Adjustable Clamp for Loader Bucket Snow Plow Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamps for mounting snow plows on loader buckets suffer from loose connections due to wide gaps and limited durability of threaded fasteners, which are time-consuming to secure and provide insufficient clamping force.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable clamp with slidably connected clamping members that move along an angled path, utilizing a chain or strap to tighten and secure the loader bucket lip between the clamping surfaces, providing a secure and adjustable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed gap clamp is used to facilitate alignment, then ease of operation is improved, but connection stability deteriorates due to loose connection
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp transitions from a fixed gap design to a dynamic adjustable gap design. The adjustable jaw can be repositioned along the jaw body to change the gap size, allowing the clamp to adapt to different bucket lip sizes while maintaining a secure connection. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling both easy alignment (through appropriate gap selection) and stable connection (through customized gap fitting).
2Reliability
If a threaded fastener is used to secure the clamp, then connection stability is improved, but device durability deteriorates due to fastener thread wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the threaded fastener component entirely from the clamping mechanism. Instead of using a fastener that threads through holes, the design employs a latch mechanism with a movable jaw that can be secured through friction engagement or positive locking features. This extraction of the problematic threaded fastener eliminates thread wear issues while maintaining connection stability through alternative securing methods.
3Reliability
If a threaded fastener is used to tighten the clamp, then connection stability is improved, but operation time increases due to screwing and unscrewing
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp employs a dynamic latch mechanism that can be quickly engaged and disengaged without the time-consuming threading motion. The movable jaw can be shifted along the jaw body and secured through a simple latch action, allowing operators to rapidly attach and remove the clamp from different bucket configurations, significantly reducing operation time while maintaining secure connection.
4Device complexity
If a fixed distance clamp is used, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to limited clamping force for various bucket sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp transforms from a fixed-distance structure to an adjustable-distance structure. The movable jaw can be repositioned along the jaw body to accommodate different bucket lip sizes and configurations. This dynamic adjustment capability provides adaptability for various bucket sizes while maintaining relatively simple construction through the use of guide features and positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable clamp design provides multi-functionality by being able to secure different sizes and types of bucket lips with a single clamp unit. The movable jaw allows the same clamp to adapt to various loading machine bucket configurations, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-size clamps and enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable clamp for mounting an auxiliary tool onto a loader bucket is provided. The adjustable clamp includes a first clamping member possessing a first clamping surface and a second clamping member possessing a second clamping surface. The second clamping member is slidably connected to the first clamping member such that the second clamping surface is movable along an angled path toward the first clamping surface to clamp the loader bucket between the first and second clamping surfaces. Also provided is a snow plow assembly including a snow plow and an adjustable clamp. A method of mounting a snow plow onto a loader bucket by way of an adjustable clamp is also provided.