Quick-Change Tool Coupler With Integrated Hydraulic Bolt Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small hydraulic quick couplers for mobile work machines like excavators lack effective locking mechanisms, leading to unstable attachment security and potential detachment under harsh conditions, especially due to reliance on springs or complex hydraulic systems that occupy excessive space.
Innovation Solution
A tool holding device with a guide element and lever mechanism, featuring a guide groove and pivotable lever elements with rollers, allowing simultaneous adjustment and locking of both bolts using a fixed hydraulic cylinder, eliminating the need for separate locking units and springs, and ensuring secure attachment even under incorrect coupling conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a floating cylinder with springs is used to lock the front pin, then the locking mechanism can be implemented, but the attachment security is insufficient because springs can be overcome, damaged, or break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking element and lever element into a single integrated component that performs both locking and guiding functions. The locking element has a guide track integrated into its structure, eliminating the need for separate spring mechanisms and reducing complexity while improving reliability through a more robust mechanical locking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the unreliable spring-based mechanical locking system with a hydraulic cylinder-driven system. The hydraulic cylinder directly actuates the locking element through a guide device, providing more reliable and controllable locking force that cannot be easily overcome or damaged like springs.
2Reliability
If a separate hydraulic cylinder is used to operate the locking element, then the locking mechanism can be implemented, but the system becomes more complex and requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the hydraulic cylinder, guide device, and locking mechanism into a compact integrated assembly. The guide device with its track and lever elements is built into the locking element structure, allowing the hydraulic cylinder to directly actuate the locking mechanism without requiring additional separate components, thus reducing overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element serves multiple functions: it provides the locking action, incorporates the guide track for the lever element, and works with the hydraulic cylinder as part of an integrated actuation system. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, minimizing the space required in the quick coupler.
3Ease of operation
If the catch moves over the rear bolt due to improper seating, then the attachment is not properly locked, but the system provides no additional safety mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The guide track in the locking element provides mechanical feedback that ensures proper alignment and seating of the attachment. The guide track geometry guides the lever element through a specific path that only allows complete locking when both the front and rear bolts are properly positioned, providing immediate mechanical feedback if seating is incorrect.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide track is designed to guide the lever element through a preliminary alignment phase before the final locking action occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the attachment is properly seated and aligned before the locking element engages, preventing improper locking from the outset rather than relying on post-locking detection.
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 structurally compact, cost-effective, and highly reliable attachment security by preventing unintended detachment, enhancing safety and reducing wear under harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder unit (6), arranged to adjust the lever element (12) and the locking element (11)
Implementation Method 2
the lever element (12) has rollers arranged at the end, which are guided by means of the guide groove (14), so that when the hydraulic cylinder unit (6) is adjusted, the lever element and thus at the same time the locking element (11) are pivoted about the pivot axis (16)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A tool holding device (1), in particular a quick-change tool coupling (1), for holding a detachably connectable working tool (4) is proposed, wherein the tool holding device (1) comprises at least a housing (5) and a fixing unit (7, 10) for detachably fixing the working tool (4), wherein the housing (5) has at least a first, in particular front, holding element (10) for holding a first, in particular front, bolt element (2) of the working tool (4), wherein the first holding element (10) is arranged in a first holding position on the first bolt element (2) of the working tool (4), wherein the fixing unit (7, 10) has at least one fixing device (7) adjustable relative to the housing (5) and along an adjustment path between a release position and a second holding position for fixing a second, in particular rear, bolt element (3) of the working tool (4),which at least partially improves the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular is structurally and/or economically advantageous and/or requires comparatively little installation space. According to the invention, this is achieved by the adjustable fixing device (7), which includes the second holding element (7), having at least one guide element (14) for guiding a guide device (11 to 13), wherein the guide device (11 to 13) comprises at least one adjusting element (12) for adjusting a locking element (11) for locking and/or unlocking the first bolt element (2) in the first holding position.