Single Cylinder Hydraulic Coupler for Attachment Interchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current couplers for heavy machinery, such as manual, dual hydraulic, and electric actuator couplers, face inefficiencies and reliability issues when interchanging attachments, particularly in harsh working conditions like gravel, concrete, and debris, leading to time-consuming processes and potential malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A single cylinder hydraulic coupler system that includes a hydraulic cylinder, pivot linkages, spring systems, and locking pin systems, configured for locking and unlocking positions, utilizing hydraulic pressure to efficiently and reliably attach and detach attachments through a momentary switch-controlled hydraulic circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a dual hydraulic coupler is used to increase efficiency, then attachment interchange speed improves, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to malfunction from working conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The dual hydraulic coupler system is divided into two independent hydraulic circuits, each capable of operating separately. This segmentation ensures that if one circuit fails due to harsh working conditions, the other can still function, maintaining partial reliability while achieving fast attachment interchange through either circuit
2Productivity
If an electric actuator coupler is used to increase efficiency, then attachment interchange speed improves, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to malfunction under working conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electric actuators with hydraulic cylinders to drive the locking pins. Hydraulic systems are inherently more robust in harsh working conditions involving gravel, concrete, and debris, providing both fast operation and high reliability by eliminating electric components susceptible to malfunction
3Reliability
If a manual coupler is used to ensure reliability, then coupler reliability improves, but productivity deteriorates due to time intensive process
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic coupler system is designed to automatically extend and retract locking pins without manual intervention. The system uses its own hydraulic power source to perform the coupling and uncoupling operations, achieving both high reliability through automated consistent operation and high productivity through rapid actuation
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 single cylinder hydraulic coupler significantly reduces attachment interchange time and enhances reliability by providing faster and more consistent operation, even in challenging conditions, minimizing the risk of malfunction and damage.
Implementation Method 1
A single cylinder hydraulic coupler for coupling an attachment to a machine includes a hydraulic cylinder system, the hydraulic cylinder system including a hydraulic cylinder... The hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic cylinder extends a piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
The single cylinder hydraulic coupler includes a hydraulic cylinder system, a first pivot linkage system, a second pivot linkage system, a first spring system, a second spring system, a first locking pin system, and a second locking pin system. The single cylinder hydraulic coupler couples an attachment to a machine with increased efficiency and reliability over conventional methods.