Article Handler for Excavator Tooth Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of replacing or repairing teeth on excavating buckets is cumbersome and dangerous due to the large size and weight of the teeth, requiring significant force to dismount and mount, and is complicated by debris and corrosion in the tooth-adaptor joint, posing risks of hand and foot injuries.
Innovation Solution
An article handler with a support body and jaw assembly attached to a front end loader, featuring pivotally attached gripping members and a hydraulic system for safe and efficient handling, installation, and dismounting of ground engaging tools like teeth, allowing for selective displacement between open and closed conditions and rotation to manage debris and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual dismounting and mounting of teeth is performed, then operators can replace teeth, but the process is cumbersome and dangerous due to large size and weight of teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the tooth replacement apparatus) that mediates between the operator and the heavy tooth components. The apparatus includes a gripping mechanism with jaws that can securely hold the tooth and adaptor assembly, allowing the operator to manipulate heavy components without direct contact, thereby reducing injury risk while maintaining operational capability
2Ease of operation
If periodic forces are applied to loosen the tooth-adaptor joint, then the tooth can be removed, but the joint becomes difficult to break up due to debris and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a cleaning mechanism that removes debris and corrosion from the tooth-adaptor joint before the actual removal process. The cleaning apparatus includes brushes or scraping elements that prepare the joint surface, making subsequent loosening and removal operations significantly easier and reducing the force required
3Productivity
If teeth are transported from storage location to excavation bucket, then teeth can be installed, but the process is cumbersome and dangerous subjecting operators to injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated apparatus that combines storage, gripping, transportation, and installation capabilities. The tooth replacement apparatus serves as a mobile workstation that can hold multiple teeth and transport them directly to the excavation bucket, eliminating the need for separate transportation operations and reducing operator exposure to hazards
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
The article handler facilitates safe and efficient handling, installation, and dismounting of teeth, reducing the risk of injuries by providing a controlled mechanism for gripping and rotating the teeth, effectively managing debris and corrosion, thus simplifying the process and enhancing operator safety.
Implementation Method 1
the means for displacing the jaw assembly comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder operatively attachable (or attached) to a hydraulic system of the front end loader
Data Source
AI summary
An article handler for attachment to a front end loader, the article handler comprising a support body and a jaw assembly, the support body comprising a proximal end adapted for attachment to the front end loader, and a distal end adapted for attachment of the jaw assembly. The article handler may be adapted to handle, install, and dismount ground engaging tools (GET), such as teeth for excavating buckets.