Dipper Door Snubber System with Angular Force Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snubber systems for dipper doors in shovel machines poorly regulate the force associated with the swinging movement, leading to ineffective utilization of torque capacity and dampening action, with components of the force being unduly passed to the body and door, resulting in potential damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A snubber system comprising a braking assembly, an arm structure, and a link structure, where the braking assembly is fixedly mounted to the dipper body, the arm structure rotates about a first axis with dampening, and the link structure rotates about a second axis, transferring force to the arm structure at an angle between 80-100 degrees, effectively regulating the swinging movement of the door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional snubber system is used to dampen door swinging movement, then the door slamming is prevented, but the torque capacity and dampening action are poorly utilized and force components are unduly passed to the body and door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the snubber system's arm structure rotatable about a first axis, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the door's swinging motion. The link structure rotates about a second axis to follow the door movement, enabling the system to dynamically regulate force components throughout the entire range of motion rather than relying on fixed, rigid connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the force transmission path by positioning the rotation axes at specific locations and orientations. The angle between the force direction and the plane passing through the first and second axes is maintained between 80-100 degrees, which optimizes the torque capacity utilization and dampening action while preventing excessive force transmission to the door and body.
2Ease of operation
If the snubber system allows free swinging movement, then the door operation is smooth, but the torque capacity and dampening action are not effectively utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The arm structure and link structure serve as intermediary elements between the door and the braking assembly. These intermediaries transform the door's swinging motion into rotational movement of the arm structure about the first axis, which then engages with the braking assembly to provide controlled dampening. This intermediary mechanism enables both smooth operation and effective torque capacity utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a simple mechanical connection with a more sophisticated mechanism involving rotational axes and angular relationships. By substituting direct force transmission with a system that uses controlled rotation and specific angular geometry (80-100 degrees), the system achieves both smooth door operation and effective utilization of dampening forces.
3Device complexity
If a single snubber system is used instead of multiple systems, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force regulation capability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single snubber system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it dampens door swinging movement, regulates force components, utilizes torque capacity, and prevents door slamming. The rotatable arm structure and link structure with specific angular relationships enable this single system to handle complex force regulation tasks that would otherwise require multiple separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dimensional complexity through the three-dimensional arrangement of rotation axes and the angular relationship between the force direction and the plane passing through the axes. This spatial dimensionality allows a single snubber system to effectively regulate force components in multiple directions, achieving comprehensive force regulation capability without requiring multiple systems.
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 proposed snubber system efficiently regulates the force associated with the swinging movement of the dipper door, ensuring proper utilization of torque capacity and dampening action, reducing wear on the body and door, and allowing for single-system operation, thereby enhancing machine efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the back and forth rotation of the arm structure being dampened by the braking assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A snubber system for retarding a swinging movement of a door with respect to a body of the dipper. The snubber system includes a braking assembly, an arm structure, and a link structure. The braking assembly is configured to be fixedly mounted to the body. The arm structure is configured to execute rotation about a first axis, the rotation of the arm structure being dampened by the braking assembly. The link structure is rotatably coupled to the arm structure to rotate about a second axis, and is movable in correspondence with the swinging movement of the door to exert and transfer a force to the arm structure. A direction of the force defines an angle between 80-100 degrees with respect to an axis or a plane passing through the first axis and the second axis throughout the swinging movement of the door.