Hydraulic Fluid Line Guard for Pressurized Junction Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressurized hydraulic fluid lines on heavy machinery remain pressurized during maintenance and repair, leading to uncontrolled spraying of fluid when disconnecting junction points, posing a risk to technicians and the surrounding environment.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic fluid line guard with a U-shaped main guard and an attachment mechanism, including an arm with apertures and shafts, is used to house and control the detachable junction point of the fluid line, allowing access from below and preventing uncontrolled fluid spray.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the junction point is made accessible for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but uncontrolled fluid spray occurs when disconnecting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of junction pointVSAvoidfluid spray to personnel and environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A guard structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the hydraulic fluid line and the surrounding environment. The guard contains the pressurized fluid within its enclosure during disconnection operations, preventing uncontrolled spray while allowing technicians to access and work on the junction point through an opening in the guard structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guard structure is divided into segments including a main body portion and an extension portion, creating distinct functional zones. The main body houses the junction point while the extension provides additional containment and directs fluid flow in a controlled manner, allowing maintenance access while preventing harmful spray dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the guard structure encloses the fluid line, then fluid spray is controlled, but access to the junction point is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of fluid sprayVSAvoidaccess to junction point for maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guard structure features an asymmetric design with a specific opening positioned to provide access to the junction point. The opening is strategically located and shaped to allow technician access and tool insertion while maintaining fluid containment in the pressurized zones, creating an asymmetric balance between accessibility and protection functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Stability of the object's composition

If the guard is permanently attached to the machinery, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability for different maintenance scenarios is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stability of guardVSAvoidflexibility for detachable or permanent attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the guard to transition between attached and detached states. This enables the guard to be permanently mounted for stable operation or removed when not needed, providing adaptability while maintaining structural stability during use through the attachment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10801185B2Fluid line guard

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 RAMOUS JASON

AI summary

An embodiment provides a hydraulic fluid line guard, including: a main guard formed with an open bottom and enclosed top and sides; the main guard having a length dimension that is larger than a width dimension; and an arm attached to the main guard; the arm comprising an attachment mechanism that attaches the main guard about a hydraulic fluid line such that a detachable junction point of the hydraulic fluid line is housed within and under the main guard and is accessible from below. Other embodiments are described and claimed.