WO2025134034A1

WO2025134034A1 - Cartridge quick coupling with integrated rotation and decompression system and multi-coupler hydraulic assembly comprising said cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2025134034A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/062993
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sandro Ballotta; Daniele Rossetti; Igor Polgati; Ivan ARRIGONI
Original assignee: Faster SRL
Current assignee: Faster SRL
Priority date: 2023-12-22
Filing date: 2024-12-20
Publication date: 2025-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-22

Abstract

Quick coupling cartridge (10") for pressurized fluids comprising a main body (11'), a rear body (16') configured to be connected, by means of an adapter (18'), to a hydraulic block (300) in which said quick coupling cartridge is suitable to be inserted, and at least one connecting fitting (13'), preferably a bezel fitting, for connecting said main body to said rear body (16'), wherein it further comprises an integrated rotation system (1') apt to permit relative rotation of at least a part of the cartridge coupling (10') with respect to said hydraulic block (300), an integrated decompression system (31, 32), and wherein t said integrated decompression system (31) comprises, housed within said rear body (16'), a floating body (107) suitable for securing the sealing with said stem, or shank, (14'), said floating body (107), further comprising one or more plugs (100') suitable for preventing rotation of said floating body (107) with respect to said adapter (18').

Description

“CARTRIDGE QUICK COUPLING WITH INTEGRATED ROTATION AND DECOMPRESSION SYSTEM AND MULTI-COUPLER HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SAID CARTRIDGE”

* * *

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a quick coupling for connecting hydraulic lines for pressurized fluids, typically oil, which comprises, integrated in the coupling itself, a rotation system apt to permit relative rotation of the coupling with respect to the hydraulic block in which it is inserted.

The present invention refers in particular to a cartridge-type quick coupling suitable to be inserted within a multi-coupler hydraulic block for connecting hydraulic lines for a pressurized fluid and comprising said rotation system.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is a cartridge-type quick coupling comprising a rotation system and further comprising a decompression system.

Object of the present invention is also a multi-coupler hydraulic connection assembly, i.e. comprising a plurality of cartridge quick couplings comprising a rotation system apt to permit relative rotation of the male or female coupling with respect to the hydraulic block.

STATE OF THE ART

As is known, in the field of working machines, and in particular in some specific applications in the construction equipment world, such as in the field of forestry, that is, of the machines used to cut and work tree trunks, the particular movements required of the tool that is often called upon to rotate with respect to the articulated arm of the machine, lead to the occurrence of problems of rotation, twisting and bending of the hydraulic lines that connect the tool to the hydraulic circuit of the machine.

In particular, in the presence of relative rotation of the hydraulic line connected to the tool with respect to the hydraulic line connected to the machine, at the couplings used to connect the lines failures were found due to damage to the internal sealing gaskets, with the consequent occurrence of oil leaks.

In order to try to solve these problems, it is known in the state of the art to resort to the use of separate components such as connectors or swivel joints that are associated with the couplings, in particular in general with the male or female couplings on the machine side.

When on the machine side there is a multi-coupler hydraulic block suitable for housing a plurality of couplings, generally called in this case cartridge couplings or even simply cartridges, comprising a plurality of cartridges, thanks to these swivel connectors, not only is it possible to compensate for the rotation movements of the hydraulic hoses, but it is also possible to guarantee use and interchangeability with the blocks already on the market.

Although this solution allows to solve at least partially the problem of the relative rotation of the couplings, it has the drawback that it leads to an excessive increase in the overall encumbrance of the coupling, in particular increasing the axial encumbrance of the part in question. In the case of multi -coupler block, moreover, the increase in the overall length of the coupling deriving from the use of the additional component, i.e. the rotatable or swivel joint, results in an increase in the length of the cantilevered section of the coupling, consequently leading to an increase in bending (i.e. in the bending phenomena of the coupling) that causes malfunctions and oil leaks.

A further drawback deriving from the increase in the overall axial encumbrance of the system given by the coupling to which the swivel is added is the risk of collisions with the equipment, which, being supplied by third parties, cannot take into account the greater encumbrances that the system entails, during work movements, with possible malfunctions or, in the worst case, breakages of the hydraulic block or of the individual couplings.

Entering even more into the merits of the solutions known from the state of the art, the rotating or swivel joints of known type intended to be applied directly to the ends of the pipings that must be connected, are of different types.

A first known type of swivel for pipings is based on the use of bearing type systems, generally ball bearings. In such known systems the bearing assembly is positioned outside the flow, according to what is shown in Figure 1.

A second known type of rotating or swivel joints for pipings provides that the relative rotation of the two connecting elements of the pipes is entrusted to a system comprising a stem and a nut and in which a ring of plastic material which, however, is positioned inside the flow of the fluid and comprises, as shown in Figure 2, a plurality of turned steel components, a ring of plastic material that permits relative rotation between the turned steel components, and a sealing system comprising O-rings to prevent outward oil leakages.

In addition, a plurality of anti-extrusion rings are normally provided in the stem area, having the function of preserving the gaskets and avoiding damage thereof.

A further drawback affecting the cartridge male or female couplings of known type, concerns in particular the decompression system.

In fact, cartridges provided with an internal decompression system are known. Although this decompression system is extremely simple and effective in use as the decompression takes place simply as a result of the retraction of the cartridge (push), it has been found that with high flow rates, in particular in the case of 8 and 12 dash sizes, high stresses are generated that affect, during use, the functionality of the coupling. In fact, in use, couplings and cartridges undergo important rotations related to the movements resulting from the oil pulses in the lines and the movements of the arm of the machine to which the utility is connected, movements that can cause premature damage to the gasket of the decompression system, which is designed to work axially, and to the polyurethane gasket placed inside the male, which is not designed to rotate with respect to the cartridge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the above, the task of the present invention is to realize a cartridge quick coupling for connecting hydraulic lines for pressurized fluids capable of overcoming or at least reducing the drawbacks that afflict the couplings of known type.

Within the scope of this task, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge quick coupling capable of solving the problems deriving from the relative rotation movements of the hydraulic hoses connected by the coupling.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge quick coupling that is interchangeable with the multi-coupler blocks already on the market.

Still, a further object of the present invention consists in providing a cartridge quick coupling capable of solving the problems deriving from the relative rotation movements of the hydraulic hoses connected by the coupling and further comprising a decompression system.

The above task, as well as the aforementioned purposes and others that will appear clearer later, are achieved by a cartridge quick coupling for connecting hydraulic lines for fluids comprising a rotation system apt to permit relative rotation of the male coupling with respect to the female coupling according to claim 1.

Other features are provided in the dependent claims.

LIST OF FIGURES

Further characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from the exemplary but non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

- figure l is a sectional view of a bearing swivel system of a type known from the state of the art and typically used to connect pipings;

- figure 2 is a sectional view of a swivel system of known type comprising a system of three elements, i.e. a stem, a nut, and a housing seat for the stem comprising a ring of plastic material apt to permit relative rotation between the components;

- figure 3 is a sectional assembly side view of a multi-coupler hydraulic assembly comprising a cartridge female coupling and a cartridge male coupling each comprising an integrated rotation system according to the present invention;

- figure 4 is a sectional view of the male cartridge coupling of figure 3;

- figure 5 is a side view of the portion of the male coupling of figure 4 protruding from the hydraulic block;

- figure 6 is a sectional view of the cartridge female coupling of figure 3;

- figure 7 is a side view of the portion of the female coupling of figure 6 protruding from the hydraulic block;

- figure 8 is a sectional assembly side view of a multi-coupler hydraulic assembly comprising a female cartridge coupling and a male cartridge coupling each comprising an integrated rotation system and an integrated decompression system according to the present invention;

- figure 9 is a sectional view of the male cartridge coupling of figure 8;

- figure 10 is a side view of the portion of the male coupling of figure 8 protruding from the hydraulic block;

- figure 11 is a sectional view of the cartridge female coupling of figure 8;

- figure 12 is a side view of the portion of the female coupling of figure 8 protruding from the hydraulic block;

- figure 13 is a perspective view of a male coupling according to the present invention comprising an anti-rotation tooth;

- figure 14 is a detail showing the operation of the anti-rotation tooth visible in figure 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1, a bearing type swivel system 600 known from the state of the art and used to connect pipings, and comprising bearing type systems, generally ball bearings 601 is illustrated.

Figure 2 illustrates the detail of a swivel system 400 comprising a system of three elements, i.e. a stem 401, a nut 402 and a housing seat 403 for the stem 401, comprising a series of seals 405, 406, 407 in which a ring made of plastic material 404 permits relative rotation between the components.

Figure 3 shows is a multi-coupler hydraulic assembly 500 comprising a male cartridge coupling 10 and a female cartridge coupling 20 in accordance with the present invention.

In detail, said hydraulic assembly or manifold 300, generally made by casting metal alloys, comprises therein a plurality of conduits 40a, 40b and two or more seats 30a, 30b for the insertion of as many cartridge quick couplings, male 10 and female 20, respectively, according to the invention. Said cartridge quick couplings 10, 20 are hydraulically connected through said conduits 40a, 40b to an oil discharge line 50.

Figure 4 illustrates a male cartridge coupling 10 according to the present invention, in particular a cartridge flat-face coupling, which advantageously comprises a main body 11 suitable to be coupled, by means of a connecting body 12 and of a connecting fitting 13, preferably a bezel fitting, to a rear body 16 in turn coupled to the hydraulic block 300.

Advantageously, said coupling further comprises an integrated rotation system 1 apt to permit relative rotation of the coupling 10 with respect to the hydraulic block 300 in which it is inserted. According to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4, advantageously said integrated rotation system 1 comprises a connecting body 12 which permits the coupling of the main body 11 of the coupling inside the bezel 13. The main body 11 is preferably connected to said connecting body 12 by means of a threaded coupling.

Said integrated rotation system 1 comprises, in addition to the connecting body 12 and to the bezel 13, a stern or shank 14 which is inserted within the rear body 16 ofthe male cartridge coupling 10, and at least one annular element 15, or thrust washer, advantageously made of plastic material interposed between said stem or shank 14 and said bezel 13 and apt to permit relative rotation of the connecting body 12 and of the shank 14 with respect to the bezel 13.

These components, namely the connecting body 12, the shank 14 and the bezel 13, are in turn contained, with assembled coupling, within the rear body 16 that connects the cartridge 10 to the casting 300. Advantageously, said rear body 16 of the male cartridge coupling 10 is connected by means of a threaded connection to the block 300.

Advantageously, the rear body 16 incorporates in its rear part a sealing gasket 17 and a stuffing box 19, which has the task of preventing the dislodging during the working stages, on the adapter 18.

Thanks to this configuration, therefore, and in particular to the presence of said integrated rotation system 1 comprising the connecting body 12, the shank 14 and the bezel 13 and the thrust washer 15, the rotation of the front part of the coupling 10, i.e. of its main body 11, with respect to the rear body 16 which is in turn associated with the block 300, is obtained.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the main body 11 and the bezel 13, which are the parts protruding from the block 300. As can be noted, the coupling is compact and with a small axial dimension despite the presence of the integrated rotation system 1.

Similarly, Figure 6 illustrates a female cartridge coupling 20 according to the present invention, in particular a cartridge flat-face coupling, which advantageously comprises a main body 21 in turn coupled, by means of a connecting body 22 and of a connecting fitting 23, preferably bezel one, to the hydraulic block 300.

Advantageously, said coupling further comprises an integrated rotation system 1’ apt to permit relative rotation of the female cartridge coupling 20 with respect to the hydraulic block 300 in which it is inserted. According to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 6, advantageously said integrated rotation system 1’ comprises a connecting body 22 which permits the coupling of the main body 21 of the coupling inside the bezel 23. The main body 21 is preferably connected to said connecting body 22 by means of a threaded coupling.

Said integrated rotation system 1’ comprises, in addition to the connecting body 22 and to the bezel 23, a stem or shank 24 which is inserted within the rear body 26 of the female cartridge coupling 20, and at least one annular element 25, or thrust washer, advantageously made of plastic material interposed between said stem or shank 24 and said bezel 23 and apt to permit relative rotation of the connecting body 22 and of the shank 24 with respect to the bezel 23.

These components, namely the connecting body 22, the shank 24 and the bezel 23, are in turn contained, with assembled coupling, within the rear body 26 which has the function of connecting the cartridge 20 to the casting 300.

Advantageously, the rear body 26 incorporates in its rear part a sealing gasket 27 and a stuffing box 29, which has the task of preventing the dislodging during the working stages, on the adapter 28.

Thanks to this configuration, therefore, and in particular to the presence of said integrated rotation system 1’ comprising the connecting body 22, the shank 24 and the bezel 23 and the thrust washer 25, the rotation of the front part of the coupling 20, i.e. of its main body 21, with respect to the rear body 26 which is in turn associated with the block 300, is obtained. Advantageously, said rear body 26 of the female cartridge coupling 20 is connected by means of a threaded connection to the block 300

Figure 7 shows a side view of the main body 21 and of the bezel 23, which are the parts protruding from the cartridge block 300 assembled in the block. As can be noted, the coupling is compact and with a small axial dimension despite the presence of the integrated rotation system 1’.

Figure 8 shows a multi-coupler hydraulic assembly 500 comprising a male cartridge coupling and a female cartridge coupling in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, which provides that the cartridge couplings comprise, in addition to an integrated rotation system as described so far, also an integrated decompression system.

In fact, this second embodiment combines the features of the first embodiment, i.e. the integration of the rotation system, with the decompression feature, which exploits the principles of flat-face type cartridges with an integrated decompression system 31, 32.

Also in accordance with this second embodiment, the invention allows to obtain a cartridge having reduced dimensions to avoid bending problems and prevent the problems encountered in the use of machines and equipment with “High Flow” systems having much higher oil flow rates and generate greater efforts.

The hydraulic assembly 300 remains unchanged with respect to what has already been seen with reference to Figure 3, and therefore has the same conformation comprising therein a plurality of conduits 40a, 40b and two or more seats 30a, 30b for the insertion of as many cartridge quick couplings, male 10’ and female 20’, respectively, which according to this further embodiment of the invention further comprise an integrated decompression system. Said cartridge quick couplings 10’, 20’ are hydraulically connected through said conduits 40a, 40b to an oil discharge line 50.

Figure 9 illustrates a male cartridge coupling 10’ according to the present invention, in particular a cartridge flat-face coupling, which advantageously comprises a main body 11’ in turn coupled, by means of a connecting body 12’ and of a connecting fitting 13’, preferably bezel one, to the hydraulic block 300.

Advantageously, said coupling further comprises an integrated rotation system 1’ apt to permit relative rotation of the male coupling 10’ with respect to the hydraulic block 300 in which it is inserted. According to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 9, advantageously said integrated rotation system 1’ comprises said connecting body 12’ which permits the coupling of the main body 11’ of the coupling inside the bezel 13’. The main body 11’ is preferably connected to said connecting body 12’ by means of a threaded coupling.

Said integrated rotation system 1’ comprises, in addition to the connecting body 12’ and to the bezel 13’, a stem or shank 14’ which is inserted within the rear body 16’ of the male cartridge coupling 10’, and at least one annular element 15’, or thrust washer, advantageously made of plastic material interposed between said stem or shank 14’ and said bezel 13’ and apt to permit relative rotation of the connecting body 12’ and of the shank 14’ with respect to the bezel 13’.

These components, namely the connecting body 12’, the shank 14’ and the bezel 13’, are in turn contained, with assembled coupling, within the rear body 16’ that connects the cartridge 10’ to the casting 300. Advantageously, said rear body 16’ of the male cartridge coupling 10’ is connected by means of a threaded connection to the block 300.

Advantageously, the rear body 16’ incorporates in its rear part a sealing gasket 17’ and a stuffing box 19’, which has the task of preventing the dislodging during the working stages, on the adapter 18’.

In the rear body 16’ there is included a floating body 107 which has the function of guaranteeing the seal with the shank 14’ and of housing the seat for the PU sealing gasket 17’ and of the stuffing box 19’ which has the task of preventing the dislodging thereof during the working stages.

Advantageously, the floating body 107 comprises two seats for housing as many plugs 100’ necessary to prevent rotation of the floating body 107 with respect to the adapter 18’. Should the floating body 107 rotate with respect to the adapter 18’, problems of damage to the PU sealing gasket 18’ might in fact occur.

The male cartridge coupling 10’ according to the present invention in accordance with this second embodiment comprises three sealing points 112a, 112b, 112c that maintain the cartridge coupling in the closed position up to a safety pressure beyond which the system goes into self-opening to avoid bursting. More in particular, a first sealing point 112a is provided between the floating body 107 and said shank 14’, a second sealing point 112b is provided between said rear body 16’ and said shank 14’, while a third sealing point 112c, in turn advantageously comprising a pair of sealing elements indicated in Figure 9 both with reference numeral 112c, is provided between said bezel 13’ and said connecting body 12’.

The floating body 107 has a neutral hydraulic behaviour thanks to the two seals constituted by the sealing gasket 17’ and said first sealing point 112a that work on the same diameter. The system is kept in an advanced position thanks to the rear spring 113, interposed between said adapter 18’ and said floating body 107.

Pressing on the front of the main body 11’ causes the displacement of the shank 14’ which, resting on the floating body 107, allows the sealing gasket 17’ to be retracted beyond the decompression niches placed in the adapter 18’. At this point the oil can be drained externally by lowering the pressure internal to the system.

Thanks to this configuration, therefore, and in particular thanks to the presence of said integrated rotation system 1’ comprising the connecting body 12’, the shank 14’ and the bezel 13’ and the thrust washer 15’, the rotation of the front part of the coupling 10’, i.e. of its main body 11’, with respect to the rear body 16’ which is in turn associated with the block 300, is obtained.

Thanks to the presence of the integrated rotation system 1 ’ and of the decompression system 31 comprising the floating body 107 which houses the anti-rotation plugs 100’, which prevent rotation of the floating body 107 with respect to the adapter 18’, and the sealing elements 112a, 112b, 112c respectively between the floating body 107 and the shank 14’, between the rear body 16’ and the shank 14’, and between the bezel 13’ and the connecting body 12’, the male coupling 10’ in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the area comprised between the shank 14’ and the main body 11’ is free to rotate, while the area comprised between the shank 14’ and the floating body 107 is able to translate axially to be able to perform the decompression manoeuvre.

Figure 10 shows a side view of the main body 11’, the connecting body 12’ and the rear body 16’ and the bezel 13’ of said male cartridge coupling 10’, which are the parts protruding from the block 300 with assembled coupling. As can be noted, the coupling is compact and with a small axial dimension despite the presence of the integrated rotation system 1’ and of the decompression system 31.

Similarly, Figure 11 illustrates a female cartridge coupling 20’ according to the present invention, in particular a cartridge flat-face coupling, which advantageously comprises a main body 21’ in turn coupled, by means of a connecting body 22’ and of a connecting fitting 23’, preferably bezel one, to the hydraulic block 300.

Advantageously, said coupling further comprises an integrated rotation system 201’ apt to permit relative rotation of the female coupling 20’ with respect to the hydraulic block 300 in which it is inserted. According to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 11, advantageously said integrated rotation system 1’ comprises a connecting body 22’ which permits the coupling of the main body 21’ of the female coupling inside the bezel 23 ’ . The main body 21’ is preferably connected to said connecting body 22’ by means of a threaded coupling.

Said integrated rotation system 1’ comprises, in addition to the connecting body 22’ and to the bezel 23’, a stem or shank 24’ which is inserted within the rear body 26’ of the female cartridge coupling 20’, and at least one annular element 25’, or thrust washer, advantageously made of plastic material interposed between said stem or shank 24’ and said bezel 23’ and apt to permit relative rotation of the connecting body 22’ and of the shank 24’ with respect to the bezel 23’.

These components, namely the connecting body 22’, the shank 24’ and the bezel 23’, are in turn contained, with assembled coupling, within the rear body 26’ that connects the cartridge 20’ to the casting 300. Advantageously, said rear body 26’ of the female cartridge coupling 20’ is connected by means of a threaded connection to the block 300.

Advantageously, the rear body 26’ incorporates in its rear part a sealing gasket 27’ and a stuffing box 29’, which has the task of preventing the dislodging during the working stages, on the adapter 28’.

In the rear body 26’ there is included a floating body 207 which has the function of guaranteeing the seal with the shank 24’ and of housing the seat for the PU sealing gasket 27’ and of the stuffing box 29’ which has the task of preventing the dislodging thereof during the working stages.

Advantageously, the floating body 207 comprises two seats for housing as many plugs 200’ necessary to prevent rotation of the floating body 207 with respect to the adapter 28’. Should the floating body 207 rotate with respect to the adapter 28’, problems of damage to the PU sealing gasket 28’ might in fact occur.

The male cartridge coupling 20’ according to the present invention in accordance with this second embodiment comprises three sealing points 212a, 212b, 212c that maintain the cartridge coupling in the closed position up to a safety pressure beyond which the system goes into self-opening to avoid bursting. More in particular, a first sealing point 212a is provided between the floating body 207 and said shank 24’, a second sealing point 212b is provided between said rear body 26’ and said shank 24’, while a third sealing point 212c, in turn advantageously comprising a pair of sealing elements indicated in Figure 11 both with reference numeral 212c, is provided between said bezel 23’ and said connecting body 22’.

The floating body 207 has a neutral hydraulic behaviour thanks to the two seals constituted by the sealing gasket 28’ and said first sealing point 212a that work on the same diameter. The system is kept in an advanced position thanks to the rear spring 213, interposed between said adapter 28’ and said floating body 207.

Pressing on the front of the main body 21’ causes the displacement of the shank 24’ which, resting on the floating body 207, allows the sealing gasket 27’ to be retracted beyond the decompression niches placed in the adapter 28’. At this point the oil can be drained externally by lowering the pressure internal to the system.

Thanks to this configuration, therefore, and in particular thanks to the presence of said integrated rotation system 1’ comprising the connecting body 22’, the shank 24’ and the bezel 23’ and the thrust washer 25’, the rotation of the front part of the female coupling 20’, i.e. of its main body 21’, with respect to the rear body 26’ which is in turn associated with the block 300, is obtained.

Thanks to the presence of the integrated rotation system 1 ’ and of the decompression system 40 comprising the floating body 207 which houses the anti-rotation plugs 200’, which prevent rotation of the floating body 207 with respect to the adapter 28’, and the sealing elements 212a, 212b, 212c respectively between the floating body 207 and the shank 24’, between the rear body 26’ and the shank 24’, and between the bezel 23’ and the connecting body 22’, the male coupling 20’ in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the area comprised between the shank 24’ and the main body 21’ is free to rotate, while the area comprised between the shank 24’ and the floating body 207 is able to translate axially to be able to perform the decompression manoeuvre.

Figure 12 shows a side view of the main body 21 ’, the rear body 26’ and the bezel 23’ of said female cartridge coupling 20’, which are the parts protruding from the block 300 with assembled coupling. As can be noted, the coupling is compact and with a small axial dimension despite the presence of the integrated rotation system 201’ and of the decompression system 32.

Advantageously, with reference to Figure 13, it is noted that the main body 11, 11’ of the male cartridge 10, 10’ according to the present invention advantageously comprises, inside the ball socket 60, a tooth or anti-rotation abutment 61 which, when the coupling is connected, performs the stop function, making relative rotation possible between the male coupling and the female coupling only by a few degrees. At this point, the rotation already described above will be absorbed by the integrated system 1, 1’ in the cartridge, male or female, avoiding the deterioration of the polyurethane gasket positioned inside the pin itself. The female cartridge 20, 20’ needs to be connected to a male coupling 10, 10’ with the same stop tooth 61.

In practice, it has been found that the cartridge quick coupling, male or female, according to the present invention suitable for being inserted in a multi-coupler hydraulic block for connecting hydraulic lines for a pressurized fluid and comprising the rotation system according to the present invention fulfils the task as well as the intended purposes in that it permits the rotation of the cartridge with respect to the block during use, at the same time reducing the overall encumbrances and, above all, reducing the length of the cantilevered portion protruding from the block thus reducing the bending phenomena, while providing a system interchangeable with the couplings and with the blocks of known type.

Furthermore, the cartridge quick coupling, male or female, further comprising the system according to the present invention object of the present invention a cartridge-type quick coupling comprising a rotation system and further comprising a decompression system according to the present invention also allows to perform the decompression manoeuvres according to what is known with other couplings without the rotation system. It has also been shown how the multi-coupler hydraulic connection assembly comprising a plurality of cartridge quick couplings according to the present invention, i.e. comprising a rotation system or a rotation system and a decompression system, solves the problems related to the torsional stresses, bending and overpressure affecting the multi-coupler connection assemblies of known type.

The cartridge quick couplings and the multi-coupler hydraulic assembly according to the present invention thus conceived are susceptible to numerous modifications and variants all falling within the scope of protection identified by the appended claims.

Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practice, any materials can be used according to requirements, as long as they are compatible with the specific use, the dimensions and the contingent shapes.

Claims

1. Quick coupling cartridge (10, 20, 10’, 20’) for pressurized fluids comprising a main body (11, 21, 11’, 21’), a rear body (16, 26, 16’, 26’) configured to be connected, by means of an adapter (18, 28, 18’, 28’), to a hydraulic block (300) in which said quick coupling cartridge is suitable to be inserted, and at least one connecting fitting (13, 23, 13’, 23’), preferably a bezel fitting, for connecting said main body to said rear body (16, 26, 16’, 26’), characterized by further comprising an integrated rotation system (1, 1’) apt to permit relative rotation of at least a part of the cartridge coupling (10, 20, 10’, 20’) with respect to said hydraulic block (300), characterized in that it further comprises an integrated decompression system (31, 32), and in that said integrated decompression system (31, 32) comprises, housed within said rear body (16’, 26’), a floating body (107, 207) suitable for securing the sealing with said stem, or shank, (14’, 24’), said floating body (107, 207) further comprising one or more plugs (100’, 200’) suitable for preventing rotation of said floating body (107, 207) with respect to said adapter (18’, 28’).

2. Cartridge quick coupling (10, 20, 10’, 20’) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said integrated rotation system (1, 1’) comprises a connecting body (12, 22, 12’, 22’) interposed between said main body (11, 21, 11’, 21’) and said connecting fitting (13, 23, 13’, 23’), said main body (11, 21, 11’, 21’) being inserted within said connecting body (12, 22, 12’, 22’) and connected to it preferably by means of a threaded coupling.

3. Cartridge quick coupling (10, 20, 10’, 20’) according to the preceding claim, wherein said integrated rotation system (1, 1’) further comprises a stem, or shank, (14, 24, 14’, 24’) which is inserted within said rear body (16, 26, 16’, 26’) of the cartridge coupling, and at least one annular element or thrust washer (15, 25, 15’, 25’), interposed between said stem or shank (14, 24, 14’, 24’) and said bezel connecting fitting (13, 23, 13’, 23’) and apt to permit relative rotation of the connecting body (12, 22, 12’, 22’) and the shank (14, 24, 14’, 24’) with respect to said bezel connecting fitting (13, 23, 13’, 23’).

4. Cartridge quick coupling (10, 20, 10’, 20’) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said annular element or thrust washer (15, 25, 15’, 25’) is made of plastic material.

5. Cartridge quick coupling (10, 20, 10’, 20’) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear body (16, 26, 16’, 26’) comprises at least one sealing gasket (17, 27, 17’, 27’) suitable for exerting a fluid seal between said rear body (16, 26, 16’, 26’) and said adapter (18, 28, 18’, 28’), a stuffing box (19, 29, 19’, 29’) being further provided to prevent the dislodging of said sealing gasket (17, 27, 17’, 27’) during the working stages of the coupling.

6. Cartridge quick coupling (10’, 20’) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of sealing points (112a, 112b, 112c, 212a, 212b, 212c) suitable for maintaining said cartridge coupling (10’, 20’) in the closed position until a safety pressure value is reached beyond which the system goes into self-opening.

7. Cartridge quick coupling (10’, 20’) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a first sealing point (112a, 212a) of said sealing points is provided between said floating body (107, 207) and said shank (14’, 29’), a second sealing point (112b, 212b) of said sealing points is provided between said rear body (16’, 26’) and said shank (14’, 24’), and a third sealing point (112c, 212c) of said sealing points, in turn advantageously comprising a pair of sealing elements, is provided between said bezel (13’, 23’) and said connecting body (12’, 22’).

8. Cartridge quick coupling (10, 20, 10’, 20’) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a male or female flat-face coupling.

9. Multi-coupler hydraulic assembly (500) comprising a block or manifold (300’) in which there are obtained a first housing seat (30a) and a second housing seat (30b), configured to house a first male coupling (10, 10’) and a second female coupling (20, 20’), respectively, each of said first male (10, 10’) and second female coupling (20, 20’) comprising at least one integrated rotation system (1, 1’) apt to permit relative rotation of at least a part of the cartridge coupling (10, 20, 10’, 20’) with respect to said hydraulic block (300) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8.

10. Multi-coupler hydraulic assembly (500) according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises an integrated decompression system (31, 32) according to one or more of the preceding claims.