Excavator Coupler Secondary Lock Front Hook Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers for securing construction attachments to excavators lack a reliable and efficient mechanism for locking and unlocking attachment pins, leading to potential detachment during operation.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design featuring a frame with upper and lower portions, including front and rear hooks, a lock plate, and an actuator system that moves between locked and unlocked positions, along with a secondary lock and lock bars to securely engage and disengage attachment pins, ensuring stable attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single lock mechanism is used for the rear hook, then the structure is simple, but the attachment pin may detach during operation due to insufficient locking reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: a primary lock plate for the rear hook and a secondary latch for the front hook. Each component independently secures an attachment pin, distributing the locking function across multiple elements rather than relying on a single complex mechanism. This segmentation improves reliability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary latch on the front hook engages in advance to prevent the attachment pin from moving forward before the primary lock plate fully secures the rear hook. This preliminary action ensures that the attachment pin is restrained from both directions simultaneously, preventing detachment during operation.
2Reliability
If the lock plate is constantly engaged to prevent detachment, then the attachment pin is securely locked, but the coupler cannot be unlocked for attachment changes
Solution Approach 1:
The lock plate and secondary latch are designed as dynamic components that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. The lock plate moves horizontally to engage or disengage from the attachment pin, while the secondary latch pivots to control the front hook's opening. This dynamic design allows the coupler to maintain secure locking during operation while enabling easy unlocking when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary latch acts as an intermediary component that controls the front hook's state. When the lock plate is engaged, the secondary latch maintains the front hook in a closed position, providing an additional layer of security. When unlocking is required, the secondary latch can be actuated to open the front hook, allowing the attachment pin to be removed even if the lock plate remains in position.
3Productivity
If the front hook is left open for quick access, then the operation speed increases, but the attachment pin may accidentally detach
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary latch on the front hook is designed to automatically engage when the latch arm moves into the locked position. This self-service feature ensures that the front hook is secured without requiring additional manual action from the operator, maintaining attachment pin security while allowing quick access when the latch is deliberately actuated.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary latch serves as an intermediary safety mechanism between the open front hook and the attachment pin. Even when the front hook is accessible for quick attachment changes, the secondary latch can be engaged to prevent accidental detachment, providing a controlled state where speed and security are both maintained.
4Ease of manufacture
If both front and rear hooks use identical lock mechanisms, then the design is consistent and easy to manufacture, but the locking force may be insufficient for heavy attachments
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is designed with differentiated local qualities: the primary lock plate for the rear hook features a larger surface area and stronger engagement geometry to handle the primary locking force, while the secondary latch on the front hook provides supplementary securing. This local differentiation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency through standardized materials and processes.
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 coupler provides a secure and reliable mechanism for attaching and detaching construction attachments by effectively blocking and unblocking attachment pins, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
spring-biased lock bars for enhanced security
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler includes a frame with a front hook and a rear hook. A rear hook lock moves between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the rear hook lock obstructs an open mouth of the rear hook when the rear hook lock is in its locked position. An actuator is connected to the frame and is operatively connected to the rear hook lock. The actuator is adapted to move the rear hook lock between its unlocked and locked positions. A secondary lock includes a latch that moves between extended and retracted positions, wherein the latch obstructs an open mouth of the front hook when the latch is in its extended position. A first lock bar is connected to the frame and is movable between: (i) a disengaged position in which the first lock bar allows movement of the rear hook lock to its unlocked position and allows movement of said latch to its retracted position; and, (ii) an engaged position where the first lock bar blocks movement of the rear hook lock to its unlocked position and blocks movement of the latch to its retracted position. The first lock bar is biased toward its engaged position and is adapted to be moved to its disengaged position by contact with an associated excavator arm.