Hydraulic Coupling Sealing via Dynamic Closure Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydraulic quick-acting couplings require precise tolerances for axial alignment, leading to tilting issues and increased assembly difficulty, especially in multi-couplings with multiple pairs of spigots and sockets, which results in higher component costs and production/installation efforts.

Innovation Solution

A coupling system with two main components, each having axial sealing sleeves and closure devices surrounded by these sleeves, allowing for relative movement between open and closed positions, enabling fluid connections with reduced tolerance requirements and adaptable sizing based on the number of fluid lines, intended use, and system pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional multi-couplings with three or more pairs of coupling spigots and sockets are used, then a large number of fluid lines can be connected simultaneously, but very accurate tolerances must be maintained leading to tilting and assembly difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of fluid lines connected simultaneouslyVSAvoidaxial alignment tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system allows the closure devices to move dynamically between open and closed positions during the coupling process. The spigot can be inserted with misalignment in the open position, and the closure devices move to establish sealing contact, transforming a static tolerance problem into a dynamic adjustment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the sealing mechanism from requiring precise axial alignment to using mechanical pressure between boundary surfaces. The closure devices transition from a sealed to an open state, and the sealing is achieved through force application rather than precision positioning, fundamentally changing the critical parameters from positional accuracy to force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If very accurate tolerances are maintained in conventional multi-couplings, then reliable fluid connections can be achieved, but joining the coupling halves together leads to tilting and more difficult assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid connection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure devices are pre-positioned in an open state before coupling, allowing the spigot to be inserted without precision alignment. The sealing action is prepared in advance through the design of the boundary surfaces and closure device geometry, so that reliable sealing is achieved automatically during the assembly process without requiring precise pre-alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The closure devices act as intermediaries between the spigot and socket. Instead of requiring direct precise contact between coupling halves, the closure devices mediate the connection by moving to establish sealing contact, absorbing the misalignment and enabling reliable sealing without precise assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If precise tolerances are required for axial alignment in multi-couplings, then sealing can be maintained, but component costs and production and installation effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidproduction and installation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces expensive precision-machined alignment features with simpler, less costly closure devices and boundary surfaces. Instead of investing in high-precision manufacturing of the entire coupling, the design uses simpler components that achieve sealing through mechanical action rather than precision geometry, reducing manufacturing costs and effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical precision alignment system with a force-based sealing system. Instead of relying on precisely machined surfaces and alignment features, the closure devices use mechanical pressure between boundary surfaces to create seals, substituting a precision mechanical system with a force-based system that is more tolerant of manufacturing variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides reliable and leak-proof fluid connections with reduced assembly complexity and cost, allowing for significant deviations in connector alignment without compromising sealing, thus reducing production and installation efforts.

Implementation Method 1

urged into the first closed position by a first spring; urged into the second closed position by a second spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3489563B1Coupling system for providing a plurality of fluid connections

Publication Date: 2020.12.30 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A

AI summary

A coupling system has two coupling halves, each having a main body (4, 32) and a closure device (16, 38) arranged therein. The coupling halves can be pressed onto one another in order to release the closure devices and establish a fluid connection. By virtue of the configuration of the seals and of the closure devices, only a coarse tolerance is required for placing the coupling halves on one another.