Coupling Assembly Synchronization for Damage-Free Hydraulic Tool Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick coupler systems for attaching tools to machines face challenges in ensuring reliable hydraulic coupling and decoupling processes, particularly in preventing unintended movement or damage during tool attachment and detachment.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly with a rigid retaining body and hydraulic coupling manifold that uses actuators to guide movement between retaining and release positions, incorporating a control valve to synchronize the movement of the retaining body and hydraulic coupling manifold, ensuring they are in the correct positions before and after hydraulic coupling occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retaining body and hydraulic coupling manifold move independently, then the coupling process is simpler, but unintended movement or damage may occur during tool attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the retaining body and hydraulic coupling manifold into a single integrated assembly that moves together as one unit. This merging ensures that both components are in the correct positions simultaneously during coupling and decoupling operations, preventing unintended movement or damage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coupling mechanism acting as an intermediary between the retaining body and hydraulic coupling manifold. This intermediary synchronizes their movement, ensuring they reach their respective positions in the correct sequence and preventing damage during tool attachment and detachment.
2Productivity
If the hydraulic coupling manifold moves independently before the retaining body, then hydraulic connection can be established earlier, but the tool may not be securely retained yet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary action sequence where the retaining body is positioned and secures the tool to the mount before the hydraulic coupling manifold moves to establish hydraulic connections. This ensures the tool is securely retained before hydraulic forces are applied, preventing accidental disengagement or damage.
3Productivity
If mechanical retaining and hydraulic coupling are performed in separate steps, then each function can be optimized independently, but the overall coupling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mechanical retaining function and hydraulic coupling function into a single synchronized movement sequence. By integrating these functions into one coupled motion, the overall coupling time is reduced while still allowing independent optimization of each function's design parameters during the manufacturing phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of coupling a tool to a work machine including inserting a front lug of a coupling assembly into a front recess on the tool, inserting a rear lug of the coupling assembly into a rear recess on the tool, moving a retaining member of the coupler assembly to a retaining position relative to the tool to releasably mount the tool to the work machine, while simultaneously preventing movement of a hydraulic coupling manifold on the coupling assembly from moving; and moving the hydraulic coupling manifold to a coupling position with a hydraulic power transmission coupling on the tool to hydraulically couple the tool to the work machine in response to the retaining member reaching the retaining position.