Inclined Aperture Coupler for Work Tool Leverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers for work tools, such as buckets, often increase the distance between the work arm and the tool, reducing leverage and affecting performance, and may experience accidental disengagement and increased wear due to relative movement.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design with a frame featuring inclined apertures and locking members that are moved between unlocked and locked positions by an actuator, providing a secure engagement mechanism that reduces wear and prevents accidental disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a coupler is detachably connected to a work tool via a coupling device with locking pins, then the work tool can be quickly changed between different tools, but the locking pins may accidentally disengage and wear increases due to relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to move dynamically between extended and retracted positions within the aperture, allowing controlled engagement and disengagement while maintaining secure locking during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture acts as an intermediary structure that guides and constrains the locking member's movement, preventing accidental disengagement while allowing intentional actuation through the actuator mechanism
2Device complexity
If the coupler increases the distance between the work arm and the work tool, then the coupling mechanism can be simplified, but the leverage applied to the work tool is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is received within the aperture during the locked position, nesting the locking mechanism within the coupler structure to minimize the overall distance between the work arm and work tool while maintaining secure engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture is inclined at an angle with respect to the transverse axis, allowing the locking member to engage in a different spatial dimension that reduces the moment arm while maintaining coupling security
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler for detachably coupling to a work tool is provided. The coupler includes a frame with a first aperture formed therein. The first aperture extends along a first axis inclined with respect to a transverse axis of the frame. The coupler further includes a first locking member provided within the first aperture. The coupler also includes an actuator configured to move the first locking member between an unlocked position in which first locking member is disengaged from the work tool, and a locked position in which the first locking member is engaged with the work tool.