Cam-Actuated Ball Locking for Hydraulic Valve Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unisex ball valve couplings rely on complex gearing or spring-loaded mechanisms for interlocking, which can be prone to contamination and mechanical failure, lacking simplicity and reliability in maintaining a leak-tight connection.
Innovation Solution
A cam action ball jamming mechanism that uses balls driven by a cam surface on the valve shaft to lock the coupling halves in place without requiring gears or springs, ensuring a leak-tight flow path and allowing for easy disconnection by retracting the balls through gravity or compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If geared handle shaft or spring-loaded locking mechanisms are used for interlocking, then the coupling halves can be locked when the valve is open, but the mechanism becomes complex and prone to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gear drive mechanism and spring-biasing components from the interlocking system, extracting only the essential locking function. The blocking member is directly actuated by the valve shaft cam surface without intermediate gearing or spring elements, simplifying the mechanism while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam surface on the valve shaft directly performs the locking function by engaging the blocking member. The system uses the existing valve shaft movement to self-actuate the locking mechanism without requiring separate springs or gear systems, making the mechanism self-sufficient and simpler.
2Reliability
If geared handle shaft or spring-loaded locking mechanisms are used for interlocking, then the coupling halves can be locked when the valve is open, but the mechanism is more susceptible to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates gear teeth, spring windings, and other complex mechanical elements that create crevices and surfaces where contaminants can accumulate. The simplified cam-and-blocking-member design has fewer surfaces and no enclosed spaces, reducing contamination susceptibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs smooth cam surfaces and blocking members with minimal exposed surfaces, creating a design that is easier to clean and less susceptible to contaminant accumulation compared to gear teeth or spring windings.
3Ease of operation
If blocking members are retracted using spring-biasing mechanisms, then the locking mechanism can be reset, but the design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring-biasing mechanism entirely, using only gravity and the disconnecting turn motion to retract the blocking member. This extraction of the spring component directly reduces mechanism complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses gravity as a counterbalancing force to automatically retract the blocking member when the valve is closed, eliminating the need for spring-biasing mechanisms. The blocking member is positioned such that gravity assists its retraction, simplifying the design.
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 cam action mechanism simplifies the design, enhances contamination tolerance, and prevents inadvertent disconnection while maintaining a reliable leak-tight seal, eliminating the need for intricate gearing or spring-biasing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the cam mechanically drives a number of balls through the coupling body such that a portion of the ball in the far end is driven into the path of the mating half latching lug
Implementation Method 2
the cam frees the balls which roll back into the valve body either by gravity or compression from the disconnecting turn motion
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic valve coupling has an interlock mechanism that includes at least one blocking member within an interlock passage of a body of the valve coupling. The interlock passage has a first end opening to the valve shaft and a second end opening to an interface groove of the valve coupling. The at least one blocking member can be retracted within the interlock passage such that the valve coupling can be rotated and disengaged from a mating coupling. When the valve is in the open position, the at least one blocking member is positioned within the interlock passage such that it contacts the mating coupling and prevents rotation of the valve coupling relative to the mating coupling. The second end of the at least one blocking member can be shaped such that it is retracted as a result of contact with the mating coupling without assistance from a biasing mechanism.