Excavator Shield Coupling Guide Device for Axle Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The coupling of additional devices to pivoting elements in mobile construction machines, such as excavators, is complex and expensive, often requiring additional tools like the excavator handle to ensure a form-fitting connection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a guide device that allows the pivoting element to engage in a receptacle on the additional device by raising and lowering, utilizing a movable guide element that changes contours, enabling a form-fitting connection without the need for additional tools or manipulation of the additional device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid mount on the additional device is used for coupling, then the form-fitting connection is achieved, but the coupling process becomes complicated and requires additional tools like the excavator handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the static rigid mount with a dynamic coupling mechanism. The pivoting element can rotate about a horizontal axis, and the guide device dynamically adjusts the coupling path during the raising and lowering process. This dynamic approach allows the lower edge of the pivoting element to automatically engage with the receptacle without requiring manual manipulation tools, thus maintaining reliable connection while simplifying the coupling operation.
2Reliability
If the additional device is pushed towards the excavator using the excavator handle, then the pivoting element engages in the undercut, but the coupling process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the guide device with a guide contour that automatically guides the additional device into the correct position. The guide contour is designed in advance to direct the lower edge of the pivoting element toward the receptacle and undercut during the lowering process. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual pushing operations with the excavator handle, as the engagement path is predetermined and automatic.
3Reliability
If the lower mounting arm is folded behind the lower edge of the excavator shield, then the form-fitting connection is created, but the coupling process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the complex folding mounting arm mechanism from the coupling system. Instead of requiring the mounting arm to be folded behind the pivoting element, the design extracts this function and replaces it with a simpler guide device that uses a predetermined guide contour. The lower edge of the pivoting element directly engages with the receptacle on the additional device, eliminating the need for intermediate folding mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine has an excavator shield pivotable around a horizontal rotational axis by an actuator. A supplementary axle is coupled to the shield by lifting and lowering the shield so that the shield engages into a retainer at the axle in form-fit manner. The axle and/or shield includes a guide device for guiding the axle on a contour at the shield during lowering the shield as during lifting the shield. A guide lever (10) is movably hinged to the retainer of the axle and/or the shield and changes the contour. An independent claim is also included for a method for coupling a supplementary axle to the excavator shield.