Excavator Coupling Device with Spring-Limited Safety Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting devices for mobile work machines, such as excavators, lack sufficient safety measures to prevent accidental disengagement of attachments, leading to potential accidents when the second coupling part is not securely locked in the receptacle.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a locking mechanism that includes an energy storage element between the locking element and the securing element, which limits the force applied to the securing element, ensuring it can only be released when a predetermined threshold force is exceeded, thereby preventing unintended disengagement and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking device directly couples the locking element to the safety element without force limitation, then the locking mechanism can be actuated freely, but the attachment may disengage accidentally due to excessive force or machine inclination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an energy storage element (spring) that changes the force parameter of the coupling device. The spring limits the maximum force that can be transmitted from the locking element to the safety element, ensuring that normal actuation forces cannot accidentally disengage the attachment, while still allowing intentional release when sufficient force is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage element acts as an intermediary between the locking element and the safety element. It mediates the force transmission by storing and releasing energy, creating a buffer that prevents direct force transmission that could cause accidental disengagement while maintaining the coupling relationship during normal operation.
2Device complexity
If the locking element is directly connected to the safety element, then the system has fewer components, but the attachment can disengage when the machine is inclined due to gravity acting on the coupling parts
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage element modifies the force parameters in the system by providing a spring force that counteracts gravitational effects. When the machine is inclined, the spring maintains sufficient compressive force on the coupling parts to prevent disengagement, while still allowing the locking mechanism to function when properly actuated.
3Ease of operation
If the coupling device allows free movement of the locking element, then the locking mechanism is simple to operate, but unintended disengagement may occur due to insufficient force control
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage element introduces force parameter control by limiting the maximum force that can be applied to move the locking element. This creates a safety threshold that prevents accidental disengagement from minor forces while still allowing intentional release when the operator applies sufficient force through the actuating mechanism.
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 effectively prevents accidental disengagement of attachments by requiring active intervention to release the securing element, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring the attachment remains securely locked even when the machine is inclined, thus enhancing operational safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling device comprises an energy storage element arranged between the locking element and the locking element, such that the energy storage element limits a force applied by the locking device to the locking element
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a connection device for the detachable coupling of an attachment to a working device, comprising: a support device fixed or fixable to the working device, on which a first receptacle for a first coupling part of the attachment and a second receptacle for a second coupling part of the attachment are formed, the receptacles being arranged at a distance from each other on the support device; a locking device held on the support device, comprising an actuator and a locking element that can be moved by the actuator from a release position to a holding position and vice versa, wherein the first receptacle is released in the release position for the insertion of the first coupling part and the first coupling part is held in the holding position in the first receptacle;A safety device comprising a safety element, in particular movably mounted on the support device, which can be moved from a release position to a locking position and vice versa, wherein an insertion opening of the second receptacle for the second coupling part is released in the release position and locked in the locking position; and a coupling device via which the safety device is operatively connected to the locking device, wherein the safety element is moved from the locking position to the release position when the locking element is moved from the holding position to the release position. The disclosure also relates to a working device with a connecting device.