Quick Coupler Control System for Construction Machinery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling arrangements in machines, particularly in construction and earth-moving industries, lack clear control mechanisms to distinguish between engaging or disengaging the first quick coupler between the arm arrangement and intermediate element, and the second quick coupler between the intermediate element and tool, leading to potential unintentional disengagement or simultaneous release of the intermediate element and tool.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus and method introduce a control system that operates both first and second quick couplers via a single input device, ensuring clear engagement or disengagement control, preventing simultaneous release of the intermediate element and tool by locking the first quick coupler when the intermediate element is attached to the machine and allowing controlled operation of the second quick coupler for tool attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate control mechanisms are used for the first and second quick couplers, then each coupler can be controlled independently, but the control system complexity increases and operator error risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control of the first and second quick couplers into a single integrated control mechanism. The control system receives a single operator input signal and automatically determines which coupler to actuate based on the current attachment state, merging what would otherwise be two separate control systems into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically determines the current state of the coupling arrangement and selects which coupler to actuate without requiring the operator to manually specify. The system uses sensors to detect whether the intermediate element is attached to the arm arrangement or to the tool, and autonomously routes the control signal to the appropriate coupler.
2Reliability
If no state-dependent locking mechanism is used, then the couplers can be operated freely, but unintentional disengagement or simultaneous release of the intermediate element and tool may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements a locking mechanism that prevents actuation of the first quick coupler when the intermediate element is already attached to the tool. This preliminary restriction prevents the harmful action of simultaneous release before the operator can inadvertently cause it.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the operability of each quick coupler based on the real-time state of the coupling arrangement. The locking and unlocking of coupler control is not fixed but changes dynamically according to sensor feedback about the current attachment configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an apparatus (9) comprising a coupling arrangement (11), an input device and a control unit. The coupling arrangement (11) comprises an intermediate element (30) and a first quick coupler (31) operable to selectively couple the intermediate element (30) to a machine (10). The intermediate element (30) comprises a second quick coupler (32) operable to selectively couple a tool (15) to the intermediate element (30). The first and second quick couplers (31, 32) are each selectively actuatable to lock the intermediate element (30) to the machine (10) or tool (15) respectively. The control unit is configured to determine whether the intermediate element (30) is coupled to the machine (10) and receive an input signal from the input device. In response to the input signal the control unit restricts the unlocking of the first quick coupler (31) when the intermediate element (30) is coupled to the machine (10).