Hydraulic Buffer Locking Mechanism for Position Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collision buffer devices lack the ability to selectively lock the movable holder at various positions without external energy sources or complex locking mechanisms, limiting their usability in diverse loading scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A buffer device with a holder that moves between raised and lowered positions, utilizing a hydraulic locking system where the holder is connected to a hydraulic cylinder, allowing manual operation and locking through a hydraulic blocking device, enabling stepless position selection without external energy or additional locking devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hydraulic locking system is used to enable locking at multiple positions, then the adaptability and versatility of the buffer device is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of hydraulic components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking position flexibilityVSAvoidhydraulic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic cylinder serves multiple functions: it acts as both the actuator for moving the holder between raised and lowered positions and as the locking mechanism through its hydraulic blocking device. This multi-functionality enables position flexibility without adding separate locking components, thereby improving adaptability while controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic system is designed to be self-contained with the hydraulic blocking device integrated into the cylinder assembly. The system can lock at any position within its range of motion without requiring external locking mechanisms or additional energy sources, making the buffer device self-sufficient and versatile across different loading scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual operation without external energy sources is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity decreases due to manual effort requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual operation simplicityVSAvoidbuffer operation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic cylinder provides mechanical advantage through fluid pressure, enabling the holder to be moved between positions with minimal manual effort. The hydraulic system amplifies the operator's input force, making manual operation easy while maintaining relatively fast movement speeds, thus balancing ease of operation with acceptable productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic blocking device replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms (such as pivoting hooks or electromagnets) with a hydraulic sealing system. This substitution simplifies the locking operation to a simple valve action while maintaining reliable positioning, improving ease of operation without significantly impacting productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a hydraulic blocking device is used for locking, then the reliability of position holding is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the hydraulic components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition holding stabilityVSAvoidhydraulic blocking device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic cylinder integrates the blocking device as an inherent component rather than a separate mechanism. The same hydraulic system that moves the holder also provides the locking function through its blocking capability, ensuring reliable position holding while avoiding the complexity of additional independent locking components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking device is merged with the hydraulic cylinder assembly, combining the actuation and locking functions into a single integrated unit. This merging reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining the reliability of position holding, as the blocking function is inherent to the hydraulic system's design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 hydraulic locking system allows reliable locking of the buffer in desired positions, enhancing usability by enabling locking in the lowest, upper, and intermediate positions, preventing buffer jamming and allowing movement with trucks, while maintaining a compact and protected design.

Implementation Method 1

the holder is connected to a hydraulic cylinder and/or a hydraulic pump in such a way that a change in the position of the holder causes a change in the position of the hydraulic cylinder or the hydraulic pump causes under inflow and/or outflow of hydraulic medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the locking device is a hydraulic blocking device for blocking the inflow and/or outflow of hydraulic medium to and/or from the hydraulic cylinder or the hydraulic pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic flow blocking: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP2902348B1Start-up buffer
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 HORMANN ALKMAAR
  • EP2902348B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2902348B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7
  • EP2902348B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8/

AI summary

To enable the simple locking of a manually movable approach buffer in a desired position, the invention provides an approach buffer device (10) with a holder (12) for holding at least one approach buffer, wherein the holder (12) is movable between a raised position (16) and a lowered position (18), and a locking device (26) for locking the holder (12), characterized in that the holder (12) is connected to a hydraulic cylinder (22) and/or a hydraulic pump such that a change in the position of the holder (12) causes a change in the position of the hydraulic cylinder (22) or the hydraulic pump with inflow and/or outflow (52) of hydraulic medium (58), and that the locking device (26) includes a hydraulic locking device (70) for blocking the inflow and/or outflow (52) of hydraulic medium (58) to and/or from the hydraulic cylinder (22) or the hydraulic pump.the hydraulic pump for locking the hydraulic cylinder (22) or the hydraulic pump.