Integrated Swivel Joint in Hydraulic Quick-Release Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quick-release couplings in hydraulic systems face issues with relative rotation between male and female couplings due to tube rotation, leading to premature deterioration of sealing gaskets and potential oil leakage, and require additional components like swivel joints that increase volume, sealing points, and production costs.

Innovation Solution

A compact female quick-release coupling design incorporating an outer ring, ball body, crown of locking balls, axially movable sliders, and an adapter body with a bearing of crowns of balls, which allows integrated relative rotation between the coupling and the fixing plate, reducing the need for additional components and sealing points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an additional swivel joint is interposed between the female coupling and the support plate to allow rotation, then the relative rotation between male and female couplings is prevented, but the overall volume of the coupling unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of relative rotation between couplingsVSAvoidoverall volume of coupling unit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the swivel joint functionality directly into the female coupling body, merging two separate components (female coupling and swivel joint) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for an additional external swivel joint while maintaining the rotation prevention function, thereby reducing the overall volume of the coupling unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an additional swivel joint is added to the system, then rotation capability is provided, but the number of sealing points increases leading to more potential leakage points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation capability of coupling unitVSAvoidnumber of sealing points and leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the swivel joint functionality into the female coupling body, the patent reduces the number of separate components and their associated sealing interfaces. The integrated design minimizes the number of sealing points while maintaining the necessary rotation capability, thereby reducing potential leakage points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If an additional swivel joint component is provided, then rotation functionality is achieved, but production costs increase due to additional manufacturing and type-approval testing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation functionalityVSAvoidproduction cost and testing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of swivel joint functionality into the female coupling body reduces the total number of separate components that need to be manufactured and tested. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the scope of type-approval testing required, thereby lowering production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the female coupling is fixed to the support plate without rotation capability, then stable fixation is achieved, but tube rotation causes relative rotation between couplings leading to sealing gasket deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable fixation of female couplingVSAvoidsealing gasket durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a swivel joint mechanism that enables the female coupling to rotate dynamically with the tube while maintaining stable fixation to the support plate. This dynamic rotation capability prevents torsional moments from being transferred to the sealing gasket, thereby preserving its durability while maintaining stable attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively prevents relative rotation between the male and female couplings, decreases overall volume and sealing points, simplifies production and testing, and maintains performance under high fluid pressures, reducing the risk of leakage and production costs.

Implementation Method 1

at least one bearing comprising at least a crown of balls being interposed between said second inner body and said adapter body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP3228915B1Quick-release coupling with integrated swivel joint

Publication Date: 2019.01.09 FASTER SPA

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a quick-release coupling, in particular a female coupling, of the type used for the hydraulic connection of two lines. When one of these two lines is connected to a utility, especially if supported by a rotating arm, as well as in any other application in which a relative rotation is provided between the tubes connected to the male and female couplings, there is a need to avoid the female coupling and the male coupling from rotating one with respect to the other due to the rotating movement transmitted by the tubes themselves. The coupling according to the present invention resolves, among others, this problem by providing a compact coupling provided with incorporated and optimized swivel joint so as to allow a substantial reduction of the frictions during the rotation of the joint.