Hydraulic Connection Arrangement With Union Nuts for Wear-Part Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydraulic systems require complete shutdown and disassembly to replace wear parts like non-return valves, leading to leakage risks and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic connection arrangement using union and lock nuts allows for the removal and replacement of wear parts under pressure without shutting down the system, utilizing screw connections to create an axial distance for easy exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the hydraulic system is completely shut off and the manifold is completely removed to check or replace the wear part, then the wear part can be accessed and replaced, but the system operation is stopped and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of wear partVSAvoidsystem shutdown time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic connection arrangement is divided into separable components: a first connection part connected to the pump unit, a second connection part connected to the hydraulic system, and a wear part positioned between them. This segmentation allows the wear part to be independently accessed and replaced without removing the entire manifold or shutting down the complete hydraulic system, thereby reducing system downtime while maintaining repair accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the wear part is replaced by completely removing the manifold from the hydraulic system, then the wear part can be replaced, but leakage risks increase due to reassembly and alignment issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear part replacementVSAvoidtightness and leakage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wear part is pre-configured with connection features (such as threaded connections or bayonet mounts) that align with corresponding features on the first and second connection parts. This preliminary design ensures that when the wear part is replaced, it can be quickly and accurately reinstalled without complex alignment procedures, thereby maintaining tightness and preventing leakage while enabling easy replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of repair

If conventional connection methods are used without axial distance creation, then the structure is compact, but the wear part cannot be easily removed or exchanged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear part exchangeabilityVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting part incorporates an axial distance feature (such as a stepped configuration or extended connection element) that creates clearance in the axial direction between the wear part and the hydraulic system components. This dimensional adjustment allows maintenance personnel to easily access and exchange the wear part without disassembling the entire assembly, improving repair ease while adding only minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4481200B1Hydraulic connection arrangement
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 WILO SE
  • EP4481200B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4481200B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a hydraulic connection arrangement for connecting a hydraulic system with a pump unit, wherein the hydraulic connection arrangement comprises at least wear part and a valve, and furthermore comprises a connecting part, wherein the hydraulic connection arrangement comprises a first side and a second side, wherein the hydraulic connection arrangement is configured to be connected, at its first side, to the pump unit, and, at its second side, to the hydraulic system, wherein the second side of the hydraulic connection arrangement corresponds to one connection side of the valve, characterized in that the wear part, the connecting part and the valve are connected with each other by means of screw connections to form the hydraulic connection arrangement, wherein the connecting part comprises at least one union nut, wherein the union nut is used to connect the connecting part to the wear part.