Hydraulic Latching System for Work Machine Attachments
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of changing attachments on work machines, such as loaders, is cumbersome and unsafe due to the need for manual operation, especially in cold weather, and existing automation solutions can lead to unintentional detachment, posing risks to operators and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A remote controlled latching system that uses a hydraulic latching cylinder, valve assembly, and control switches to securely engage and disengage attachments, ensuring safety through two-handed operation and height sensing, preventing accidental detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual latching/unlatching is used, then the operator can directly control the attachment securing process, but the operator workload increases and the process becomes cumbersome especially in cold weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical latching system with an automated hydraulic latching system. The hydraulic cylinder automatically positions and secures the latch to the attachment connection member, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of heavy latches. This substitution directly addresses the technical contradiction by improving ease of operation while reducing the time required for attachment changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic latching system operates autonomously once activated by the operator through the control switch. The system self-manages the complex multi-step latching process, including positioning the latch, engaging it with the connection member, and securing the attachment. This self-service capability reduces operator workload and minimizes the time required for attachment changes.
2Ease of operation
If automatic latching system is implemented, then operator workload is reduced, but the system may operate inadvertently causing attachment detachment and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The height sensing switch performs a preliminary safety check before allowing the unlatching operation to proceed. The system verifies that the carrier is in the correct position (carrier lowered to ground level) before enabling the latch release function. This preliminary action prevents inadvertent detachment by ensuring safe operating conditions are met before automatic unlatching can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback from the height sensing switch to monitor the carrier position and control the availability of the unlatching function. When the carrier is not in the correct position, the system provides feedback that disables the unlatch control, preventing inadvertent operation. This feedback mechanism ensures that automatic latching/unlatching operations only occur when safe conditions are confirmed.
3Device complexity
If heavy attachments are secured manually, then the latching mechanism can be simple, but it becomes difficult to force the latches between latched and unlatched positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic cylinder to provide the force necessary for latching and unlatching heavy attachments. The hydraulic system generates sufficient force to overcome the resistance of heavy attachments and force the latch between latched and unlatched positions. This hydraulic actuation maintains relatively simple latching mechanism geometry while dramatically improving ease of operation for heavy attachments.
4Ease of operation
If the latching system allows free operation, then it is simple to use, but it may cause physical harm to operator or others through unintentional detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The height sensing switch performs a preliminary safety verification before allowing the unlatching operation to proceed. The system checks that the carrier is in the correct position (lowered to ground level) before enabling the latch release function. This preliminary action prevents harmful accidental detachment by ensuring safe operating conditions are met before automatic unlatching can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from the height sensing switch to monitor carrier position and control the availability of the unlatch function. When the carrier is not in the correct position, the system provides feedback that disables the latch control, preventing inadvertent operation that could cause physical harm. This feedback mechanism maintains simplicity of use while eliminating the harmful factor of accidental detachment.
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 remote controlled latching system simplifies and safeguards the attachment-changing process, reducing operator workload and risk of accidental detachment, while maintaining secure attachment engagement.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic system for providing hydraulic power, and hydraulic lines fluidly coupling the bucket cylinder to the hydraulic system for operating the attachment
Implementation Method 2
a latching cylinder coupled to the latch device, the latching cylinder having a latched position and an unlatched position; a valve assembly fluidly coupled to the latching cylinder, the valve assembly being configured to selectively drive the latching cylinder into the latched position and the unlatched position
Data Source
AI summary
A remote controlled latching system includes a latch device configured for mating engagement with a connection member to secure an attachment to a carrier; a latching cylinder coupled to the latch device, the latching cylinder having a latched position and an unlatched position; a valve assembly fluidly coupled to the latching cylinder, the valve assembly being configured to selectively drive the latching cylinder into the latched position and the unlatched position; a latching control switch operatively connected to the valve assembly for operating the valve assembly; and a height sensing switch operatively connected to valve assembly for operating the valve assembly.