Hydraulic Quick Coupler Adapter Bracket for Multi-Pin Tool Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic connecting quick couplers require new brackets for hydromechanical work tools, necessitating additional purchases and installations, limiting versatility and efficiency in switching between different work tools.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an adapter bracket system that allows existing hydromechanical work tool brackets to be used with hydraulic connecting couplers, featuring adjustable pin openings and retention mechanisms to accommodate various pin diameters and spreads, eliminating the need for new brackets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic connecting quick couplers are used to enable quick tool switching, then operational efficiency is improved, but additional adapter brackets must be purchased and installed on each work tool
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter bracket is designed with a universal configuration that can accommodate multiple work tool brackets with different pin spreads and pin diameters. By providing adjustable side plates and multiple pin opening positions, a single adapter bracket design serves multiple functions across different tool types, eliminating the need for machine owners to purchase separate adapter brackets for each work tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter bracket is divided into separable components including side plates that can be independently adjusted or removed. This segmentation allows the same adapter bracket to be reconfigured for different pin spreads by adjusting the side plates, providing versatility without requiring multiple complete adapter bracket assemblies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pin grabber couplers are used to accommodate range of pin spreads and pin diameters, then versatility is improved, but new brackets still must be swapped out on hydromechanical work tools
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter bracket incorporates self-adjusting features including spring-loaded side plates that automatically adapt to different pin diameters, and selectable pin opening positions that accommodate various pin spreads. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration or swapping of brackets when changing between different work tool configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter bracket employs dynamic, adjustable side plates that can be repositioned along the bracket body to accommodate different pin spreads. This dynamic adjustability allows the same adapter bracket to serve multiple pin configuration requirements without requiring physical replacement or complex manual adjustment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick coupler system for connecting a work tool to an arm of a work machine includes an adapter bracket with spaced apart side walls each having first and second adapter openings for receiving first and second bracket pins of a work tool bracket. The adapter bracket is disposed between bracket side walls of the work tool bracket when the adapter openings receiving the corresponding bracket pins. A coupler link having first and second coupler openings receives and engages the first and second bracket pins to connect the work tool to the arm, with the coupler link being disposed between the adapter side walls. The adapter bracket may have an adapter hydraulic interface block that is aligned with a coupler hydraulic interface block of the coupler link to form a fluid flow path for hydraulic fluid from a pressurize fluid source of the work machine to the work tool.