Tank Connection Coupling With Rotating Handle Valve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection couplings for fluid discharge into tanks require complex and non-intuitive operation, particularly for pressure refueling, necessitating a tilting moment and multiple hand operations that are challenging for inexperienced users.
Innovation Solution
A connection coupling design featuring a handle element that surrounds the housing, allowing simultaneous grasping and rotation to actuate the coupling device and main valve, with a grooved cam and actuating pins to facilitate intuitive and secure operation, including automatic rotation upon attachment and independent control of the coupling and main valve functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lever mounted on the housing is rotated around a vertical axis to lock the connection coupling and actuate the main valve, then the connection can be established and the valve can be actuated, but the operation generates a tilting moment perpendicular to the mounting axis, making it difficult for inexperienced users to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the handle element with the housing to form an integrated gripping structure. The handle element at least partially surrounds an outer portion of the housing, creating a unified component that eliminates the need for separate levers or operating mechanisms. This merging reduces the complexity of the operating mechanism while improving ease of use, as users can grasp the integrated handle-housing structure and rotate it about the mounting axis without generating problematic tilting moments.
2Ease of operation
If the handle element at least partially surrounds an outer portion of the housing and is designed to be grasped by a user's hand together with the outer portion, then the user can securely hold the connection coupling during actuation, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The handle element is merged with the housing to form an integrated structure. The handle element at least partially surrounds an outer portion of the housing, creating a unified component that provides secure gripping surfaces while eliminating the need for separate operating levers. This integration reduces overall device complexity despite the added surrounding structure, as it consolidates multiple functions into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated handle element serves multiple functions: it provides a gripping surface for user operation, structurally connects to the housing, and acts as the rotating component that actuates both the coupling device and main valve. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the handle element is rotatable relative to the housing about a rotation axis aligned along the mounting direction, then the coupling device and main valve can be actuated simultaneously without tilting moments, but the mechanism requires precise alignment and coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The handle element is merged with the housing and rotation axis alignment features to form an integrated structure. This integration ensures that the rotation axis is precisely aligned along the mounting direction, eliminating the need for separate alignment mechanisms. The unified structure maintains precise rotational alignment while simplifying the overall mechanism and improving ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connection coupling for discharging a fluid into a tank, comprising a housing, a first fluid connection connectable to a fluid supply line, a second fluid connection connectable to a connection piece of the tank, a channel leading through the housing for conveying the fluid from the first to the second fluid connection, a main valve arranged in the channel, a coupling device for establishing and releasing a connection between the connection coupling and the connection piece, and an actuating device for actuating the coupling device and the main valve. According to the invention, the actuating device has a handle element that at least partially surrounds an outer portion of the housing and, together with the outer portion of the housing, is designed to be grasped by a user's hand.The handle element is rotatable about a rotational axis relative to the outer portion of the housing and is coupled to the coupling device and the main valve in such a way that rotation of the handle element causes the coupling device and the main valve to be actuated. The design of the handle element enables a user-friendly, intuitive, and safe refueling process.