Springless Quick-Connect Coupler With Detented Sleeve Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-connect couplers suffer from fatigue and failure of compression springs, leading to leaks and difficulty in miniaturization, and require constant axial compression, making them cumbersome and less robust.
Innovation Solution
A quick-connect coupler design featuring a two-position retraction sleeve with a retaining ring and ball bearings that locks and unlocks without a compression spring, using a detented sleeve mechanism for secure connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a compression spring is used to maintain constant axial compression, then the retractable sleeve can be held in position, but the coupler becomes more complex and difficult to miniaturize
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the compression spring, the patent simplifies the overall structure and reduces the number of components. The springless detent mechanism achieves sleeve positioning with fewer parts, making the coupler easier to manufacture and simpler to miniaturize.
2Reliability
If a compression spring is used to maintain the retractable sleeve in a closed position, then the ball bearings can be held in the ball bearing seats, but the spring is under constant compression increasing the risk of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the compression spring that was causing fatigue, replacing it with a detent mechanism using ball bearings and a retractable sleeve. This removes the source of fatigue while maintaining the ball bearing retention function through the detent geometry.
3Reliability
If a traditional spring-based mechanism is used, then the coupler can maintain connection, but it becomes less robust and more difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the compression spring and its associated assembly requirements, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process. The springless detent mechanism with ball bearings and retractable sleeve can be assembled more easily while maintaining connection 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
The solution provides a durable, easy-to-assemble, lightweight, and scalable coupler that maintains a secure connection without leaks, facilitating miniaturization and ease of use while eliminating the need for constant axial compression.
Implementation Method 1
the annular channel formed in the sleeve shifts position over the ball bearings and permits the ball bearings to migrate radially outwardly
Implementation Method 2
The compression spring is sized such that it is under constant compression so as to maintain the retraction sleeve in a closed position
Implementation Method 3
One or more O-rings are used to create an air-tight and/or fluid-tight seal between the male insert and the female coupler when connected
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-connect coupler having a radially-expandable retaining ring to eliminate the need for a compression spring to set a retraction sleeve in a resting locked position. A fluid delivery quick-connect coupler includes a male insertion member and a female retaining coupler formed with a series of corresponding apertures, chamfered surfaces and radially extending flanges to produce a mechanical interference fit to releasably lock the male insertion member to the female retaining coupler with a retraction sleeve superposed about the female retaining coupler. Non-fluid variants of the quick-connect coupler have a female retaining coupler with a male member retaining bore. Opposing ends of the quick-connect couplers are formed with a variety of attachment means such as threaded and barbed segments, and segments with eyelets.