Snap-Fit Fluid Coupling With Compressible Collar Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid handling systems require fluid couplings that can provide a secure but releasable connection for fluid flow paths, especially in systems that provide liquid cooling for heat-generating devices like batteries and electronics, while being compact and easy to connect and disconnect.
Innovation Solution
The development of male and female couplings that can be snapped together, featuring a ridge portion on the male coupling and an ovular collar on the female coupling, allowing for easy connection and disconnection by manual compression, with optional seal members for fluid and environmental sealing, and designed for audible and tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fluid couplings are used, then secure connection is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with an asymmetric cross-section featuring a flat side and a curved side, allowing it to dynamically change its engagement state with the ridge portion. During connection, the collar naturally aligns and snaps onto the ridge. During disconnection, manual compression deforms the collar to release from the ridge, providing easy operation while maintaining secure connection during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the asymmetric collar geometry. The collar's flat side allows it to be easily compressed by hand, and its elastic deformation automatically engages or disengages the connection without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms, making the system self-service for both connection and disconnection operations.
2Volume of moving object
If compact design is implemented, then volume is reduced, but device complexity increases due to asymmetric collar and ridge structure
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is segmented into distinct functional components: the ridge portion integrated with the male coupling, the asymmetric collar on the female coupling, and seal members. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness, reducing total volume without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The ridge portion is merged with the male coupling body, and the collar is merged with the female coupling body, eliminating the need for separate fastening components. This merging reduces the number of parts and overall volume while the simple asymmetric geometry of the collar provides the necessary complex functionality for secure yet easy release.
3Ease of operation
If asymmetric collar design is used, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed as a flexible elastic component with thin wall sections, particularly on the curved side, allowing it to deform easily under manual compression. This flexibility compensates for variations in manufacturing precision, as the elastic material can accommodate slight dimensional variations while still providing the intended snap-fit connection and easy release 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 couplings provide a secure, robust, and reliable connection with audible and tactile feedback, ensuring proper coupling, while being easy to manufacture and featuring controlled disconnection to prevent premature separation.
Implementation Method 1
The seal member may seal against an inner surface of the male coupling
Implementation Method 2
designed for audible and tactile feedback
Implementation Method 3
designed for audible and tactile feedback
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes fluid coupling devices for fluid handling systems. For example, this document describes male and female couplings that can be snapped together, and that are disconnectable by manually compressing an ovular collar of the female coupling. Some fluid coupling devices described herein are well suited for use in systems that provide liquid cooling for heat generating devices such as batteries, power sources, electronics, computer hardware and the like. Moreover, the fluid coupling devices described herein are also suitable for many other fluid coupling uses.