Tube Coupling Ramp Ring for Soft Tube Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube coupling technologies, such as Speedfit and SuperSeal, lack a seamless transition between locking and releasing modes, often requiring complex mechanisms or stressing components, and do not effectively handle soft tubes where collet heads fail to automatically release.
Innovation Solution
A tube coupling design featuring a coupling body with an annular shoulder, 'O' ring seal, collet with resilient arms, and a ring with ramps to facilitate easy tube release and secure locking, along with a detent mechanism to manage the end cap's position and resistance, enabling both 'Speedfit' and 'SuperSeal' modes without excessive stress on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collet mechanism is used for locking tubes, then tube locking is achieved, but tube release becomes difficult especially with soft tubes
Solution Approach 1:
A release tool acts as an intermediary device to facilitate tube release. The tool engages with the collet's release mechanism, allowing the operator to depress the collet arms and release the tube without directly manipulating the soft tube itself. This mediator overcomes the difficulty of releasing soft tubes that would otherwise be challenging to manipulate.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet mechanism is designed with self-locking capability through its engagement with the cam surface, ensuring reliable tube retention without continuous external force. The spring-loaded arms automatically maintain gripping pressure on the tube, providing self-service locking that enhances reliability while reducing operational complexity.
2Reliability
If the end cap is moved to the advanced position to lock the collet, then permanent locking is achieved, but the mechanism becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The end cap is designed to be movable between two distinct positions: a retracted position for initial tube insertion and collet engagement, and an advanced position for permanent locking. This dynamic positioning allows the same mechanism to serve dual functions without requiring separate components for temporary and permanent locking, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the collet is allowed to be depressed for release, then tube release is easy, but the tube cannot be permanently locked
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between two states based on end cap position. When the end cap is retracted, the collet can be depressed for easy tube release. When the end cap is advanced, it engages with the collet to prevent depression, thereby enabling permanent locking. This dynamic state change allows the mechanism to provide both easy release and permanent locking capabilities using the same components.
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 design allows for effortless tube locking and release, particularly with soft materials, and maintains component integrity by providing a smooth transition between locking and releasing modes, ensuring reliable operation in both 'Speedfit' and 'SuperSeal' configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the side of the ring adjacent the collet having a ramp around its inner periphery to engage between the ends of the arms of the collet and the tube passing through the collet when the collet is depressed into the throughway to release the arms from the tube
Implementation Method 2
the throughway having a cam surface tapered towards the open end of the throughway with which the ends of the arms are engagable to force the arms inwardly with movement of the collet outwardly of the throughway into gripping engagement with a tube
Implementation Method 3
an 'O' ring seal for sealing with a tube located against the annular shoulder in the throughway
Implementation Method 4
detent means are provided acting between the cap and coupling body to provide resistance to movement of the cap along the coupling body until the cap reaches said initial position on the coupling body
Data Source
AI summary
A tube coupling comprises a coupling body having an open ended throughway, an annular shoulder in the throughway, an ‘O’ ring seal located against the annular shoulder and a collet located in the open end of the throughway. The collet has a head projecting out of the throughway and resilient arms extending into the throughway to engage a tapered cam surface adjacent the open end. A ring is disposed in the throughway between the collet and ‘O’ ring seal. The side of the ring adjacent the collet has a ramp around its inner periphery to engage the ends of the collet arms when the collet is depressed into the throughway and the other side of the ring has a ramp around its inner periphery to engage and hold the ‘O’ ring seal in alignment in the throughway when the collet is depressed into the throughway.