Hydraulic Coupling Self-Adjusting Anti-Rotation Fluid Path
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic couplings face challenges in delivering pressurized fluid with anti-rotational capabilities without requiring precise alignment of apertures and mounting points, leading to increased complexity and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjusting fluid path with a rigid conduit that includes an adjustment gap and frictional engagement, allowing for misalignment between apertures while providing anti-rotational resistance through a sealing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible tube is used to deliver pressurized fluid, then the fluid path can accommodate misalignment, but anti-rotation capability is lost requiring additional mounting structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluid delivery function and anti-rotation function into a single rigid conduit structure. The conduit both delivers pressurized fluid through the housing wall and provides anti-rotation support for the coupling mechanism, eliminating the need for separate anti-rotation tabs or mounting structures that would be required if flexible tubing were used.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid conduit has different functional zones: one end provides a fluid passage with specific dimensional tolerances for fluid delivery, while the other end provides anti-rotation support through frictional engagement. This local differentiation of properties allows the single component to satisfy multiple requirements that previously demanded separate components.
2Device complexity
If a rigid tube is used to deliver pressurized fluid, then anti-rotation capability is provided, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the rigid conduit, specifically making its diameter slightly smaller than the aperture diameter. This creates a radial clearance that allows the conduit to be inserted and rotated to align with the second aperture, compensating for manufacturing tolerances without requiring extremely precise aperture location.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid conduit is designed to be rotatable within the first aperture during assembly. This dynamic capability allows the conduit to self-align with the second aperture by rotating to the correct orientation, eliminating the need for fixed, precisely located mounting points that would require high manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If anti-rotation tabs or special mounting structures are added, then anti-rotational stability is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation function is merged into the fluid delivery conduit itself. The rigid conduit serves dual purposes: delivering pressurized fluid and preventing rotation of the coupling mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate anti-rotation tabs, brackets, or special mounting structures, thereby reducing part count, manufacturing cost, and assembly complexity while maintaining anti-rotational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid conduit is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs fluid delivery and anti-rotation support. By making the conduit universal in its function, the patent eliminates the need for additional specialized components, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing cost while achieving the required reliability.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and complexity by allowing significant misalignment between mounting points while maintaining anti-rotational stability, eliminating the need for additional mounting mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the rigid conduit includes a second portion that is sealingly received in frictional engagement with the second aperture in the coupling mechanism such that the rigid conduit provides resistance to torque imposed upon the coupling mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic coupling for use in a vehicle drive train having a fluid path which extends between the housing of the hydraulic coupling and a coupling mechanism. The fluid path includes a first aperture formed in the housing with a first diameter and a longitudinal axis, as well as a second aperture formed in the coupling mechanism. A rigid conduit extends between the first and second apertures with a first portion having a diameter that is less than the first diameter of the first aperture so as to define an adjustment gap that allows the rigid conduit to move out of alignment with the longitudinal axis in response to misalignment between the first and second apertures. In addition, the rigid conduit provides resistance to torque imposed upon the coupling mechanism.