Adapter Board Pry Slots for Damage-Free Tool Bit Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blade assemblies face challenges in easily removing tool bits due to deformation and packing, leading to increased costs from frequent replacements and potential damage during removal.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an adapter board with pry points and arcuate tool bits that facilitate easier removal by reducing deformation and packing, allowing for efficient detachment without damaging the tool bits or adapter board.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tool bits are securely attached to the adapter board using a press fit or catch point, then the tool bits remain firmly secured during operation, but removal becomes difficult and may cause damage to the tool bit or adapter board

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of tool bitVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter board is divided into distinct functional zones: a secure attachment zone with catch points for reliable mounting, and a separate pry point zone for controlled removal. This segmentation allows the board to provide secure attachment during operation while enabling easy removal through the dedicated pry points without damaging either component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pry points act as intermediary elements between the tool bit and the adapter board. These dedicated removal points mediate the separation process, allowing the tool bit to be removed through controlled prying actions rather than direct force application, thereby facilitating easy removal while maintaining secure attachment during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If the adapter board and tool bit are subjected to significant loads during operation, then the tool bit performs its cutting function effectively, but deformation creates a press fit that makes removal difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting performanceVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter board is segmented into load-bearing regions that undergo deformation during cutting operations and dedicated pry points that remain structurally intact for removal. This segmentation ensures that the deformation caused by significant loads does not affect the removal process, as the pry points provide alternative access points that are not compromised by operational deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pry points are pre-positioned on the adapter board before operation, providing predetermined removal paths that are independent of the deformation occurring during cutting. This preliminary arrangement of removal points ensures that even after significant loads cause deformation, the removal process can proceed easily through the unaffected pry points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If material packs into the bit shank hole during operation, then the tool bit remains securely held, but the bit becomes seized and difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding of tool bitVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pry points extract the tool bit from the adapter board through controlled prying actions that bypass the packed material in the bit shank hole. By providing alternative removal paths through the pry points, the system can remove the tool bit without having to work through the packed material, thereby maintaining secure holding during operation while enabling easy removal afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pry points serve as intermediary removal paths that bypass the packed material in the bit shank hole. Instead of requiring direct access through the packed material, the pry points mediate the removal process by providing access points that are free from packing, allowing the tool bit to be removed easily despite material accumulation in the shank hole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the tool bit is struck with a hammer to remove it, then the tool bit can be detached, but the bit mushrooms within the bit shank hole making removal harder

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removalVSAvoidcomplexity of removal process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pry points provide a controlled extraction path for the tool bit that eliminates the need for hammer strikes. By using the pry points to lever the bit out through controlled prying actions, the system extracts the tool bit without causing it to mushroom within the shank hole, thereby simplifying the removal process and avoiding the complexity of subsequent de-mushrooming operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design converts the potential harm of difficult removal into a benefit by incorporating pry points that enable controlled, damage-free removal. Instead of requiring forceful hammer strikes that cause mushrooming, the pry points allow gentle, controlled extraction, transforming a potentially harmful removal process into a beneficial, damage-free operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3802967B1Adapter board with pry points
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 CATERPILLAR INC
  • EP3802967B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3802967B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3802967B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An adapter board (12000) for use with a blade assembly (13000) includes a lower tool bit attachment portion (12002), terminating in a lower adapter board free end (12004), the lower adapter board free end (12004) defining a bottom surface (12006) defining at least one shank receiving bore (12008) and at least one pry slot (12010). The at least one pry slot (12010) is disposed adjacent the at least one shank receiving bore (12008).