Excavator Coupling Device Radial Bearing Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling devices for excavator attachments are bulky, heavy, and lack lateral freedom, which complicates their operation and increases wear, as they require a significant overall height to accommodate pivoting and rotating mechanisms effectively.

Innovation Solution

The coupling device optimizes articulation points and swivel drive arrangements to reduce overall height, weight, and improve lateral freedom by positioning swivel pivot bearings radially outside rotary pivot bearings, using axial symmetry in swivel drives to distribute weight evenly, and placing swivel drives between connecting sections and the axis of rotation to protect and enclose them, thereby reducing material usage and enhancing operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the coupling device uses conventional pivot and rotary mechanisms, then it can provide the required pivoting and rotating functions, but the overall height becomes too large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepivoting and rotating functionsVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the swivel pivot bearing from a conventional arrangement to a location radially outside the rotary pivot bearing, utilizing radial space rather than vertical space. This dimensional change allows the mechanism to achieve the same pivoting function while reducing the overall height of the coupling device.

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

2Ease of operation

If the coupling device uses conventional mechanisms with sufficient height, then it can accommodate all components, but the device becomes bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism accommodationVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges the swivel pivot bearing and rotary pivot bearing in a nested configuration where the swivel pivot bearing is positioned radially outside the rotary pivot bearing. This nesting allows both bearings to share the same vertical space, reducing the overall device volume and weight while maintaining full functional capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of repair

If the swivel drive is exposed for easier access, then maintenance is simpler, but it becomes vulnerable to damage and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoiddamage and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent encloses the swivel drive within the coupling device structure, providing protective coverage that shields it from external damage and contamination. This enclosure acts as a protective shell while maintaining necessary operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If more material is used for robust construction, then the device becomes more durable, but the weight and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice durabilityVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the arrangement parameters of the pivot bearings and swivel drive to achieve a compact configuration. By changing the spatial parameters and positioning, the device achieves robust functionality with reduced material usage and lower weight, while maintaining necessary durability through efficient structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2787125B1Coupling device for an excavator attachment
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 MTS MASCHTECHN SCHRODE
  • EP2787125B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2787125B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2787125B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A coupling device (2) for an excavator attachment is described for coupling the excavator attachment to an excavator arm. The excavator attachment can be moved about a pivot axis (10) and a rotation axis (12) by means of the coupling device (2). In a pivot position, a first pivot point and a second pivot point for engaging a slewing drive (22) for pivoting about the pivot axis (10) are located essentially in a perpendicular plane to the rotation axis (12).