Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a mounting structure for coupled hydraulic hoses.

Background of the invention

Many types of vehicles, such as tractors, use hydraulic powering for different functions of the vehicle. In order to improve the flexibility of these machines a tractor can be used in combination with several different tools/ functions adapted to different types of operations. These tools/ functions are, when to be used, connected to the hydraulic system of the tractor in order to be powered.

Today, the hydraulic system of the tool/ function is connected to the hydraulic system of the tractor by placing the hydraulic hoses of the hydraulic system of the tractor with their hose ends on a suitable position on the outside of the tractor where they are easily accessible for engagement and disengagement. The hoses ends, which comprise couplings, are attached to a mounting structure that keeps the couplings of their respective hose fixed in close vicinity of each other whereby each hose of the tools/ functions can be connected to a their respective hose of the hydraulic system of the tractor in a simple manner.

The hoses with couplings are in these solutions mounted in a plate by having the couplings in the end of the hoses fixedly arranged in the mounting plate. This arrangement may for example comprise a grommet that fixates the coupling in an axial direction of the mounting plate, and prevents the coupling from rotating.

However, one shortcoming of this arrangement is that the hose, after being connected to the coupling, is fixedly arranged in the mounting structure. Hydraulic hoses are, in order to withstand the high pressure in the hose as well as external load, generously dimensioned which makes them stiff, heavy and non-flexible. Consequently, the fixation of one end portion of the hose in the mounting structure can be troublesome when the other end portion of the hose is to be connected to some other coupling.

Summary of the invention In view of the foregoing, one object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for coupled hydraulic hoses with improved flexibility. This is achieved by a mounting structure as defined in the independent claim.

The mounting structure according to the present invention comprises a mounting plate with at least one recess that is adapted to receive a coupling for coupled hydraulic hoses, which is adapted to be connected to a mounted hydraulic hose.

The coupling comprises: a first section that has a diameter exceeding the diameter of the recess of the mounting plate and that will be supported by one side of the mounting plate when the coupling is placed in the recess, or that is in the form of a groove with a diameter smaller than or equal to the diameter of the recess in the mounting plate and into which a locking ring is placed in order to abut said one side of the mounting plate when the coupling is positioned in a predetermined position in the recess; a second section that has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the recess of the mounting plate, that is positioned adjacent to the first section, and that is adapted to be received in the recess of the mounting plate; and a third section (16,26, 36,46) positioned on opposite side of the second section in relation to the first section, and that has a diameter that exceeds the diameter of the recess of the mounting plate, or that is in the form of a groove with a diameter smaller than or equal to the diameter of the recess of the mounting plate and into which a locking ring (17,37,47) is placed when the coupling is in a predetermined position in the recess; wherein the coupling thereby is rotatably arranged in the mounting plate.

Thanks to this rotatable arrangement of the coupling in the mounting plate connecting of the opposite end of the hose is simplified. Namely, since the hose can be rotated in relation to the mounting structure it becomes substantially easier to position the opposite end of the hose.

It is a further advantage of the mounting structure according to the present invention that the coupling can be connected to the hose before it is attached to the mounting plate, which substantially simplifies mounting of parts on a vehicle. The rotatable arrangement of the coupling is enabled by the novel arrangement of the coupling in the mounting plate, wherein the outer periphery of the coupling has been provided with abutting surfaces placed on each side of the plate in order to fix the coupling in the axial direction without restricting the possibility for the coupling to be rotated in the recess in the mounting plate. These abutting surfaces can be designed in different ways and comprise either of fixed sections integrated in the coupling or locking rings that are fixed around the coupling when it is placed in a predetermined position in the mounting structure. The mounting structure may comprise different combinations of fixed sections and locking rings depending on the specific conditions of the application where the mounting structure is used.

In one embodiment of the mounting structure according to the present invention the recesses in the mounting plate are essentially shaped as circular holes. The essentially circular recesses allow simple fabrication of the mounting structure since the recesses can be drilled in the plate. In this embodiment the coupling is placed in the recess so that the second section is positioned in the recess before the locking ring or the locking rings are arranged in the groove or the grooves in order to fix the coupling in the mounting plate.

In another embodiment of the mounting structure the recesses in the mounting plate are open towards one or more edges of the mounting plate and are closed by a sealing plate when the coupling is accurately placed with the second section in the recess in order to in order to retain the coupling in the predetermined position in the recess. In this embodiment, the locking rings can be eliminated since the first section as well as the third section can have a diameter exceeding the diameter of the second section and thereby abutting the respective sides of the mounting plate. However, a sealing plate that prevents the coupling from being removed from the mounting plate is needed. In particular, if the mounting structure is intended to include a plurality of couplings this embodiment is advantageous since it reduces the number of components.

In another embodiment of the mounting structure according to the present invention the coupling is a separate part that is attached to an incoming hose on one side of the mounting plate, and when in use, to an outgoing hose on the opposite side of the mounting plate. This embodiment makes it possible to prepare the mounting structure for connection of a plurality of hoses since these in a simple manner can be connected to the coupling if required.

In another embodiment of the present invention of the mounting structure the hydraulic hoses are attached to the coupling by a screw thread or a quick- coupling. These quick-couplings, which can be used for incoming hoses to the coupling as well as for outgoing hoses, are commonly male /female couplings in accordance with ISO-standards 16028, ISO 7241 , or the like.

In one embodiment of the mounting structure the locking rings are shaped as spring-cushioned arcs with an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the grooves in the first section and the third section in order to reliably be retained in the groove when the coupling is arranged in the mounting plate.

In other embodiments of the mounting structure the mounting plate comprises two, four or six recesses in order to enable mounting of two, four or six coupled hydraulic hoses. These embodiments make it possible to include all couplings for the hoses that are used in most types of vehicles and tools /functions in this field in the same mounting plate.

Embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. Ia - d schematically illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention and the procedure for mounting,

Fig. 2a - d schematically illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3a - d schematically illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention and the procedure for mounting,

Fig. 4a - 4d schematically illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention and the procedure for mounting, and Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention .

Detailed description of embodiments

Figures 1 to 5 schematically illustrate different embodiments of the present invention. Corresponding parts have been designated with the same reference number in order to facilitate the understanding.

Referring to Figures Ia - Id, a mounting structure 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a mounting plate 11 having four recesses 12 with circular shape. In each recess 12 one coupling 13 can be attached. The coupling 13 has a substantially circular cross-section and is along its outer periphery provided with a first section 14 with larger diameter than the diameter of the recess 12 in the mounting plate 11, a second section 15 with smaller diameter than the recess 12 in the mounting plate 11 and a groove 16, also with a smaller diameter than the recess 12. The coupling 13 is introduced into the recess from below, which is illustrated by the arrow p, in such way that the second section 15 with smaller diameter than the recess 12 is positioned within the recess 12. Thereafter, a spring-cushioned locking ring 17 that is formed as a portion of a circular arc is pushed into the groove 16 from the side, which is illustrated by the arrow q, in such way that the coupling 13 is locked in place in the mounting plate 11. This arrangement of the coupling 13 in the mounting plate 11 allows the coupling 13 to be rotated in relation to the mounting plate 11, which is illustrated by the arrow r. Thereafter a hose 18 is attached to the lower part of the coupling 13 by screwing of an outer thread in the end portion of the hose 18 into a threaded section 19 on the end portion of the hose 18. Figure 2a schematically illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of the mounting structure 20 in accordance with the present invention and figure 2 c schematically illustrates a cross-section through the mounting structure 20 along the line B-B in figure 2a. Figure 2c and 2d schematically illustrates a perspective view and an exploded view of the mounting structure, respectively. The mounting structure 20 comprises a coupling and a mounting plate 21 with a recess 22 that substantially is circular but that opens up towards one of the sides of the mounting plate 21. The coupling 23 has a first section 24 with a larger diameter than the recess 22 in the mounting plate 21, a second section 25 with a smaller diameter than the recess 22 in the mounting plate 21 and a third section 26 with a diameter exceeding the diameter of the recess 22. The coupling is introduced into the recess 22 from the side in such way that the section 25 with smaller diameter than the recess 22 is positioned in the recess 22 and the first section 24 and the third section 26 abut their respective side of the mounting plate 21. A sealing plate 27, which can be made of a metallic, a plastic or a wooden material, is arranged at the entrance to the recess 22 in parallel with the mounting plate 21 whereby the coupling 23 is locked in place in the recess 22. The coupling 23 is also in this embodiment rotatably arranged in the mounting plate 21. The hose 18 is arranged on the lower part of the coupling 23 by joining the coupling 23 and the threaded section 19 on the end portion of the hose 18.

Fig. 3a schematically illustrates a side view of a third embodiment of the mounting structure 30 in accordance with the present invention and figure 3b schematically illustrates a cross-section along the line A-A in figure 3a. Figure 3c and 3d schematically illustrate a perspective view and an exploded view, respectively. This embodiment of the mounting structure 30 is similar to the first embodiment of the mounting structure 30. It differs in the design of the locking ring 37, which in this embodiment is a closed ring provided with a cavity 38 having a shape that is substantially circular with a larger diameter than the coupling 33. The locking ring 37 is thread into the coupling 33, placed in the groove 36 in the coupling 33, and thereafter moved to the side in order to lock the coupling 33 in place in the recess 32 that is open towards one of the sides of the mounting plate 31. The locking ring 37 is provided with a protruding part 39 that is folded around the edges of the mounting plate 31 on the opposite side of the opening of the recess 32 in order to retain the coupling 33 in the predetermined position in the recess 32.

Figure 4a schematically illustrates a side view of a fourth embodiment of the mounting structure 40 according to the present invention and figure 4b schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in figure 4a.

Figure 4c and figure 4d schematically illustrates a perspective view and an exploded view of the mounting structure, respectively. The mounting structure 40 of this embodiment comprises a mounting plate 41 having a circular recess 42 that receives a coupling 43. The coupling 43 has a first section, which in this embodiment comprises a groove 44 having smaller or the same diameter as the recess 42 in the mounting plate 41, a second section 45 having smaller diameter than the recess 42 in the mounting plate 41, and a groove 46, also having smaller or the same diameter as the recess 42. The coupling is introduced into the recess from below in such way that the section 45 having smaller diameter than the recess 42 is positioned in the recess 42. A spring-cushioned locking ring 47, shaped as a part of a circular arc, is thereafter pushed into each of the grooves 44 and 46 from the side, whereby the coupling 43 is locked in place in the mounting plate 41. The coupling 43 is also in this embodiment rotatably arranged in the mounting plate 41.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a fifth embodiment according to the present invention wherein four hoses 18 are mounted in the mounting structure 50 in accordance with the present invention. The mounting structure can, if desired, be covered with for example a plastic housing in order to protect coupling and the mounting in the mounting plate without deviating from the subject matter of the invention.

In the above described embodiments different types of couplings can be used to connect the hose on the outlet side of the coupling, such as screw-couplings or suitable types of quick-couplings. Moreover, different designs of the couplings are possible as long as the couplings comprise the specific technical features of the invention. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, on the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the appended claims.