Quick Hitch Coupler Release Block for Safe Excavator Uncoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers for excavators and diggers are prone to unintentional attachment ejection due to missed coupling pins and hydraulic cylinder jamming, leading to potential damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A quick hitch coupler with a moveable engaging jaw and a release block mechanism that ensures the latch is only unlatched after the moveable jaw is fully disengaged, using a drive means independent of the latch and incorporating attenuation and biasing means to manage overload forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hydraulic cylinder is used to move the moveable engaging jaw, then the coupling and uncoupling operation is automated and efficient, but the hydraulic cylinder may jam causing unintentional attachment ejection
Solution Approach 1:
A release block is introduced as an intermediary component between the hydraulic cylinder and the latch. The release block receives motion from the hydraulic cylinder via a guide, but this motion is decoupled from the latch mechanism. The release block can move independently to abut against the latch and force it open, while the moveable engaging jaw's position is controlled separately by the operator. This intermediary mechanism prevents the direct transmission of jamming forces from the hydraulic cylinder to the latch, eliminating the risk of unintentional attachment ejection while maintaining automated operation capability.
2Device complexity
If the latch is directly connected to the moveable engaging jaw via the hydraulic cylinder, then the uncoupling action is direct and simple, but the attachment can be unintentionally ejected when the moveable jaw misses the coupling pin
Solution Approach 1:
The uncoupling mechanism is segmented into three independent functional components: (1) the moveable engaging jaw that positions and engages the attachment, (2) the release block that receives hydraulic motion through a guide, and (3) the latch that secures the attachment. The guide separates the motion paths of the moveable engaging jaw and the release block, allowing them to operate independently. This segmentation ensures that even if the moveable engaging jaw misses the coupling pin or jams, the latch remains controlled by the operator's deliberate action on the release block, preventing unintentional attachment ejection while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If the hydraulic cylinder directly actuates the latch, then the uncoupling process is fast and efficient, but overload forces can cause damage to the unlocking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The guide acts as an intermediary that decouples the hydraulic cylinder's motion from the latch mechanism. The release block moves along the guide independently of the moveable engaging jaw's position. This allows the hydraulic cylinder to provide the necessary force to move the release block and abut against the latch at high speed, while the guide ensures that this force is applied in a controlled manner. The operator's control over when the release block abuts the latch prevents excessive or misapplied forces, protecting the unlocking mechanism from damage while maintaining fast uncoupling operation.
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
Prevents unintentional attachment ejection and protects against hydraulic overload, ensuring safe and reliable attachment handling even in jammed conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged to urge the latch into the latched state
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic cylinder... for moving the moveable engaging jaw from the engaged state to the disengaged state, and for moving the release block on the guide from the non-active position to the active position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A quick hitch coupler (1) for coupling an attachment (2) to a dipper arm (3) of an excavator, the quick hitch coupler comprising: • (a) a body member (12) adapted for coupling to the dipper arm, • (b) a fixed engaging jaw (20) mounted on the body member for engaging a first one (10) of a pair of coupling pins mounted on the attachment, • (c) a moveable engaging jaw (40) mounted on the body member for engaging a second one (11) of the pair of coupling pins of the attachment, the moveable engaging jaw being moveable between an engaged state with the moveable engaging jaw engaging the second coupling pin while the fixed engaging jaw engages the first coupling pin for coupling the attachment to the coupler, and a disengaged state for disengaging the second coupling pin, • (d) a latch (30) co-operable with the fixed engaging jaw for retaining the first coupling pin (10) of the attachment engaged in the fixed engaging jaw the latch being alternately operable in a latched state co-operating with the fixed engaging jaw for retaining the first coupling pin in the fixed engaging jaw, and an unlatched state for releasing the first coupling pin from the fixed engaging jaw • (e) an urging means (36) for urging the latch into the latched state, • (f) a release block (61) being moveable on (and relative to) a guide (63), the release block being moveable on the guide between a non-active position in which the latch remains in the latched state and an active position where the release block abuts against the latch to move the latch from the latched state to the unlatched state against the urging action of the urging means, • (g) a drive means (50) generating an amount of displacement: • (i) for moving the moveable engaging jaw (40) from the engaged state to the disengaged state, and • (ii) for moving the release block (61) on the guide (63) from the non-active position to the active position.