Hydraulic Quick Coupler Trigger Lock for Safe Fast Pin Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick couplers for earth working machines face challenges in achieving a balance between safe coupling and fast coupling, often requiring complex hydraulic systems and additional valves, which can be costly and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design that incorporates a retainer mechanism with a trigger system, allowing for the secure retention and release of attachment pins without the need for additional hydraulic valves or complex systems, by using a driver and retainer assembly that decouples automatically when the pin moves through the receptacle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hydraulic systems with multiple valves and rams are used, then safe coupling is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex hydraulic valve system from the quick coupler design. Instead of using multiple hydraulic valves and rams to control retainer movement, the invention extracts the hydraulic control mechanism and replaces it with a simple mechanical trigger system that operates directly on the retainer, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through a mechanical trigger system. When the pin is inserted or removed, it automatically triggers the retainer to move between locked and unlocked positions without requiring external hydraulic valve control, making the system self-serving and reducing overall complexity
2Reliability
If traditional hydraulic systems with multiple valves are used, then safe coupling is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for additional hydraulic valves in the manufacturing process. By extracting the valve system and replacing it with a mechanical trigger mechanism, the invention reduces the number of expensive components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and tested, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining safe coupling functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical trigger system uses simpler, less expensive components compared to hydraulic valves. The trigger and retainer mechanism can be manufactured from standard materials and processes, replacing costly hydraulic valve assemblies with more economical mechanical parts that achieve the same safety function
3Productivity
If fast coupling mechanism is implemented, then productivity is improved, but coupling safety may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical trigger acts as an intermediary between the pin movement and the retainer locking mechanism. When the pin is inserted, it automatically triggers the retainer to engage, providing both fast coupling and inherent safety through the mechanical interlocking action without requiring complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-securing through the trigger system. As the pin enters the receptacle, it automatically activates the retainer to lock into position, providing both rapid coupling and guaranteed safety through the self-actuating mechanical linkage, eliminating the need for separate safety verification steps
4Manufacturing precision
If additional hydraulic valves are added, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic valve system that would be required to provide precise control of the retainer mechanism. By extracting the valve components and replacing them with a direct mechanical trigger system, the invention achieves adequate control precision through mechanical geometry rather than hydraulic valve modulation, thereby reducing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler for securing an attachment to an earth working machine. The coupler comprises a coupler body that presents a receptacle having a capture region. A pin of an attachment can move into and out of the capture region. A retainer can capture the pin in the capture region but the retainer can be moved by a hydraulically driven driver to a position to allow release the pin from the capture region. A trigger that the pin will strike when the pin moves into or out of the capture region, decouples the driver from the retainer and the retainer is then allowed to be biased back to its retaining position by a spring.