Hydraulic Coupling via Tilt Actuator for Universal Implement Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic coupling systems for power machines and implements require manual mechanical connection and disconnection, which is inefficient and limits the versatility of implement carriers across different machines.
Innovation Solution
The system utilizes an existing tilt actuator of the power machine to automatically establish and break hydraulic connections between the power machine and implement, allowing for automatic coupling and uncoupling without additional actuators and enabling the same implement carrier to be used on various sized machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual mechanical connection and disconnection is used for hydraulic coupling, then the coupling process is simple and reliable, but the efficiency is low and the implement carrier cannot be used across different machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical connection and disconnection with an automated hydraulic coupling system. The machine coupler assembly automatically establishes hydraulic connections with the implement carrier through hydraulic actuation, eliminating the need for manual mechanical operations. This substitution of manual mechanical processes with automated hydraulic systems directly addresses the contradiction by improving coupling efficiency while managing system complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The implement carrier is designed with universal hydraulic coupling capabilities that allow it to be used across different machines. The standardized hydraulic interface and automated coupling mechanism enable the same implement carrier to be compatible with multiple machine types, thereby improving productivity by eliminating the need for machine-specific carriers while maintaining reliability through consistent hydraulic connection standards.
2Extent of automation
If additional actuators are added for automatic coupling, then the coupling automation is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coupling automation function with the existing hydraulic system of the machine. The machine coupler assembly utilizes the machine's existing hydraulic power source and control mechanisms to achieve automatic coupling, rather than introducing separate actuator systems. This consolidation approach improves automation extent while avoiding the complexity and cost increases that would result from adding independent actuator systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic coupling system is designed to be self-actuating through the machine's existing hydraulic infrastructure. The machine coupler assembly automatically establishes and breaks hydraulic connections by utilizing the machine's own hydraulic fluid pressure and control systems, eliminating the need for external or additional actuators. This self-service approach achieves high automation while maintaining simple device architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical coupling is required for hydraulic connection, then the hydraulic connection is stable, but the versatility of implement carriers across different machines is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical coupling requirements with a purely hydraulic connection system. The machine coupler assembly establishes stable hydraulic connections through fluid pressure and standardized hydraulic interfaces, eliminating the need for mechanical coupling components. This substitution enables implement carriers to be used across different machines without mechanical adaptation, thereby improving versatility while maintaining connection stability through robust hydraulic sealing and pressure management.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include power machines, implement coupling systems and methods in which hydraulic or electric coupling between an implement and the power machine is made automatically using an existing actuator, for example a tilt actuator, of the power machine. Thus, additional actuators are not required to achieve hydraulic or electric coupling. In exemplary embodiments, power coupling is also free from the process of mechanically coupling the implement to the implement carrier. Also, in exemplary embodiments, a machine side coupler assembly moves with the implement after a connection is established, despite the implement coupler assembly being removed from the implement carrier. This allows the same implement carrier to be used on all similarly sized machines.