Apparatus and method for monitoring and managing the connection and operation of a hydraulic system's tubing

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for monitoring and managing the proper connection and operation of a hydraulic line that establishes a connection between a main hydraulic circuit of a machine (10) and a secondary hydraulic circuit of a utility (20). The device further includes multiple ports comprising female connectors or sleeves (30a) on the machine side of the line, adapted to accommodate male connectors (30b) on the utility side of the line for connecting each hydraulic line. The device also includes means for uniquely identifying each male connector (30b) and means (40a, 40a') for identifying each port including the female connector or sleeve (30a), and provides... A data transmission module (60) mounted on the machine (10) is used to identify the male connector (30b) as it moves toward the port (30a) and to indicate to the user the correct port for the hydraulic connection between the male connector (30b) and the female connector or sleeve (30a), thereby guiding the user during the connection operation. The device (50a, 50b') for identifying each male connector (30b) includes at least one passive RFID tag (50b, 50b') coupled to each male connector (30b) of each pipe. The device (40a) is used to identify each port including the female connector or sleeve (30a). The data communication module (60) includes at least one sensing element (40a) coupled to each port, and at least one microswitch adapted to detect that a correct connection has occurred between the male connector (30b) and the female connector (30a), and at least one visual signal transmitting device (42) for instructing the user which mechanical side port must be connected to the male connector (30b) of the utility. The module is mounted on the machine (10) and includes one or more RFID antennas (61) and at least one microprocessor (62), the one or more RFID antennas (61) being adapted to actuate passive RFID tags (5) coupled to each male connector (30b). The device includes a microprocessor (62) that communicates with a microswitch (41) and a vision signal transmitter (42), and is adapted to read a unique return ID signal emitted by each of the tags. The device also includes a remote platform (80), and an electronic device (70) communicates with the remote platform (80) via a network connection, so that data (20) relating to the connection and connection of various hydraulic lines of the working machinery (10) and various utilities, which is sent by the data communication module (60) to the management application (App) of the mobile device (70), can be used to monitor the usage patterns of the entire hydraulic system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring and managing the connection steps and operations of hydraulic lines in a system comprising a working machine, the working machine including a hydraulic circuit, utilities, and a plurality of hydraulic lines for connecting the utilities to the working machine.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for monitoring and managing the connection and operation of the hydraulic lines of the equipment.

[0003] Specifically, the present invention relates to hydraulic applications and provides a novel system for identifying and managing hydraulic lines, namely, quick-connect couplings / quick couplers for establishing connections between the hydraulic lines of utilities and the hydraulic circuits of operating machinery. Background Technology

[0004] In many fields, such as agriculture, operating machinery with onboard hydraulic circuits, i.e., oil pressure circuits, is connected to utilities via hydraulic lines and male and female connectors that establish a quick and reversible connection, thereby allowing utilities to be quickly and safely connected to and disconnected from the operating machinery.

[0005] In the following text, the general terms "hydraulic circuit" and "hydraulic line" will be used to refer to circuits and lines used for pressurizing oil, and therefore more specifically to "hydraulic circuit" and "hydraulic line".

[0006] Utilities are typically equipped with main pipes that end with male connectors, and the machinery includes ports with female connectors, or hydraulic blocks or manifolds that support female connectors.

[0007] In order to help users establish correct mechanical / utility connections, technical solutions for identifying hydraulic lines have been developed in this field.

[0008] Pipeline identification typically relies on simple visual identification elements, such as color-coded labels or markings or identification codes with symbols indicating functions, letters or other similar indications, which guide users to correctly match each hydraulic pipe of the utility to the corresponding port on the machinery, i.e., by connecting each male connector of the utility's hydraulic lines to the correct port, fitting or female connector on the machinery side.

[0009] This existing technological solution still has many drawbacks.

[0010] The first drawback is that identification codes are often lost during the use of machinery and / or utilities.

[0011] In other words, during the service life of machinery and tools, color-coded labels or markings with symbols or identification codes may detach from supporting structures—for example, the handles of pipes for hydraulic lines in utilities, and the tops of plugs that seal female connectors and / or ports on operating machinery. This will result in the loss of indications regarding male-female connector matching.

[0012] A disadvantage of color-coded labels or labels with written instructions is that the labels degrade and / or the colors change due to environmental factors (dust, sunlight exposure, etc.) and / or the effects of chemical reagents that come into contact with them, thereby losing their effectiveness in identifying pipelines.

[0013] All known solutions based on physical identification codes (such as colors, symbols, etc.) also have the drawback of only guiding the user to match the pipes of the utility-side hydraulic lines to the working machine-side port for a single implementation tool relative to the machine. When matching the same implementation tool to different machines (e.g., as required in a fleet of agricultural machinery that includes multiple working machines and / or equipment or utilities), the color configuration of the utility or machinery will need to be changed.

[0014] Furthermore, there is currently no solution for providing users and / or manufacturers of fittings used to form hydraulic connections for utility and mechanical pipelines with information on how to use the fittings—information that could be used, for example, for predictive maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0015] In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for monitoring and managing the connection steps and operations of hydraulic lines that form a connection between a machine and a utility, which can eliminate the disadvantages of known prior art solutions.

[0016] Within this technical objective, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for managing hydraulic connection operations in situations where there are multiple hydraulic lines to be connected (between the operating machinery and the corresponding implementation tools to be connected) and / or where it is difficult to identify / distinguish the individual hydraulic lines due to the basic uniformity of the joint size and / or joint type of the various lines—i.e., due to the lack of visual markings.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to allow users to manage a large fleet of operating machinery and implementation tools / utilities by being able to store multiple tags for corresponding multiple custom connections for matching specific machinery / utilities.

[0018] The library that provides storage for correct matching instructions allows information generated by "expert" operators to be easily transferred during machine setup, thereby enabling multiple end users, who may be non-expert users, to safely and faultlessly replicate the correct connection.

[0019] As explained more clearly below, the above-mentioned objectives and these and other objectives are achieved by means of apparatus, as defined herein, for monitoring and managing the proper connection and operation of hydraulic lines forming hydraulic machinery / utility connections, and by means of means, as defined herein, for monitoring and managing the proper connection and operation of hydraulic lines forming hydraulic machinery / utility connections.

[0020] Further features of the apparatus and method according to the invention for monitoring and managing the proper connection and operation of hydraulic lines for machinery / utility connections are shown in the dependent claims, which also form an integral part of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Further features and advantages will be better explained from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the apparatus and method according to the invention for monitoring and managing the proper connection and operation of hydraulic lines for machinery / utility connections, as illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 A general diagram of an apparatus according to the present invention for monitoring and managing the proper connection and operation of hydraulic lines for machinery / utility connections is shown;

[0023] Figure 2A An example of a prior art male connector identification device is shown, which uses identification plugs of different colors for each pipe;

[0024] Figure 2B and 2C Possible embodiments of a device according to the invention for uniquely identifying male connectors are shown, for example, on a user-gripable insert located on a hydraulic line on the utility side; in particular, Figure 2B One possible embodiment is shown, wherein the male connector identification device includes components integrated into a similar Figure 2A Button-shaped label in the support of the prior art color visual indicator shown; Figure 2C One possible embodiment is shown, wherein the male connector identification device includes a “flexible” RFID integrated within the two half-shells of the handle;

[0025] Figure 3A and 3B Possible embodiments of a device for uniquely identifying ports, each port being used for a single female connector ( Figure 3A ) and castings including two sleeves ( Figure 3B ),like Figure 3BThe casting shown is merely exemplary, as many different possible embodiments can be provided for cast iron parts typically used to accommodate mechanical side female connectors or sleeves, all of which can be equally used in the technical solutions described herein, with dimensions adapted to the specific shape of the casting;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the data transmission module according to the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 5 A simplified block diagram of the main functions according to the present invention can be implemented by a software application (App) for a mobile device. Detailed Implementation

[0028] With particular reference to the accompanying drawings, the device of the present invention provides monitoring and management of the proper connection and operation of the hydraulic line 30 that establishes a connection between the working machinery 10 and the utility 20.

[0029] More specifically, the device of the present invention is dedicated to controlling the hydraulic connection between a machine tool 10 and a device or utility 20, the machine tool including a main hydraulic circuit and the device or utility including a secondary hydraulic circuit, wherein each of the hydraulic lines 30 establishes a connection between the main hydraulic circuit of the machine tool 10 and the secondary hydraulic circuit of the utility 20 by means of a quick coupling.

[0030] Specifically, each of the hydraulic lines 30 includes at least one quick connector 30a, 30b, which in turn consists of a female connector or sleeve 30a that is normally connected to the main circuit of the machine tool 10 and a male connector 30b that is normally connected to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit of the utility 20.

[0031] Special reference Figure 2A An example of a prior art male connector identification device is shown, which uses an identification plug 31 with a different color for each pipe identifier. This system is purely visual and does not allow for any type of inspection of correct matching.

[0032] The device of the present invention includes means 50b, 50b' for uniquely identifying each of the said male connectors 30b, which are adaptable to be fitted into, for example, a half-shell of the handle of a pre-existing male connector 30b.

[0033] For example, refer to Figure 2B and 2C The diagram illustrates possible embodiments of male connector identification devices 50b, 50b', which may include, for example, Figure 2B The button-shaped label 50b shown is suitable for integration into the support member, such as... Figure 2A The known color visual labels shown, or integrated into, respectively, such as Figure 2C The handle shown contains a "flexible" type RFID50b' within its two half-shells.

[0034] The device of the present invention also includes means 40a, 40a' for identifying each of the female connectors or sleeves 30a, and a data transmission module 60 adapted to identify the male connector 30b and to indicate to the user, by guiding the user when connecting the conduit 30, whether the male connector 30b and the female connector or sleeve 30a are properly matched or incorrectly paired.

[0035] Therefore, as described above, the male connector identification device 30b includes at least one passive RFID tag 50b, 50b' connected to each of the male connectors 30b in each conduit 30. And the device for identifying each female connector or receptacle 30a includes at least one sensing element 40a, 40a' connected to each female connector or receptacle 30a in each conduit. Preferably, the sensing elements 40a, 40a' include at least one microswitch 41 adapted to detect when a correct connection of the male connector 30b occurs within the female connector or receptacle 30a, and at least one visual signal transmitting device 42 for instructing a user on whether a given male connector 30b and that particular female port (connector or receptacle) 30a is correctly or incorrectly matched.

[0036] Advantageously, the data communication module 60 is placed on the machine 10 and includes one or more RFID antennas 61 and at least one microprocessor 62. The one or more RFID antennas 61 are adapted to actuate the passive tags 50b, 50b' respectively connected to each of the male connectors 30b and read the unique ID return signal emitted by the tag S. The at least one microprocessor 62 communicates with the micro switch 41 and the visual signal transmitting device 42.

[0037] When the male connector 30b has been correctly connected to the female port 30a, the microswitch 41 is triggered. The microswitch 41 indicates that a connection has occurred, and the microprocessor 62 detects whether the connection has been correctly established. During the connection process, a visual signal transmitter 42 on the sensing elements 40a, 40a' guides the user. For example, the visual signal transmitter 42 located at each mechanical-side female port (connector or sleeve) 30a would include an LED that illuminates to indicate the correct port for connecting a given male connector 30b. The antenna 61 receives an ID return signal from a passive tag on the male connector and transmits the connector's identification information to the microprocessor 62, which uses a configuration stored therein to identify the correct port 30a on the mechanical side to guide the operator in performing the correct hydraulic connection.

[0038] Then, the micro switch 41 indicates whether the connection between the male and female connectors has been performed correctly.

[0039] Therefore, the device of the present invention provides an identification system, in a preferred embodiment described herein by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which is based on RFID technology, which includes remotely identifying passive tags disposed on each male connector 30b associated with each hydraulic line of a utility by means of a signal emitted by an RFID antenna 61 of the data communication module 60, the antenna 61 being adapted to actuate passive tags 50b, 50b' disposed on each of the male connectors 30b and read a unique ID return signal emitted by the tag.

[0040] Advantageously, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the data communication module 60 also includes a memory unit 63 adapted to store data regarding the correct configuration of the hydraulic line 30—for example, different mechanical / utility matches (i.e., tractor X and implementation tool Y), and all matches of each tool connector / pipe with the associated tractor port (as initially indicated by the "expert" user), while system alarms are sent by the microprocessor to the APP via a Bluetooth connection to notify the user of the correct or incorrect match of the male connector 30b with the female connector or sleeve 30a.

[0041] Preferably, the data communication module 60 is configured to communicate data with an electronic device 70 in which management software is installed. Even more preferably, the electronic device 70 may include a mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone, and the management software may include an application (App) for the mobile device.

[0042] The data communication module 60 also includes a Bluetooth transmission adapter 64 for data communication with the electronic device 70 in Bluetooth mode, so that the user can receive information about the connection of the hydraulic lines directly on his / her mobile device.

[0043] Therefore, as described above, the device 1 of the present invention includes the following macro-components:

[0044] - RFID and Bluetooth-based data communication module 60;

[0045] - Sensing elements 40a, 40a', which are connected to each port, said port including said female connector or sleeve 30a of each conduit 30 on said mechanical side;

[0046] - A device for identifying each male connector 30b, comprising at least one passive tag 50b, 50b' mounted on the male connector.

[0047] Advantageously, the device of the present invention also includes a software application (App) preferably for a mobile device for managing data on the pipelines of multiple work machines and implementation tools.

[0048] Furthermore, still according to the preferred embodiment of the invention as described herein by example, the device may also have a remote platform 80 for data communication with the mobile device 70, for storing and managing data. This platform may include, for example, a cloud server or a remote PC. The data storage and management platform 80 preferably communicates with the mobile device 70 without a network connection, such that data from the data communication module 60, including management software for the application or app on the mobile device, or data directly input by the operator into the app, concerning the connections and links of various hydraulic lines 30 of the machinery 10 and various facilities 20, is sent to the remote platform 80. Here, this data can be used by the user to monitor the use of the entire hydraulic system, i.e., the main and auxiliary hydraulic circuits, hydraulic connection lines, and their connections. The machinery on which the system is installed can be identified, and data regarding the operation of the entire system, such as the operating pressure of the machinery, utilities, and of course, the joints, can be received. If the machinery is not equipped with a CAN bus, this data can be loaded via manual input by the user, or, since a CAN bus interface card is provided in the RFID module, this data can be loaded via the CAN bus itself. The data collected in this way can be appropriately processed by suitable algorithms to obtain statistical data, thereby generating predictive maintenance analysis for joints (if identified and entered by the operator, such as during data entry during the initial setup of the app) and machinery.

[0049] In other words, the specially designed App developed by the applicant advantageously provides performance for at least the following operations:

[0050] • Register and log in using your personal utility profile (the ID and password you use);

[0051] • The type of public utility managed (also granting any privileges and / or features to App users);

[0052] • Create data for the operation machinery and implementation tools;

[0053] • Create a fleet of customized machinery and implementation tools;

[0054] • Create and save specific matching configurations for a given machine with a given implementation tool or utility, which are associated with a corresponding matrix that matches the utility-side male connectors with the corresponding machine-side ports (female connectors or functional block sleeves);

[0055] • Support is available during the first pipe / port matching step and subsequent pipe boot connection (App-based);

[0056] • Enter data about the implementation tool being connected;

[0057] • Receive warning messages about connection errors or system malfunctions;

[0058] • Transmit information managed by the App to a remote data storage and management platform.

[0059] The applicant has conceived and developed a software application, referred to herein as an App, which is preferably used on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets and implements multiple functions that can support the end user by displaying and managing information and multiple functions throughout the use of the device.

[0060] In addition to the above, the app allows users to create their own fleet of machinery and utilities by inputting relevant data.

[0061] For example, as referenced Figure 5 As shown in the diagram, users can use a dedicated menu to enter new machinery or search for existing machinery (“tractors”), and to enter new utilities or search for existing utilities (“implementation tools”).

[0062] In addition to being able to create his / her own fleet of machinery and utilities, a user can perform a first configuration step (“New Configuration”) and at this stage directly enter new machinery (“Add New Tractor”) or search from previously entered machinery or those available in the portal’s database or in the cloud or on a dedicated website on a remote server (“Search”). These machinery (tractors and equipment) will be entered and verified by the “Administrator” user (e.g., the current applicant Faster, the owner of the software / app) or created by each user and later approved by the “Administrator” user.

[0063] This applies to both the tractor and the implementation tool, but not to the configuration, because the X tractor / Y implementation tool is matched and their connection is performed by each individual user, who can also enter new utilities (“Add New Implementation Tool”) or search (“Search”) previously entered utilities, and can enable Bluetooth connection with RFID module 60 (“Register BT”) for data connection between the App installed on device 70 and RFID module 60.

[0064] Now, the user can allow the system to read tags on utility pipes via RFID module 60 and the App (“Read RFID Tag”) and uniquely associate the ID of the tag on the male connector of the utility-side pipe with the correct mechanical-side port (“Connect to Correct Female Connector”). The association between the correct ID tag of the utility-side male connector and the correct female port on the mechanical side requires physical connection of the connector by the operator on the machinery.

[0065] Then, use the app to save the matching between each male and female connector as the correct configuration.

[0066] Other operations that can be performed via the App include storing data on possible implementation tool accessories or (optionally) entering the type of connector associated with the connected piping.

[0067] It can also retrieve previously stored configurations and check the correctness of all pipe / port matches in real time (instantly).

[0068] The app will appropriately generate and display warnings and alerts for the following:

[0069] - Piping input error;

[0070] - Internal system error;

[0071] It can also generate confirmation signals to notify the operator that all pipelines are correctly connected and that the work machinery and utilities can begin operation.

[0072] As described above, data can be saved directly to the memory card in the RFID module 60 via the App, or via a smartphone connection, and / or can be sent to the remote platform 80, on which the dedicated portal or website is implemented for further data processing and management, as well as other purposes already briefly described.

[0073] Therefore, the device of the present invention allows a user to create an initial match between each hydraulic line of a utility and each corresponding port on the machine side (with a single female connector or a sleeve inserted into a block or manifold). Since the types and numbers of tractor types, hydraulic ports mounted on the tractor, implementation tools, and the types and numbers of hydraulic lines on the implementation tools are numerous and highly variable, a user (considered an "expert") with technical knowledge of his / her own machinery and the optimal combination of lines and ports can perform the initial match during software storage during the initial configuration. Alternatively, for more complex machinery, the match can be generated by a CAN bus connection between the machinery and the implementation tool (if any).

[0074] With a CAN bus connection, information about the specific implementation tool to be connected (operating pressure, flow rate, required power, etc.) can be transmitted to the machine via the connection. This information can then be used by the machine to manage the optimized use of the implementation tool (power optimization, fuel saving, etc.).

[0075] Even without a CAN bus connection to the implementation tool, the user can use the App to manually input the same operating parameters that will be input into the system from the CAN bus network via the App. Therefore, by simply mounting the RFID communication module 60 and sensing elements 40a, 40a' on the machinery so as to connect to each female connector or sleeve 30a of each pipe on the machinery side, the system of the present invention can also be applied to old machinery and equipment.

[0076] As described above, the data communication module 60 can be advantageously arranged on a machine, and preferably includes the following components:

[0077] - One or more RFID antennas 61;

[0078] - Control electronics for antennas;

[0079] - Microprocessor card 62;

[0080] - Bluetooth BLE module or adapter 64;

[0081] - Data storage card (with SD card) 63;

[0082] - CAN bus card 65;

[0083] - Buffer battery (optional) 66;

[0084] - DC / DC Converter Card 67;

[0085] - Pull-up resistor panel 68, for connection to micro switch 41;

[0086] - LED driver transistor panel 69;

[0087] - One or more terminal blocks (M) for external connections, or male / female connectors for each peripheral conduit.

[0088] The connection between the RFID data transmission module 60 and peripheral devices, and the connection between the module 60 and the operating machinery 10 (on which the module 60 is mounted and which receives power), are provided via physical connections, preferably by cables. Alternatively, the connection between the module 60 and each peripheral sensing element 40a, 40a' can still be established in WiFi or Bluetooth mode. Here, each peripheral sensing element 40a, 40a' located on each port should be autonomously powered by a battery for each peripheral element and equipped with dedicated data transmission electronics.

[0089] Conversely, the connection between module 60 and each of the male connectors 30b connected to the hydraulic lines on the utility side is provided via RFID connection.

[0090] The connection between the communication module 60 and the device 70 is preferably established via Bluetooth as described above, and the device 70 is preferably a mobile device such as an operator's tablet or smartphone with software applications installed thereon.

[0091] As described above, the data is preferably transmitted between the mobile device 70 and the corresponding App and the remote data storage and management platform 80 via a data communication network.

[0092] With a CAN bus connection, the data stream can also be designed for other devices and functions of machinery and implementation tools, not only for hydraulic lines, but also to provide the remote platform 80 with additional data such as geographic location, operating time, etc., which can be useful in predictive maintenance or in determining the cause of any connection failure.

[0093] Regarding the means for identifying each female connector or manifold 30a or more generally the mechanical side port, as described above, they preferably include at least one sensing element 40a, 40a', which consists of elements that can be mounted on the female connector or manifold, including multiple female connectors mounted on operating machinery such as tractors.

[0094] Currently, oil collection caps (for connectors) and dust covers (for castings) are already available as accessories on manifold fittings or sleeves.

[0095] Therefore, possible preferred embodiments of the sensing elements 40a, 40a' of the present invention may include a special oil collection cap 40a in the case of a separate connector, and may include a special protective cover 40a' in the case of a casting or manifold connector.

[0096] refer to Figures 3A to 3BUnlike simple oil catch caps or protective covers in the prior art, the sensing elements 40a, 40a' of the present invention include at least one microswitch 41 and at least one LED 42, both electrically connected to an RFID module 60. The LED 42, dedicated to a given hydraulic port, is activated by the module 60 to indicate the correct port of the male connector 30b for connection to the hydraulic line of the implementation tool, which is identified by its associated RFID tag 50b, 50b'. When the male connector 30b is correctly inserted into the mechanical side port, the microswitch, suitably arranged within the cap- or protective cover-shaped sensing elements 40a, 40a', closes its contact. Electrically connected to the data transmission module 60, the microswitch 41 indicates to the user that the male connector has been correctly inserted into the port.

[0097] Reference Figures 2A to 2C Passive tags 50b, 50b' can be provided in different forms for each of the male connectors 30b connected to the utility-side hydraulic lines. For example, a panel 50b with embedded electronic circuitry or an adhesive tag 50b' is used to generate a unique ID and send that ID to module 60 when passively excited by induction via an electromagnetic field emitted from RFID antenna 61. Passive tags do not require a power supply.

[0098] Passive labels can be installed directly near the male connector of each conduit, or inside an accessory (such as an ergonomic handle designed by the applicant for easier conduit clamping), which in turn is installed on the conduit. Installation on the accessory facilitates label installation by the end user (and possible replacement in case of damage).

[0099] The label returns a unique code, and the system electronics can associate information with that code, such as the identification of the correct connection port on the mechanical side; the name or description of the pipeline; and any other identifying information about the tool used to implement the hydraulic pipeline (typically the tool type, trademark, model, pipeline or implementation tool operating parameters).

[0100] The present invention also relates to a method for monitoring and managing the correct connection and operation of hydraulic lines 30, which connect the main hydraulic circuit of a machine tool 10 to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit of a utility 20, wherein the connection of each hydraulic line 30 is achieved through a port, the port including a female connector or sleeve 30a on the mechanical side of the line 30, the female connector or sleeve being adapted to accommodate a corresponding male connector 30b disposed on the utility side of the line 30, the method comprising at least the following steps:

[0101] - Provide the equipment as described above;

[0102] - Configure the software application or App by inputting data from the operating machinery (“tractor”) and the utility (“implementation tool”);

[0103] - Perform the first configuration step (“new configuration”) by manually connecting the correct male connector 30b on the utility side that supports the corresponding passive labels 50b, 50b’ to the correct female port 30a on the mechanical side, and save the correct configuration via the App;

[0104] - Repeat the configuration operation until the first configuration of all hydraulic lines 30 is completed;

[0105] - Establish a Bluetooth connection (“register BT”) between RFID module 70 and RFID module 60 for data connection between Apps installed on device 70.

[0106] - The user 20 is connected to the operating machinery 10 by moving the male connector 30b of the utility's pipeline toward the female port 30a on the machinery side;

[0107] - The RFID module 60 emits an electromagnetic field via its antenna 61 and reads the return signals emitted by the passive tags 50b, 50b' associated with the male connector 30b;

[0108] - By sending a signal to the LED driver transistor panel 69 via the microprocessor 62 connected to the RFID antenna 61, the LED 42 corresponding to the correct port is turned on, thereby guiding the user to connect the hydraulic line;

[0109] - The correct connection status of the male connector 30b in the female port 30a is detected based on the signal sent to the microprocessor 64 by the micro switch 41 through the pull-up resistor panel 68.

[0110] The method of the present invention may further include the additional step of sending data and configurations connected via the pipeline 30 stored in the App installed on the mobile device 70 to a remote data storage and management platform.

[0111] Therefore, the apparatus and method of the present invention have been shown to perform tasks and achieve the intended purpose of the invention.

[0112] More specifically, the above description demonstrates that the device and method of the present invention can guide users to correctly connect the hydraulic lines of utilities to the hydraulic circuits of operating machinery.

[0113] Moreover, the present invention, and especially the dedicated software application which can be advantageously implemented in the form of an application for mobile devices, can guide operators to correctly connect different implementation tools to the same or different working machines, thereby facilitating connected operations even for large fleets of machines.

[0114] Furthermore, as shown above, the equipment and method according to the invention for monitoring and managing the proper connection and operation of hydraulic lines matched with machinery / utilities are not only related to hydraulic lines, but can also monitor data on other equipment and functions of machinery and implementation tools, as additional data (e.g., geographical location, working hours, etc.) can also be detected and provided to the remote platform 80. This can be achieved by appropriate sensors in the CAN bus architecture connected to the data transmission module 60 and sent via the App, in order to derive useful information for predictive maintenance or determine possible causes that may lead to connection failure.

[0115] The invention has been described by way of example rather than limitation based on preferred embodiments, but it should be understood that modifications and / or changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring and managing the proper connection and operation of hydraulic lines connecting a main hydraulic circuit of a machine (10) to a secondary hydraulic circuit of a utility (20), the apparatus further comprising a plurality of ports including female connectors or sleeves (30a) on the machine side of the lines, the female connectors or sleeves being adapted to receive male connectors (30b) on the utility side of the lines for connecting each of the hydraulic lines, the apparatus further comprising means for uniquely identifying each male connector (30b). (50b, 50b'), and means (40a, 40a') for identifying each of the ports including the female connector or sleeve (30a), and a data transmission module (60) disposed on the machine (10), the data transmission module (60) for identifying the male connector (30b) as it moves toward the port and for indicating to the user the correct port for hydraulic connection between the male connector (30b) and the female connector or sleeve (30a), thereby guiding the user in the operation of connecting the pipeline, wherein, The device (50b, 50b') for identifying each male connector (30b) includes at least one passive RFID tag (50b, 50b') coupled to each of the male connectors (30b) in each conduit; the device (40a, 40a') for identifying each of the ports including the female connector or sleeve (30a) includes at least one sensing element (40a, 40a') coupled to each port, and includes at least one microswitch (41) adapted to detect that a correct connection has occurred from the male connector (30b) to the female connector or sleeve (30a); and at least one visual signal transmitting device (42) for indicating to the user which mechanical side port must be coupled to the male connector (30b) of the utility facility; the data transmission module (60) is disposed on the machinery (10) and includes one or more RFID antennas (61). The device includes at least one microprocessor (62), the one or more RFID antennas (61) being adapted to actuate the passive RFID tags (50b, 50b') coupled to each of the male connectors (30b) and to read the unique return ID signal emitted by each of the passive RFID tags, the at least one microprocessor (62) being in signal communication with the micro switch (41) and the visual signal transmitting device (42), and the device also includes a remote platform (80), wherein the electronic device (70) communicates with the remote platform (80) via a network connection, such that data related to the connection and connection of various hydraulic lines of the working machinery (10) and various utilities (20) sent by the data transmission module (60) to the management application of the electronic device (70) can be used to monitor the usage patterns of the entire hydraulic system.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data transmission module (60) further includes a memory unit (63) for storing data related to the configuration of the hydraulic lines set by the user, so as to be able to warn the user that the matching of the male connector (30b) and the female connector or sleeve (30a) does not correspond to the stored configuration.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The one or more RFID antennas (61) are configured to receive a return ID signal from a passive RFID tag disposed on the male connector (30b) and transmit the identification of the male connector (30b) to a microprocessor (62) which identifies the correct female connector or sleeve (30a) on the mechanical side based on a configuration stored in a memory unit to guide the operator to make the correct hydraulic connection.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The visual signal transmitting device (42) located at each female connector or sleeve (30a) on the mechanical side includes an LED light for indicating the correct female connector or sleeve (30a) to which a given male connector (30b) is to be connected. The LED light corresponding to the correct port is turned on by a signal sent via the microprocessor (62) connected to the RFID antenna (61) to a transistor panel (69) for driving the LED light, so as to guide the user to connect the correct hydraulic line.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic device (70) comprises a mobile device, wherein the management application comprises an application for the mobile device.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mobile device is a tablet computer or a smartphone.

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The data transmission module (60) also includes a Bluetooth transmission adapter (64) for data communication with the electronic device (70).

8. A method for monitoring and managing the proper connection and operation of a hydraulic line, wherein the hydraulic line establishes a connection between the main hydraulic circuit of a working machine (10) and the auxiliary hydraulic circuit of a utility (20), wherein, Each of the hydraulic lines is connected via a port, the port including a female connector or sleeve (30a) on the mechanical side of the line, the female connector or sleeve being adapted to receive a male connector (30b) on the utility side of the line, the method comprising at least the following steps: - Provide an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the visual signal transmitting device (42) includes an LED light; - Configure the equipment by inputting data relating to the operating machinery and the utility, such that the equipment will include an electronic device (70) on which a management application is installed. - A Bluetooth connection is established between the data transmission module (60) and the electronic device (70) for data connection between the management application installed on the electronic device (70) and the data transmission module (60); - Perform the first configuration step by manually connecting the correct utility-side male connector (30b) that supports the corresponding passive RFID tag (50b, 50b') to the correct machine-side female connector or sleeve (30a) and saving the correct configuration by means of a management application, or, in the case of pre-connected machinery, obtaining the first configuration data of the machinery / utility by connecting to the CAN bus of the machinery. - Repeat the RFID identification and connection process until the initial configuration of all hydraulic lines has been completed; - The utility (20) is connected to the working machinery (10) by moving the male connector (30b) of the pipeline of the utility (20) toward the female connector or sleeve (30a) on the machine side. - The electromagnetic field is emitted via the RFID antenna (61) of the data transmission module (60), and the return ID signal emitted by the passive RFID tag (50b, 50b') associated with the male connector (30b) is read. - The microprocessor (62) connected to the RFID antenna (61) sends a signal to the transistor panel (69) used to drive the LED to turn on the LED corresponding to the correct port, thereby guiding the user during the connection of the hydraulic line; - The correct connection status of the male connector (30b) within the female connector or sleeve (30a) is detected based on the signal sent from the micro switch (41) to the microprocessor (62) via the pull-up resistor panel (68).

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the additional step of sending the data and matching configuration of the pipeline stored on the management application installed on the electronic device (70) to a remote platform (80).

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