Quick Coupler Lever Locking for Secure Excavator Tool Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick couplers for public works machines, such as excavators, are not sufficiently safe and secure, leading to potential accidents during tool attachment and detachment.
Innovation Solution
A coupler device with a lever mechanism and locking means, including springs and a pivotable lug, ensures secure attachment by preventing rotation in the wrong direction and allowing translation for safe locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional quick coupler is used, then the attachment and detachment operations are simple, but the safety and security of the attachment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lever mechanism that can dynamically change between different positions (open and closed) to control the locking state. The lever pivots between an open position where the journal is exposed and a closed position where the journal is secured in the receiving cavity, providing dynamic safety control without permanent complex structures
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically pushes the lever to the closed position when released, enabling self-locking functionality. The system uses the spring's stored energy to automatically secure the journal in the receiving cavity without requiring continuous manual intervention, improving safety while maintaining operational simplicity
2Reliability
If a lever mechanism with locking means is added, then the attachment security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lever, spring, and locking features into an integrated mechanism where the lever's movement simultaneously controls both the opening/closing of the receiving cavity and the engagement of the locking action. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining high locking security
3Ease of operation
If the lever is made movable in translation, then the locking and unlocking operations are safer, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lever's movement is segmented into distinct phases: a translational movement from front to rear that engages the locking mechanism, and a pivotal movement that secures the journal in the receiving cavity. This segmentation allows each movement type to be optimized independently, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining operational safety
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 device provides safer and more reliable attachment of tools to public works machines, preventing accidental detachment and enhancing operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
the locking means comprise at least one spring, in particular two springs, which is/are fixed on the one hand to the body of the coupler, in particular a rear part of the body of the coupler, and on the other hand to a front end part of the lever
Implementation Method 2
the or each spring is a tension spring tending to pull the lever backward
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Coupler device comprising a coupler, or quick coupler, intended to be secured to a public works machine, such as an excavator, a connection device, intended to be secured to a tool, such as a bucket, coupling means intended to couple the quick coupler to the connection device and locking means intended to lock the coupling; the connection device comprising at least one journal, preferably two journals, in particular parallel to each other;the coupler comprising a base body in which is defined a rear receiving cavity of the or one of the journals, characterized in that it comprises a lever pivotally mounted between a closed position in which it holds the journal or one of the journals in the rear receiving cavity and an open position in which it does not hold the journal, the locking means being arranged to block or prevent rotation of the lever in the closed position.;