Tube Coupling Collet Alignment via Castellated Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube couplings face issues with incorrect alignment of the collet during assembly, which can lead to damage or improper insertion, affecting the reliability and ease of assembly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a tube support with castellations and complementary keys to ensure correct alignment of the collet and body, preventing misalignment and facilitating a secure assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the collet is inserted without alignment features, then the assembly process is simpler, but the collet may be incorrectly aligned causing damage or improper insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric key features (protrusions and corresponding recesses) on the tube support and body that create a unique geometric configuration. This asymmetric design allows the tube support to be inserted in only one correct orientation, ensuring proper alignment of the collet legs with the windows. The asymmetric keys prevent incorrect insertion by making misaligned assembly mechanically impossible.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube support acts as an intermediary component between the body and the collet. It provides alignment features (castellations and keys) that mediate the interaction between the body and collet, ensuring correct positioning. The tube support transfers the alignment function from the body-collet interface to the body-tube support interface, making the overall assembly more reliable.
2Manufacturing precision
If alignment keys are added to the tube support and body, then correct alignment is guaranteed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the alignment function into separate segments: keys on the body and corresponding recesses on the tube support. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with precise features, then assembled together. The segmented approach to alignment reduces the complexity of individual parts while ensuring precise overall alignment through the keyed interface.
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 ensures reliable and simplified assembly by guaranteeing correct alignment of components, improving the assembly process and providing additional support to the tube during use, reducing the risk of O-ring damage and enhancing the stability of the sub-assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the body and tube support being provided with complementary keys to align the tube support and body to enable insertion of the collet, and at least one castellation extending proximally from the tube support ring which is complementary to a respective collet leg to align the collet with respect to the body as the collet is inserted into the body
Implementation Method 2
the body and tube support being provided with complementary keys to align the tube support and body to enable insertion of the collet
Implementation Method 3
proximal movement of the collet with respect to the body causes the or each leg to deflect inwardly
Implementation Method 4
teeth 8 on the collet legs 7 to bite into the tube such that the collet 5 is drawn proximally together with the tube
Data Source
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AI summary
A tube coupling comprising a body (1) to receive a tube (22). The body has lateral recesses (12) extending outwardly from an internal wall. An O-ring (3) is retained by the body distally of the recesses. A collet (5) comprises a ring (6) and collet legs (7) to be received in the lateral recesses and having a tooth (8) facing the passageway. Proximal movement of the collet with respect to the body causes the fingers to deflect inwardly. A tube support (10) comprises a ring (12) and has a key to align with the body. Castellations (13, 14) extend proximately from the tube support ring and are complementary to the collet legs to align the collet with respect to the body as the is inserted into the body.