Front Attachment Interface With Pin Retention for Fast Changeover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural vehicle attachments such as weight ballast packages and front three-point hitches are heavy, unwieldy, and difficult to install, requiring high torque and complex manufacturing processes due to varying bolt patterns and increased chassis sizes, leading to increased complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A front attachment system with a chassis interface and pin retainer system that uses a common interface, allowing attachments to be mounted via protrusions and pins, eliminating the need for high-torque bolt fastening and simplifying installation and manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional bolt fastening systems are used for attachments, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation becomes time-consuming and requires high torque

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is segmented into modular components: a chassis interface with recesses, attachment interfaces with protrusions, and pin retainers with pins. This segmentation allows for quick connection by simply inserting pins into aligned holes, eliminating the time-consuming process of threading and torquing traditional bolts while maintaining secure attachment through the pin retention mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex bolt fastening process is extracted and replaced with a simplified pin insertion system. The recess-protrusion geometry provides alignment and positioning, while the pin retainer with spring-loaded pins provides secure fastening. This extraction of the essential fastening function from the complex bolt system reduces installation time significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If varying bolt patterns are used to accommodate different attachments, then attachment versatility is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis interface is designed with universal recesses that can accommodate multiple attachment types through a common geometry. The recesses are positioned and dimensioned to work with various attachment interfaces, allowing a single chassis design to support different attachments without requiring custom bolt patterns for each attachment type. This universality simplifies manufacturing while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If larger front frame size is used to accommodate attachments and bolts, then attachment capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into separate interface components (chassis interface, attachment interface, pin retainer) that can be designed independently. This allows the chassis to maintain a compact size while the interface components provide the necessary attachment capacity. The modular interfaces can be optimized for strength without requiring an overall increase in chassis dimensions, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates easy and efficient attachment switching, reduces manufacturing complexity and cost, and ensures stable attachment through shear-resistant pin configurations, enhancing operational efficiency and vehicle stability.

Implementation Method 1

ensures stable attachment through shear-resistant pin configurations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentUS12583401B2Front attachment system using a common interface for different attachments

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

AI summary

In certain embodiments, an attachment system for a work vehicle may include a chassis interface coupled to a chassis of the work vehicle. The chassis interface may include a recess extending in a longitudinal direction and a pin retainer having a pin hole extending in a lateral direction. The recess receives a protrusion of an attachment interface coupled to an attachment. The pin hole of the pin retainer receives a pin and the pin fastens the chassis interface and the attachment interface to one another.