Quick-Release Coupler Lever Lock for Construction Tool Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional quick-release fasteners for construction machinery, such as buckets on mechanical shovels, are dangerous due to potential sudden release and drop when locking mechanisms fail, posing a risk to personnel on construction sites.
Innovation Solution
A coupler system with a lever mechanism and locking means, featuring a rear plate with a stop, a pivoting lug, and springs, ensures secure attachment by preventing unintended detachment, even if springs break, through a combination of translation and pivoting movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking means are provided to secure the quick-release fastener, then the reliability of the coupling is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional locking components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into independent functional components: a lever for positioning, a separate locking means for securing, and a stop element for limiting movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while maintaining overall system manageability despite the increased complexity.
2Reliability
If a lever mechanism with locking means is used, then the reliability of preventing unintended detachment is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to more complex manipulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is pre-configured with defined closed and open positions, and the locking means is arranged to automatically engage at the closed position. This preliminary arrangement of components ensures that the secure locked state is achieved through the natural sequence of operations, reducing the cognitive load on the operator despite the mechanical complexity.
3Reliability
If the lever is designed to pivot and translate, then the reliability of the locking mechanism is improved through multiple movement modes, but the device complexity increases due to additional mounting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lever combines two degrees of freedom (pivoting and translating movements) into a single component that performs both functions. This merging of movements within one element achieves reliable locking through multiple motion modes while avoiding the need for separate mechanisms for each type of movement, thus managing the overall device complexity.
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 system provides a secure and reliable locking mechanism that prevents sudden detachment of tools, ensuring safety by maintaining attachment even under adverse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the locking means comprise at least one spring, in particular two springs, which is/are attached 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
a lever (103) being mounted such that it moves between a closed position in which it holds the trunnion or one of the trunnions (5, 6) in the rear receiving cavity (200) and an open position in which it does not hold the trunnion
Data Source
AI summary
A device forming a coupler including a coupler, or quick-release fastener for attachment to a construction machine, such as a mechanical shovel; a connection device for attachment to a tool, such as a bucket; coupling means to couple the quick-release fastener to the connection device; and locking means to lock the coupling; the connection device including at least one trunnion and preferably two trunnions parallel with one another, the coupler including a base body defining a rear receiving cavity for at least one of the trunnions, characterised in that the coupler includes a lever mounted to pivot between a closed position holding one of the trunnions in the rear receiving cavity and an open position in which it does not hold the trunnion, the locking means being arranged to block or prevent rotation of the lever in the closed position.