Coupler Door Push-Button Locking for Damage-Free Hose Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing door assemblies for hydraulic systems in agricultural vehicles often break during coupling and uncoupling of hoses, leading to contamination risks and operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly with an actuator that can be linearly moved and rotated between two locking orientations, featuring a biaser, energizer, and lock to securely engage and disengage the door, reducing the risk of damage and facilitating easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple door covering is used for the hydraulic system openings, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the door during coupling and uncoupling operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with an actuator that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The actuator includes a locking feature that engages with a lock on the mounting plate, allowing the door to be securely held in the open position during hose coupling operations, thereby preventing accidental closure and damage while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly is activated before the door closing action occurs during hose coupling. The actuator is positioned to engage the locking feature in advance, securing the door in the open position before any potential closing force is applied, thus preventing damage before it can occur
2Reliability
If a locking assembly with actuator is added to the door, then the reliability of door operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is designed to be self-actuating through a simple push-button actuator that the operator can easily engage and disengage. The spring-loaded locking feature automatically engages when the actuator is released, providing reliable locking without requiring complex control systems or multiple components
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the actuator for manual operation, the spring-loaded locking feature for automatic engagement, and the lock on the mounting plate for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and robust while collectively providing reliable door operation control
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 locking assembly effectively reduces the risk of door damage during hose coupling and uncoupling, maintains system cleanliness, and allows for convenient operation by slowing the door's return to the covering position, thereby enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a biaser associated with the actuator and configured to bias the actuator toward the first position
Implementation Method 2
an energizer associated with the actuator and configured to bias the actuator toward the first locking orientation when the actuator is in the second locking orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A locking assembly for a door assembly of an agricultural vehicle includes: an actuator that defines an actuator axis and is linearly movable between a first position and a second position and rotatable about the actuator axis between a first locking orientation and a second locking orientation and includes a pair of locking features; a biaser configured to bias the actuator toward the first position; an energizer configured to bias the actuator toward the first locking orientation when the actuator is in the second locking orientation; and a lock configured to engage a second locking feature when the actuator is in the second locking orientation. Linear movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position while the actuator is in the second locking orientation causes the lock to disengage from the second locking feature so the energizer rotates the actuator towards the first locking orientation.