Technical Field

The present invention relates to a floating coupling and a floating nipple. More specifically, the floating coupling and the floating nipple are part of a multi quick connect coupling between a tool and an arm that can move.

Background

When a coupling and a nipple is connected, then the coupling and the nipple must be axially aligned with each other. The coupling and the nipple may not be axially misaligned, because then they will not connect, or not connect properly. The coupling is the female part and the nipple is the male part. Connecting the coupling and the nipple by hand is a rather precise operation with a good amount of flexibility and adjustment.

However, connecting the coupling and the nipple by a machine is a different operation. If the coupling is for example on a mechanical arm of an excavator and the nipple is for example on a tool that is to be connected to the arm, then hydraulic from the excavator to the tool may not be provided if the axial misalignment of the coupling and the nipple is too large, for example already a misalignment of 0.2 mm causes problems. Such misalignment during connection damages the coupling and the nipple, resulting in leakage. The connection of a plurality of couplings and nipples at the same time requires even more alignment. It is desirable to provide a coupling and nipple that can be connected that allows for misalignment during connecting the coupling and the nipple.

It is also desirable to provide a coupling and nipple that is inexpensive to manufacture, is easy to manufacture, and is robust. The coupling and the nipple must also provide a safe and reliable connection even if there is some misalignment. It is further a restriction that the above must be realised in a cost effective way and in a straight forward way and inexpensive manufacturing and assembly. The coupling and nipple must also allow for robust use and easy maintenance. Too cumbersome solutions cannot be realised technically or economically in real life. The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above. Summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide a floating coupling and a floating nipple. A further object is to provide a multi quick connect coupling with a plurality of the floating couplings and the floating nipples. These objects can be achieved by the features as defined by the independent claims. Further enhancements are characterised by the dependent claims. The invention is set out in the claims.

According to one embodiment, a floating coupling comprises a coupling 100, a housing 200, and a spring 250, the spring 250 being arranged between the coupling 100 and the housing 200. The coupling 100 comprises an outer circumferential surface 110 forming an angle 300 between 10 and 80 degrees with a central axis 310 of the coupling 100. The housing 200 comprises a cylindrical opening 220 for accommodating the coupling 100, the inside of the opening 220 comprising an inner circumferential surface 210, complimentary to the outer circumferential surface 110, forming an corresponding angle 300 between 10 and 80 degrees with the central axis 310 of the coupling. The spring 250 forces the coupling 100 so that the outer circumferential surface 110 engages the inner circumferential surface 210 centralising the coupling 100 in the housing 200.

According to one embodiment, a floating nipple comprises a nipple 400, an outer housing 500, and a spring 550, the spring 550 being arranged between the nipple 400 and the outer housing 500. The nipple 400 comprises an outer circumferential surface 410 forming an angle 300 between 10 and 80 degrees with a central axis 320 of the nipple 400. The outer housing 500 comprises a cylindrical opening 520 for accommodating the nipple 400, the inside of the opening 520 comprising an inner circumferential surface 510, complimentary to the outer circumferential surface 410, forming a corresponding angle between 10 and 80 degrees with the central axis 320 of the nipple 400. The spring 550 forces the nipple 400 so that the outer circumferential surface 410 engages the inner circumferential surface 510 centralising the nipple 400 in the outer housing 500.

According to one embodiment, a plurality of the floating couplings and nipples 750 form part of a multi quick connect coupling 710, 720 between a tool 701 and a movable arm 702. Preferably, and for example, the movable arm may be a boom of an excavator and the tool may be a gripper, or a bucket, to be attached to the boom. According to one embodiment, the plurality of floating couplings 750 may be arranged on a first block 710 and the plurality of floating nipples 750 may be arranged on a second block 720. One, or both, of the first block 710 and the second block 720 may be configured to be able to float, allowing the first block 710 and the second block 720 to additionally align with respect to each other with the assistance of a pin 740 on one of the blocks and an opening 730 for the pin 740 on the other block.

The present invention addresses the problems mentioned herein by arranging the coupling and nipple as shown in the attached drawings and explained below. In this way the coupling and the nipple are suspended, floating, and have a radial play of one to two millimetres, or even more than two millimetres when they are connected and during the connection. No external arrangements, such as plates with holes and cones, for aligning the coupling and the nipple are necessary, but can be added for extra alignment.

At least one of the above embodiments provides one or more solutions to the problems and disadvantages with the background art. Other technical advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims. Various embodiments of the present application obtain only a subset of the advantages set forth. No one advantage is critical to the embodiments. Any embodiment disclose herein may be combined with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The accompanying drawings illustrate presently exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain, by way of example, the principles of the disclosure.

FIG 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a floating coupling and a floating nipple according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the floating coupling and the floating nipple according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the floating coupling and the floating nipple according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the floating coupling and the floating nipple according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the floating couplings and the floating nipples with a tool and a moving arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the floating couplings and the floating nipples with a fist block according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the floating couplings and the floating nipples with a second block according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In this disclosure the terms “coupling” refers to the female part of a connection and the term “nipple” refers to the male part of a connection. The female part, the coupling, may have a mechanism that connects to the male part, the nipple. Such a coupling and nipple may be, for example, a quick fit connection. A multicoupling is an arrangement of a plurality of male and/or female parts on one part and a corresponding plurality of female and/or male parts on another part and allows for a connection of the two parts.

Turning first to figures 1 to 4, a floating coupling and a floating nipple according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. In figure 1 the coupling 100 and the nipple 400 are not connected and centralised in their respective housings. They are away from each other and a central axis 310 of the coupling 100 is misaligned with a central axis 320 of the nipple 400. In figure 2 the coupling 100 and the nipple 400 are still misaligned and touching as they are starting to connect. In figure 3 the coupling 100 and the nipple 400 are partly connected and they are aligned with each other. In figure 4 the coupling 100 and the nipple 400 are fully connected, and the central axis 310 of the coupling 100 is aligned with the central axis 320 of the nipple 400. These four figures illustrates how the coupling 100 is suspended, floating, in an outer housing 200 and how the nipple 300 is suspended, floating, in an outer housing 500. The four drawings show the coupling and nipple disconnected and centralised, just when they start to connect and centralised and starting to float, and when they are fully connected and floating.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically a plurality of the floating couplings and nipples 750 form part of a multi quick connect coupling 710 and 720 between a tool 701 and a movable arm 702. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate schematically the faces with the plurality of floating couplings 750 arranged on a first block 710 and the plurality of floating nipples 750 are arranged on a second block 720. Optionally, a pin 740 on one of the blocks may engage an opening 730 on the other block.

Turning to figures 1 to 4, a floating coupling and a floating nipple are illustrated. The figures illustrates an embodiment of a floating coupling, the floating coupling comprising a coupling 100, a housing 200 and a spring 250. The housing 200 may be an outer housing 200 with the coupling 100 inside the housing 200. The spring 250 is arranged between the coupling 100 and the outer housing 200.

The coupling 100 comprises an outer circumferential surface 110 forming an angle 300 between 10 and 80 degrees with a central axis 310 of the coupling 100. The angle 300 is preferably 45, 40, 35, or 30 degrees. The surface 110 is circumferential and has the shape of a truncated cone, with the apex of the cone pointing in the direction towards where a nipple would connect to the coupling 100.

The housing 200 comprises a cylindrical opening 220 for accommodating the coupling 100. The inside of the opening 220 comprises an inner circumferential surface 210 forming an corresponding angle 300 between 10 and 80 degrees with the central axis 310 of the coupling. The angle 300 is preferably 45, 40, 35, or 30 degrees. The surface 210 is circumferential and has the shape of a truncated cone, with the apex of the cone pointing in the direction towards where a nipple would connect to the coupling 100. The inner circumferential surface 210 is complimentary to the outer circumferential surface 110, i.e. they have the same angle and the two surfaces face each other. The spring 250 forces the coupling 100 so that the outer circumferential surface 110 engages the inner circumferential surface 210 centralising the coupling 100 in the housing 200. The spring 250 forces the coupling 100 to move axially within the housing 200 so that the two surfaces 110 and 210 contact each other and thereby the coupling 100 becomes co-axial with the housing 200, i.e. centralised.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, there may be a space 230 between an outside 120 of the coupling 100 and an inside of the cylindrical opening 220 of the housing 200. The space 230 may be substantially along the whole length of the outside 120 of the coupling 100 and the inside of the cylindrical opening 220. The space 230 is naturally not between the outer circumferential surface 110 and the inner circumferential surface 210 when these contact each other, but the space 230 is still along the remaining part of the coupling 100 and the housing 200, such that the coupling 100 can take up misalignment within the housing 200. The space is about 0.5-3 mm, preferably 1-2, preferably at least one millimetre, measured in the radial direction when the coupling 100 and the housing 200 are co-axial.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, a force of the spring 250 may be configured to be substantially equal to a force required to open a valve 130 of the coupling 100. Alternatively, the force of the spring 250 may be configured to be substantially equal to the force of the spring, or springs, 150 in the coupling 100 and a force required to open the valve 130 with regard to a fluid pressure for which the coupling 100 is configured. Alternatively, the force of the spring 250 may be configured to be substantially equal to the force of a corresponding spring 550 for a nipple 400 to be connectable to the coupling 100. The spring force of the spring 250 may be configured such that the two circumferential surfaces 110 and 210 disengage when the spring force keeping the coupling 100 closed is overcome.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, the outer circumferential surface 110 and the inner circumferential surface 210 are part of a cone, the same cone, when the two circumferential surfaces 110, 210 are in contact with each other. An apex of the cone may fall along the central axis 310 of the coupling 100 and within 3 centimetres from, before and after, the end surface 160 of the coupling 100. While 3 cm achieves the technical effect of centralisation and taking up misalignment, 1 cm is preferably because the technical effect is then improved. An apex of the cone may fall along the central axis 310 of the coupling 100 and on the end surface 160 of the coupling 100. This has been illustrated by a dotted line in figure 1. This achieves the best technical effect of centralisation and taking up misalignment. Naturally, the cone and the apex is imaginary and merely used for describing the configuration of the outer circumferential surface 110 and the inner circumferential surface 210. The apex of the cone points towards the end of the coupling where the nipple connects.

The apex of the cone may fall within the first third along the central axis 310 of the coupling 100 counting from the end surface 160 of the coupling 100. However, the preferred embodiment is that apex falls on the intersection of the central axis 310 of the coupling 100 and an end surface 160 of the coupling 100. The end surface 160 being at the end where a nipple is to be inserted into the coupling 100.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, the outer circumferential surface 110 and the inner circumferential surface 210 are cone shaped surfaces, part of a truncated cone. The two cone shaped surfaces 110, 210 interact because of the force from the spring 250 and this causes the coupling 100 and the housing 200 to centre relatively to each other, i.e. the become co-axial. This and the space 230 allows the coupling 100 to take up a misalignment with a nipple 400 to be connected to the coupling 100 as shown in figures 1 to 4. After disconnecting the nipple 400 from the coupling 100, the coupling 100 becomes centralised within the housing 200.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, the coupling 100 is substantially cylindrical, the coupling 100 has a substantially cylindrical outer form. The housing 200 is at least partly, substantially, a hollow cylinder.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, the outer circumferential surface 110 may be substantially in the middle along the axial length of the coupling 100. This achieves a good centralisation as well as a good take up of misalignment. With reference to figures 1 to 4, a floating nipple according to one embodiment is illustrated. The floating nipple comprises a nipple 400, an outer housing 500, and a spring 550. The outer housing 500 may be a housing 500 with the nipple 400 inside the housing 500. The spring 550 is arranged between the nipple 400 and the outer housing 500.

The nipple 400 comprises an outer circumferential surface 410 forming an angle 300 between 10 and 80 degrees with a central axis 320 of the nipple 400. The angle 300 is preferably 45, 40, 35, or 30 degrees. The surface 410 is circumferential and has the shape of a truncated cone, with the apex of the cone pointing in the direction towards where a coupling 100 would connect to the nipple 400.

The outer housing 500 comprises a cylindrical opening 520 for accommodating the nipple 400. The inside of the opening 520 comprises an inner circumferential surface 510 forming a corresponding angle between 10 and 80 degrees with the central axis 320 of the nipple 400. The angle 300 is preferably 45, 40, 35, or 30 degrees. The surface 510 is circumferential and has the shape of a truncated cone, with the apex of the cone pointing in the direction towards where a coupling 100 would connect to the nipple 400. The inner circumferential surface 510 is complimentary to the outer circumferential surface 410, i.e. they have the same angle and the two surfaces face each other.

The spring 550 forces the nipple 400 so that the outer circumferential surface 410 engages the inner circumferential surface 510 centralising the nipple 400 in the outer housing 500. The spring 550 forces the nipple 400 to move axially within the outer housing 500 so that the two surfaces 410 and 510 contact each other and thereby the nipple 400 becomes co-axial with the outer housing 500, i.e. centralised.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, there may be a space 530 between an outside 420 of the nipple 400 and an inside of the cylindrical opening 520 of the outer housing 500. The space 530 may be substantially along the whole length of the outside 420 of the nipple 400 and the inside of the cylindrical opening 520. The space 530 is naturally not between the outer circumferential surface 410 and the inner circumferential surface 510 when these contact each other, but the space 530 is still along the remaining part of the nipple 400 and the outer housing 500, such that the nipple 400 can take up misalignment within the housing 500. The space 530 is about 0.5-3 mm, preferably 1-2, preferably at least one millimetre, measured in the radial direction when the nipple 400 and the housing 500 are co-axial.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, a force of the spring 550 may be configured to be substantially equal to the force needed to open a valve 430 of the nipple 400. Alternatively, the force of the spring 550 may be configured to be substantial equal to the force of the spring, or springs, in the nipple 400 and a force required to open the valve 430 with regard to the fluid pressure for which the nipple 400 is configured. Alternatively, the force of the spring 550 may be configured to be substantially equal to the force of a corresponding spring 250 for the coupling 100 to be connectable to the nipple 400. The spring force of the spring 550 may be configured such that the two circumferential surfaces 410 and 510 disengage when the spring force keeping the nipple 400 closed is overcome.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, the outer circumferential surface 410 and the inner circumferential surface 510 are part of a cone when the two circumferential surfaces 410, 510 are in contact with each other. An apex of the cone falls along the central axis 320 of the nipple 400 and within 3 centimetres from, before and after, the end surface 460 of the nipple 400. While 3 cm achieves the technical effect of centralisation and taking up misalignment, 1 cm is preferably because the technical effect is then improved. An apex of the cone may fall along the central axis 320 of the nipple 400 and on the end surface 460 of the nipple 400. This has been illustrated by a dotted line in figure 1. This achieves the best technical effect of centralisation and taking up misalignment. Naturally, the cone and the apex is imaginary and merely used for describing the configuration of the outer circumferential surface 410 and the inner circumferential surface 510. The apex of the cone points towards the end of the nipple 400 where the coupling 100 connects. This is similar and corresponds to the arrangement of the coupling 100 in the housing 200.

The apex of the cone may fall within the first third along the central axis 320 of the nipple 400 counting from the end surface 460 of the nipple 400. However, the preferred embodiment is that apex falls on the intersection of the central axis 320 of the nipple 400 and an end surface 460 of the nipple 400. The end surface 460 being at the end where a coupling 100 is to be inserted into the nipple 400.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, the outer circumferential surface 410 and the inner circumferential surface 510 are cone shaped surfaces, part of a truncated cone. The two cone shaped surfaces 410, 510 interact because of the force from the spring 550 and this causes the nipple 400 and the housing 500 to centre relatively to each other, i.e. the become co-axial. This and the space 530 allows the nipple 400 to take up a misalignment with a coupling 100 to be connected to the nipple 400 as shown in figures 1 to 4. After disconnecting the nipple 400 from the coupling 100, the nipple 400 becomes centralised within the housing 500.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, the nipple 400 is substantially cylindrical, the nipple 400 has a substantially cylindrical outer form. The outer housing 500 is at least partly, substantially, a hollow cylinder.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, the outer circumferential surface 410 may be substantially in the middle along the axial length of the nipple 400. This achieves a good centralisation as well as a good take up of misalignment.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a floating coupling and a floating nipple. The housing 200 and/or the outer housing 500 may comprises two parts 201 , 202, 501 , 502 connected to each other. Preferably the two parts are screw connected. The screw connection 203, 503 between the two parts may be taken from the figures 1 to 4. One part 201 , 501 may comprise the inner circumferential surfaces 210, 510, respectively, and the other part 202, 502 may comprise an end acting to engaging and hold the spring 250, 550, respectively. One of the two parts may have a stop on the inside, or on the outside, to position the one part 201 , 501 in relation to the other part 202, 502 in the axial direction, respectively.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, a back side 112, 412 of the outer circumferential surface 110, 410, respectively, may engage a part of the housing 200 or the outer housing 500, respectively. This is best illustrated in figure 4. The back sides 112, 412 are opposite the outer circumferential surface 110, 410, respectively. The back sides 112, 412 are preferably perpendicular to the axis of the coupling 100 or nipple 400, respectively. When the floating coupling and the floating nipple are fully engaged, connected, then the back sides 112, 412 engage a part of the housing 200, 500, respectively. This allows the coupling 100 and the nipple 400 to be pushed together by the housings 200, 500 during connecting the coupling 100 and the nipple 400. The springs 250, 550 may have a spring force extending the spring between the back sides 112, 412 and an end within the housing 200, 500, respectively.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, the coupling 100, or the nipple 400, may be held in, at least partly inside, the housing 200, or the outer housing 500, respectively, between a stop 140 mounted on the coupling 100, or the nipple 400, respectively. The force of the spring 250, 550 may force the stop 140 against the housing 200, or the outer housing 500, respectively. The stop 140 may be mounted on the coupling 100, and/or the nipple 400, and the spring 250, 550 forces, respectively, the housing 200, 500 against the stop 140. This may best be taken from figures 1 and 2, where the stops 140 engage an end of the outer housings 200, 500, respectively. Preferably, the arrangement and configuration of the stop in the axial direction is such that the stops 140 engage an axial end of the outer housings 200, 500, respectively, when the coupling 100, and the nipple 400 are centralised in the housings 200, 500, respectively.

The arrangements with regard to the nipple 400 applies correspondingly to the coupling 100, and vice versa. The configuration of the floating coupling applies correspondingly to the floating nipple, and vice versa.

Turning to figures 5 to 7, the floating coupling and/or the floating nipple described herein may be used in a multi quick connect coupling. Figures 5 to 7 illustrate schematically a plurality of the floating couplings and nipples 750 form part of a multi quick connect coupling 710, 720 between a tool 701 and a movable arm 702. The arm 702 may be movable, for example a boom 702 on an excavator. The tool 701 may be a hydraulic tool 701 , for example a gripper or a bucket to be attached to the boom or arm 702. In this way a multi quick connect coupling can be made between a hydraulic tool 701 and a boom 702 in an environment where there may often be a misalignment for making the connection between the couplings and the nipples.

For example, the plurality of floating couplings 750 may be arranged on a first block 710 and the plurality of floating nipples 750 may be arranged on a second block 720. The first block 710 may be able to float, so that it can move freely a small distance perpendicular to the axial direction of the floating couplings or nipples 750. In combination, or alternatively, the second block 720 may be able to float, so that it can move freely a small distance perpendicular to the axial direction of the floating couplings or nipples 750. This may allow the first block 710 and the second block 720 to align with respect to each other with the assistance of a pin 740 on one of the blocks and an opening 730 for the pin 740 on the other block. In this way a further, additional, mechanism is provided that can take up misalignment between the couplings and nipples during connection.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically the tool 701 with the first block 710, and the arm 702 with the second block 720. The pin 740 has also been illustrated. Figures 6 and 7 are schematic views of the sides of the blocks 710 and 720 that face each other when the tool 701 and the arm 702 are connected.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed apparatus and method. Any embodiment disclosed herein may be combined with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed apparatus and method. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.