Springless Fluid Coupling Valves for Spill-Free Disconnection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid handling couplings face challenges in preventing fluid spillage during disconnection, which leads to material loss, contamination, and costs, and often require springs that can cause fluid contamination and compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
The design of fluid couplings with internal valve components that latch together in an abutted arrangement, eliminating the need for springs in the fluid flow path, and incorporating a mechanism to prevent fluid spillage by mechanically detaining the couplings during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If springs are used to operate valve components in fluid couplings, then the valve components can be actuated, but fluid contamination and compatibility issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes springs from the fluid flow path entirely, extracting the harmful element while preserving the valve actuation function through an alternative mechanism involving valve members that latch together in an abutted arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces valve members as intermediary components that mechanically couple the male and female couplings together, mediating the connection and valve actuation functions without requiring springs in contact with the fluid
2Ease of operation
If springs are used in fluid couplings, then valve components can be actuated, but compatibility issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts springs from the fluid-compatible zones of the coupling, eliminating the source of compatibility issues while maintaining operational functionality through springless valve actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the valve system by transitioning from spring-based actuation to a latching mechanism that uses complementary protrusions and recesses, altering how valve components are actuated without compromising fluid compatibility
3Productivity
If fluid couplings are disconnected after use, then the couplings can be reused, but fluid spillage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary valve closure action before coupling disconnection, ensuring that valves automatically close as the male and female couplings separate, thereby preventing fluid spillage before it can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the valve mechanism to counteract potential fluid spillage through automatic valve closure that occurs in opposition to the disconnection motion, preventing the harmful effect before it manifests
4Adaptability or versatility
If fluid couplings include internal valve components, then fluid flow can be controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve actuation function with the coupling connection function, where the same mechanical interface that connects male and female couplings also actuates the valves, thereby controlling fluid flow without adding separate complex actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the valve members to simultaneously serve as connection interfaces and flow control elements, allowing a single component structure to perform multiple functions and reduce overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid couplings can be designed to prevent spillage of fluid when disconnecting the couplings after use. In some embodiments, the fluid couplings include internal valve components but no springs, or no springs in the fluid flow path. In some embodiments, the internal valve components of a male coupling and a female coupling can be designed to latch together in an abutted arrangement.