Door Locking Device for Debris Tank Using Cam Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locking systems for debris tanks in hydro excavation equipment are prone to unintended release due to unequal pressure distribution, leading to potential leaks and accidental dumping of contents during operation.
Innovation Solution
A door locking device featuring a grapple support housing with rotating lower and upper gripping jaws, actuated by a yoke mechanism to ensure an airtight seal and secure closure of the door over the debris tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manually operated latches are used to lock the door, then the door can be secured to the debris tank, but the latches are susceptible to leaking around the door due to unequal pressure applied to the door
Solution Approach 1:
A cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the latch and the door, converting the latching action into a wedging motion that applies uniform pressure across the door surface. The cam's geometric profile ensures that as it rotates into the locked position, it progressively engages the door along its entire height, distributing the sealing force evenly rather than concentrating it at discrete latch points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure distribution parameter from non-uniform (discrete latch points) to uniform (continuous cam engagement). The cam mechanism transforms the force application mode, creating a progressive wedging action that maintains consistent pressure across the door-seal interface throughout the locking process.
2Ease of operation
If latches are located inside the debris tank, then the door can be locked from the interior, but the latch system may break loose causing the door to swing open inadvertently
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the latch mechanism inside the tank pulling the door closed, the cam mechanism is positioned outside the tank and pushes the door into the closed position. This inversion of the latching direction allows the operator to engage the latch from outside the tank while the cam's external positioning prevents inadvertent release during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is designed with a self-latching feature where the cam profile itself prevents backtracking or reverse motion. As the cam rotates into its locked position, its geometric shape creates a mechanical lock that resists any force attempting to rotate it backward, providing preliminary anti-action against inadvertent door opening during equipment movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A door locking device for hydro excavation equipment. The door locking device includes a grapple support housing secured to a door of a debris tank, a lower gripping jaw having a lower pin defining a lower axis about which the lower gripping jaw is configured to rotate, and an upper gripping jaw having an upper pin defining an upper axis about which the upper gripping jaw is configured to rotate. The locking device also includes a yoke having a first end coupled to proximate ends of the lower and upper gripping jaw, and an actuator coupled to a second end of the yoke and configured to extend and retract the yoke to cause the lower and upper gripping jaws to rotate in response thereto about the lower axis and the upper axis, respectively.