SE544207C2 - Hydraulic coupling device and method of mounting the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A hydraulic coupling device (10) comprising a female coupling unit (30) comprising a female coupling body (31), a holding block (50), a guiding ring (60), and an expanding ring (70) for fixedly arranging the female coupling unit (30) to the holding block 50 in an opening (52a) of the holding block (50), wherein the guiding ring (60) comprises an outer surface (60a) comprising a thread surface portion (60a1) configured to engage with a thread surface portion (52c1) of the cylindrical portion (52c) of the opening (52a) of the holding block (50) fixedly arranging the guiding ring (60) to the holding block (50), wherein a seat (53) is provided in the opening (52) for supporting the expanding ring (70), wherein an outer surface (31a) of the front end of the female coupling body (31) comprises a circumferential groove (31f) comprising a groove seat (31g), configured to receive the expanding ring (70), wherein female coupling unit (30) is adapted to be fixedly arranged to the holding block (50) by being suspended between the guiding ring (50) and the seat (53), wherein the expanding ring (70) is arranged as a support between the female coupling unit (30) and the seat (53).

Description

HYDRAULIC COUPLING DEVICE AND METHOD OF MOUNTING THE SAME Technical field id="p-1"

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a hydraulic coupling deviceand male and female coupling units for a hydraulic coupling device.

Background art id="p-2"

[0002] lt is known to use hydraulic coupling devices for enabling the quickconnection between working machines and a variation of hydraulically operatedtools. Generally, hydraulic coupling devices comprises a female coupling unit andmale coupling unit adapted to matingly engage with each other. One coupling unit,usually the female coupling unit, is arranged to the working machine via a holdingblock. The male coupling unit is usually arranged in a tool. The respective couplingunits are adapted to provide a seal against leakage of hydraulic fluid during non-use, i.e. when not connected to each other, by the aid of valve devices. Uponconnection, the valves are opened and hydraulic fluid is allowed to flow betweenthe working machine and the hydraulically operated tool. Further, the valve devicecomprises a fixedly mounted part and a poppet device movable in relation to thefixedly mounted part with a spring connecting the poppet device and the fixedlymounted part. The fixedly mounted part is arranged to the inner part of the male coupling unit via circlip. id="p-3"

[0003] A drawback of known solutions is that the valve device of the malecoupling unit comprises multiple parts which are cumbersome and time-consumingto assemble. The guidance between the poppet device and the fixedly mountedpart is poor and solely enabled via a guide pin, whereby the poppet device may betilted in relation to the fixedly mounted part. A further drawback is thus that, as aresult, the circlip may be brought out of its position, whereby all valve device partsare released and either become stuck in the male coupling unit causingmalfunction of the valve device and leakage of hydraulic oil during non-use, ormoves into the hydraulic flow causing malfunction of the tool. Alternatively, during tilting, the poppet device become stuck in the male coupling unit with similarnegative results as above. id="p-4"

[0004] Yet another drawback of known solutions is that the sealing rings used inthe female and male coupling units, so -called o-rings, provide unsufficient sealingcapacity, as well as require additional means and assembly steps for fixation astheir flexibility otherwise may cause the o-rings to release undesirably from theirposition causing leakage and malfunction of the tools as they enter the hydraulic flow.

Summary of invention id="p-5"

[0005] An object of the present invention is to alleviate some of thedisadvantages of the prior art and to provide a hydraulic coupling device whichrequires less parts and is easier to assemble. A further object of the presentinvention is to provide a hydraulic coupling device that reduces risk of malfunctionof the device or the hydraulically operated tools connected thereto, hence provide a more reliable hydraulic coupling device. id="p-6"

[0006] According to one embodiment of the invention, a hydraulic couplingdevice is provided comprising a female coupling unit comprising a female couplingbody, a holding block, a guiding ring, and an expanding ring for fixedly arrangingthe female coupling unit to the holding blockin an opening of the holding block,wherein the guiding ring comprises an outer surface comprising a thread surfaceportion configured to engage with a thread surface portion of the cylindrical portionof the opening of the holding block fixedly arranging the guiding ring to the holdingblock, wherein a seat is provided in the opening for supporting the expanding ring,wherein an outer surface of the front end of the female coupling body comprises acircumferential groove comprising a groove seat, configured to receive theexpanding ring, wherein female coupling unit is adapted to be fixedly arranged tothe holding block by being suspended between the guiding ring and the seat ,wherein the expanding ring is arranged as a support between the female couplingunit and the seat. id="p-7"

[0007] According to one embodiment, the hydraulic coupling device further comprises a male coupling unit.Brief description of drawinqs id="p-8"

[0008] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: id="p-9"

[0009] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a working machine with a quickcoupler and a hydraulic coupling device for attaching and connecting a hydraulically operated tool thereto. id="p-10"

[0010] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the quick coupler and the hydraulic coupling device according to the invention according to Fig. 1.[0011] id="p-12"

[0012] Fig. 3a shows a cross-section side view of a hydraulic coupling device in a closed position. id="p-13"

[0013] Fig. 3b shows a cross-section side view of a hydraulic coupling device in an open position.

Description of embodiments id="p-14"

[0014] ln the following, a detailed description of the invention will be given. lnthe drawing figures, like reference numerals designate identical or correspondingelements throughout the several figures. lt will be appreciated that these figuresare for illustration only and are not in any way restricting the scope of the invenfion. id="p-15"

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a working machine 1 with a quickcoupler 5 and a hydraulic coupling device 10 according to one embodiment of the invention, for attaching and connecting a hydraulically operated tool thereto. id="p-16"

[0016] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the quick coupler 5 and the hydrauliccoupling device 10 connected to a holding block 50. According to one embodiment, the holding block 50 is arranged to the quick coupler 2. According toone embodiment, the holding block 50 is arranged to the quick coupler 5 via linearcontrols. According to one embodiment the holding block 50 is arranged to thequick coupler 2 via hydraulic cylinders. According to one embodiment, the holdingblock 50 is movable in relation to the quick coupler 5 during connection of the male20 and female 30 coupling units of the hydraulic coupling device 10. As seen inFig. 2, a female coupling unit 30 of the hydraulic coupling device 10 is arranged tothe holding block by the aid of an expanding ring 60. An hydraulically operated tool(not shown) equipped with a male coupling unit 20 may then be attached to thequick coupler 5 and the male and female coupling units are brought into matingengagement with each other. id="p-17"

[0017] Fig. 3a shows a cross-section side view of a hydraulic coupling device10, comprising a male coupling unit 20 and a female coupling unit 30 in a closedposition. The male coupling unit 20 has been introduced into the female couplingpart 30 whereby the male coupling body center axis 21' has been aligned with afemale coupling body center axis 31 '_ A front end portion 21d of the male couplingbody 21 abuts a sealing sleeve device 32, and a female poppet device 33 abuts apoppet device 24, without any pressure applied to overcome the spring forces ofspring device 36 and spring device 26 which thereby remain in an extendedposition. Hereby, the male coupling unit 20 and the female coupling unit 30 is in aclosed position respectively, wherein no hydraulic fluid within the male couplingbody 20 and/or the female coupling body 30 may exit their respective bodies orinteriors through openings 21f and 31f respectively. id="p-18"

[0018] According to one embodiment, as seen in Fig. 3a, the hydraulic couplingdevice 10 further comprises a holding block 50, a guiding ring 60, and anexpanding ring 70 for fixedly arranging the female coupling unit 30 to the holdingblock 50. According to one embodiment, the hydraulic coupling device 10comprises the female coupling unit 30, a holding block 50, a guiding ring 60, andan expanding ring 70 for fixedly arranging the female coupling unit 30 to theholding block 50. The female coupling body 31 is inserted from a female couplingbody insertion side 51 of the holding block 50, and the male coupling body 21 is inserted from a male coupling body insertion side 52 of the holding block 50.According to one embodiment, the holding block 50 on the male coupling bodyinsertion side 52 comprises an opening 52a of larger diameter than a front endportion 31e of the female coupling body 31 _ The opening 52a comprises acylindrical portion 52c and a conical portion 52d with a decreasing diametertowards the female coupling body insertion side 51, ending in a seat 53. Accordingto one embodiment, the cylindrical portion 52c of the opening 52a comprises athread surface 52c1 _ According to one embodiment, the guiding ring 60 comprisesan outer surface 60a comprising a thread surface portion 60a1 configured toengage with the thread surface portion 52c1 of the cylindrical portion 52c of theopening 52a. According to one embodiment, a front end of the guiding ring 60 is 61a2, 61a3, 61a4, 61a5, 61a6adapted to receive a tool comprising corresponding pins to be inserted into the provided with a plurality of holes and engage with the guiding ring 60 to enable a screwing motion of thef;>¿61a1,61a2,61a3, 61a4, 61a5, 61a6 are circumferentially arranged on the front end of the guiding ring 60. According to one embodiment, the ~\ guiding ring 60. According to one embodiment, the holes are circular. According toone embodiment, the guiding ring 60 is essentially cylinder shaped, comprising ahollow core having an inner wall of varying diameter. A rear end of the guiding ringis adapted to be inserted into the opening 52a and face the female coupling bodyinsertion side 51 _ At the rear end of the guiding ring 60 the rear inner diameter isinitially larger than the diameter of the front end of the female coupling body 31.The space between the female coupling body 31 and the inner wall of the guidingring 60 forms a cylindrical guiding. The rear inner diameter decreases in a firststep forming a cylindrical guiding seat, which according to one embodiment, maybe conically shaped. The inner diameter then decreases in a second step forminga second seat, essentially corresponding to the outer diameter of the femalecoupling body 31 and the male coupling body 21 _ According to one embodiment,the expanding ring 70 has the shape of a part of a cone, wherein the rear end ofthe expanding ring 70 has a larger diameter than the front end of the expandingring. The expanding ring 70 is configured to be flexible and biased in a radiallyoutward direction upon compression radially inward. According to one embodiment the outer surface 31 a of the front end 31 e of the female coupling body 31comprises a circumferential groove 31f configured to receive the expanding ring70. According to one embodiment, the circumferential groove 31f provides theouter surface 31a of the female coupling body 31 the shape of a part of conecorresponding to the shape of the expanding ring 70, wherein the diameter of theouter surface 31 a of the female coupling body 31 decreases towards the front endof the female coupling body 31. At the end of the groove 31f, the diameter abruptlyincreases to form a groove seat 31g for the expanding ring 70. id="p-19"

[0019] According to one embodiment, mounting of the hydraulic coupling device10 is carried out by first inserting the female coupling body 31 into in the holdingblock 50 from the female coupling body insertion side 51 _ The expanding ring 70 isprovided over the front end portion 31e of the female coupling portion 31 byinserting the expanding ring 70 from the male coupling body insertion side 52 inthe opening 52a. Thereafter the guiding ring 60 is screwed into the opening 52a,until contacting the expanding ring 70 whereby the expanding ring 70 is pressedinto the seat 53 of the holding block by guidance of the conical portion of theopening 52a. During further screwing of the guiding ring 60, the expanding ring 70is further guided by the cylindrical guiding to get further compressed andeventually engage with the circumferential groove 31f and the groove seat 31g.Upon further screwing of the guiding ring 60, the second seat of the guide ring 60contacts or engages the front end of the female coupling body 31 whereby thefemale coupling body is pressed in a rean/vard direction towards the femalecoupling body insertion side 52, with the expanding ring 70 providing a support orholder-on or lock or stop for the female coupling body 31 preventing a release ofthe female coupling body 31 in this direction towards the female coupling body insertion side 51. id="p-20"

[0020] Fig. 3b shows a cross-section side view of a hydraulic coupling device 10in an open position. The male coupling unit 20 has been further introduced into thefemale coupling unit 30 whereby the spring forces of springs 26 and 36 have beenovercome compressing the springs 26, 36. During the entire movement from aclosed to an open position, a poppet device 24 and a guide device 25 matingly engage each other, providing a guidance and preventing tilting of the parts.Further, in the open position, a channel, or opening is created between the poppetdevice 24 and in particular, a poppet sealing ring 28 and the inner surface 21b ofthe male coupling body 21 _ Additionally a channel, or opening is created betweenthe female poppet device 33 and the inner surface of the sealing sleeve device 32and in particular a rear sealing ring 34. As the female poppet device 33 is insertedinto the male coupling body 21 in an open position, a channel, or opening is furtherprovided between the female poppet device 33 and the inner surface 21 b of themale coupling body 21. The increasing diameter of the female poppet portion 33towards a front end portion 31e of the female coupling body 31 corresponds to anincreasing diameter of the inner surface portion 21 b of the male coupling body 21in a towards a rear end portion 21d of the male coupling body 21. Hydraulic fluidwithin the male coupling body 21 and/or the female coupling body 31 may exittheir respective bodies or interiors and enter the other of the male or femalecoupling body 21, 31. The front sealing ring 35 provides a seal in the interfacebetween the male coupling body 21 and the female coupling body 31 preventingleakage of hydraulic fluid within the male coupling body 20 and/or the femalecoupling body 30. id="p-21"

[0021] A preferred embodiment of, a hydraulic coupling device 10 according tothe invention has been described. However, the person skilled in the art realizesthat this can be varied within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the inventive idea. id="p-22"

[0022] All the described alternative embodiments above or parts of anembodiment can be freely combined without departing from the inventive idea aslong as the combination is not contradictory.

Claims (15)

1. A hydraulic coupling device (10) comprising a female coupling unit (30)comprising a female coupling body (31), a holding block (50), a guiding ring (60),and an expanding ring (70) for fixedly arranging the female coupling unit (30) tothe holding block 50 in an opening (52a) of the holding block (50), wherein theguiding ring (60) comprises an outer surface (60a) comprising a thread surfaceportion (60a1) configured to engage with a thread surface portion (52c1) of acylindrical portion (52c) of the opening (52a) of the holding block (50) fixedlyarranging the guiding ring (60) to the holding block (50), wherein a seat (53) isprovided in the opening (52a) for supporting the expanding ring (70), wherein anouter surface (31a) of the front end of the female coupling body (31) comprises acircumferential groove (31f) comprising a groove seat (31g), configured to receive the expanding ring (70), the female coupling unit(30) is adapted to be fixedly arranged to the holding block (50) by beingsuspended between the guiding ring (60) and the seat (53), wherein the expandingring (70) is arranged as a support between the female coupling unit (30) and the seat (53).

2. The hydraulic coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising amale coupling unit (20).

3. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to any of the precedingclaim, wherein the female coupling body (31) is adapted to be inserted from afemale coupling body insertion side (51) of the holding block (50), wherein a malecoupling body (21) of a male coupling unit (20) is adapted to be inserted from amale coupling body insertion side (52) of the holding block (50).

4. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to claim 3, wherein, theholding block (50) on the male coupling body insertion side (52) comprises the opening (52a) of larger diameter than the front end portion (31e) of the female coupling body (31).

5. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to claim 4, wherein theopening (52a) comprises the cylindrical portion (52c) and a conical portion (52d)with a decreasing diameter towards the female coupling body insertion side (51),ending in the seat (53).

6. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front end of the guiding ring (60) is provided with a plurality ofho|es (61a1, 61a2, 61a3, 61a4, 61a5, 61a6) adapted to receive a tool comprisingcorresponding pins to be inserted into the ho|es and engage with the guiding ring (60) to enable a screwing motion of the guiding ring (60).

7. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the ho|es are circular.

8. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to any of the precedingclaims, wherein the guiding ring (60) is essentially cylinder shaped, comprising a hollow core having an inner wall of varying diameter.

9. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to any of the precedingclaims 3-5, wherein a rear end of the guiding ring (60) is adapted to be inserted into the opening (52a) and face the female coupling body insertion side (51).

10. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to claim 8 and 9, whereinat the rear end of the guiding ring (60) a rear inner diameter of the inner wall isinitially larger than the diameter of the front end of the female coupling body (31 ).

11. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to claim 10, wherein thespace between the female coupling body (31) and the inner wall of the guiding ring(60) forms a cylindrical guiding, wherein the rear inner diameter of the inner walldecreases in a first conically shaped step forming a cylindrical guiding seat,wherein the inner diameter of the inner wall further decreases in a second stepforming a second seat, essentially corresponding to the outer diameter of thefemale coupling body (31) and the male coupling body (21).

12. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to any of the precedingclaims, wherein the expanding ring (70) has the shape of a part of a cone, whereinthe rear end of the expanding ring (70) has a larger diameter than the front end of the expanding ring.

13. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to any of the precedingclaims, wherein the expanding ring (70) is configured to be flexible and biased in a radially outward direction upon compression radially inward.

14. The hydraulic coupling device (10) according to any of the precedingclaims, wherein, the circumferential groove (31f) provides the outer surface (31 a)of the female coupling body (31) the shape of a part of cone corresponding to theshape of the expanding ring (70), wherein the diameter of the outer surface (31 a)of the female coupling body (31) decreases towards the front end of the femalecoupling body (31), wherein at the end of the groove (31f), the diameter abruptly increases to form the groove seat (31g) for the expanding ring (70).

15. A method of mounting a hydraulic coupling device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: - inserting the female coupling body (31) into the holding block (50) from a female coupling body insertion side (51) - providing the expanding ring (70) over a front end portion (31e) of the femalecoupling portion (31) by inserting the expanding ring (70) from a male coupling body insertion side (52) in the opening (52a), - screwing the guiding ring (60) into the opening (52a) until contacting theexpanding ring (70) whereby the expanding ring (70) is pressed into the seat(53) of the holding block (50) by guidance of a conical portion (52d) of theopening (52a), - further screwing of the guiding ring (60) whereby the expanding ring (70) isfurther guided by the cylindrical guiding (60) formed by the space between thefemale coupling body (31) and the inner wall of the guiding ring (60), to get further compressed and eventually engage with the circumferential groove(31f) and the groove seat (31g). further screwing of the guiding ring (60), whereby a second seat of the guidering (60) contacts or engages the front end of the female coupling body (31)whereby the female coupling body is pressed in a rearvvard direction towardsthe female coupling body insertion side (51 ), with the expanding ring (70)providing a support or holder-on or lock or stop for the female coupling body(31) preventing a release of the female coupling body (31) in this directiontowards the female coupling body insertion side (51).