Split-Ring Port Connection Assembly for Low-Force Secure Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing releasable port connection assemblies require high force to connect and disconnect male connectors from female port members, leading to potential damage and difficulty in reusing the male connectors, as the elastic bias of the retaining pawl arrangement makes it strenuous for workers and prone to damage when excessive force is applied.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an elastically deformable split ring within the female port member's tubular passageway, which is radially expanded by the male connector's insertion, leveraging the inclined groove to reduce the force needed for connection and featuring a release tool for easy disengagement, allowing for secure locking with moderate force application and facilitating reusability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high elastic bias force is used in the retaining pawl arrangement to achieve secure locking, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the force required for insertion increases making the operation strenuous and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining pawl arrangement is divided into multiple protrusions (at least two protrusions extending radially inwardly) distributed around the tubular passageway. This segmentation distributes the elastic bias force across multiple contact points, reducing the peak force required at any single point during insertion while maintaining secure locking through cumulative engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are positioned at specific locations around the tubular passageway to engage with corresponding features on the male connector. This local quality ensures that the elastic bias force is applied precisely where needed for locking, optimizing the balance between secure retention and insertion force requirements.
2Reliability
If a high elastic bias force is used in the retaining pawl arrangement, then the locking security is improved, but the male connector may be damaged due to excessive force application
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the retaining pawl into multiple protrusions, the total elastic bias force is distributed across several engagement points. This reduces the stress concentration on any single point of the male connector, preventing damage while maintaining overall locking security through the combined effect of multiple engaged protrusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically displaceable nature of the protrusions provides inherent cushioning during the insertion process. The elastic material absorbs excess energy and prevents sudden force spikes that could damage the male connector, while still providing sufficient locking force once engaged.
3Ease of operation
If the protrusion is made rigid to reduce insertion force, then the ease of operation is improved, but the locking reliability decreases due to insufficient elastic return force
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are designed to be elastically displaceable rather than rigid, allowing them to dynamically adjust during insertion and locking. This elasticity enables the protrusions to be displaced inwardly during insertion (improving ease of operation) and then return to their original position to provide secure locking (maintaining reliability).
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
This configuration reduces the force required for connecting male connectors to female port members, enhances secure locking, and allows for easy release and reconnection, addressing the issues of high force requirements and potential damage in existing systems while enabling the reuse of male connectors.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable split ring (20), which is radially expanded by the male connector's insertion
Implementation Method 2
the elastically displaceable protrusion returns back to engage the shoulder on its backside, whereby the male connector is locked
Data Source
AI summary
A releasable port connection assembly comprises a female port member having a tubular passageway extending in an axial direction, a male connector having a tube connection end for connecting a tube to it, and a port connection end configured to be received and retained in the tubular passageway by a retaining pawl arrangement configured to engage an outwardly projecting locking shoulder on the port connection end of the male connector once the male connector has been inserted into the tubular passageway and its locking shoulder has passed the protrusion, characterized in that the protrusion is formed as a circumferentially extending inner rim of an elastically deformable split ring which is slidably received between sidewalls of a circumferential groove formed in an inner wall of the tubular passageway.