Split Collet Connector Locking With Rear Anti-Splay Ring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector devices face issues with collet splaying at the end further from the sealing engagement, which affects the locking effectiveness, and collets with slots terminating before the rear end tend to be too stiff for optimal locking action.
Innovation Solution
A closed ring is introduced to surround the end of the collet further from the sealing engagement to resist splaying, combined with a chamfered rim and lip for enhanced sealing, and a wedge part with a tapering design to facilitate axial force transmission and locking, along with a split collet and collar for secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the collet has a slot extending to the rear end to enable splaying, then the locking action is improved, but the collet becomes too stiff for optimal locking
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is divided into two functional zones: a front portion with slots that can splay for locking, and a rear portion reinforced by a closed ring that prevents excessive splaying. This segmentation allows different parts of the collet to have different degrees of flexibility, resolving the contradiction between needing splaying capability and avoiding excessive stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed ring is applied locally at the rear end of the collet where it is needed to prevent splaying, while the front portion maintains its slot configuration for splaying. This localized reinforcement allows the collet to have the right balance of flexibility where needed and rigidity where required, optimizing the locking action.
2Reliability
If the closed ring is added to prevent collet splaying, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closed ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents excessive splaying of the collet, maintains sealing effectiveness, and provides structural support. By combining multiple functions into a single component, the increase in device complexity is minimized while achieving multiple benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed ring acts as an intermediary element between the collet and the external environment, mediating the splaying force and preventing it from compromising the seal. This intermediary component protects the sealing interface without requiring fundamental changes to the collet design.
3Strength
If the chamfering angles are optimized for strong sealing, then the sealing strength is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chamfering angles are specifically optimized to approximately 59° and 60°, which appear to be empirically determined values that provide optimal sealing strength. These specific parameter values balance sealing effectiveness with manufacturability, avoiding extreme angles that would be difficult to manufacture while still achieving strong seals.
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 strong and effective seal, resisting collet splaying and enhancing locking action, ensuring secure engagement against torsional and lateral forces while maintaining a good seal between the male and female parts.
Implementation Method 1
a closed ring which surrounds that end of the collet which is further from the position at which the male and female parts sealingly engage one another, thereby to resist splaying of the collet at that end
Implementation Method 2
An interior leading edge of the closed ring may be chamfered to assist its placement on the collet into the groove
Implementation Method 3
The closed ring may have been heated to expand it and facilitate such placement into the groove
Implementation Method 4
The collar may be secured to the male part by way of interengaging screwthreads on the collar and on the male part
Implementation Method 5
The surfaces of the collet and the collar which abut one another may be on a slant, such that the collar tapers in a direction towards the collet
Implementation Method 6
a wedge part which is located between the male part and the collet and is displaceable longitudinally with respect to the axis of the screwthreads to splay the collet
Data Source
AI summary
A connector device has male and female parts with respective coaxial passageways. An external screwthread of a collet engages an internal screwthread on the female part and relative rotation between those screwthreads causes engagement of the female and male parts. A slot in the collet extends longitudinally and is open at both ends to enable the collet to be splayed as a split collet. A wedge located between the male part and the collet is displaceable longitudinally to splay the collet and lock the male and female parts in a sealing engagement. The connector includes a ring surrounding the end of the collet remote from the engagement between the male and female parts to resist splaying of the collet at that end. The connector without the male and female parts may also be used for connecting other such male and female parts.