Excavator Tooth Attachment Eccentric Threaded Fastener

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing excavator tooth attachment systems are unsafe, inconvenient, and overly complex, particularly due to the use of impact methods and complex non-impact systems that are costly and unsuitable for hostile excavation environments.

Innovation Solution

A retrofittable attachment system for excavator teeth using a unique design with a nose-receiving pocket, an insert, and a threaded fastener with helical threads that are eccentric relative to the fastener body, providing secure, intuitive, and stable engagement between the tooth and adaptor nose, along with a lock device to prevent unintended removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional impact methods (hammer impact) are used to install and remove attachment pins, then the attachment system is simple in structure, but it is unsafe and inconvenient for operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment system structureVSAvoidsafety and convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional impact-based mechanical system (hammer impact) with a threaded fastening system that uses rotational motion to secure and release attachment pins. The threaded fastener engages with threads in the adaptor nose, allowing operators to install and remove pins by turning the fastener with a tool, eliminating the need for dangerous hammer impacts while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a threaded fastener as an intermediary component between the adaptor nose and the attachment pin. This fastener acts as a mediator that provides a safe and controlled method for securing the pin to the nose, replacing the direct impact method while adding minimal complexity to the overall system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If non-impact attachment systems are developed to improve safety, then safety and convenience are improved, but the systems become unduly complex, costly, and inconvenient for hostile excavation environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and convenienceVSAvoidattachment system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the attachment system into simple, discrete components: the adaptor nose with threaded opening, the attachment pin with receiving hole, and the threaded fastener. Each component is simple in design, and together they form a complete attachment system that is both safe to operate and simple in structure, avoiding the undue complexity of other non-impact systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex mechanisms to prevent impact, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple threaded fastening mechanism that naturally prevents the need for impact during installation and removal. The threaded connection provides inherent security and control, achieving safety through simplicity rather than through complex protective mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If complex non-impact attachment systems are used, then safety is improved, but the systems are costly and unsuited to hostile excavation environments

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The threaded fastener, adaptor nose, and attachment pin are designed as basic mechanical parts that are cost-effective to produce, maintaining safety without the high costs associated with complex non-impact attachment systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of attachment from impact-based to threaded-fastening-based, which fundamentally alters how the system operates. This parameter change enables the use of simple, inexpensive components while maintaining safety, making the system suitable for hostile excavation environments where cost and reliability are critical

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8429838B2Retrofitted excavator tooth attachment

Publication Date: 2013.04.30 BLACK CAT WEAR PARTS LTD

AI summary

An excavator implement attachment system can include a tooth having a pocket formed therein, an insert received in a recess formed in an adaptor nose and a threaded fastener which releasably secures the tooth on the nose, the fastener having a helical thread formed thereon which is eccentric relative to a fastener body. A tooth can include a pocket with at least one side wall which has an insert-receiving recess and generally planar insert-engaging interface surfaces formed therein, with one interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about a longitudinal axis in one direction, and another interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about the longitudinal axis in an opposite direction. An excavator tooth can include a pocket bounded by opposing side walls, with at least one of the side walls having an insert-receiving recess internally formed thereon, whereby the recess receives an insert installed in an adaptor nose.