Coupling for multiple hydraulic pipes

Details Coupling for multiple hydraulic pipes Coupling for multiple hydraulic pipes

2000-10-26

2002-09-24

Lee, Kevin (Department: 3627)

Fluid handling

Systems

Flow path with serial valves and/or closures

C137S614040

Reexamination Certificate

active

06453945

ABSTRACT:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is based upon and claims priority to German Patent Application 1 99 51 885.8 filed Oct. 28, 1999, which application is herein expressly incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a coupling that couples several hydraulic pipes and has a number of single couplings corresponding to the number of the to be connected pipes. The single coupling includes, in a known manner, two coupling members, a connector and a muff to receive the connector.
In mobile hydraulics, several hydraulic pipes have to be connected and disconnected from one another. Normally a basic vehicle has hydraulic pumps and control valves and various attachable equipment which include hydraulic drives that are supplied with hydraulic energy. If such attachable equipment is connected to the basic vehicle, for example a tractor, up to ten hydraulic pipes may be attached to the hydraulic system. To facilitate the coupling processes, several individual (single) hydraulic couplings are connected to a multi-coupling. Accordingly, several single hydraulic coupling members are installed in a common housing block. Connection means are connected to a second housing block which correspond to second coupling members. Often lever connections are used so that, with a single connection lever, several pipes can be connected to each other. One advantage of the couplings is that several hydraulic pipes, via single couplings, are coupled at the same time. Also, the coupling eliminates any confusion of the pipes of the two housing blocks being connected to each other in the wrong position. If a connection error takes place, dangerous malfunction may take place in the attaching equipment. This may lead to equipment damage.
A further problem exists in the couplings of hydraulic pipes. The problem is that the coupling is coupled against a back pressure in one or in two pipes. A very high pressure can build up due to different temperatures in the consumer pipe, the consumer pipe usually being the male coupling member. Also, a very high pressure may be present in the coupling muff, which is often connected by a pipe to the control valve and the pressure supply. During coupling of such hydraulic lines, which are highly pressurized, the pressure increases to such a high level that a coupling-in process is only possible by applying a higher force. During coupling, soft seals such as O-rings are attacked by the pressure medium which flows under high pressure. Leakages may occur. In couplings that have several single couplings that are coupled at the same time, the necessary coupling force is correspondingly multiplied. Then correspondingly stable tensioning levers, as they are for example disclosed in EP 0 522 493 B1 or DE 43 38 665 A1, are necessary to achieve such forces.
EP 0 686 801 A1 discloses a flat valve coupling, which is supposed to be suitable to protect the seals from destruction by a medium passing the seals. However, in this design, fluid has to be displaced during the coupling process and the coupling forces are correspondingly high.
To avoid the coupling problem under pressure, single couplings are used more often, in which the valves of the single coupling members are only opened after the coupling process. To open the valves, a lever mechanism is provided. The lever is actuated after coupling of the coupling members. Here, the real coupling process is easier, even if the pipes are under pressure. This is due to the fact that an opening of the valves does not take place during coupling, but only afterwards by a lever mechanism. The problem of coupling under pressure is practically solved, as for example disclosed in DE 43 18 840 C2. Here, a switching pin is provided which is axially displaced by a cam-like switching element. Thus, both valves of both coupling members are opened. A design of a flat connector can be selected for this type of coupling. Thus, during coupling, the coupling is oil leakage-free as the coupling valves are closed before coupling or decoupling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide couplings that are connected to a multi-coupling which secure simple coupling and decoupling and are oil leakage-free during coupling and decoupling.
This object is solved according to the invention by a coupling for coupling several hydraulic pipes that has a number of single couplings corresponding to a number of the to be connected pipes. Each coupling includes a first coupling member with a first valve having a first front face, to which the first valve is to be opened. Each coupling has a first cylindrical face, starting from the first front face. Each coupling has an actuating element that transfers the first valve into an open position. Each coupling has a sealing sleeve that is adjustable with a bore on the first cylindrical face in the direction of a longitudinal axis. The sleeve is displaceable by the actuating element from a retracted position into a projected position partly projected beyond the first front face. Each coupling includes a second coupling member that includes a second valve with a second front face to which the second valve is to be opened. Each coupling has a second cylindrical face at least partly covering the sealing sleeve in the projected position.
A first block housing is included which receives the first coupling members. A second block housing is included which receives the second coupling members in a position corresponding to the first coupling members. The second block housing is attachable to the first block housing.
The actuating element, over a first adjusting path, only adjusts the sealing sleeve to the projected position. In a subsequent second adjusting path, the actuating element displaces the first valve into the open position. Accordingly, a sealed connection is achieved before opening the first valve and second valve, which opening takes place at the same time.
The sealing sleeve in its bore has two sealing rings. The rings are arranged at a distance to each other to seal towards the first cylindrical face and the second face.
In a further embodiment, an adjustment spring is provided. The spring returns the sealing sleeve into the retracted position. The displacement into the projected position takes place against the force of the adjustment spring. If a closing of the first valve takes place via the actuating element, the sealing sleeve returns under the effect of the adjustment spring into the retracted position.
If the actuating element is designed as a pivot lever, pivoting moves the first valve from the closed position into the open position or vice versa. A cam disc impinges a collar of the sealing sleeve to displace it into the projected forward position. The cam disc is designed so that a first displacement of the sealing sleeve takes place to its final projected position via a predetermined rotational path or pivoting path of the actuating element. Afterwards, no further displacement takes place. To retain the projected position of the sealing sleeve, the cam disc has an adjustment circumferential contour. The contour extends around the axis of rotation of the actuating element formed as an actuating lever along an arc of a circle. The radius of the arc is kept constant. In using the adjustment mechanism described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,033, it is advantageous that free travel is given via a predetermined pivoting path between the switching element, which impinges the valve to be opened, and the actuating element, adjusted by this and which comprises a switching shaft. The switching shaft can be used to adjust the sealing sleeve. During further pivoting of the actuating element or the actuating lever, an adjustment of the switching element takes place. Thus, the first valve is displaced into the open or into the closed position. When moving from the open position into the closed position a passing of the free travel also takes place, and then the closing of the first and the second valve occurs. After this the adjustment spring becomes eff

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