Rotary Latch Emergency Decoupling for Mine Clearing Plows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for heavy attachments, such as mine clearing plows, often result in attachments becoming stuck or damaged, leading to impaired vehicle mobility and unreliable emergency decoupling due to undefined force and tension states, which conventional hydraulic or pyrotechnic systems cannot safely address.
Innovation Solution
A rotary latch system with a locking device acting under leverage, utilizing a toggle lever and force-generating device, allows for low-force emergency decoupling by prestressing the latch and interrupting the power flow, ensuring safe detachment without jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hydraulic systems are used to pull bolts out for emergency decoupling, then decoupling can be achieved, but the system complexity increases and reliability decreases under undefined force conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic systems with a purely mechanical solution - a rotary latch coupled with a cam mechanism and spring. This mechanical system provides reliable emergency decoupling through predetermined geometric relationships between components, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid systems and complex control valves, thereby improving reliability under undefined force conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters from hydraulic pressure control to mechanical leverage ratios. The cam mechanism transforms rotational motion into linear displacement with a predetermined mechanical advantage, allowing the system to generate sufficient decoupling force through geometric design rather than variable hydraulic pressure, ensuring consistent performance regardless of external force conditions.
2Force
If pyrotechnic charges are used for emergency decoupling, then decoupling force is increased, but the device complexity increases and control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes pyrotechnic charges with a mechanical cam-and-latch system. The cam mechanism, when rotated, mechanically translates rotational input into linear displacement that forces the bolt out of the mounting bracket. This eliminates the need for explosive charges, complex ignition systems, and safety interlocks, reducing device complexity while maintaining sufficient decoupling force through mechanical leverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring in the system is pre-loaded during normal operation to hold the latch in the engaged position. During emergency decoupling, the cam mechanism simply needs to rotate and release this pre-stored energy, allowing the spring to rapidly drive the latch open and eject the bolt. This preliminary action eliminates the need for active force generation during decoupling, simplifying the system compared to pyrotechnic solutions.
3Ease of operation
If bolts are directly pulled out for emergency decoupling, then decoupling is achieved, but extremely high force is required which may not be available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cam mechanism as an intermediary between the operator's input and the bolt removal action. The cam translates a small rotational input into a large linear displacement of the latch, which then leverages the spring force to eject the bolt. This intermediary mechanism multiplies the input force through mechanical advantage, making emergency decoupling feasible with minimal applied force.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded during normal operation to accumulate elastic potential energy. During emergency decoupling, the cam mechanism simply releases this pre-stored energy by rotating the latch, allowing the spring to rapidly drive the bolt out. This preliminary energy storage eliminates the need for the operator to directly apply high force, as the system's own stored energy performs the high-force action.
4Ease of operation
If rotary latch is used for coupling, then coupling simplicity is improved, but jamming may occur under high tension states
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism serves as an intermediary that decouples the rotary latch's rotation from direct bolt engagement. The cam's geometric profile ensures that as the latch rotates, the bolt is gradually translated along a predetermined path that maintains optimal engagement geometry throughout the motion, preventing sudden binding or jamming even under high tension loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the motion parameters of the bolt during engagement by using the cam's geometric profile. Instead of direct linear insertion, the bolt follows a curved translation path dictated by the cam shape, which maintains favorable force angles and prevents the bolt from binding in the mounting bracket, thereby eliminating jamming while preserving coupling simplicity.
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
Enables rapid and reliable emergency decoupling of attachments from vehicles, even under high or unknown tension states, with reduced force requirements and prevention of jamming, thus ensuring vehicle mobility and crew safety.
Implementation Method 1
The toggle lever serves to amplify the force acting on the rotary latch. A toggle lever achieves high force amplification in a compact design.
Implementation Method 2
a spring (29) arranged to engage in the area of the central joint (14) between the legs (12, 13) of the toggle lever (11)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for coupling a mounted implement (3), in particular a dozer blade (4) or a mine-clearing plough, to a vehicle (2) with a rotary latch (5), wherein a locking device (10) which acts on the rotary latch (5) under the force of a lever is prestressed in the direction of the locking position of the rotary latch (5) and is releasable for the emergency uncoupling of the mounted implement (3). A mounted implement and a vehicle having at least one such device (1) form further subject matter. Furthermore, an emergency uncoupling method with such a device is described.