Hydraulic Quick Coupler Release Assembly With Controlled Plug Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydraulic quick couplers in agricultural tractors require high manual force to release the coupling connection, leading to unpredictable release behavior due to varying tensile forces and alignment, which can result in damage to hydraulic hoses and unsafe coupling disengagement.
Innovation Solution
An actuation arrangement using a pressurizable control chamber or electrical actuator to move the coupler cartridge from the operating to the ejection position, independent of manual pulling force, ensuring consistent and reproducible release behavior, and incorporating sensors for tear-off protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual ejection lever is used to release the hydraulic connector, then the coupling connection can be disconnected, but high manual force is required and release behavior becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical ejection lever system with an automated actuating arrangement that uses a piston and control chamber. This substitution eliminates the need for high manual force while providing predictable, reliable release behavior through controlled actuation of the coupler cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a control chamber that can be pressurized to actuate the piston, which in turn moves the coupler cartridge to the ejection position. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism provides force amplification and consistent, reproducible release behavior without requiring manual intervention.
2Reliability
If tensile force is applied to the hydraulic connector for release, then the coupling connection can be broken, but the force must act axially to ensure defined release behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the axial tensile force requirement with an actuating arrangement that directly actuates the coupler cartridge through a piston mechanism. This eliminates the alignment sensitivity by providing a controlled, direct actuation path that moves the cartridge to the ejection position regardless of external force direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating arrangement enables the system to release the coupling connection autonomously through controlled actuation of the control chamber, without requiring external tensile forces or manual manipulation. The system serves itself by using the pressurized control chamber to automatically eject the connector when activated.
3Ease of operation
If high manual force is applied to release the coupling, then the connector can be disconnected, but damage to hydraulic hoses may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pressurized control chamber to generate the force needed for ejection through a piston mechanism. This provides controlled, distributed force application that achieves connector release without the concentrated high manual forces that could damage hydraulic hoses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual force application with an automated actuating system that controls the ejection force through the piston and control chamber. This substitution enables release capability while protecting against hose damage by eliminating uncontrolled manual force application.
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
The solution enables reliable and instantaneous release of the hydraulic connector, protecting against excessive tensile forces and eliminating the need for manual ejector levers, ensuring consistent and safe coupling disengagement regardless of the tractor and implement alignment.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating arrangement (66) by means of which the coupler cartridge (24) can be moved from the operating position (26) into an ejection position (62) releasing the hydraulic plug (16) by pressure build-up within the control chamber (70)
Implementation Method 2
a diaphragm accumulator (74), which can be pre-tensioned by a pressure source (72), is connected to the control chamber (70) via an activation valve (76) that can be triggered by the control arrangement (68)
Implementation Method 3
The coupler cartridge (24) is mounted within the coupler housing (22) so that it can be axially deflected from the operating position (26) in the insertion direction
Data Source
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AI summary
Arrangement (10) for releasing a coupling connection of a hydraulic quick coupler (14), comprising a hydraulic coupling (18) for receiving a hydraulic plug (16), wherein the hydraulic coupling (18) has a coupler housing (22) and a coupler cartridge (24) slidably mounted therein, which assumes an operating position (26) locking the hydraulic coupling (18) when the hydraulic plug (16) is inserted. Furthermore, an actuating arrangement (66) is provided by means of which the coupler cartridge (24) can be moved from the operating position (26) to an ejection position (62) releasing the hydraulic plug (16) by external force at the instigation of a control arrangement (68).