Hydraulic Coupler Pin Retention via Spring Biasing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers for excavators face safety hazards due to hydraulic failure, which can cause attachments to swing or detach, especially when accommodating attachments with different pin spacings, leading to increased movement and potential pin escape.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design featuring a latching member and a blocking member with resilient biasing means that maintains pin retention even in the event of hydraulic failure, using a combination of actuating mechanisms and biasing forces to balance the weight of the attachment and prevent pin escape, with the latching member and blocking member capable of retaining pins in various orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic actuating means is used to retain attachment pins, then the coupler can accommodate attachments with different pin spacings, but hydraulic failure can cause pins to escape creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a pin-retaining portion in the latching member that is prepared in advance to receive the attachment pin if the hydraulic actuating means fails. The resilient biasing means continuously exerts force to move the latching member toward the latching state, ensuring that if hydraulic pressure is lost, the pin is already positioned in a retained state rather than allowing it to escape. This preemptive measure cushions against the harmful effect of hydraulic failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing the resilient biasing means as a mediator between the hydraulic actuating means and the pin retention function. The resilient biasing means continuously exerts force on the latching member to maintain the latching state, acting as a backup intermediary force that takes over when the hydraulic actuating means fails, thereby ensuring continuous pin retention.
2Reliability
If the latching member is biased into latching state with resilient biasing means, then pin retention is maintained during actuator failure, but the latching member may not allow sufficient pin movement for different pin spacings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the latching member movable between different states rather than fixed. The latching member can move to a non-latching state during normal operation to allow pin insertion and adjustment for different pin spacings, then move to a latching state for retention. During hydraulic failure, the resilient biasing means dynamically adjusts to maintain the latching state while still allowing the pin to be positioned correctly for different spacing configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by allowing the position of the latching member to change between non-latching and latching states, and by allowing the pin position to vary within the recess to accommodate different pin spacings. The resilient biasing means provides a variable force that adapts to maintain retention while accommodating these positional parameter changes.
3Device complexity
If the coupler uses a single latching member for pin retention, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot effectively retain pins in all orientations especially non-vertical orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the pin retention function into two separate members: a latching member that primarily retains the pin during normal operation, and a blocking member that provides additional retention support. This segmentation allows each member to be optimized for specific functions and orientations, with the blocking member specifically designed to prevent pin escape in non-vertical orientations where the latching member alone may be insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses universality by designing the blocking member to serve multiple functions: it blocks pin escape in non-vertical orientations, provides additional retention support when the latching member is engaged, and can act as a secondary retention mechanism if the latching member fails. This multi-functional design ensures reliable pin retention across all orientations without significantly increasing complexity.
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 effectively retains both pins of an attachment in case of hydraulic failure, ensuring safety by maintaining the latching state and preventing pin escape, even in non-vertical orientations, and provides an indication of failure through a detectable rattle or shake, enhancing operator awareness.
Implementation Method 1
biasing means for resiliently biasing said latching member into its latching state
Implementation Method 2
actuating means for actuating said latching member into and out of said latching state
Implementation Method 3
the bias of said resilient biasing means balances with the weight of the attachment acting on said latching member through said pin
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator having a latching member for retaining a rear pin of the attachment and a blocking member for retaining the front pin of the attachment. A hydraulic actuator and spring are provided for holding the latching and blocking members in their closed states. In the event of a failure of the actuator, the spring, the latching member and the blocking member together hold the front and rear pins in their respective recesses to allow continued operation of the coupler, while allowing the pins to move with respect to the coupler to create a rattling movement that can indicate to the operator that a failure has occurred.