Excavator Bucket Front Fixing Device With Segmented Projections

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for replacing worn-out front pieces in excavating buckets are labor-intensive and expensive due to the need for welding, and the current locking bolt systems are inefficient in managing shear stresses and wear.

Innovation Solution

The excavating bucket features a bucket front fixing device with locking bolts that extend through projections and recesses in the side portions and bucket front, allowing for easy connection and disconnection, and includes a locking piece to prevent bolt movement, thereby absorbing shear stresses and simplifying the replacement process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the bucket front is welded to the side portions, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates due to labor-intensive removal and preparation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidease of front piece replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The side portions are segmented into multiple projections (at least two) that distribute the connection points, allowing the bucket front to be divided into separable components that can be independently removed and replaced without affecting the entire structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing device transitions from a static welded connection to a dynamic bolted connection that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The locking bolts can be quickly removed to detach the bucket front, enabling rapid replacement without the labor-intensive processes required by welding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If only two sharing surfaces are used for locking, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to poor load distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of locking surfacesVSAvoidload distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling piece is divided into multiple projections (at least two), creating multiple separate locking surfaces. This segmentation distributes the shear stresses across multiple contact points rather than concentrating them on two surfaces, improving load distribution and overall reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves from a two-dimensional locking arrangement to a three-dimensional multi-point distribution system. The projections are arranged in space to provide optimal load distribution, utilizing spatial dimensioning to enhance the reliability of the connection

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

3Strength

If the locking bolt extends through multiple projections, then the strength of the fixing device is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing device strengthVSAvoidalignment precision of openings
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling piece is segmented into multiple projections with openings that are positioned to align with corresponding openings in the bucket front. This segmentation allows the locking bolt to engage multiple points simultaneously, distributing stresses while the modular design facilitates manufacturing by breaking down the precision requirements into manageable alignment tasks for each projection pair

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2536884B1A fixing device for a bucket front
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 KOMATSU KVX
  • EP2536884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2536884B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2536884B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A fixing device (54) for a bucket front (14), wherein the bucket front (14) forms a wear part in an excavating bucket (1) comprising at least one side portion (6), and wherein the side portion (6) is formed with a coupling piece (8) comprising at least two projections (10) with recesses (12), wherein the projections (10) fit in a complementary manner into recesses (12) in the bucket front (14) or in a coupling part (40) fixed to the bucket front (14), and wherein the bucket front (14) is connected to the coupling piece (8) by means of a locking bolt (16) extending, in the direction of the side portion (6), through openings (18) associated with the side portion (6) and the bucket front (14).