Tool-Free Hose Coupling Structure to Prevent Nuisance Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural vehicles face challenges in tool-less attachment of hose connectors, leading to nuisance disconnections and increased complexity in seed metering systems, particularly in systems with multiple row units and Seed-On-Demand systems.
Innovation Solution
A coupling structure featuring a hose connector with a non-round pin and a slot having a receiving pocket with distinct ramp surfaces, allowing for secure tool-less attachment and reduced disconnection forces, ensuring easy engagement and disengagement without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tool-less attachment mechanism is used for hose connectors, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to nuisance disconnections
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs asymmetric geometry with a non-circular pin featuring a flat side and corresponding slot orientation. This asymmetric design prevents rotation and accidental disconnection while maintaining tool-less operation, as the connector can only be assembled in one specific orientation and cannot easily detach during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes curved ramp surfaces within the slot that guide the pin during engagement. These curved surfaces facilitate smooth insertion while the geometry transitions to a locked position, providing secure retention without requiring tools for attachment or detachment.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed as a self-locking mechanism where the pin and slot geometry automatically engage and lock when brought together. The asymmetric flat-sided pin fits into the slot with ramp surfaces that guide engagement, creating a secure connection without requiring additional locking components, springs, or adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The design merges the alignment, locking, and retention functions into a single integrated pin-slot interface. The non-circular pin with flat side combines orientation control and locking in one element, while the slot with ramp surfaces provides both guidance and retention, eliminating the need for separate alignment features or locking mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple connector components are used, then reliability is improved, then manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural connection, asymmetric orientation control through its flat side, rotational prevention, and engagement guidance via the ramp surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into two main segments: the pin portion and the slot portion. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard machining processes, then assembled together. The simple geometric features (flat side, slot, ramps) on each segment are easy to manufacture with conventional methods.
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural vehicle (10) includes a coupling structure for making a tool-less attachment between a first connector piece (60, 60A) and a second connector piece (908, 950). The first connector piece has at least one pin (916), and the second connector piece has at least one slot (924) adapted to receive the pin in a receiving pocket (924C) that is circumferentially spaced from an axially-open inlet portion (924A) of the slot. The slot includes an inlet ramp (930) between the slot inlet portion and the receiving pocket, and the inlet ramp is less steeply angled than a second ramp surface (932) that forms a portion of the receiving pocket adjacent the first ramp.