Telehandler Tool Coupling With Integrated Hydraulic Connector Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coupling systems for work tools in telehandlers are cumbersome and require manual intervention, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors in connecting and disconnecting hydraulic and electrical connections, which can result in contamination, damage, and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a tool-holder plate and a coupling plate that uses a locking cylinder and hydraulic/electrical connectors, allowing for quick and guided connection/disconnection from a remote location, ensuring correct alignment and protection against contamination and errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual coupling of hydraulic hoses and electrical connectors is used, then flexibility in connection is maintained, but time consumption and error risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple connection functions (mechanical coupling, hydraulic connection, and electrical connection) into a single integrated coupling device. The coupling plate integrates the locking mechanism, hydraulic quick-connect couplings, and electrical connectors into one unified assembly that operates simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate manual connection steps for each utility type.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical attachment through the locking cylinder, establishes hydraulic connections through quick-connect couplings, and creates electrical connections through integrated connectors. This multi-functional design allows a single device to handle all connection requirements for work tools, reducing overall system complexity while improving productivity.
2Reliability
If manual handling of hydraulic hoses and connectors is required, then adaptability to different tools is maintained, but contamination risk and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate acts as an intermediary protective structure that houses and protects the hydraulic connectors and electrical connectors during the coupling process. By integrating these connectors into the rigid coupling plate assembly, the system eliminates the need for operators to manually handle separate hydraulic hoses and connectors, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining connection reliability.
3Loss of time
If separate manual coupling of mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical connections is used, then flexibility in assembly is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate is pre-assembled with all necessary connection elements (locking mechanism, hydraulic couplings, and electrical connectors) in the correct positions and orientations. This preliminary preparation allows the work tool to be coupled to all utilities simultaneously in a single operation, eliminating the need for sequential manual coupling steps and significantly reducing coupling time.
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
Facilitates rapid, safe, and error-free coupling/uncoupling of work tools, protecting connectors from dirt and ensuring correct connections, while being adaptable to various tools and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a locking cylinder, provided with a seat pad fixed to the tool-holder plate and at least one piston which is extendable with respect to the seat pad along an extension direction, wherein the piston is selectively switchable between a locking position, in which it engages the locking seat, and an unlocking position, in which it releases the locking seat
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling device (50) for coupling work tools (14) to a telescopic boom (13) of a telehandler (10), comprising: - a tool-holder plate (52) which can be connected to the end of a telescopic boom (13) of the telehandler (10); - a coupling plate (51) which can be fixed to a work tool (14), wherein the coupling plate (51) is configured to be releasably retained by the tool-holder plate (52); - a jig comprising at least: ∘ a locking seat (511) fixed to the coupling plate (51) and ∘ a locking cylinder (521), provided with a seat pad (5210) fixed to the tool-holder plate (52) and at least one piston (5211) extendable with respect to the seat pad (5210) along an extension direction, wherein the piston (5211) is selectively switchable between a locking position, in which it engages the locking seat (511), and an unlocking position, in which it frees the locking seat (511); - a hydraulic and/or electrical connection device comprising: ∘ one or more hydraulic and/or electrical first connectors (513) each rigidly fixed to the coupling plate (51) and ∘ one or more hydraulic and/or electrical second connectors (523) each fixed to a connector-holder plate (524) mounted on the piston (5211) and alternatively translatable between a connection position, in which each second connector (523) mechanically connects to a respective first connector (513) when the piston (5211) is in the locking position, and a disconnection position, in which all the second connectors (523) mechanically disconnect from the respective first connectors (513), when the piston (5211) is in the unlocking position.