the disconnection process.
Implementation Method 1
the retention mechanism biased towards the first position so that the retention mechanism resets to the first position upon removal of an insertion force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
A quick connect coupling (2) includes a male coupling (4) and a female coupling (6). A stop (16) may be associated with the male coupling (4) and configured to prevent the male coupling (4) from being inserted into a port of the female coupling (6) beyond a predetermined depth. The stop (16) may be axially slidable between a first position and a second position. The first position may be located between a leading edge (30) of the male coupling (4) and the second position. The stop (16) biased towards the first position so that the stop substantially resets to the first position.