Hydraulic Coupling Self-Adjusting Anti-Rotation Fluid Path
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 manufacturing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjusting fluid path with a rigid conduit that includes an adjustment gap and sealing members, allowing for misalignment between interior and exterior mounting points while providing anti-rotational resistance through a flexible yet stiff design.
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 be bent or flexed to connect the housing and coupling mechanism, but the tube lacks anti-rotation capability requiring additional anti-rotation tabs or mounting structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluid delivery function and anti-rotation function into a single rigid conduit structure. The conduit simultaneously delivers pressurized fluid and provides anti-rotation support through its structural integration with the coupling mechanism, eliminating the need for separate anti-rotation tabs or mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid conduit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the fluid delivery path and the anti-rotation support structure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components, reducing device complexity while maintaining both flexibility in installation and rotational stability.
2Device complexity
If a rigid tube is used to deliver pressurized fluid, then anti-rotational aspects are provided, but all associated apertures and mounting points must be very accurately located
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid conduit is designed as a separate component that can be independently manufactured and then installed. This segmentation allows the conduit to be positioned independently of the housing and coupling mechanism, eliminating the need for precise alignment between multiple apertures and mounting points during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid conduit acts as an intermediary element between the housing and coupling mechanism. It provides the anti-rotation capability while being installable with standard tolerances, mediating between the two components without requiring precise alignment of all mounting points.
3Reliability
If anti-rotation tabs or special mounting structures are added to stabilize the coupling mechanism, then anti-rotational stability is achieved, but the complexity of assembly and manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation function is merged into the rigid conduit itself. The conduit's structural design and its integration with the coupling mechanism provide anti-rotational stability without requiring separate tabs or special mounting structures, thereby reducing assembly complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydraulic coupling (10) for use in a vehicle drive train having a fluid path (48) which extends between the housing (12) of the hydraulic coupling (10) and a coupling mechanism (30). The fluid path (48) includes a first aperture (50) formed in the housing (12) with a first diameter and a longitudinal axis (A), as well as a second aperture (52) formed in the coupling mechanism (30). A rigid conduit (54) extends between the first and second apertures (50, 52) with a first portion having a diameter that is less than the first diameter of the first aperture (50) so as to define an adjustment gap (G) that allows the rigid conduit (54) to move out of alignment with the longitudinal axis (A) in response to misalignment between the first and second apertures (50, 52). In addition, the rigid conduit (54) provides resistance to torque imposed upon the coupling mechanism (30).