Quick Coupler Catch Hook Reset for Safer Attachment Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick couplers face issues with unsafe attachment changes due to unintentional movement of the locking device, leading to potential collisions and safety hazards during the changing process, particularly when the catch hooks are dependent on gravity and prone to improper positioning.
Innovation Solution
A compact quick coupler design with independently actuated catch hooks, featuring a reset device and a spring assembly to ensure the catch hooks are securely in the folded-down change-and-catch position, and a control element for precise engagement, independent of the locking device, reducing the risk of collisions and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If catch hooks rely on gravity for positioning, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to unintentional movement into release position
Solution Approach 1:
The catch hook is designed to automatically return to its original position using a reset device (spring mechanism) after being actuated by the coupling element. This self-resetting mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention while ensuring reliable positioning, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and improved reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reset device is pre-configured to automatically return the catch hook to its safe position before any potential unintentional release can occur. This preliminary action ensures the catch hook is always in a known safe state, preventing reliability issues while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If catch hooks are made movable for safety positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to collision risk
Solution Approach 1:
The catch hook is automatically returned to its folded-up safety position by the reset device before any attachment changing operation begins. This preliminary positioning eliminates collision risks while maintaining the ease of operation benefits, as the hook only moves when intentionally actuated by the coupling element.
Solution Approach 2:
The reset device acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the movable catch hook and the stationary carrier. It ensures the catch hook returns to a safe position automatically, reducing collision risk while preserving the operational flexibility of the movable design.
3Reliability
If entire carrier must be replaced for damaged catch hook, then reliability is maintained, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catch hook is designed as a separate, replaceable component independent of the main carrier structure. This segmentation allows the catch hook to be replaced individually without replacing the entire carrier, maintaining safety standards while dramatically improving ease of repair. The coupling element's ability to actuate the catch hook independently supports this modular design.
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
The solution provides a safe and precise attachment changing process with reduced collision risks, ensuring secure holding of attachments regardless of the coupler's position, without additional control devices and allowing easy replacement of damaged catch hooks.
Implementation Method 1
The catch hook is pushed into its folded-down change- and catch position by a reset device arranged on the carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A quick coupler for changing attachments on a construction machine includes a carrier; first receptacles arranged on one side of the carrier for a first coupling element; second receptacles arranged on the other side of the carrier for a second coupling element; a locking device associated with the first receptacles, the locking device movable between release and locking positions; and a catch device arranged on the carrier with at least one catch hook arranged pivotably on the carrier for catching the attachment. A control element is arranged on the catch hook for pivoting the catch hook, independently of the locking device, between a folded-down change- and catch position and a folded-up safety position. The catch hook is pushed into its folded-down change- and catch position by a spring assembly.