Quick coupler automatic locking mechanism and method
A quick coupler and methods of coupling and decoupling a quick coupler and work tool are disclosed. The quick coupler includes a frame, cylinder, primary blocking member, secondary blocking member, biasing member, and controller. The method of coupling includes activating an AUTOMATIC LOCKING state, automatically locking a second tool pin within a hook, a first tool pin entering a notch, and activating a LOCKED state. The method of decoupling includes activating the AUTOMATIC LOCKING state, resting the work tool on a surface, activating an UNLOCKED state, and separating the quick coupler and work tool. Advantageously, the quick coupler can automatically lock the second tool pin without actuation of the cylinder.
1. A method of coupling a work tool to a quick coupler comprising the steps of:
activating an AUTOMATIC LOCKING state of the coupler;
maneuvering the coupler to automatically lock a second tool pin of the work tool within a hook of the coupler without actuation of a cylinder of the coupler, such that;
the second tool pin forces a secondary blocking member to move from a locked position to an unlocked position;
the second tool pin enters the hook; and
the secondary blocking member returns to the locked position;
the first tool pin entering a notch of the coupler; and
activating a LOCKED state of the coupler.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the following steps before activating the AUTOMATIC LOCKING state;
curling the coupler;
switching a coupler switch to a temporary unlock setting; and
activating an UNLOCKED state of the coupler.
3. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a biasing member biasing the secondary blocking member toward the locked position;
the step of activating the UNLOCKED state further including;
the cylinder of the coupler retracting such that:
the primary blocking member moves to the unlocked position; and
the secondary blocking member moves to an unlocked position;
the step of activating the AUTOMATIC LOCKING state further including:
reducing hydraulic pressure to the cylinder such that:
the primary blocking member remains in the unlocked position; and
the secondary blocking member moves to the locked position.
4. The method according to claim 2 ,
the step of activating the UNLOCKED state further including:
a directional control assembly operatively connecting the rod end of the cylinder to a pump and operatively connecting a cap end of the cylinder to a tank;
the step of activating the AUTOMATIC LOCKING state further including:
the directional control assembly operatively connecting the rod end and the cap end of the cylinder to the tank.
5. The method according to claim 1 , the step of the first tool pin entering a notch of the coupler further including:
the second tool pin hanging from the hook; and
the coupler rotating with respect to the work tool about a rotation axis of the second tool pin.
6. The method according to claim 1 , the step of activating the LOCKED state further including:
a cylinder of the coupler extending such that:
a primary blocking member moves to a locked position; and
the secondary blocking member moves to the locked position.
7. The method according to claim 6 , the step of activating the LOCKED state further including:
switching a coupler switch to a permanent lock setting; and
a directional control assembly operatively connecting a cap end of the cylinder to a pump and operatively connecting a rod end of the cylinder to a tank.
8. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the biasing member is a spring.