Split Collet Connector Locking With Rear Splay Constraint
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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 design and interengaging screwthreads to enhance sealing and locking, along with a wedge part and collar for axial force transmission and splaying facilitation.
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 splays at the end further from the sealing engagement which adversely affects the locking effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is divided into two functional zones: the front portion with the longitudinal slot that enables splaying for locking action, and the rear portion that is constrained by the closed ring to prevent adverse splaying. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed ring acts as an intermediary element that surrounds the rear end of the collet and prevents it from splaying adversely. This intermediary component transmits and balances the forces acting on the collet, ensuring that the splaying occurs only in the controlled front region.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the slot terminates before the rear end to prevent adverse splaying, then the harmful splaying is reduced, but the collet becomes too stiff for optimal locking action
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is divided into two functional zones: the front portion with the longitudinal slot that enables splaying for locking action, and the rear portion that is constrained by the closed ring to prevent adverse splaying. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the collet have different properties: the front portion is made flexible by the slot to enable locking action, while the rear portion is made rigid by the closed ring to prevent adverse splaying. Each part has the quality needed for its specific function.
3Reliability
If the chamfering angles are increased to enhance sealing, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the material displacement becomes excessive causing distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The chamfering angles are precisely controlled within specific ranges (male part: 25°-35°, female part: 30°-40°) to optimize the balance between sealing effectiveness and material integrity. These parameter changes ensure adequate seal formation without excessive material displacement.
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 while preventing adverse splaying of the collet, ensuring a secure connection against torsional and lateral forces, and maintaining a good locking action.
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
The said sealing engagement may be between a chamfered rim at an end of the male part, and a chamfered lip within the female part
Implementation Method 3
an external screwthread which engages an internal screwthread on the female part, so that relative rotation between those screwthreads in a given sense causes the female part to sealingly engage the male part
Implementation Method 4
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 thereby to lock the male and female parts in such a sealing engagement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
A connect or device A connector device (10) conprising a rale part (12) and a ferrale part (50) which engages the rra I e part (12) when those two parts (12 and 50) are connected together, those two parts (12 and 50) having respective passageways (14 and 54) which are coaxial when those two parts (12 and 50) are connected together. A collet (24) surrounds the rra I e part (12) and is coupled thereto, which collet (24) has an external screwthread which engages an internal screwthread (52) on the ferrale part (50), so that relative rotation between those screwchreads in a given sense causes the ferrale part (50) to sealingly engage the rra I e part (12). The collet (24) has at least one slot (40) in it which extends longitudinally with respect to the axis of the screwthreads to enable the collet (24) to be splayed, and which slot (40) is open at both ends so that the collet (24) is a split collet. A wedge part (34) is located between the rra I e part (12) and the col let (24) and is displaceable longitudinally with respect to the axis of the screwthreads to splay the collet (24) thereby to lock the rral e and ferrale parts (12 and 50) in such a sealing engagenent wth one another. The connector device (10) further conprises a ring (98) which surrounds that end of the collet (24) which is further from the position at which the rral e and ferrale parts (12 and 50) sealingly engage one another, thereby to resist splaying of the collet (24) at that end.