Concentric Slave Cylinder Connector With Constant-Bore Fluid Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid-actuated clutch systems face challenges in providing a cost-effective connection arrangement between unfilled slave cylinders and high-pressure pipes, as existing connectors with fluid retention capabilities are complex and prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A unitary one-piece fluid connector with a male and female end, featuring a passageway with a constant diameter center bore and an annular bore, allowing free fluid flow and incorporating a retaining spring to engage and open the valve of the high-pressure pipe connector, facilitating fluid coupling without the need for pre-filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a specialized connector with fluid retention valving is used to couple the slave cylinder to the high-pressure pipe, then the slave cylinder can be supplied unfilled and fluidically coupled at installation, but the connector design becomes complex with high production and assembly costs
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate components: a cap assembly that couples to the slave cylinder and a connector body that couples to the high-pressure pipe. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex fluid retention valving in the connector itself, as the cap assembly with its simple valve provides fluid retention while the connector body remains structurally simple for easy manufacturing and assembly.
2Ease of operation
If a specialized connector with fluid retention valving is used to couple the slave cylinder to the high-pressure pipe, then the slave cylinder can be supplied unfilled and fluidically coupled at installation, but the complex design becomes a point of failure within the system
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the fluid retention function (in the cap assembly with its simple valve) from the structural connection function (in the connector body), the invention reduces the number of moving parts and potential failure points in the connector itself. The simple valve in the cap assembly is the only moving part, enhancing overall system reliability while still enabling unfilled slave cylinder installation.
3Device complexity
If the passageway in the connector has varying diameter, then the connector can accommodate complex valving mechanisms, but the flow resistance increases reducing fluid flow efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the connector into cap assembly and connector body allows the passageway to be divided into separate sections. The connector body features a constant diameter passageway that minimizes flow resistance and energy loss, while the cap assembly contains the valving mechanism. This separation enables simple valving without compromising fluid flow efficiency through the constant diameter section.
4Ease of manufacture
If a unitary one-piece connector body is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the ability to accommodate complex valving mechanisms is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the connector system into a simple unitary connector body and a separate cap assembly. The unitary connector body is easy to manufacture with a constant diameter passageway and simple female thread, while the cap assembly with its valve and male thread provides the necessary fluid retention capability. This segmentation achieves both low manufacturing cost and adequate valving functionality.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and reliable connection that reduces flow resistance and eliminates the need for pre-filling, enhancing the durability and efficiency of the fluid-actuated clutch system.
Implementation Method 1
The connector body has a passageway extending between the male end and the female end, and a stem recessed in the female end, the stem having an axial end face configured to open a valve of the mating connector of the associated high-pressure pipe when connected thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid connector for coupling an associated slave cylinder to a mating connector of an associated high-pressure pipe. The fluid connector includes a unitary one-piece connector body having a male end and a female end, the male end adapted to be received in a port of the associated slave cylinder, the female end adapted to receive a male end of the mating connector of the associated high-pressure pipe.