Quick Coupler Self-Centering Guides for Construction Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers for construction equipment, such as excavators, are dangerous as they can uncouple prematurely, posing a risk of tools falling onto worksites with people present.
Innovation Solution
A coupler device with guiding means, including self-centering mechanisms and support pins, ensures proper alignment and locking of the coupler and connection device, preventing accidental uncoupling during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional couplers are used without guiding means, then the coupling operation is simple and quick, but the coupler may uncouple prematurely and tools may fall onto the worksite
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guiding means as intermediary elements between the coupler and connection device. These guiding means include guide surfaces and guide pins that mediate the relative movement and alignment during coupling, ensuring proper alignment while preventing premature uncoupling. The guide surfaces act as intermediaries that control the interaction between the coupler and connection device components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-aligning through the guiding means. The guide surfaces and guide pins automatically guide the coupler into the correct position relative to the connection device without requiring external alignment operations. This self-service alignment ensures reliable coupling while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If guiding means are added to the coupler device, then proper alignment and locking is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding means are segmented into distinct functional elements: guide surfaces on the coupler, guide pins on the connection device, and corresponding guide cutouts. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific alignment function independently, achieving precise alignment while keeping the overall structure modular and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding means operate in multiple dimensions simultaneously - the guide surfaces provide alignment in one dimension while guide pins provide positioning in another dimension. This multi-dimensional approach achieves precise alignment without requiring a single complex alignment mechanism, thereby controlling structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the coupler is designed to pivot freely, then the coupling operation is easy, but the coupler may bump against the connection device and stop prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surfaces and guide pins act as intermediaries that facilitate smooth pivoting motion while preventing premature stopping. These intermediaries absorb the mechanical interaction between the coupler and connection device, allowing free pivoting within the correct range while blocking incorrect movements that would cause premature coupling completion or tool detachment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupler-forming device, comprising a coupler, or quick coupler (1), intended to be attached to a construction machine, such as an excavator, a connection device (2), intended to be attached to a tool, such as a bucket (3), comprising at least one coupling trunnion (5), or hook, intended to couple with at least one associated coupling hook, or trunnion, of the quick coupler, and locking means intended to lock the quick coupler to the connection device, is characterized in that it comprises guiding means (800, 810) intended to guide the pivoting movement of the quick coupler relative to the connection device after coupling in order to lock the device, in particular self-centering means intended to allow relative self-centering of the quick coupler and the connection device.