Quick Coupling Ball Bearing Assembly Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing female quick couplings for pressurized fluids face manufacturing and assembly complexities due to the use of slewing rings, which are costly and time-consuming to produce, and require intricate assembly processes that demand high specialization and long times, while also being vulnerable to internal dirt exposure.
Innovation Solution
A female screw coupling design featuring a simplified ball bearing system without slewing rings, utilizing an induction-hardened adapter body with a radial through hole and expander plug to secure balls, and dual oil scrapers for enhanced dirt protection, allowing for easier assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If slewing rings are used in the ball bearing assembly, then the bearing can support radial and axial loads effectively, but the manufacturing cost and production time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the slewing rings from the ball bearing assembly, extracting the problematic components that caused manufacturing complexity while retaining the essential ball bearing functionality through alternative retention methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, time-consuming slewing rings with simpler, cheaper ball retention mechanisms that achieve the same functional goal of holding balls in place without requiring complex hardened ring structures
2Reliability
If slewing rings are used in the ball bearing assembly, then the bearing structure is stable and reliable, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sleving rings from the assembly process, eliminating the complex multi-step assembly operations required for installing and securing these rings while maintaining bearing reliability through alternative simpler retention structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the ball bearing assembly into simpler segments that can be assembled independently without requiring the complex integrated slewing ring structures, allowing for easier assembly and disassembly operations
3Stability of the object's composition
If a ring nut is used to secure the ball bearing, then the bearing is held firmly in position, but the bearing becomes inaccessible for maintenance and the assembly process is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ring nut from the assembly, eliminating the component that blocked access to the bearing while implementing alternative retention methods that allow direct access to the bearing for maintenance operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the ball bearing assembly to be self-retaining through the adapter body structure itself, eliminating the need for separate fastening components like ring nuts, and enabling the bearing to be accessed and maintained directly without additional disassembly steps
4Device complexity
If only a single oil scraper ring is used, then the structure is simple, but the bearing is vulnerable to dirt from both inside and outside the coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing function into two separate oil scraper rings positioned at different locations, with one protecting against external dirt and the other protecting against internal dirt, providing comprehensive protection without requiring a single complex sealing structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second oil scraper ring as an intermediary protective element that specifically blocks internal dirt pathways to the bearing, working in conjunction with the external scraper to provide dual-directional contamination protection
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
This design reduces manufacturing costs and time, simplifies assembly, improves dirt resistance, and lowers operator stress by eliminating the need for slewing rings and ring nuts, while maintaining sliding efficacy and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an induction-hardened adapter body
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2A~2F
Figure 3A~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a female coupling of the screw type comprising a ball bearing (40') which guarantees the rotation of the block (20') intended to couple the male coupling with respect to the block (10') which can be gripped by the user and connected to the line. In particular, the present invention is characterized in that said female coupling is configured so as to facilitate the assembly of the bearing in the female coupling. The female coupling according to the present invention is further characterized in that the bearing is maintainable by the end user.