Quick Coupler Trigger Release for Safe, Fast Pin Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick couplers for earth working machines face challenges in achieving safe and fast attachment and detachment of heavy loads, with potential safety hazards due to timing delays in retainer reset and the need for additional hydraulic components, and difficulties in handling attachments with remote centers of gravity.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design featuring a retainer that moves between retaining and releasing positions via a driver actuated by a trigger mechanism, allowing safe and efficient pin engagement and disengagement, and utilizing a single hydraulic actuator for both retainer and wedge operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a timer system is used to reset the retainer after release, then the attachment can be safely detached, but the coupling process becomes slow and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the timer system from the retainer reset mechanism. Instead of using a timer to delay retainer reset, the system allows the retainer to reset immediately when the driver releases it, eliminating the time delay while maintaining safety through the driver-controlled release mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is designed to reset automatically through spring bias as soon as the driver releases it, without requiring any additional timing control or external intervention. The system self-regulates the reset process based on the driver's position
2Ease of operation
If two hydraulic rams are used to actuate the retainer and wedge separately, then each component can be controlled independently, but the hydraulic system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuation of both the retainer and wedge into a single hydraulic ram system. The driver moves in response to hydraulic pressure and simultaneously controls both the retainer release and wedge actuation, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic circuits while maintaining coordinated control of both components
Solution Approach 2:
The single hydraulic ram serves multiple functions: it actuates the retainer to release the pin, actuates the wedge to secure the attachment, and can be controlled from the excavator cab. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall hydraulic system architecture
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
Enhances safety and productivity by ensuring quick and secure attachment/detachment, reducing the risk of accidents and equipment damage, and simplifying the hydraulic system without the need for additional components.
Implementation Method 1
biased to a passage occluding first position at which the retainer prevents the pin from moving out of the captive region
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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Figure 7~10
AI summary
This invention related to a coupler for releasably coupling an attachment that includes a coupling pin, to an earth working machine, the coupler comprising, a coupler body secured or able to be secured to the earth working machine, a receptacle presented by the coupler body adapted to receive said pin, a retainer presented by the coupler body in a moveable manner relative to the body to, in a pin retaining position relative the coupler body, retain the pin in the receptacle, the retainer coupleable and de-coupleable with a driver that, when coupled to the retainer, can move the retainer from the pin retaining position to a position where the pin can egress the receptacle, a trigger that is able to be contacted by said pin as the pin moves relative to the body to enter and leave the receptacle to cause the retainer and the driver to decouple.