Attachment Coupler Hook Mechanism for Foreign Matter Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional attachment couplers for working machines are prone to breakage and unsafe attachment removal due to abnormal forces from foreign matter, lacking versatility and effective safety mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The attachment coupler design features a first and second arm with U-shaped portions, a pivot shaft, an expansion-contraction tool, a locking member with a cam, and a hook with a cam follower, which ensures secure attachment and prevents breakage by maintaining the hook's position and allowing rotation to counteract foreign matter interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional coupler with U-shaped portions and pins is used to attach attachments, then the attachment can be secured, but foreign matter can enter the U-shaped portions causing abnormal forces that may break the coupler or remove pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hook as an intermediary component between the U-shaped portion and the pin. The hook's free end extends into the U-shaped portion to cover the opening, preventing foreign matter from entering while still allowing the pin to pass through. This intermediary structure solves the problem of foreign matter interference without compromising attachment security.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook is positioned in advance to cover the opening of the U-shaped portion before the pin is inserted. This preliminary positioning prevents foreign matter from entering the critical area where the pin interacts with the U-shaped portion, thereby preventing abnormal forces and potential breakage.
2Reliability
If a dedicated engagement structure is provided to the coupler and attachment for secure connection, then attachment security is improved, but versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hook is designed as a universal component that can be integrated into various coupler designs without requiring dedicated engagement structures for each attachment type. The hook's simple geometry and function of covering the U-shaped portion opening allow it to work with different pin configurations and attachment types, thereby maintaining versatility while improving attachment security.
3Reliability
If the hook's free end is positioned to cover the U-shaped portion opening for safety, then foreign matter interference is prevented, but the hook may interfere with pin insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The hook's free end is designed with specific local qualities: it covers the opening of the U-shaped portion to prevent foreign matter entry, but its shape and positioning allow it to retract or shift slightly during pin insertion. This local design ensures that the hook provides protection when needed while not interfering with the normal operation of pin insertion and attachment securing.
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment coupler includes a first arm and a second arm, each including a U-shaped portion, and upper portions of the first and second arms being swingably connected by a swing shaft, and an expansion-contraction tool which opens and closes the first and second arms around the swing shaft as a fulcrum. A locking member provided with a cam and a hook provided with a cam follower are rotatably provided on the second arm. A state in which a free end of the hook is removed from an opening of the U-shaped portion is maintained by engagement of the cam and the cam follower during contraction of the expansion-contraction tool. The cam follower is driven by the cam along with rotation of the locking member during expansion of the expansion-contraction tool, thereby causing the free end of the hook to advance toward the opening of the U-shaped portion.