Swiveling Coupling Assembly for Fluid Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swiveling couplings for fluid lines in industrial applications, such as hydraulic systems, face limitations in durability, adaptability, and maintenance due to the use of ball or needle bearings, which are prone to damage from axial forces and torsion, and offer limited maneuverability and protection against dynamic movements.
Innovation Solution
A swiveling coupling assembly with a housing and male component that allows for 'double swivel' functionality, enabling independent movement of lines and clusters, and featuring a retention member with spherical surfaces for three degrees of freedom, reducing the risk of leaks and facilitating easy maintenance through canalization and anti-friction means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ball or needle bearings are used in swiveling couplings, then rotation functionality between lines is enabled, but durability deteriorates due to susceptibility to damage from axial forces and lateral impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional ball or needle bearing mechanisms with a rotor assembly that rotates within a housing. This substitution eliminates the vulnerable bearing components while maintaining the essential rotation functionality between fluid lines, thereby improving durability without sacrificing operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a housing, a rotor assembly, and fluid distribution components. This segmentation allows the rotor to handle rotational movements independently while the housing provides structural protection, separating the functions to improve both durability and reliability
2Reliability
If couplings are arranged in awkward locations to protect from impacts, then protection from damage is improved, but accessibility for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly incorporates a rotor that can dynamically rotate and adjust its position within the housing. This dynamic capability allows the coupling to adapt to spatial constraints and maintain functionality even when installed in protected but difficult-to-access locations, as the rotor can compensate for limited maintenance access through its rotational freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly integrates multiple functions into a single unit: the housing provides both structural protection and mounting capability, while the rotor provides both rotation functionality and positional adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective structures, improving accessibility without compromising protection
3Reliability
If line clusters are regrouped using standard clamps or plate bulkheads, then organization and protection of lines is improved, but maneuverability and adaptability to torsion constraints deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor assembly within the housing provides dynamic rotational capability that allows line clusters to adapt to torsion constraints and movement requirements. This dynamic mechanism enables the coupled lines to maneuver freely while maintaining organized grouping, resolving the contradiction between structural organization and operational flexibility
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 enhances the flexibility and adaptability of fluid lines, improves their resistance to torsion and other dynamic forces, reduces the likelihood of leaks, and simplifies maintenance, making it more robust, reliable, and cost-effective for heavy-duty applications.
Implementation Method 1
a retention member for retaining the housing while cooperating with the external surfaces to allow the housing to swivel therein about at least one axis
Implementation Method 2
anti-friction means
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention pertains to a swivelling coupling assembly for providing a swivellable interconnection between fluid-containing lines. The assembly includes a housing and a retention member for retaining the housing while cooperating with it to allow the housing to swivel therein about at least one axis. The housing may swivel spherically. The housing has a bore for allowing the fluid to flow between the interconnected lines. The assembly also includes at least one male component removably mountable within each bore of the housing to be swivellable therein and to prevent external leakage of the fluid. The male component is connected to one line and has a canalization allowing the fluid to flow between the pair of lines through the assembly. Multifunctional swivel functionality is achieved to reduce the torsion on interconnected lines, during operation with dynamic machinery for instance.