Latching Carrier for Work Vehicle Attachments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of work vehicles, such as loaders, must frequently exit the cab to attach or detach buckets, increasing cycle time and reducing productivity due to the need for multiple trips to couple and decouple the bucket.

Innovation Solution

A latching carrier system that allows operators to connect and disconnect buckets from the loader without leaving the cab, utilizing a latch system with a cross-rod and couplers interconnected by a cross-rod, enabling secure coupling and decoupling through hydraulic cylinder actuation and a trigger plate mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operator exits the loader to attach the bucket, then the bucket can be securely coupled to the loader, but the cycle time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure couplingVSAvoidcycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The latching carrier automatically latches the bucket to the loader arms through a spring-loaded latch mechanism that engages when the bucket is positioned on the carrier, eliminating the need for operator intervention to secure the coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The latching carrier is pre-positioned on the loader arms before the bucket is attached, and the latch mechanism is pre-loaded with spring force ready to engage, enabling automatic coupling without operator trips

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the operator exits the loader to attach the bucket, then the bucket can be securely coupled to the loader, but operator convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure couplingVSAvoidoperator convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latching carrier automatically latches the bucket through a spring-loaded mechanism that engages when the bucket is positioned, eliminating the need for operator trips and manual latching operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The latching carrier acts as an intermediary device between the loader arms and the bucket, providing automatic latching functionality that eliminates the need for direct operator intervention in the coupling process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a manual latching system is used, then the structure can be simple, but the operator must make multiple trips to couple and decouple the bucket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching mechanismVSAvoidnumber of trips

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded latch mechanism automatically engages with the bucket's latch surface when positioned, and the hydraulic cylinder provides automatic decoupling, eliminating the need for multiple operator trips while maintaining relatively simple mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If the latching carrier automatically latches the bucket, then the cycle time decreases and productivity improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle timeVSAvoidlatching mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A hydraulic cylinder is used to automatically push the latching carrier off the bucket for decoupling, providing automated operation with a relatively simple actuator instead of complex mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The latching carrier is divided into separate functional components including the carrier body, latch mechanism, and hydraulic actuator, allowing each component to be optimized independently while working together to reduce cycle time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution reduces cycle time and improves operator satisfaction by allowing bucket attachment and detachment within the cab, enhancing productivity and reducing operator inconvenience.

Implementation Method 1

a spring biased into the first, latched position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring bias: Spring

Implementation Method 2

One or more hydraulic cylinders move the loader arms and/or the bucket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3569772B1Work vehicle with latching carrier for attachments

Publication Date: 2022.12.28 DEERE & CO

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AI summary

A carrier for coupling loader arms to an implement of a work vehicle includes a pair of brackets coupled by a cross-rod. Each bracket includes an inner wall spaced apart from an outer part. At least one of the inner walls defines a latch slot. The carrier includes a latch mechanism movable between latched and unlatched positions. The latch mechanism includes a latch plate having a retaining flange with an engagement surface, a pair of lock pins and a pair of latch receptacles associated with the brackets. When in the latched position, the latch mechanism has the lock pins received in the latch receptacles and the engagement surface disengaged from the one of the inner walls. When in the unlatched position, the latch mechanism has the retaining flange passed through the latch slot and the engagement surface engaged with the one of the inner walls.