Quick Coupler Actuation Device Cam-Follower Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick couplers for heavy-duty machinery lack a safe and effective mechanism for fine adjustment of elongated members' position, leading to potential accidental detachment under vibrations or dynamic stresses, compromising operating safety.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable actuation device with a cam-follower mechanism and arrest gear pair allows for controlled positioning of elongated members, ensuring stable engagement with adapter shafts even under stress, using a cam with a cashew nut slot and a spring to manage the elongated members' position and prevent accidental retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the roller cam-follower is made larger to increase safety against accidental retraction, then the safety improves, but the shear strength of the cam-follower decreases and sturdiness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cam profile is segmented into multiple distinct zones: a first cam zone for normal operation, a second cam zone with increased radius for safety against accidental retraction, and a third cam zone for controlled extraction. This segmentation allows the roller to traverse different radial distances depending on the operational state, providing safety without permanently increasing the overall cam-follower size.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam-follower system transitions from a static design to a dynamic one where the effective cam radius changes based on operational conditions. The roller naturally follows the varying cam profile, moving to larger radial distances in the second zone when retraction forces are detected, and to smaller distances in the first and third zones during normal operation and controlled extraction.
2Reliability
If the transverse dimension of the roller cam-follower is reduced to lengthen the path for exhausting retraction energy, then the safety path increases, but the shear strength decreases and sturdiness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cam profile is designed with a second zone that预先 positions the roller at a larger radial distance before actual retraction occurs. This preliminary positioning creates a longer effective path for energy dissipation during accidental retraction events, while the roller maintains its original dimensions and shear strength characteristics.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cam profile is simplified for ease of manufacture, then the manufacturing complexity decreases, but the ability to provide fine adjustment and controlled positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cam profile is divided into three distinct zones, each with a specific function. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently: the first zone for normal operation, the second zone for safety positioning, and the third zone for controlled extraction. The segmented design enables precise positioning control while maintaining manufacturability through modular profile design.
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 solution enhances operating safety by maintaining secure engagement of tools with mechanical arms during vibrations or inertial stresses, preventing accidental detachment and setting a new standard for quick couplers in heavy-duty machinery.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation mechanism provided with an internal cam, rotatably carried by the frame of the quick coupler, and with a roller cam-follower, which internally engages the cam and is associated to the moving element
Implementation Method 2
the axial position of the elongated members with respect to the frame of the quick coupler, and hence with respect to the shafts of the adapter member, is controlled by an actuation mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling device (1) for a quick coupler (100) prearranged for coupling to an adapter member (200) of a tool for a mechanical arm; the quick coupler (100) has a moving element (108), which is mobile in a direction (D) and is provided with at least one elongated member (110) mobile with reciprocating motion against the thrust of a spring (111) between a retracted position (P1) and an advanced position (P2) for engagement of the adapter member (200); an actuation assembly (112) being provided for switching each elongated member (110) between the retracted position (P1) and the advanced position (P2); the actuation assembly (112) comprising an annular cam (1120) carried by the frame (102), which is rotatable about an axis (103) transverse to the first plate (106); the actuation assembly (112) comprising a cam-follower (1126) transverse to the first plate (106) carried by the moving element (108) inside the cam (1120); a toothed arrest assembly (114) being provided for blocking each elongated member (110) longitudinally and the cam (1120) angularly with respect to the frame (102).