Adjustable Coupling Connector for Crane Tool Locking Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling devices suffer from manufacturing tolerances, wear, and deformation, leading to relative movement between work tools and crane arms, causing peak loads, increased wear, undesirable noise, and movement.

Innovation Solution

A connecting part with a locking device and adjusting device that prevents unintentional disconnection by allowing adjustable positioning of a locking stop relative to the upper bearing device, using a rotary lever and adjustable support to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sufficiently large clearance is provided for the locking bolt to accommodate manufacturing tolerances, wear, and deformation, then the connection can be locked reliably, but relative movement between attachments occurs causing peak loads, increased wear, and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidrelative movement, peak loads, wear, noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the bearing device adjustable rather than fixed. The bearing device can be positioned at different locations along the opening to accommodate varying clearance requirements. This allows the system to adapt dynamically to different attachment conditions, manufacturing tolerances, and wear levels, ensuring reliable locking while minimizing harmful relative movement through optimal positioning of the locking bolt bearing surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the bearing device position to be varied along the opening. This positional parameter can be adjusted to change the effective clearance between the locking bolt and the attachment components. By modifying this geometric parameter, the system achieves both reliable locking (through sufficient clearance) and reduced harmful effects (through optimized clearance minimization).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4656579A1Connecting part for a coupling device
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 PALFINGER AG
  • EP4656579A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4656579A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4656579A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Connecting part (1) for a coupling device comprising a connecting part (1) and a coupling part (2), wherein the coupling device enables a detachable connection between a crane arm (3) and a work device (4), with - first fastening means (5) for attaching the connecting part (1) to a crane arm (3) or a work device (4), - an upper bearing device (6) in the mounting position for an upper stop (7) of the coupling part (2), - a lower bearing device (8) in the mounting position, spaced a first distance apart therefrom, for a lower stop (9) of the coupling part (2), and - a locking device (10, 11, 12) which prevents an unintentional loosening of a connection between the connecting part (1) and the coupling part (2), wherein the locking device (10, 11,12) has a locking stop (10) mounted on the connecting part (1) for at least one locking bolt (12) that can be mounted in a bearing device (11) in the coupling part (2), wherein the connecting part (1) has an adjusting device with which the locking stop (10) is adjustable relative to the bearing device (6) in the upper mounting position.