Hydraulic Coupling Sleeve With Annular Gap Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic coupling elements face challenges in reliability and ease of use, particularly in connecting tools to hydraulic sources, as the connection process is labor-intensive and prone to pressure-related instability.
Innovation Solution
A coupling element featuring a housing with a sleeve body and valve device, including a cylindrical extension section with a diameter enlargement and a seal, which forms an annular gap for pressure medium discharge during coupling and decoupling, connected to a pressure medium tank to manage pressure and enhance sealing, along with a locking mechanism using locking balls and a spring system for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coupling plug is inserted to establish a positive-locking connection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the pressure in the coupling element increases excessively making coupling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful high pressure from the coupling element by providing a discharge path through the annular gap between the diameter expansion and the seal. This allows the pressure medium to be discharged during coupling and decoupling operations, preventing pressure buildup that would otherwise make coupling difficult while maintaining connection reliability through the positive-locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular gap acts as an intermediary discharge path between the pressure medium and the external environment. It provides a controlled route for pressure relief during coupling operations, mediating between the need for secure locking and the need to manage internal pressure.
2Reliability
If the seal interacts sealingly with the diameter expansion in both coupled and uncoupled states, then sealing reliability is improved, but the pressure medium cannot be discharged during coupling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the seal's interaction with the diameter expansion to change state during coupling operations. The seal interacts sealingly in both coupled and uncoupled initial states, but during the coupling process, the sleeve body displacement creates an annular gap that dynamically opens a discharge path, enabling pressure relief while maintaining sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal engages and disengages periodically with the diameter expansion during coupling and decoupling cycles. During these transient periods, the annular gap opens to allow pressure discharge, while during stable coupled and uncoupled states, the seal maintains sealing contact.
3Reliability
If the sleeve body is displaced along the coupling axis during coupling, then the positive-locking connection is established, but pressure medium is trapped inside the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the trapped pressure medium from the housing by providing a discharge path through the annular gap. This prevents pressure medium loss during coupling operations while still allowing the sleeve body to displace for establishing the positive-locking connection.
4Power
If high pressure is present in the coupling element, then the hydraulic force is improved, but the seal may be lifted out of its holder at high flow velocities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing preliminary measures to counteract the harmful effect of high flow velocities on the seal. The seal design with retaining collars and the discharge path through the annular gap prevent the seal from being lifted out of its holder even when high hydraulic forces are present, ensuring both power transmission and seal stability.
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 improves the reliability and ease of use by reducing pressure during coupling and decoupling, preventing pressure medium loss, and ensuring a secure mechanical and fluidic connection, even under high pressures, while allowing for efficient pressure management and tool connection.
Implementation Method 1
the diameter expansion interacts sealingly with at least one seal in both the coupled and uncoupled initial states of the coupling element
Implementation Method 2
an annular gap is formed between the diameter expansion and the seal for dissipating pressure media, in particular into an annular space
Implementation Method 3
at least one spring element, wherein the spring element acts between the locking device and the coupling plug for forcing the locking balls into the locking device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling element (1), in particular a coupling sleeve, for a hydraulic coupling on a pressure medium line, comprising a housing (2), a sleeve body (12) and a valve assembly, wherein the housing (2) has at least one flow channel (6) for a pressure medium and a coupling axis (A), wherein the sleeve body (12) is displaceably held within the housing (2) along the coupling axis (A) at least during coupling and uncoupling, and wherein the flow channel (6) can be closed and opened by means of the valve assembly, wherein the sleeve body (12) has a cylindrical extension section (38), wherein a gap (42) between the housing (2) and the extension section (38) is sealed with a sealing agent in the uncoupled and coupled states of the coupling element (1), and wherein the sleeve body (12) is displaced along the coupling axis (A) at least during coupling and uncoupling.that a flow cross-section is formed for the discharge of pressure medium, in particular into an annular space (43).