Excavator Hydraulic Coupling for Automated End-Attachment Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of changing end attachments on a shovel is time-consuming, reducing work efficiency due to the need for manual alignment of attaching and counter-attaching portions.

Innovation Solution

A shovel with an automatic driving function that includes a detachable apparatus with a hydraulic cylinder system and a controller for automated alignment and attachment of end attachments, allowing for efficient and automated attachment changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual alignment of arm and end attachment is performed, then attachment can be changed, but time consumption increases and work efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveend attachment change capabilityVSAvoidalignment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the end attachment on the ground at a location where its attachment surface is already aligned with the arm's attachment portion. This eliminates the need for time-consuming alignment operations during the attachment change process, as the components are already in the correct relative positions before the actual attachment occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual alignment task is required, then attachment change can be completed, but work efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveend attachment change capabilityVSAvoidwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-positions the end attachment on the ground with its attachment surface aligned with the arm's attachment portion before the attachment change operation. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for manual alignment during the attachment change, significantly improving work efficiency while maintaining the ability to change attachments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 automatic driving function enhances the efficiency of changing end attachments by reducing manual alignment time, improving overall work efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a movable unit (12b), a hydraulic cylinder (12c) for moving the movable unit (12b), and an attaching portion (12d) for attaching the end attachment (6)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic system: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3926103B1excavator

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A

AI summary

A shovel capable of improving the efficiency of a change task for changing an end attachment is provided. A shovel 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a link unit (a boom 4 and an arm 5) and a shovel body (a lower traveling body 1 and an upper turning body 3) configured to movably support the link unit. For example, the attaching portion of the end of the link unit is aligned, automatically or in such a manner as to support an operator's operation, with an end attachment to be attached to the end portion of the link unit placed on the ground around the shovel in question.