Cutting Edge Attachment Using Flush Bolt and Sleeve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional attachment systems for cutting edges on work tools, such as bolts and nuts, protrude from the tool's surface, obstructing material flow and accumulating material, and are difficult to disassemble.

Innovation Solution

A bolt and sleeve member system where the bolt and sleeve are configured to be flush with the tool's surface, using coaxially aligned holes to ensure a threaded engagement without protrusions, allowing for easy detachment and minimizing material obstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional bolts and nuts are used to attach the cutting edge, then the cutting edge can be securely fastened to the base edge, but the attachment system protrudes from the surface obstructing material flow and accumulating material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial flowVSAvoidattachment system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve member is inserted into a recess in the base edge member, nesting the attachment system components within the structure rather than having them protrude. The bolt passes through the sleeve and is secured within the recess, creating a flush surface that eliminates material obstruction while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of repair

If conventional bolts and nuts are used for attachment, then the cutting edge can be fastened securely, but the attachment system is difficult to disassemble

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly easeVSAvoiddisassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve member is extracted from the recess and removed from the base edge member, allowing the bolt to be easily accessed and removed. This extraction mechanism simplifies the disassembly process compared to conventional nested fastening systems, reducing the time and effort required for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If protruding attachment systems are used, then the cutting edge can be attached, but material accumulates inside and around the protruding parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial accumulationVSAvoidattachment system design
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is designed with a flush surface at the critical location where material flow occurs. The sleeve member sits within the recess and the bolt head is positioned at or below the surface level, creating a smooth local quality that prevents material accumulation while maintaining the structural integrity of the attachment system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3045591B1Cutting edge for a work tool
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 CATERPILLAR WORK TOOLS
  • EP3045591B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3045591B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3045591B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting edge member (204) for a work tool (200) configured to be detachably fastened to a base edge member (202) using a bolt (300) and a sleeve member (400) is provided. The cutting edge member (204) defines holes (230) that includes a lower portion (234) proximate to a bottom surface (217) of the cutting edge member (204) and an upper portion (232) distal to the bottom surface (217). The lower portion (234) receives a head (402) of the sleeve member (400) therein. The upper portion (232) partly receives an elongate portion (403) of the sleeve member (400) that extends into a corresponding hole (220) defined in the base edge member (202) and is in a threaded engagement with the bolt (300). A head (302) of the bolt (300) and a top surface (216) of the base edge member (202) are substantially flush and co-planar relative to each other.