Coupling Socket Insertion Aid for Lubricant Cap Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling sockets require precise dimensional alignment for lubricant caps, leading to potential damage and reduced service life due to vertical impacts and high maintenance needs, especially under high support loads.
Innovation Solution
A coupling socket design with a semispherical lubricant cap and an insertion aid that covers the end face edge, allowing for tolerance in alignment and distributing impact energy across the cap, reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lubricant cap is form-fittingly fastened in the coupling socket using a groove and projection, then the lubricant cap is securely held in position, but the lubricant cap is vulnerable to damage from vertical impacts and has reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insertion aid that protrudes into the coupling receiving area and is designed to absorb and distribute impact forces before they reach the lubricant cap. This cushioning element is positioned to intercept vertical impacts during coupling operations, protecting the lubricant cap from damage while maintaining its secure fastening through the groove and projection mechanism.
2Reliability
If the groove and projection are precisely aligned for form-fit fastening, then the lubricant cap is securely positioned, but high manufacturing precision is required increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion aid serves as an intermediary element between the coupling socket and the lubricant cap. It provides a tolerance-compensating interface that allows the groove and projection to engage without requiring extremely precise alignment. The insertion aid absorbs dimensional variations and ensures proper positioning of the lubricant cap even when manufacturing tolerances vary.
3Device complexity
If the lubricant cap is exposed at the end face edge, then the coupling socket structure is simple, but the end face edge is vulnerable to damage during coupling and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion aid protrudes into the coupling receiving area to cover and protect the exposed end face edge of the lubricant cap before impacts can occur. This protective element is positioned in advance to intercept and distribute impact forces, preventing damage to the vulnerable edge region while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling socket for coupling to a coupling ball. The coupling socket has a concave coupling receiving area with a main insertion direction for the coupling ball, and a substantially semispherical lubricant cap with an end face edge is arranged in the coupling receiving area, wherein the convex exterior of the lubricant cap contacts the inner wall of the coupling receiving area over the surface thereof, and the concave interior of the lubricant cap has a receiving area for the coupling ball. The coupling socket has an insertion aid in the coupling receiving area, the end face edge of the lubricant cap, when viewed in the main insertion direction, is located behind the insertion aid, and the insertion aid completely covers the end face edge of the lubricant cap.