Quick Connect Tube Coupling Leverage Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connecting devices for tubes require excessive effort and time for both assembly and disassembly due to the need to manually align and secure annular flanges over restricting ribs, making the process labor-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device comprising a female retainer with a concave portion and protruding shafts, a male retainer with a clamping portion, and a quick connect and release locking clamp with grooves, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement of the tubes by rotating the clamping and locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If annular flanges are pressed over restricting ribs to connect tubes, then connection stability is achieved, but assembly effort and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic lever mechanism that converts a small rotational motion into a large clamping force. The lever arm rotates about a pivot point, dynamically amplifying the user's input force to generate sufficient clamping pressure on the annular flanges, thereby reducing assembly effort while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting device is segmented into distinct functional components: a frame with restricting ribs for positional guidance, annular flanges for connection, and a separate lever mechanism for clamping. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the lever mechanism independently providing the necessary clamping force without requiring the user to manually press the flanges over the ribs.
2Reliability
If annular flanges are confined between restricting ribs and annular stopping portion, then tube connection is secured, but disassembly becomes labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism provides dynamic mechanical advantage that works in both directions. During disassembly, rotating the lever in the opposite direction releases the clamping force on the annular flanges, allowing them to be easily removed from between the restricting ribs and annular stopping portion. The same mechanical advantage that secured the connection now facilitates easy release.
3Reliability
If manual pressing is used to connect tubes, then connection is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism transforms a simple rotational motion into an effective clamping action through mechanical advantage. The user只需旋转杠杆即可快速施加足够的夹紧力，无需费力的按压动作，从而大幅缩短了连接时间，提高了组装效率。
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure with restricting ribs and annular stopping portion is pre-configured to guide the annular flanges into the correct position. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for complex alignment during assembly, allowing the lever mechanism to focus solely on applying clamping force, thereby speeding up the overall assembly process.
4Ease of operation
If excessive force is applied to disconnect tubes, then disengagement is achieved, but user effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism provides mechanical advantage that reduces the user effort required for disengagement. By rotating the lever, the user applies a small force that is amplified by the lever arm to generate sufficient force to overcome the friction and secure the connection, enabling easy disengagement without excessive user effort.
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting device between two tubes for defining a play place for pets, comprises: a female retainer, a male retainer and a quick connect and release locking clamp. The female retainer includes a concave portion and two protruding shafts. The male retainer is pivotally connected with the female retainer and includes a clamping portion. The quick connect and release locking clamp is pivotally connected with the male retainer and includes two grooves. The clamping portion engages in the concave portion, and the two grooves are engaged with the two protruding shafts, so that the two tubes are connected to define a play place for pets.