Quick-Coupling Locking Mechanism for Hydraulic Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick-couplings in hydraulic systems experience loosening due to high pressures and pulsating frequencies, leading to detachment of threaded connections, which existing methods like gluing fail to adequately prevent.
Innovation Solution
A quick-coupling design featuring a male and female portion with an outer circumferential slot and a radially inclined, hammer-like enlarged portion that undergoes plastic deformation upon assembly, locking the connection securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional threaded connections are used in hydraulic systems, then assembly is simple and quick, but the threaded connection loosens progressively due to high operating pressures and hydraulic fluid pulsating frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into distinct functional elements: the threaded portion for initial engagement, the circumferential slot for positioning, and the hammer-like enlarged portion for locking. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function while maintaining overall connection reliability under hydraulic pressure and pulsating frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential slot and hammer-like enlarged portion are pre-configured in the female and male portions respectively before assembly. During assembly, the slot guides the enlarged portion into position, and the radially inclined wall automatically positions the enlarged portion to engage with the slot, creating a preliminary alignment that ensures proper locking engagement without requiring additional adjustment steps.
2Reliability
If glue is used to connect threaded parts, then loosening is prevented, but the glueing operations require comparatively long time
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical bonding method (glue) is replaced with a purely mechanical locking system consisting of the circumferential slot and hammer-like enlarged portion. This mechanical interlocking mechanism provides immediate and reliable prevention of loosening without requiring chemical curing time, thereby maintaining high assembly speed and productivity while ensuring connection stability under hydraulic conditions.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism with circumferential slot and hammer-like enlarged portion is implemented, then threaded connection loosening is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the existing threaded connection structure by integrating the circumferential slot and hammer-like enlarged portion as inherent features of the male and female portions. Rather than adding separate locking components, the design combines the threading, slot, and locking protrusion into unified structures that can be manufactured as single pieces, thereby preventing loosening without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex locking features (circumferential slot and hammer-like enlarged portion) are implemented only in the specific regions where they are needed for locking engagement, while the rest of the connection structure maintains simple threaded geometry. This localized application of complexity allows the locking function to be achieved without requiring complex manufacturing processes for the entire component.
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 design effectively prevents loosening of threaded connections under high pressure and frequency conditions, ensuring a secure engagement even in extreme hydraulic system environments.
Implementation Method 1
by a force F transmitted by a press, as shown in figure 4 by the arrow (f), the enlarged portion 8, by a plastic deformation of the wall 7, will be brought to a permanent type of contact with the slot 6, thereby locking the portion 2 with respect to the tubular element 4
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A safety device for threadedly engaged portions of a quick-coupling (1) comprises a first quick-coupling portion (2), including a thread (3), and a circumferential slot (6), and a second quick-coupling portion (4), having a respective thread (3) and assembled with the thread (3) of the first portion, said second quick-coupling portion (4) having a circumferential region (7) which, at a free end thereof and at said circumferential slot (6), comprises a hammer-like enlarged portion (8) which can be coupled with the circumferential slot (6) after having fully assembled the quick-coupling portions (2,4).