Dragline Bucket Linkage Assembly Eliminates Spreader Bar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dragline excavator bucket assemblies face issues with hoist chains interfering with the bucket sidewalls, leading to damage and high maintenance costs due to the use of spreader bars, which also increase the bucket's weight.
Innovation Solution
A linkage assembly with a pivot attachment point on the bucket's lateral sidewall and an elongated link member that extends beyond the top edge, coupled with a roller assembly to slidably engage with a rail, allowing the hoist chain to be attached without interference and eliminating the need for a spreader bar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spreader bar is used to prevent hoist chains from hitting the bucket sidewalls, then the hoist chains are protected from interference, but the bucket weight increases and maintenance costs rise due to susceptibility to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the spreader bar component entirely by repositioning the hoist chain attachment points on the bucket sidewalls. The hoist chains are attached directly to the bucket body at optimized locations, eliminating the need for separate spreader bars and their associated weight and maintenance issues.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a spreader bar to keep chains away from the sidewalls, the invention inverts the approach by directly attaching the chains to the sidewalls at strategically chosen positions. This eliminates the intermediary component while achieving the same protective effect.
2Reliability
If a spreader bar is used to prevent hoist chains from hitting the bucket sidewalls, then the hoist chains are protected from interference, but maintenance costs increase due to susceptibility to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the spreader bar component entirely by repositioning the hoist chain attachment points on the bucket sidewalls. The hoist chains are attached directly to the bucket body at optimized locations, eliminating the need for separate spreader bars and their associated weight and maintenance issues.
3Device complexity
If the hoist chain is attached directly to the bucket sidewall, then the structure is simplified, but the hoist chain interferes with the sidewall during bucket movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by positioning the hoist chain attachment points at specific locations on the bucket sidewalls that are optimized to prevent chain interference during operation. The attachment points are placed at heights and horizontal positions that ensure the chains remain clear of the sidewall surfaces throughout the bucket's movement cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the interference problem by utilizing the vertical dimension of the sidewall. By attaching the chains at elevated positions on the sidewalls, the chains operate in a different vertical plane that prevents contact with the lower portions of the sidewalls during bucket movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A dragline bucket assembly includes a main body, and a linkage assembly for coupling a hoist chain to the main body. The main body includes a lateral sidewall that has a top edge and a bottom edge. The linkage assembly includes a pivot attachment point provided on the lateral sidewall at a first distance from the top edge. The linkage assembly further includes an elongated link member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end spaced apart from the first longitudinal end by a length greater than the first distance. The first longitudinal end is pivotally coupled to the lateral sidewall at the pivot attachment point and the second longitudinal end is attached to the hoist chain.