Toothed Ring Coupling for Low Push Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connections between tubes and equipment in pneumatic or hydraulic systems face issues with stress-induced microcracks, leakage, and spontaneous disconnection due to high assembly forces and radial size constraints, which hinder efficient fluid flow and coupling arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical ring with teeth projecting from its surface is received in an outer groove, allowing for elastic flexing and engagement with a secondary groove, providing a secure and compact connection that can be easily disassembled by unscrewing, with features like axial tongues and abutments to prevent accidental disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a toothed washer or toothed cylindrical ring is used as an intermediate structure to eliminate stresses and reduce assembly forces, then the connection reliability improves, but the radial size increases which penalizes the working section and increases the overall size of the coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed ring is nested within the groove of the endpiece, with the groove providing a recess that accommodates the ring's radial projection. This nesting arrangement allows the toothed ring to provide anchoring function while being contained within the groove boundaries, thereby minimizing the increase in overall radial size of the coupling assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the axial dimension by providing a groove with a depth that accommodates the toothed ring's radial projection. By transitioning the problem from a two-dimensional radial constraint to a three-dimensional solution involving axial depth, the groove allows the toothed ring to engage with the tube end without significantly increasing the overall radial envelope of the coupling.
2Strength
If the teeth are made flexible with small flexibility to provide fastening power, then the anchoring strength improves, but the connection cannot be disassembled without destroying the toothed ring
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed ring is designed with elastic teeth that can dynamically adjust their flexibility based on the operational state. During assembly and normal operation, the teeth maintain sufficient flexibility for anchoring. During disassembly, when a pulling force is applied to the endpiece, the teeth elastically deform to reduce their grip on the tube end, allowing the connection to be separated without destroying the ring.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the teeth, specifically their flexibility parameter, change based on the applied load. Under compression during assembly, the teeth are rigid enough to provide strong anchoring. Under tension during disassembly, the teeth become more flexible, allowing the ring to be extracted without damage. This parameter change enables both strong anchoring and easy disassembly.
3Ease of operation
If the teeth are given a slope to enable rotation and disassembly, then the ease of operation improves, but the connection can become unscrewed spontaneously under axial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves are segmented into multiple sections: approach grooves leading to the engagement position, engagement grooves where the teeth interact with the tube end, and withdrawal grooves for disassembly. This segmentation allows different functional zones within the groove structure, enabling controlled engagement and disengagement while maintaining stability during operation through the specific geometry of the engagement section.
4Ease of operation
If a groove with axial width greater than the ring is provided to allow free movement, then the ease of operation improves, but the radial stiffness of the connection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is pre-configured with specific geometric features including approach grooves that guide the toothed ring into the correct engagement position, and engagement grooves with dimensions and orientations that provide radial support. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that during assembly, the ring naturally follows the groove geometry to achieve proper engagement, while the engagement groove geometry itself provides the necessary radial stiffness to prevent excessive radial deflection during operation.
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 reduces assembly forces, enhances the radial stiffness of the connection, and allows for secure anchoring while enabling easy disassembly, thus preventing leakage and spontaneous disconnection, while maintaining a compact design suitable for fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
the teeth are in register with a secondary groove formed in the bottom of the groove receiving the ring, into which secondary groove the teeth are capable of penetrating elastically
Data Source
AI summary
An insertion endpiece for connecting a part carrying the endpiece with another part provided with a bore for receiving the endpiece. The endpiece is provided with an outer groove in which there is received a cylindrical ring, that is free to turn and to slide. The ring has teeth projecting from its outside surface, the ends of the teeth being contained, in the free state, in a substantially cylindrical envelope of diameter that is greater than the diameter of the bore. The ring is received in the groove while being free to turn and to slide. The axial width (L) of the groove is greater than the axial width (L1) of the ring. When the ring is in abutment against a flank of the groove, the teeth are in register with a secondary groove formed in the bottom of the groove receiving the ring, and into which secondary groove the teeth are capable of penetrating elastically.