Excavator Tooth Coupling Structure with Flexible Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The coupling space in digging apparatuses like excavators is prone to foreign substance intrusion, leading to difficulties in smoothly operating the coupling unit, which affects the insertion and separation of tooth points and adapters.
Innovation Solution
A damper structure with a flexible portion and a hard portion is integrated into the coupling space, allowing the flexible portion to deform and compress under external pressure, facilitating smooth rotation and coupling operations while preventing foreign substance ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the coupling space is made larger to accommodate the coupling unit, then the coupling operation becomes smoother, but foreign substances are more easily introduced and harder to discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling space is divided into a first space and a second space communicating with each other. The damper structure is positioned in the first space, while the coupling unit operates in the second space. This segmentation allows the coupling unit to have sufficient space for smooth operation while the damper structure in the first space prevents foreign substances from entering the coupling space.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper structure acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the coupling space. It selectively blocks foreign substances while allowing the coupling unit to operate freely in the coupled state, thus mediating between the need for operational smoothness and the need to prevent contamination.
2Productivity
If the coupling unit is designed for easy insertion and separation, then the operational efficiency increases, but the lifespan of the coupling components decreases due to frequent wear
Solution Approach 1:
The damper structure is positioned in advance in the first space of the coupling space to prevent foreign substances from entering. This beforehand protection reduces wear on the coupling unit during insertion and separation operations, thereby extending the lifespan of coupling components while maintaining high operational efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the damper structure uses a rigid material, then the foreign substance prevention is more effective, but the coupling operation becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The damper structure employs local quality by having a flexible portion made of elastic material that contacts the coupling unit, allowing smooth rotation and coupling operations. Meanwhile, the hard portion provides rigid support and effective blocking of foreign substances. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between foreign substance prevention and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper structure is formed as a composite structure combining a flexible portion made of elastic material and a hard portion made of rigid material. This composite design allows the flexible portion to facilitate smooth coupling unit rotation while the hard portion effectively prevents foreign substance intrusion, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and foreign substance blocking.
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 damper structure enhances the lifespan of coupling components by reducing foreign substance interference and improving the operational efficiency of coupling units in excavators.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible portion is compressed and deformed between the hard portion and an inner surface of the coupling target object forming the first space
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a combined structure, and the combined structure includes a coupling target object having a coupling space that comprises a first space and a second space communicating with each other, a damper structure accommodated in the first space and including a flexible portion having a hollow therein and a hard portion coupled to the flexible portion and having one surface exposed to an outside, and a coupling unit accommodated in the second space, a portion of which is in contact with one surface of the hard portion. The hollow is closed from the outside in the damper structure. In response to rotation of the coupling unit in the second space, another portion different from the portion of the coupling unit comes into contact with the hard portion. When the coupling unit rotates in one direction from an initial state, in which the coupling unit is inserted into the second space, to become a first rotation state, a portion where the coupling unit and the hard portion contact each other is moved in a direction toward the flexible portion further than the initial state, and thus, the hard portion is moved in the direction toward the flexible portion further than the initial state. The flexible portion is compressed and deformed between the hard portion and an inner surface of the coupling target object forming the first space.