Hydraulic Coupler Self-Cleaning Mating Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic couplers often become contaminated with dirt and water, risking the introduction of contaminants into hydraulic circuits when engaged, especially in dirty environments where manual cleaning is impractical.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic coupler design that incorporates a cleaning fluid conduit and actuator, which ejects cleaning fluid as the couplers engage, directing it to remove contaminants from the mating surfaces, ensuring cleanliness before fluid flow begins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual cleaning of coupler surfaces is performed, then contaminants are removed from mating surfaces, but the process requires clean rags, solvents, and operator attention which are not readily available in dirty environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of mating surfacesVSAvoidavailability of cleaning materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the kinetic energy from the couplers' own engagement motion to drive the cleaning process. The relative movement between mating couplers compresses the cleaning fluid in the reservoir, automatically ejecting it through the nozzle without requiring external power sources or manual intervention. The system serves itself by converting the engagement action into cleaning action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a hydraulic cleaning fluid reservoir that uses fluid pressure generated during coupler engagement to eject cleaning fluid through a nozzle. The relative motion between couplers compresses the cleaning fluid, creating hydraulic pressure that propels the fluid outward to clean the mating surfaces, eliminating the need for manual cleaning agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If cleaning fluid is ejected during coupler engagement, then contaminants are removed from mating surfaces, but the system requires additional components (reservoir, nozzle, actuator)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of mating surfacesVSAvoidnumber of cleaning components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning fluid reservoir and nozzle assembly serves dual functions: it stores cleaning fluid and automatically ejects it during the coupler engagement process. The same relative motion that enables hydraulic fluid flow also drives the cleaning mechanism, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated cleaning actuators or power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the cleaning function with the engagement mechanism. The cleaning fluid reservoir is integrated into the coupler structure, and the ejection mechanism uses the same relative motion between couplers that drives the hydraulic connection. This combines what would traditionally be separate functions (engagement and cleaning) into a unified process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If cleaning is performed automatically during engagement, then operator attention is freed, but the cleaning effectiveness depends on the speed and force of engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator attention requiredVSAvoidcleaning consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system leverages the natural variation in engagement parameters (speed, force, compression) to optimize cleaning effectiveness. Faster or more forceful engagement generates greater compression of the cleaning fluid, resulting in higher ejection velocity and more effective contaminant removal. The system adapts to different engagement conditions rather than requiring precise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively cleans the mating surfaces of hydraulic couplers before engagement, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring reliable operation in dirty environments without the need for manual cleaning agents.

Implementation Method 1

the relative motion of structures on the first mating coupler in the second mating coupler as they are advanced towards each other cause the cleaning fluid in the fluid conduit to become compressed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

This compression, in turn, causes the cleaning fluid to be ejected from a nozzle on the first mating coupler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

by it's impingement upon the mating surface of the second mating coupler, to remove at least a portion of the contaminants on the mating surface of the second mating coupler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS8925570B2Arrangement for cleaning hydraulic coupler mating surfaces

Publication Date: 2015.01.06 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A hydraulic coupler (100) includes a first coupling (102) and the second coupling (106) and further includes a fluid cavity (144) defined in a second support (108) for the second coupling (106) configured to eject fluid and clean at least one of the first coupling (102) and the second coupling (106) as the first coupling (102) and the second coupling (106) are mutually engaged.