Loading Crane Coupling With Backlash-Free Axial Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quick coupling systems for loading cranes do not provide a secure, backlash-free, and efficient power transmission and connection between the loading crane and work equipment, leading to potential misalignment and increased wear during tool changes.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a first coupling part with a receiving opening and a second coupling part that aligns axially, utilizing inclined clamping and contact surfaces for precise axial bracing and direct power transmission, along with locking elements that can move between release and holding positions, ensuring play-free coupling and moment absorption without transmitting moments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional quick coupling systems are used for loading cranes, then rapid tool changes are enabled, but power transmission is not secure and backlash-free connection is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcoupling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is divided into two separate coupling parts: a first coupling part with a receiving opening and a second coupling part with a guide part. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining rapid tool change capability and secure power transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A locking element acts as an intermediary between the two coupling parts, moving between a release position and a holding position to establish or release the connection. This intermediary mechanism enables secure, backlash-free coupling while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional quick coupling systems are used, then tool changes are simplified, but misalignment and increased wear occur during tool changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool change easeVSAvoidwear and misalignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide part of the second coupling part is designed to preliminarily align with the receiving opening of the first coupling part along the longitudinal axis before the locking element engages. This preliminary alignment action ensures precise positioning and prevents misalignment during tool changes, reducing wear on the coupling surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If locking elements are used to secure the coupling, then connection stability is improved, but moments are transmitted causing additional wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmoment-induced wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The function of moment absorption is extracted from the locking element and assigned to the support surface and bearing surface between the two coupling parts. The locking element is taken out from its traditional role of transmitting torques and is instead dedicated solely to providing axial clamping force, thereby eliminating moment-induced wear on the locking element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 configuration enables precise movements, high positioning accuracy, reduced wear, and effective load absorption, ensuring reliable and efficient power transmission and tool changes with reduced vibration-related abrasion.

Implementation Method 1

The locking element (32) includes a clamping surface (34) for frictional engagement with the first coupling part (1). The interaction of the clamping surface and contact surface enables axial clamping and direct force transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the clamping surface on the locking element and the contact surface on the first coupling part are designed as corresponding inclined surfaces with a corresponding angle of inclination. This allows for a particularly effective wedge action to generate an axial clamping force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Data Source

PatentEP3851404B1Loading crane changer
Publication Date: 2023.02.08 OILQUICK DEUT KG
  • EP3851404B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3851404B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3851404B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

Device for changing work attachments on a loading crane, comprising a work attachment-side or loading crane-side first coupling part (1) with a receiving opening (4) and a loading crane-side or work attachment-side second coupling part (2) with a guide part (21) extending along a longitudinal axis (20) and which can be brought into engagement with the receiving opening (4) of the first coupling part (1) by moving the first coupling part (1) and the second coupling part (2) together in the direction of the longitudinal axis (20), wherein the first coupling part (1) has a support surface (11) for axially supporting the second coupling part (2) and the second coupling part (2) has a bearing surface (27) corresponding to the support surface (11) and at least one locking element (32) movable between a release position and a holding position by means of a drive (30, 31, 32) transversely to the longitudinal axis (20) of the second coupling part (2) contains.According to the invention, the locking element (32) has a clamping surface (34) for frictional contact with the first coupling part (1) and the first coupling part (1) contains a contact surface (13) corresponding to the clamping surface (34) for backlash-free axial clamping of the first coupling part (1) and the second coupling part (2).