Springless Fluid Couplings for Spill-Free Disconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid couplings often result in spillage of fluid when disconnected, leading to material loss, contamination, and air inclusion, and may require springs that cause fluid contamination and restrict flow, while also complicating sterilization processes.

Innovation Solution

The fluid couplings feature internal valve components that latch together without springs, using complementary structures and mechanical latching mechanisms to prevent spillage during disconnection, ensuring fluid integrity and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If springs are used to operate valve components in fluid couplings, then the valve components can be operated reliably, but fluid contamination occurs and flow is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve component operationVSAvoidfluid contamination and flow restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes springs from the fluid flow path entirely, extracting the harmful element while maintaining valve operation through alternative means (manual actuation or external actuation mechanisms that do not require springs within the flow path)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve operation function is separated from the fluid flow path. The actuation mechanism is segmented into components that operate the valve without being in direct contact with the fluid flow, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If fluid couplings are disconnected after use, then the couplings can be reused, but fluid spillage occurs leading to material loss and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reusabilityVSAvoidfluid spillage and material loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The valve components are designed to close automatically or be actuated to close the flow path before the coupling is disconnected. This preliminary action of closing the valve prevents fluid spillage during the disconnection process, allowing safe reuse of the couplings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by closing the valve to counteract the potential harmful effect of fluid spillage that would occur during disconnection. This preemptive measure prevents contamination and material loss before they can happen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If springs are used in fluid couplings, then valve components can be actuated, but sterilization processes become complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve actuationVSAvoidsterilization process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By removing springs from the fluid flow path and actuation mechanism, the patent eliminates components that are difficult to sterilize. This simplifies the sterilization process while maintaining ease of operation through alternative actuation methods that use sterilizable materials and designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12359757B2Fluid handling couplings

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 COLDER PRODUCTS CO

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.