Hydraulic Coupling Pre-Coupling Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling designs with see-saw lever mechanisms fail to provide pre-coupling pressure relief due to the cam member's interaction with other components, limiting the ability to release pressure before coupling in hydraulic or pneumatic assemblies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating stop members that allow the cam member to move away from the plunger when the female coupler is in the coupling position, ensuring the plunger remains open for pressure release, even with a see-saw lever design, enabling pre-coupling pressure relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a see-saw lever design is used with cam members, then the lever can pivot to move cam members independently, but pre-coupling pressure relief cannot be achieved because the cam member cannot be positioned to push the plunger without affecting the other cam member
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the coupling system into independent segments by providing separate stop members for each female coupler. Each stop member can be independently positioned to engage its corresponding plunger, allowing one cam member to be actuated without affecting the other cam member or its associated plunger position
Solution Approach 2:
The stop member acts as an intermediary element between the cam member and plunger. It provides a fixed reference position that ensures the plunger is held in the open position during coupling, allowing the cam member to move away without losing the pressure relief state
2Reliability
If the cam member is positioned to push the plunger open for pre-coupling pressure relief, then pressure can be released before coupling, but with see-saw lever design this causes the other cam member to interact with and move its female coupler
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into independent operational units, each with its own stop member. This segmentation allows one plunger to be actuated to its open position without causing unintended movement of the other female coupler, as each stop member independently defines the coupling position for its respective cam member
Solution Approach 2:
The stop member is pre-positioned to define the coupling position before the cam member is actuated. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the cam member moves to push the plunger open, it does so at the correct position without causing unintended interaction with the other cam member
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
Enables pre-coupling pressure relief in coupling designs with see-saw lever mechanisms, enhancing the safety and efficiency of hydraulic or pneumatic assembly operations by allowing pressure release before coupling, which was not possible with prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a cam member which initially moves the valve plunger from its closed position to its open position and then moves the female coupler from its operating position to its release position
Implementation Method 2
a stop member which is positioned relative to the plunger so that, regardless of the position of the cam member, it will engage the plunger when the female coupler is in the coupling position
Implementation Method 3
the pressure relief valve including a valve plunger movable from a closed position to an open position respectively blocking and permitting the release of pressurized fluid from a flow passage inside the female coupler
Implementation Method 4
In another known lever design, movement (i.e., pivoting) of the lever's shaft results in a see-saw movement of the cam members and independent interaction with the female couplers
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling (110) comprising a pair of female couplers (116) each independently movable within a respective housing bore (114) among an operating position, a release position, and a coupling position. When a female coupler (116) is moved to the coupling position, a stop member (136) moves the plunger of a pressure relief valve (124) to an open position to allow fluid to be released from the female coupler (116) prior to coupling a male coupler thereto. A cam member (126), which is used to move the respective female coupler (116) from the operating position to the release position, can move away from the plunger when the female coupler (116) is in the coupling position as the pressure relief valve (124) is held open by the stop member (136).