Swivel Joint with Internal Adjustable Counterbalance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel joints in fluid systems require complex and costly counterbalancing mechanisms, which are difficult to assemble, disassemble, and maintain, and often cause operational hazards due to external components and heavy assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A torsionally controlled swivel joint with a selectively adjustable counterbalancing mechanism within the fluid passageway, featuring a torsion spring, worm gear tang plate, and tail tang plate, allowing for adjustable tension and easy insertion/removal through an opening in the body, along with a swivel module for rotating connections to fluid conduits, facilitating reduced operator effort and simplified maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external counterbalancing mechanisms (weights, hydraulic cylinders, pulley systems) are used, then the weight of the loader arm is counterbalanced, but the device complexity increases and external parts cause operational hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the counterbalancing mechanism with the swivel joint housing, integrating the torsion spring and counterbalancing components within the existing structure rather than using separate external mechanisms. This merging eliminates the need for external weights, hydraulic cylinders, or pulley systems while maintaining the counterbalancing function, thus reducing device complexity and eliminating operational hazards associated with external parts
Solution Approach 2:
The counterbalancing mechanism is nested within the swivel joint housing, with the torsion spring and counterbalancing components housed inside the existing structure. This nesting approach allows the counterbalancing function to be incorporated without adding external parts, reducing complexity while maintaining ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If internal counterbalancing mechanisms (torsion springs) are used, then the weight is counterbalanced, but the assembly and maintenance difficulty increases due to heavy weight and compression requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel joint is divided into separable components including the housing, tail assembly, and counterbalancing mechanism. This segmentation allows the counterbalancing mechanism to be assembled and disassembled independently without requiring compression of the entire swivel joint, making maintenance easier while maintaining the counterbalancing function
Solution Approach 2:
The counterbalancing mechanism is designed to be extractable from the swivel joint housing through a access opening. This extraction capability allows the torsion spring and related components to be removed for maintenance or replacement without requiring the entire swivel joint to be disassembled or compressed in a vice, significantly easing assembly and maintenance operations
3Manufacturing precision
If the swivel joint is compressed in a large vice for assembly, then the mating halves align, but the heavy weight makes it difficult to move the joint
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel joint components are designed as separable modules that can be assembled individually or in smaller groups. This segmentation eliminates the need to compress the entire heavy assembly in a large vice, allowing bearing alignment to be achieved on smaller, more manageable components that are easier to position and manipulate
Solution Approach 2:
Bearing races and alignment features are pre-formed or pre-positioned on components before final assembly. This preliminary action eliminates the need for compression alignment of the entire assembled joint, allowing precise bearing installation without requiring the joint to be compressed in a vice, thereby improving mobility during assembly operations
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 reduces the effort required to manipulate loader arms by counterbalancing weight effectively, enhances safety, and simplifies assembly and maintenance by eliminating the need for external counterbalancing mechanisms, making the swivel joint more user-friendly and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
A counterbalancing mechanism is disposed within the fluid passageway and has a selectively adjustable level of tension that adjusts the amount of force required to rotate the tail relative to the body
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid system swivel joint includes a body and a tail rotatably connected together and which partially define a fluid passageway. The tail has an integrally formed flange for connecting to other fluid conduits. A counterbalancing mechanism is disposed within the fluid passageway. The counterbalancing mechanism has a selectively adjustable level of tension that adjusts the amount of force required to rotate the tail relative to the body. At least a portion of the counterbalancing mechanism can be selectively inserted into or removed from the fluid passageway through an opening in the body. The opening in the body can be closed off with an end plate. A swivel assembly rotatably connects the body to a fluid conduit so that the body can rotate relative to the fluid conduit. The swivel assembly includes a collar fixedly and selectively connectable to the body, and a flange body rotatably connected to the collar.