Excavator Coupler With Mechanical Safety Hook and Sliding Lock

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulically operated couplers in the excavator industry are complex, prone to failure, and costly, posing safety and economic barriers, especially in small coupling systems where components are more likely to fail and maintenance is challenging.

Innovation Solution

A simple coupler assembly with a slidable assembly and actuated connecting pin locking members that ensure secure attachment even in hydraulic cylinder failure, using a chassis with docks for connecting pins and a pivotable safety hook for mechanical locking, preventing pin release through a 'C'-shaped locking mechanism and biasing means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex hydraulic coupling system with many moving parts and linkages is used, then the coupling functionality is achieved, but the system becomes more vulnerable to failure, more difficult to maintain, and more expensive to produce

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling system reliabilityVSAvoidcoupling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is divided into distinct functional components: a stationary component with a first dock for the first connecting pin, and a slidable component with a second dock for the second connecting pin. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by separating the locking functions into modular units that can be independently manufactured and maintained, directly reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary moving parts and linkages from traditional hydraulic coupling systems. By using a straightforward slidable component that moves linearly between locked and unlocked positions, the design removes complex mechanical linkages and intermediate components, thereby reducing the number of parts that could fail while achieving the same coupling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If traditional hydraulic coupling systems with many moving parts are used, then coupling functionality is provided, but maintenance difficulty and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling operationVSAvoidcoupling system maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is divided into distinct functional components: a stationary component with a first dock for the first connecting pin, and a slidable component with a second dock for the second connecting pin. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by separating the locking functions into modular units that can be independently manufactured and maintained, directly reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary moving parts and linkages from traditional hydraulic coupling systems. By using a straightforward slidable component that moves linearly between locked and unlocked positions, the design removes complex mechanical linkages and intermediate components, thereby reducing the number of parts that could fail while achieving the same coupling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If complex coupling systems are used, then coupling functionality is achieved, but production cost increases creating economic barriers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is divided into distinct functional components: a stationary component with a first dock for the first connecting pin, and a slidable component with a second dock for the second connecting pin. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by separating the locking functions into modular units that can be independently manufactured and maintained, directly reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary moving parts and linkages from traditional hydraulic coupling systems. By using a straightforward slidable component that moves linearly between locked and unlocked positions, the design removes complex mechanical linkages and intermediate components, thereby reducing the number of parts that could fail while achieving the same coupling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution provides a robust, cost-effective, and safe coupling system that maintains attachment security even in hydraulic failure scenarios, reducing the risk of injury and economic barriers by using a mechanically interlocked design with a slidable assembly and actuated locking members.

Implementation Method 1

each rear pin locking member is independently biased by a biasing means into its extended position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10400419B2Coupler

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 CRAIG MANUFACTURING LTD

AI summary

This invention relates to a coupler for coupling an accessory or work attachments or implements to a vehicle, such as a dipper arm an excavator or similar vehicle.