Hydraulic coupling

A hydraulic coupling arrangement comprising:

• at least one push-fit, quick-connect hydraulic coupling comprising a male connector and a female connector each defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the male connector is configured for insertion into the female connector in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the connectors;
• and
• an electromagnetic actuator located externally of the connectors, wherein the electromagnetic actuator is operative to draw the male connector into the female connector when the connectors are positioned for insertion of the male connector into the female connector, wherein the electromagnetic actuator comprising comprises:
• an electromagnetic coil external to and associated with one connector;
• and
• a support member carrying the other connector, the support member comprising a magnetically attractive material for interaction with the coil, wherein the electromagnetic coil is operative to draw the magnetically attractive material, the support member, and the other connector in the axial direction to assist in the insertion of the male connector into the female connector, wherein the magnetically attractive material comprises an elongate projection shaped for insertion into the electromagnetic coil, the projection having a longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the other connector, the arrangement configured such that the projection is aligned for insertion in the electromagnetic coil when the connectors are positioned for insertion of the male connector into the female connector.

A combination of a utility vehicle and an implement attached to the utility vehicle, the combination comprising:

• a hydraulic coupling arrangement at least one push-fit, quick-connect hydraulic coupling comprising a male connector and a female connector each defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the male connector is configured for insertion into the female connector in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the connectors;
• and
• an electromagnetic actuator located externally of the connectors, wherein the electromagnetic actuator is operative to draw the male connector into the female connector when the connectors are positioned for insertion of the male connector into the female connector, wherein the electromagnetic actuator comprising comprises:
• an electromagnetic coil external to and associated with one connector;
• and
• a support member carrying the other connector, the support member comprising a magnetically attractive material for interaction with the coil, wherein the electromagnetic coil is operative to draw the magnetically attractive material, the support member, and the other connector in the axial direction to assist in the insertion of the male connector into the female connector;
• an electrical circuit with a manually operable switch for activating the electromagnetic coil;
• wherein one connector forms part of a hydraulic supply system of the utility vehicle and the one connector and the electromagnetic coil are mounted to the utility vehicle and the other connector forms part of a hydraulic circuit on the implement;
• and
• wherein the electrical circuit is configured to operate using an algorithm such that the electromagnetic coil can only be activated when at least one condition is met.