Excavating Tooth Locking Pin Assembly for Vibration-Safe Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector structures for excavating tooth assemblies are prone to inadvertent rotation due to vibration and impact, leading to wear and reduced useful life, and require complex installation and removal processes that pose safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A locking pin assembly with a non-rotatable design featuring a body portion and shaft portion, utilizing a camshaft and biasing element to prevent inadvertent rotation, allowing a two-step rotation process for secure locking and unlocking, and emitting an audible click for confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotatable connector structure is used to retain the tooth point, then the connector can be rotated between locked and unlocked positions, but the continuous vibration and high impact can cause inadvertent rotation from locked to unlocked position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is preliminarily positioned to engage with the locking surface, creating a pre-existing mechanical interference that prevents inadvertent rotation. The biasing element maintains continuous pressure on the locking element, ensuring it remains engaged with the locking surface during vibration and impact, thereby counteracting the tendency toward inadvertent unlocking before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element features an asymmetric geometry with a locking surface that engages with a corresponding surface on the tooth point or adapter. This asymmetric design creates a preferred locked position where mechanical interference prevents rotation in the unlocking direction, while still allowing controlled rotation in the locking direction when force is applied.
2Strength
If a conventional pound-in connector structure is used, then the connector can be forcibly driven into the openings, but it requires pounding out to remove and creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a static pound-in structure to a dynamic system with a rotatable shaft portion and biasing element. The locking element can be actively engaged and disengaged through rotation, allowing the connector to be locked firmly for strength while also being easily unlocked and removed without pounding, eliminating safety hazards associated with hammering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual pounding operation is replaced with a rotational mechanical system. Instead of using a sledgehammer to drive the connector in and out, the operator simply rotates the shaft portion, which moves the locking element between engaged and disengaged positions, providing both strong retention and easy removal.
3Ease of operation
If alternative connector structures are used to eliminate pounding, then safety hazards are reduced, but the complexity of construction and use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional components: a body portion, a rotatable shaft portion, a locking element, and a biasing element. Each component has a specific function, and their modular arrangement allows the locking mechanism to achieve enhanced safety and reliability without excessive overall complexity, as each segment contributes a specific capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated locking pin assembly. The body portion, shaft portion, locking element, and biasing element work together as one unit to provide retention, locking, and easy release capabilities, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall system while maintaining safety and reducing operational complexity.
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 locking pin assembly effectively prevents inadvertent unlocking under vibration and impact, simplifies installation and removal, and reduces wear, enhancing safety and durability of excavating tooth assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
A camshaft may be rotatably disposed within the opening of the shaft portion. The camshaft may be arranged to cooperate with the shaft portion to rotate within the shaft portion through a first range of motion and to apply a rotational force on the shaft portion through a second range of motion.
Implementation Method 2
The locking pin assembly may include a radially extending locking element carried by one of the shaft portion and the body portion and configured to selectively mechanically interfere with the other of the shaft portion and the body portion to selectively prevent rotation of the shaft portion relative to the body portion.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4A
AI summary
A locking pin assembly for securing a ground engaging element to a support structure may include a body portion and may include a shaft portion disposed within the body portion and rotatable between a first position that mechanically inhibits removal of a ground engaging element from a support structure and a second position that permits removal of the ground engaging element from the support structure. A camshaft may be rotatably disposed within the shaft portion and may be arranged to cooperate with the shaft portion to rotate through a first range of motion and to apply a rotational force on the shaft portion through a second range of motion. A radially extending locking element may be configured to selectively mechanically interfere with one of the shaft portion and the body portion to selectively prevent rotation of the shaft portion relative to the body portion.