Excavator Bucket Tooth Connection Eccentric Lock

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The connection of teeth to adaptors in excavator buckets is challenging due to issues with locking pins, which weaken the adaptor and can bend, and latching systems that lack adjustability and tightening capabilities, leading to loose teeth.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable lock mechanism with arcuate faces and a resilient toothed ring system that allows for adjustable engagement and disengagement of teeth to adaptors, providing secure and adjustable connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking pin passes through a bore of the adaptor, then the connection of teeth to adaptors is achieved, but the adaptor is weakened and stress concentrations are encouraged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidadaptor strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The locking pin is extracted from the adaptor structure and relocated to the tooth component. The pin now passes through a bore in the tooth rather than the adaptor, eliminating the weakening effect on the adaptor while maintaining the connection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the adaptor provide the mounting structure for the locking pin, the design is inverted so that the tooth provides the mounting structure. This reverses which component bears the structural load and which provides the connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a locking pin is used to connect teeth to adaptors, then the connection is achieved, but the locking pin tends to bend in use and removal of a bent locking pin is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidlocking pin removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism transitions from a simple pin to a threaded fastening system. The toothed lock features external threads that engage with internal threads in the adaptor, allowing for tightening and loosening operations that prevent bending and facilitate easy removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The simple friction-based pin connection is replaced with a threaded mechanical fastening system. The threading mechanism provides controlled engagement and disengagement, eliminating the bending issue and enabling easy removal through standard fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a latching system is used to connect teeth to adaptors, then the connection is achieved, but there is no ability to adjust or tighten the connection causing teeth to become loose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system transitions from a fixed latching mechanism to a dynamic threaded fastening system. The threaded lock allows for adjustable engagement where the toothed lock can be tightened or loosened as needed, providing adaptability while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9850641B2Connection assembly

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 TALON ENGINEERING SDN BHD

AI summary

A coupling for connecting ground engaging tools to a lip of an excavator bucket or similar uses an eccentric rotating lock, whereby rotation of the lock alters the distance between bearing surfaces and thus allows tightening of the lock.