Wedge Clamp Quick Release Connector for Reliable Pipe Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quick release connectors with ball-and-recess engagement suffer from unreliable point contact and excessive stress concentration, leading to potential damage in pipe connections.
Innovation Solution
A wedge clamp quick release connector design featuring beveled surfaces for reliable engagement between the connector and plug, utilizing a tubular main body, positioning mount with wedge clamp holes, a sliding sleeve, and a sleeve spring for secure and even stress distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ball-and-recess engagement is used for quick release connector, then the connector can be easily assembled and disassembled, but the contact is unreliable and stress is concentrated at the contact point
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple wedge clamps (typically three) distributed around the circumference, each independently engaging the plug. This segmentation distributes the engagement function across multiple elements, providing both ease of operation through simple linear movement and improved reliability through redundant engagement points and even stress distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point contact (ball-and-recess) to surface contact by introducing beveled surfaces on the wedge clamps that engage with corresponding beveled surfaces on the plug. This dimensional change from zero-dimensional point contact to two-dimensional surface contact significantly improves engagement reliability and stress distribution while maintaining ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If ball-and-recess engagement is used for quick release connector, then the structure is simple, but excessive stress concentrates on the contact point and may damage the plug surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces beveled surfaces on the wedge clamps that engage with corresponding beveled surfaces on the plug, transitioning from point contact to surface contact. This dimensional change distributes stress across a larger area, reducing contact stress concentration and preventing damage to the plug surface while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge clamps are designed with specific local geometric features (beveled surfaces at predetermined angles) at the engagement interface with the plug. This local quality optimization ensures even stress distribution at the critical contact interface while keeping the overall structure simple and the remaining portions of the clamps uniformly designed.
3Reliability
If wedge clamps with beveled surfaces are used instead of balls, then stress distribution is improved and engagement is more reliable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge clamp design merges multiple functions into a single component: the body provides structural support, the beveled surfaces provide engagement and stress distribution, and the interaction with the sliding sleeve provides both actuation and locking functions. This merging reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device while maintaining high engagement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge clamps are designed to be movable within their seats, transitioning between retracted and engaged positions. This dynamic capability allows the clamps to automatically adjust during the connection process, engaging smoothly with the plug and distributing stress evenly, while the sliding sleeve provides the actuation force and maintains the dynamic locking mechanism.
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 wedge clamp quick release connector ensures reliable surface contact and disperses stress evenly, preventing damage to the contact surfaces and providing a secure connection.
Implementation Method 1
a sleeve spring mounted in the spring recess and having two ends respectively abutting against the main body and the sliding sleeve
Implementation Method 2
the engagement of corresponding beveled surfaces of the connector and the plug
Data Source
AI summary
A wedge clamp quick release connector has a main body, a positioning mount, and a quick connecting device. The quick connecting device has a sliding sleeve, at least one wedge clamp and a sleeve spring. The sliding sleeve has a spring recess and a clamp recess. Each wedge clamp is moveably held in the positioning mount, and has a stop portion and a wedge portion. The stop portion has an external surface and a stop plane, and the wedge portion protrudes from a middle of the stop plane and has an internal surface opposite the external surface and two bevels formed on two edges of the internal surface. The sleeve spring is mounted in the spring recess of the sliding sleeve. The engagement between the connector and a corresponding plug is in reliable surface contact by corresponding bevels of each wedge clamp and the plug.