Dozer Blade Hitch Coupling with Front-Access Keyhole Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching a trailer hitch to a dozer blade are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly in the context of ergonomic and ergonomic design, and the ergonomic challenges of attaching a trailer hitch to a dozer blade are cumbersome and inefficient, especially when the ergonomic considerations of ergonomic design are cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The ergonomic challenges of attaching a trailer to a dozer blade are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly in the context of ergonomic design, and the ergonomic considerations of attaching a trailer hitch to a dozer blade are cumbersome and cumbersome.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a trailer hitch is mounted to the dozer blade with a system that passes through the dozer blade with a locking mechanism on the rear, then the trailer hitch can be securely attached, but it becomes awkward for the machine operator and creates safety constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrailer hitch attachment securityVSAvoidoperator accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional mounting approach by moving the locking mechanism from the rear of the dozer blade to the front surface. The key component with locking protrusions engages with the keyhole component from the front, allowing operators to securely attach and lock the trailer hitch without needing to access the rear of the dozer blade, thus resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and operator accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the connection box providing hydraulic and electrical connections is disposed behind the dozer plate, then all connections are consolidated in one location, but it becomes cumbersome to access for users and creates safety constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection consolidationVSAvoidconnector accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the hydraulic and electrical connectors from the rear dimension to the front surface dimension of the dozer blade. The keyhole component incorporates these connectors on its front-facing surface, allowing users to access and make connections from the front of the machine, thereby resolving the contradiction between connection consolidation and user accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the dozer blade is dismantled each time to attach a trailer, then the trailer hitch can be properly installed, but it becomes very time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrailer hitch installation integrityVSAvoidattachment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the trailer hitch attachment function from the dozer blade structure itself. The key and keyhole components are separate, removable elements that can be quickly engaged and disengaged on the front surface of the dozer blade without dismantling the blade, thus resolving the contradiction between installation integrity and attachment time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The keyhole component is pre-installed on the front surface of the dozer blade during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows operators to simply attach the key component with the trailer hitch without needing to dismantle or modify the dozer blade, significantly reducing attachment time while maintaining installation integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4172418B1Excavator coupling system
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 CATERPILLAR INC
  • EP4172418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4172418B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4172418B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An excavator coupling system (1) for coupling a trailer hitch device (20) to a dozer blade (10) of an excavator. The excavator coupling system includes a keyhole component disposed on a front surface of the dozer blade (10) of the excavator and a key component coupled with the trailer hitch device (20). The keyhole and key components are designed to forming a positive connection to couple the trailer hitch device (20) to the dozer blade (10). The keyhole component is on the front of the dozer blade and provide for coupling the trailer hitch device to the dozer blade without accessing a rear portion of the dozer blade.