Crawler Frame Plow for Rotating Cab Excavators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy machinery with rotating cab portions, such as excavators, face inefficiencies and safety issues due to the accumulation of dirt and debris on the crawler frame and around the swing bearing, requiring manual removal that is labor-intensive and disrupts machine operation.

Innovation Solution

A crawler frame plow device that secures to the machinery, rotating synchronously with the cab portion to remove dirt and debris from the crawler frame during operation, featuring an adjustable design with a rounded edge plow portion and secure attachment to the swing bearing, allowing for efficient debris removal without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual removal of dirt and debris from the crawler frame is performed, then the crawler frame and swing bearing are cleaned, but labor intensity increases and machine downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of crawler frame and swing bearingVSAvoidmachine downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The plow device is attached to the rotating cab portion and automatically cleans the crawler frame through the rotation of the cab itself, without requiring separate manual intervention or stopping the machine

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning function is merged with the existing rotation mechanism of the cab, so that the same rotational motion that positions the cab also performs the cleaning action through the plow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If manual removal of dirt and debris from the crawler frame is performed, then the crawler frame and swing bearing are cleaned, but labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of crawler frame and swing bearingVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The plow acts as an intermediary tool that converts the rotational motion of the cab into a cleaning action, eliminating the need for operators to manually shovel debris

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the plow portion is made with a rounded edge to conform to the crawler frame, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The plow portion features a rounded edge that conforms to the curved outer surface of the crawler frame, allowing effective cleaning while using a relatively simple manufacturing approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20240392534A1Crawler Frame Plow

Publication Date: 2024.11.28 BLACK RIDGE RESOURCES LLC

AI summary

A crawler frame plow for removing dirt and debris from a crawler frame of machinery having a rotating cab portion. The crawler frame plow includes an arm portion for securing the crawler frame plow to the machinery, a leg portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end with the arm portion secured to the leg portion between the proximal end and the distal end, a plow portion disposed adjacent the distal end of the leg portion. When the crawler frame plow is secured to the machinery, rotation of a cab portion of the machinery causes a corresponding rotation of the plow portion such that the plow portion is configured to remove dirt and debris from the crawler frame during operation of the excavator.