Demolition Tool Tip Adapter Force Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Demolition tools experience rapid wear on surfaces engaging abrasive or hard materials, leading to increased maintenance and reduced tool lifespan due to the lack of effective wear reduction strategies for adapters during crushing and cutting operations.

Innovation Solution

A replaceable tip with a specific design featuring first, second, and third abutment surfaces and a channel configuration that directs resultant demolition forces perpendicular to the adapter, reducing wear on the adapter and extending tool lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wear parts are connected directly to the jaw set by conventional techniques, then the wear part can be retained during operation, but the fasteners are exposed to relatively high stresses during operation leading to rapid wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidfastener stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the jaw set and the wear part (tip). The adapter includes a body with engagement surfaces that mate with the tip, and it is connected to the jaw set through fasteners. This intermediary structure protects the fasteners from direct exposure to high demolition forces, as the adapter body absorbs and distributes these forces through its engagement surfaces with the tip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the wear protection system into separate components: the jaw set, the adapter, and the tip. The adapter is a distinct segment that interfaces between the jaw set and the tip, allowing each component to be optimized independently. The adapter body specifically handles the mechanical interface and force distribution, while the tip focuses on wear resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the adapter is designed with multiple engagement surfaces and a channel configuration, then the resultant demolition force is directed perpendicular to the adapter reducing wear, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadapter wear resistanceVSAvoidadapter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent redirects the force transmission path by introducing a channel within the adapter body that directs the resultant demolition force in a direction perpendicular to the adapter's main axis. This dimensional redirection of force flow allows the engagement surfaces to be optimized for wear resistance while the channel manages the force vector, effectively separating the wear interface from the primary load path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The channel structure within the adapter body acts as an intermediary force transmission path. It mediates between the engagement surfaces that contact the tip and the fasteners that connect to the jaw set, directing forces through a controlled path that reduces wear on the engagement surfaces while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3121340B1Replaceable tip for a demolition tool
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 CATERPILLAR WORK TOOLS
  • EP3121340B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3121340B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3121340B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

A replaceable tip for a demolition tool is disclosed. The replaceable tip may comprise a first sidewall having a first contact side; a second sidewall having a second contact side; and a centre wall connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the centre wall having a third contact side provided with a recess, the recess having a first and a second abutment surfaces and the third contact side having a third abutment surface adjacent the recess; and a channel defined by the first, second and third contact sides, the channel being configured to receive an adapter of the demolition tool.