Hydraulic Coupling Valve Protrusion Prevents Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple hydraulic plug-in couplings face issues with contamination and leakage due to the design where all surfaces lie in a common plane, making it difficult to clean and prone to dirt entry, and lack effective centering and positioning during coupling.
Innovation Solution
The design features valve body circular surfaces protruding over valve seat annular surfaces, forming a 'protective wall' to prevent contamination, and includes radial annular projections for centering and indirect support of coupling carriers, along with a compressed air cleaning device to automatically blow away impurities during coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all valve surfaces lie in a common plane, then the coupling parts can be cleaned by simple wiping, but dirt can be wiped into the annular gaps causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having all surfaces in a common plane as in prior art, the invention inverts the arrangement by making the valve body circular surface protrude beyond the valve seat annular surface. This reversal creates a protective geometry where the protruding valve body surface acts as a barrier, preventing dirt from being wiped into the annular gap during cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding valve body circular surface creates a preliminary protective barrier before contamination can occur. The geometry is designed so that the protrusion prevents dirt particles from reaching the annular gap during the cleaning process, thereby preventing contamination before it can happen.
2Manufacturing precision
If valve surfaces are designed with protrusions for centering, then positioning accuracy improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding valve body circular surface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides centering and positioning accuracy during coupling while also acting as a protective barrier against contamination. This multi-functionality achieves precise positioning without adding separate centering mechanisms, thereby avoiding increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the centering function with the valve body structure itself. The protruding circular surface that forms part of the valve body also serves as the centering element, combining what could be separate components into a unified structure, thus achieving precise positioning without increasing overall device complexity.
3Strength
If coupling carriers are moved close together, then transverse stresses on coupling parts are reduced, but cleaning becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a protruding valve body surface in the specific area where contamination risk exists, while maintaining the close coupling carrier arrangement for structural strength. The local protrusion provides both protection and cleaning accessibility without compromising the overall close-coupling configuration that reduces transverse stresses.
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
This configuration enhances freedom from leakage, prevents contamination, and simplifies the cleaning process by ensuring that dirt cannot enter the gaps, while maintaining effective centering and positioning of coupling parts.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed air cleaning device is provided in such a way that during the coupling process compressed air supplied via at least one compressed air connection is automatically directed in the direction over the coupling surfaces in such a way that the coupling surfaces in the area of the coupling parts and in particular the coupling surface with the sleeve valves can be blown free of any contamination
Data Source
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AI summary
The multiple connector for hydraulic systems comprises a connector plate with socket valves on the tractor side and a second plate (4) with plug valves (10) on e.g. a front loader side. The plug valves have spacer collars (24) around their bases which rest against the first plate when the connector is assembled. Independent claims included for the two sections of the connector individually.