Quick-Change Locking Housing With Dual Anti-Detachment Safeguards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-change systems on construction machinery are prone to unintentional detachment of attachments, posing a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
A quick-change device with a locking mechanism featuring a housing, axle, gear, rack, and spring elements that require manual unlocking with a tool, ensuring secure attachment and detachment by engaging a stop plate and bridge to prevent unintentional unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability against unintentional detachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent subsystems: a primary locking system with a bridge, rack, and first spring element, and a secondary safety system with a stop element, stop plate, and third spring element. This segmentation ensures that if one system fails, the other maintains attachment security, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The third spring element is pre-compressed between the stop plate and the bridge in the locked position, creating a mechanical barrier that prevents unintentional unlocking. This prior cushioning mechanism ensures that even if the primary locking system fails, the attachment cannot detach accidentally, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity.
2Reliability
If a manual unlocking tool is required, then the reliability against unintentional detachment is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A tool with a specific geometric shape serves as an intermediary between the operator and the first end element. The tool's shape complements the end element's geometry, enabling intentional unlocking through controlled rotational movement. This intermediary mechanism ensures that only deliberate actions with the proper tool can unlock the attachment, preventing unintentional detachment while maintaining operational convenience for authorized users.
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
Provides double protection against unintentional detachment of attachments, even in case of spring failure, allowing safe and reliable attachment and detachment without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring element (14) which can be brought into engagement with a bridge (16) movably mounted in the housing (7) along a first direction between an unlocking position and a locking position
Implementation Method 2
the rack (8) rests against the bridge (16) and thereby at least one third spring element (17) arranged in the housing (7) is compressed
Implementation Method 3
a pawl (10a) which can be brought into engagement by means of a second spring element (15) in at least a first recess (12) of a ratchet wheel (10b) arranged on the axle (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Quick-change device (1) comprising a housing (7) with a locking device (2), comprising: - an axle (3) with a first end element (5) for driving a gear (6) arranged on the axle (3) to engage a rack (8) arranged in the housing (7), which can be brought into contact by means of a first spring element (14) with a bridge (16) movably mounted in the housing (7) along a first direction between an unlocking position and a locking position, - a stop element (4) arranged on the axle (3) for engaging a stop plate (9) arranged in the housing (7), - a pawl (10a) which can be brought into engagement by means of a second spring element (15) in at least a first recess (12) of a ratchet wheel (10b) arranged on the axle (3) and/or in a second recess (13) arranged in a contact element (11) arranged in the housing (7),- wherein the contact element (11) engages with the second spring element (15) by means of the locking pawl (10a) in such a way that the contact element (11) can be moved out of the housing (7) by means of the second spring element (15) as soon as the bridge (16) is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position in which the rack (8) rests against the bridge (16) and thereby compresses at least one third spring element (17) arranged in the housing (7).