Hitch Link Assembly Locking Collar Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibrations in work machines cause unintended changes in the length of link assemblies, affecting the performance of work functions, and existing locking mechanisms often lose removable pins, leading to operational issues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable link assembly with a locking mechanism featuring a sliding collar and pivotable locking handle that prevents rotational movement of the sleeve when locked, using the weight of the handle to maintain the locked position without the need for removable pins, allowing for length adjustments without losing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with removable pins is used to prevent relative rotation, then the link assembly length is stabilized, but the pins are often lost in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the removable pin from the locking mechanism and replaces it with a fixed collar that rotates with the sleeve. This eliminates the lost pin problem while maintaining the locking function through a different mechanism - the collar's rotational positioning rather than removable pin insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is merged with the locking mechanism structure, becoming an integrated component that rotates with the sleeve. This combines the locking function with the rotational movement of the sleeve, eliminating the need for separate removable pins while maintaining reliable length stabilization.
2Reliability
If the collar prevents rotational movement of the sleeve, then the link assembly length is stabilized, but the collar must slide along the sleeve axis
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed to dynamically slide along the sleeve axis during adjustment operations, then lock in position to prevent rotation during use. This dynamic behavior allows the collar to serve dual functions: enabling adjustment when needed and stabilizing length during operation, without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
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 stabilizes the link assembly length during work machine operation, preventing unintended changes and eliminating the risk of lost pins, thereby enhancing operational performance and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The link assembly includes an internally threaded sleeve and an externally threaded rod positioned within the internally threaded sleeve. The externally threaded rod meshingly engages the internally threaded sleeve so that relative rotation between these two elements causes the externally threaded rod to be advanced out of or into the internally threaded sleeve
Implementation Method 2
The collar meshes with an upper portion of the sleeve so as to prevent rotational movement of the upper portion of the sleeve relative the collar when the collar is adjacent the upper portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A locking mechanism for a link assembly of a work vehicle hitch has a locking plate mounted to an upper portion of the link assembly. A collar is positioned over the sleeve and is configured to slide relative a portion of the sleeve. The collar meshes with the sleeve so as to prevent rotational movement of the upper portion of the sleeve relative the collar when the collar is adjacent the upper portion, but the sleeve can rotate relative the collar when the collar is adjacent a middle portion of the sleeve. The locking mechanism has a handle mounted on the collar that is pivotable between a locked position where the handle is generally parallel with the sleeve in which the collar is prevented from sliding relative the sleeve and a released position generally perpendicular to the sleeve in which the collar is able to slide relative the sleeve.