Hydraulic Fitting Dust Shield With Adjustable Chute Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dust protection devices for hydraulic fittings are vehicle-specific, requiring customized configurations for hydraulic fitting and fluid collection tank locations, limiting their applicability across different types of vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A dust-proof device with an adjustable chute and modular design, featuring a spherical head and ball joint, allowing orientation and accommodation of hydraulic fittings and fluid collection tanks in various positions, and a snap-fit cup for multi-directional fluid collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed configuration dust protection device is used for specific vehicle types, then the device can effectively protect hydraulic fittings and collect fluids for that specific vehicle configuration, but the device cannot be installed on different types of vehicles with varying hydraulic fitting and tank locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle compatibilityVSAvoiddevice configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chute is made movable relative to the body through a ball joint connection, allowing it to be adjusted to different orientations and positions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the device to adapt to various vehicle configurations without requiring multiple fixed-design devices, thereby improving vehicle compatibility while maintaining manageable device complexity through a single adjustable unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The dust protection device is designed with universal applicability across different vehicle types by incorporating an adjustable chute that can be positioned to accommodate various hydraulic fitting and tank locations. The device performs multiple functions (dust protection and fluid collection) in a single integrated unit that can be configured for different applications, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If customized dust protection devices are designed for each vehicle type, then the device can perfectly accommodate specific hydraulic fitting and tank locations, but the device cannot be used on other vehicle types requiring different configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid collection effectivenessVSAvoidvehicle type applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable chute maintains reliable fluid collection by being positioned optimally for each specific vehicle configuration through manual adjustment. The ball joint mechanism allows the chute to be oriented toward the fluid collection tank regardless of its location, ensuring effective fluid collection while enabling the same device to be used across multiple vehicle types with different tank positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device accommodates different vehicle configurations by changing the spatial parameters of the chute through adjustment. By modifying the chute's orientation and position parameters relative to the body, the device maintains effective fluid collection across various vehicle types without requiring redesign, thus preserving reliability while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple fixed dust guard is used, then the device structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot collect fluids that escape during connection and disconnection operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice fabricationVSAvoidfluid contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable chute adds minimal manufacturing complexity while enabling effective fluid collection. The chute can be positioned to direct escaped fluids toward the collection reservoir, preventing ground contamination. The adjustment mechanism uses simple ball joint technology that maintains ease of manufacture while adding the necessary functionality to address fluid contamination issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The chute acts as an intermediary element between the hydraulic fitting connection point and the fluid collection reservoir. It intercepts fluids escaping during connection and disconnection operations and directs them into the reservoir, preventing environmental contamination while maintaining a relatively simple device structure that builds upon the basic dust guard design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 universal installation on different vehicles by adapting to varying hydraulic fitting and tank locations, ensuring effective dust protection and fluid collection without customization.

Implementation Method 1

a spherical head (16) attached to a lower end of the body and a chute (15) connected to the spherical head by a ball joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall joint mechanism: Ball

Implementation Method 2

channels that collect the fluids and then convey them by gravity through a flexible hose to a reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4500067B1Dust-shield device for hydraulic fittings and hydraulic connection element
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 PARKER HANNIFIN EMEA SARL
  • EP4500067B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4500067B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4500067B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a dust-shield device (1) for a hydraulic fitting (50) to which a hydraulic socket can be connected and disconnected, comprising: - a body (2) provided with a bushing (11) designed to be inserted onto said hydraulic fitting (50), a cap (5) rotatable between a closed position for protecting said hydraulic fitting (50) in its disconnected state and an open position for accessing said hydraulic fitting (50) in its connected state; and - a spherical head (16) attached to a lower end of the body (2) and a chute (15) connected to the spherical head (16) by a ball-joint connection; and - a channel (25) formed in the body (2) extending from the bushing (11) to the spherical head (16).