Torque Limiting Fluid Connector With Flexible Portions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard fluid connectors can be over-tightened, leading to damage to the connector, the surface it is attached to, and washers within, especially in plumbing applications, and there is a need for a hand-operated connector that prevents over-tightening while ensuring easy loosening and a leak-proof seal.

Innovation Solution

A hand-operated screw connector system with an outer member and inner member design that limits torque during tightening by using outwardly flexible portions and axially extending slots, preventing further rotation of the inner member once maximum torque is reached, while allowing easy loosening and maintaining a locked position for secure sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard fluid connectors are tightened to ensure secure connection, then connection reliability is improved, but the connector can be over-tightened causing damage to the connector, surface, and washers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddamage from over-tightening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connector incorporates a torque-limiting mechanism with flexible portions and projections that are pre-configured to engage at a predetermined torque level. When the inner member is rotated during tightening, the flexible portions flex outwardly and slip over the projections once the pre-set maximum torque is reached, automatically preventing further torque application before damage can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The torque-limiting mechanism is self-regulating and requires no external control or special tools. The flexible portions and projections work together to automatically limit torque during the tightening process, and the same structure allows easy loosening by hand without requiring intervention from a torque control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the connector is designed to limit torque during tightening, then over-tightening damage is prevented, but the connector must still be easily loosened by hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of over-tightening damageVSAvoidease of loosening

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into an outer member and an inner member that can rotate relative to each other. The torque-limiting function is achieved through the interaction of flexible portions on the outer member with projections on the inner member, while the threaded connection between the members provides the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the torque-limiting and locking functions to operate independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible portions transition from a rigid state during normal tightening to a flexible state when maximum torque is reached, allowing them to slip over the projections. This dynamic behavior enables automatic torque limitation while maintaining structural integrity for locking and easy loosening through the threaded connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the connector uses a hand-operated screw design, then no special tools are required, but the connector must still provide sufficient tightening force and maintain a secure seal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand operation without special toolsVSAvoidtightening force and seal security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connector incorporates a beveled edge on the inner member that engages with a corresponding surface on the outer member to create a mechanical advantage during tightening. This angular geometry amplifies the hand-applied torque, enabling sufficient tightening force to be generated without requiring special tools, while the beveled engagement maintains a secure seal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 connector effectively prevents over-tightening, ensures easy hand operation for both tightening and loosening, and provides a secure, leak-proof seal by limiting torque during tightening and maintaining a locked position for loosening, thus preventing damage and ensuring reliable fluid connection.

Implementation Method 1

the outwardly flexible portions then flex and slip over the outwardly extending projections to prevent the maximum tightening torque from being exceeded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the outwardly flexible portions then flex and slip over the outwardly extending projections to prevent the maximum tightening torque from being exceeded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9303800B2Torque limiting fluid connector system

Publication Date: 2016.04.05 FLUIDMASTER INC

AI summary

A torque limiting fluid connector system which can be hand screwed to a maximum tightening torque and be hand loosened, including: an outer member having a front opening, a back opening, and a plurality of outwardly flexible portions separated by axially extending slots; an inner member having a front opening, a back opening, an interior threaded surface and a plurality of outwardly extending projections dimensioned to be received within the axially extending slots when the inner member is received within the outer member; a connector having one end received within the inner member and an opposite end extending out of the back end of the inner member; and a washer mounted onto the end of the connector that is received within the inner member.