Pressure Line Coupling Element With Valve Tappet Force Limiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic coupling elements risk detachment or tearing at high pressures, posing safety hazards due to uncontrolled forces on the valve tappet, which can lead to operational failures and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

The coupling element incorporates means on the inner body and pressure sleeve to limit the force acting on the valve tappet head, such as stop areas and a conical seal, to manage and reduce forces, ensuring the valve tappet is not overloaded, thereby enhancing safety and operational reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pressure sleeve is designed to close the flow channel by bearing against the valve tappet head, then the coupling element can effectively control pressure medium flow, but at very high pressures the force on the valve tappet head may cause parts to detach or break off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow control reliabilityVSAvoidvalve tappet head strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary element (limiting mechanism or intermediate structure) between the pressure sleeve and the valve tappet head. This intermediary absorbs or limits the excessive force transmitted to the valve tappet head at high pressures, preventing detachment or breakage while maintaining effective flow control at normal operating pressures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the force transmission parameters by introducing a limiting mechanism that changes the relationship between pressure sleeve force and valve tappet head force. At high pressures, the limiting mechanism activates to cap the maximum force on the valve tappet head, transforming the direct proportional relationship into a bounded relationship that protects against overload.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the pressure sleeve is biased by a spring into its closing position, then the coupling element can maintain sealed connection, but the spring force adds to the total force on the valve tappet head at high pressures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealed connection reliabilityVSAvoidtotal force on valve tappet head
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a limiting mechanism as an intermediary that decouples the spring force contribution from the total force on the valve tappet head at high pressures. The limiting mechanism absorbs the excess force, allowing the spring to maintain sealing reliability without directly contributing to dangerous force levels on the valve tappet head during high-pressure operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stress or pressure

If the coupling element is designed for high pressure operation, then it can handle higher pressure medium flows, but the risk of part detachment or breakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure medium pressureVSAvoidsafety against part detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the force transmission parameters by introducing a limiting mechanism that caps the maximum force on critical components. This allows the coupling element to safely handle high pressure medium flows while preventing the force on parts from exceeding safe thresholds, thereby maintaining reliability against part detachment even during high-pressure operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a limiting mechanism that acts as a protective cushion before excessive forces can cause part detachment or breakage. This preemptive force limitation protects critical components from the full brunt of high-pressure loads, enabling safe high-pressure operation without increasing the risk of part failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution effectively limits the force on the valve tappet, preventing potential damage and ensuring safe operation even at high pressures, while maintaining or improving the operating parameters and material quality.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure sleeve is biased by a spring in the direction of its closing position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

A seal is arranged between the valve tappet head and the pressure sleeve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3377796B1Coupling element for a coupling for connecting pressure medium lines
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 U M GEWERBEIMMOBILIEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3377796B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3377796B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3377796B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a coupling element (1) for a coupling for connecting pressure medium lines, comprising a housing (2), a flow channel (5) for a pressure medium, a valve tappet (6), a pressure sleeve (7) and an inner body (8), wherein the valve tappet (6) has a valve tappet head (10), wherein the pressure sleeve (7) surrounds the valve tappet (6), wherein the pressure sleeve (7) is held such that it can move along the coupling axis A between a closed position and an open position, wherein the pressure sleeve (7) is in contact with the valve tappet head (10) in the closed position thereof, whereby a force parallel to the coupling axis A acts on the valve tappet head (10) from the pressure sleeve (7). The safety for users and the operating characteristics are improved in that the inner body (8) and/or the pressure sleeve (7) have means with which the force from the pressure sleeve (7) acting on the valve tappet head (10) can be limited.