Wheel Loader Coupler With Reverse-Thread Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment couplers for wheel loaders require complex hydraulic systems for rapid attachment changes, but these systems are cumbersome, and manual couplers demand significant user effort and time for coupling and uncoupling.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical coupler system with a shaft and locking pins featuring right- and left-handed threads, allowing for one-touch operation by extending or retracting locking pins to engage or disengage attachments, reducing user effort and time through a simple turning mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic locking pins are used for rapid attachment coupling, then attachment change speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to hydraulic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic locking system with a purely mechanical coupling mechanism. The mechanical coupler uses a bracket with receiving slots that engage with protrusions on the attachment, eliminating the need for hydraulic actuators, conduits, and valves while maintaining rapid attachment coupling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the hydraulic system components from the attachment coupling mechanism, retaining only the essential mechanical elements (bracket, receiving slots, protrusions) needed for quick attachment changes, thereby simplifying the overall system
2Device complexity
If manual couplers are used for attachment coupling, then device complexity is reduced, but user effort and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupler incorporates dynamic elements including a displaceable pin that can be hydraulically or manually actuated, and a bracket that pivots to enable engagement and disengagement of attachments, making the simple structure adaptable and easy to operate
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 quick and effortless coupling and uncoupling of attachments by minimizing the physical effort required, saving time and simplifying the process at work sites without the need for hydraulic systems.
Implementation Method 1
The locking pins are combined with the shaft by threads. The shaft has threads formed at both ends. The threads formed at the one end of the shaft are right handed and the threads formed at the other end of the shaft are left handed.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler for a wheel loader is disclosed. The coupler is used for coupling an attachment to a lifting arm of the wheel loader. A bracket is installed between the lifting arm and the attachment. The bracket's back face is pivotally connected to a lifting arm and the bracket's front face is detachably connected to the attachment. The attachment has a pair of protrusions rearwardly extending from the lower back of the attachment and have locking holes pierced through their width. The bracket has a pair of receiving slots formed at the lower front of the bracket and engaged with the protrusions. The coupler has a shaft, and a pair of locking pins combined with the shaft by threads. The threads formed at one end of the shaft are right handed and the threads formed at the other end of the shaft are left handed. When users turn the shaft in one direction, the locking pins are extended and engaged with the locking holes (a coupling position). When users turn the shaft in the other direction, the locking pins are shortened and released from the locking holes (a release position).