Universal Coupling Assembly for Multi-Geometry Valve Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling systems are limited to specific geometric shapes, requiring custom designs for different sizes and shapes, leading to increased costs, long lead times, and complex inventory management.
Innovation Solution
A universal coupling system that can engage with female and male devices of varying shapes and sizes, featuring adjustable housings and locking mechanisms to provide a strong, dependable connection between valves and actuators, compatible with multiple manufacturers' sizes and dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coupling systems are designed for specific geometric shapes, then they provide strong and reliable connections, but they require custom designs for different sizes and shapes, increasing device complexity and inventory management complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system employs a universal coupling device with adjustable components that can accommodate multiple geometric shapes and sizes of valve stems and actuator shafts. The housing includes adjustable grips and locking members that can be configured to engage with different geometries, eliminating the need for multiple custom coupling designs and simplifying inventory management while maintaining reliable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components, including movable grips and repositionable locking members, that can be dynamically adjusted to match different geometric configurations. This dynamic adaptability allows a single coupling design to serve multiple functions across different valve and actuator combinations without compromising connection reliability.
2Reliability
If custom coupling designs are created for different valve and actuator combinations, then connection reliability is improved, but lead times increase and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a universal coupling system that can accommodate multiple valve and actuator combinations through adjustable components, the system eliminates the need for custom design and manufacturing cycles for each application. This reduces lead times significantly while maintaining reliable connections through proper engagement of the adjustable grips and locking members with various geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal coupling system is pre-designed with adjustable features and multiple engagement options that can accommodate different geometries without requiring custom manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of a versatile design allows for rapid deployment across different applications, reducing lead times while ensuring reliable connections are achieved through proper configuration of the adjustable components.
3Reliability
If multiple custom coupling designs are maintained for different applications, then specific connection requirements are met, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal coupling system consolidates multiple custom coupling designs into a single platform with adjustable components. This reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need to produce and stock multiple different coupling types, while still meeting specific connection requirements through proper configuration of the adjustable grips, locking members, and housing components for different valve and actuator geometries.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable components are added to create a universal coupling system, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal coupling system uses dynamically adjustable components, including movable grips and repositionable locking members, that can be configured for different geometries. While these adjustable features increase versatility, the design maintains reasonable structural complexity by using standardized adjustment mechanisms and modular components that can be systematically configured for various applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling system includes an upper housing with a body with an elongated axis; a plurality of slots extending through the body; and a plurality of locking members slidingly engaged within each of the plurality of slots, the plurality of locking members are configured to move in a direction away from the elongated axis of the body. A lower housing integrally attached to the upper housing, the lower housing having a cavity; and a first grip disposed with the housing.