Miniaturized Hydraulic Unit Axial Wrench Flat Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to miniaturize hydraulic units while ensuring that screw fittings can be assembled conveniently in cramped spaces, as existing designs face limitations due to the proximity of mounting holes, which restricts the use of conventional screwdrivers and increases the risk of incorrect assembly.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging redundant wrench flat sections axially at a distance from each other, allowing for the use of conventional wrenches and providing an additional wrench flat section for manual assembly, enabling flexible placement of screw fittings without enlarging the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the receiving bores are arranged at the smallest possible distance from one another to minimize unit size, then the unit achieves miniaturization, but there is insufficient space to attach screwdrivers or pneumatic/electromotive screw heads to the screw fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement of wrench flats to a three-dimensional axial arrangement. By positioning wrench flats at different axial distances from the receiving bore along the screw fitting, the invention creates additional spatial dimension for tool access. This allows motor-driven screwdrivers with larger diameters to engage the screw fitting without interfering with adjacent components, thereby resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and assembly convenience.
2Extent of automation
If conventional motorized screwdrivers are used for assembly, then automated assembly is achieved, but the tool diameter is too large to fit in the limited installation space between adjacent screw fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the axial dimension to position wrench flats at different distances from the receiving bore. This three-dimensional arrangement allows motor-driven screwdrivers to approach the screw fitting from an angle or position that avoids interference with adjacent components, enabling automated assembly while accommodating larger tool diameters in limited installation spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrench flat acts as an intermediary element between the screw fitting and the motor-driven screwdriver. By providing a specifically positioned wrench flat at an appropriate axial distance, the invention mediates the interaction between the assembly tool and the screw fitting, allowing automated tools to engage without direct interference from adjacent components.
3Volume of moving object
If the unit is miniaturized with closely spaced mounting holes, then compactness is achieved, but the risk of incorrect assembly increases due to limited space for proper tool application
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging wrench flats at different axial distances from the receiving bore, the patent creates a three-dimensional configuration that allows assembly tools to engage properly even in miniaturized units with closely spaced mounting holes. This spatial differentiation reduces the risk of incorrect assembly by ensuring adequate access for proper tool application and torque application.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7
AI summary
The invention relates to a unit (1), in particular an electrohydraulic unit, with at least two hydraulic connections (2, 3) fastened to it, in particular pipe or hose connections which are provided largely parallel to each other at a defined distance A. The object is to form the system described in such a way that increased miniaturization of the unit (1) is made possible, without having to abandon the automated assembly of the hydraulic connections (2, 3). According to the invention, it is proposed that a screw fitting (5, 6) which can be turned in relation to a pipe (13) or hose is provided for the fastening of the hydraulic connections (2, 3), having a spanner flats portion (7, 8) and comprising an external thread (14), which is received within an assigned receiving bore (9, 10) in an internal thread (15) of the receiving body (11) in such a way that a sealing face (16) sits on a mating sealing face (17) of the receiving body (11), wherein the screw fitting (5, 6) has in addition to the spanner flats portion (7, 8) a further spanner flats portion (12), and that the spanner flats portions (12) have different widths across flats SW.