Tool Holder Actuator Position Sensing for Secure Pin Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool holder systems for machines, such as excavators and forestry machines, face challenges in ensuring the secure engagement of bracket pins due to one pin being hidden from the operator's view, leading to potential hazards and unreliable detection of coupling states, especially in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder system utilizing a pattern and a sweep sensor to continuously detect the position and state of an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, with the pattern milled into the actuator housing and the sensor positioned on the tool holder frame, allowing for robust and reliable detection of the actuator's position, speed, and acceleration, even after electronic resets, and providing visual or acoustic signals for operator feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors or sensor-indicator combinations are used to detect coupling positions, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to damage risk in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure sensors and sensor-indicator combinations with a magnetic field-based inductive detection system. The inductive sensor detects the position of the piston rod through magnetic field interaction without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for physical sensors that are vulnerable to damage in harsh construction environments while maintaining continuous position detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the sensor and the piston rod. The inductive sensor detects changes in the magnetic field caused by the position of the piston rod, allowing indirect measurement that protects the sensing system from direct exposure to harsh environmental conditions while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate sensors are used to detect different positions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the inductive sensor multi-functional by configuring it to detect multiple specific positions (such as fully retracted, intermediate, and fully extended positions) through a single device. The sensor evaluates different signal characteristics from the magnetic field interactions to identify various piston rod positions, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors and reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to detect all critical positions.
3Reliability
If inductive sensors with magnetic patterns are used, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric magnetic pattern configuration on the piston rod with deliberately designed non-uniform magnetic field distributions. This asymmetric pattern creates distinct and easily distinguishable signal characteristics for different positions, making the detection system more robust to variations in manufacturing tolerances while maintaining high reliability in harsh environments. The asymmetric design ensures that even with manufacturing variations, the magnetic field interactions produce clearly distinguishable signals for position detection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances safety and reliability by ensuring accurate detection of the actuator's state, reducing the risk of accidents and equipment damage, and providing continuous monitoring of the coupling mechanism, improving operational safety and reducing the need for frequent recalibration.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator positioning system comprising a pattern, a sweep sensor, a processor and computer readable memory
Data Source
AI summary
A tool holder for a machine includes a frame including at least one hook-shaped cut-out for receiving a first bracket pin of a tool and a least one partial cut-out for receiving a second bracket pin of the tool; an actuator connected with one end to the frame, the actuator including an actuator housing arranged movable compared to the frame upon activation of said actuator, the actuator housing further including lock fingers designed to change the shape of the at least one partial cut-out so that second bracket pin of the tool can be locked in the tool holder and the at least one partial cut out, respectively; and an actuator positioning system including a pattern, a sweep sensor, a processor and a computer readable memory. The sweep sensor is arranged on the frame and the pattern is arranged on the actuator housing, whereby the pattern is designed so that the sweep sensor can detect the pattern and generate a corresponding signal, which can be analysed using the processor and the computer readable memory for providing information relating to the actuator.