Heavy-Duty Coupling Plug for Automatic Fluid and Electrical Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling systems for heavy-duty utility vehicles fail to provide an automatic and simultaneous connection of fluid pressure and electrical energy between a towing vehicle and a trailer, leading to continuous wear of flexible lines due to periodic deformations during pivoting movements.
Innovation Solution
A coupling plug and receptacle system with coaxially arranged coupling parts, forming pressure chambers to ensure fluid-tight connections and leakage monitoring, allowing for the transmission of pneumatic or hydraulic pressure and electrical energy, with sliding contacts for robust and compact design, and potentially including light signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible lines are used to supply compressed air and electrical energy between towing vehicle and trailer, then connectivity during pivoting movement is maintained, but continuous wear occurs due to periodic deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate functional components: a coupling plug with multiple coupling parts for fluid pressure, a separate electrical coupling part for electricity, and a leakage monitor. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the coupling plug providing robust mechanical connection and the electrical part providing reliable electrical contact, both designed to withstand pivoting movements without the wear issues of flexible lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the flexible mechanical line system with a rigid coupling system that uses sliding contacts for electrical connection and sealed pressure chambers for fluid pressure. This substitution eliminates the periodic deformation and wear inherent in flexible lines while maintaining adaptability through the coupling mechanism's ability to accommodate pivoting movements.
2Ease of operation
If manual connection of flexible lines is used, then connection of pressure lines and electrical lines is achieved, but automatic coupling process cannot be combined with simultaneous connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid pressure coupling and electrical coupling into a single integrated coupling plug assembly. The coupling plug contains both the pressure-tight coupling parts for fluid pressure and the electrical coupling part for electrical energy, allowing both connections to be established simultaneously through a single automatic coupling action, eliminating the need for separate manual connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling plug serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical connection for fluid pressure transmission, electrical connection for power and control signals, and integrated leakage monitoring. This multi-functionality enables automatic coupling to combine fluid pressure connection and electrical connection in one operation, improving both ease of operation and extent of automation.
3Volume of moving object
If multiple coupling parts are arranged coaxially, then compact design and robust layout are achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system employs a nested arrangement where the electrical coupling part is positioned within or alongside the pressure-tight coupling parts, and the leakage monitor is integrated into the coupling plug structure. This nesting achieves compact dimensions while managing manufacturing complexity through modular design, where each nested component can be manufactured separately and assembled systematically.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling system includes a coupling plug and a coupling receptacle, wherein the coupling plug and the coupling receptacle engage with one another in such a way that the first coupling part makes fluid-tight contact with the first receiving part, the second coupling part makes fluid-tight contact with the second receiving part and the third coupling part makes fluid-tight contact with the third receiving part, and wherein the contact surfaces of the coupling parts and the receiving parts are substantially rotationally symmetrical about the first axis.