Outward-Opening Coupler Hooks for Hydraulic Shovel Tool Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling devices for tools on machine booms, such as hydraulic shovels, require complex and lengthy alternating movements for coupling, with reduced operator visibility and a high risk of tool loss due to internal hook orientation, and prematurely experience mechanical play and wear.

Innovation Solution

The coupling device features hooks oriented outward, allowing a single-direction pivoting mechanism for tool engagement, with a cavity and protruding part design that aligns through-holes for secure locking, distributing force absorption between hooks and a planar contact surface, reducing mechanical stress and play.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the hooks are open towards the inside of the device, then the coupling zones can be positioned close together, but the coupling operation requires complex alternating movements and reduces operator visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance between coupling zonesVSAvoidcoupling operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hooks are inverted to open towards the outside of the device rather than the inside. This reversal of orientation allows the coupling operation to be performed with simple single-direction movements while maintaining adequate spacing between coupling zones, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact positioning and operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Length of moving object

If the hooks are open towards the inside of the device, then the coupling zones can be positioned close together, but operator visibility is reduced during coupling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance between coupling zonesVSAvoidoperator visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the hook orientation to open outward, the line of sight for the operator is cleared. The coupling zones can remain adequately spaced without requiring the hooks to be positioned in a way that blocks visibility, thus resolving the contradiction between compact positioning and operator visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the coupler is moved away from the arrow to enable locking, then the interface can be engaged, but the risk of losing the tool increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking capabilityVSAvoidtool retention risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inverted hook orientation allows the coupler to remain in a forward position while achieving locking. The hooks engage the tool bar from the outside, maintaining continuous contact and retention without requiring the coupler to move away, thus resolving the contradiction between locking capability and tool retention risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If the locking system resumes the main reactions, then the coupling is secured, but premature play and wear appear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling securityVSAvoidservice life before wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device segments the force absorption function between two independent systems: the hooks-bar connection and the cavity-protruding part connection. This segmentation allows each system to handle specific forces independently, preventing the locking system from bearing all main reactions and thus resolving the contradiction between coupling security and service life before wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Strength

If the hooks are separated laterally significantly, then force absorption is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce absorption capabilityVSAvoidhook configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inverted hook orientation with lateral separation creates a simple yet effective force absorption mechanism. The outward-opening hooks naturally distribute lateral forces across their separated positions, achieving strong force absorption without requiring complex internal mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2010720B1Device four coupling a tool with the boom of a machine such as a hydraulic shovel

Publication Date: 2012.02.15 ATELIERS DE CONSTR DU BEAUJOLAIS

Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The invention concerns a device comprising an interface (4) mounted on the tool (5) and a coupler (3) which, pivotably mounted on the boom (2) about an axis (9), includes: two hooks (13) receiving a bar connected to the tool; locking means (41) for retaining the bar in the hooks; a coupling region spaced apart from the hooks, designed to co-operate with a coupling region provided on the interface; locking means for maintaining said coupling regions in coupled position. The hooks have an opening oriented outwards of the device, in coupled position, and are arranged such that when the coupler pivots about the axis (9) in a given direction, the bar is engaged in said hooks and the coupling regions are brought closer together.