Front Shovel Boom Hinge Layout for Longer Pin Service Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing excavator front shovel working devices suffer from redundant structural design and a short service life due to misaligned hinged points causing bending moments and the need for additional reinforcement structures.

Innovation Solution

A front shovel working device with hinged points aligned in a vertical plane, utilizing a support member with integrated hinged holes and a boom side wall structure to distribute forces uniformly, eliminating the need for additional reinforcement and optimizing structural strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auxiliary rockers and reinforcing rib plates are added to enhance structural strength, then the service life of the working device is prolonged, but the structural design becomes redundant and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidstructural design
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary auxiliary rockers and reinforcing rib plates from the boom structure. By repositioning the hinge points to align with the boom side wall structure, the patent removes redundant components while maintaining structural strength, thus simplifying the design and reducing manufacturing costs without compromising service life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spatial arrangement of hinge points from a three-dimensional scattered distribution to a two-dimensional alignment along the boom side wall structure. This dimensional reorganization allows forces to be transmitted more efficiently through the boom structure, eliminating the need for additional reinforcement while maintaining durability

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

2Strength

If auxiliary rockers and reinforcing rib plates are added to enhance structural strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes unnecessary auxiliary rockers and reinforcing rib plates that increase manufacturing complexity and cost. By aligning hinge points with existing boom side wall structure, the design maintains structural strength while eliminating components that add to manufacturing expenses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The boom side wall structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural strength, serves as the alignment reference for hinge points, and acts as the force transmission path. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reinforcement components, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Force

If hinge points are located outside the boom side plate, then the digging force is improved, but bending moments are applied to hinge pins reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedigging forceVSAvoidservice life of hinge pins
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the previously harmful misalignment between hinge points and boom side wall structure into a beneficial alignment. By positioning hinge points to coincide with the boom side wall structure, the design transforms what was a source of bending moments and reduced service life into a force transmission optimization that maintains digging force while eliminating harmful stresses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates an asymmetric arrangement where hinge points are specifically positioned on one side of the boom (aligned with the side wall structure) rather than being symmetrically distributed. This asymmetric positioning optimizes force transmission along the boom structure, reducing bending moments on hinge pins while maintaining effective digging force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4696840A1Face shovel working device and excavator
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 SANY HEAVY MACHINERY
  • EP4696840A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4696840A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4696840A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are a front shovel working device and an excavator. The front shovel working device is configured to connect to a platform of the excavator. The front shovel working device includes a bucket, a stick, a boom, a stick hydraulic cylinder and a boom hydraulic cylinder. The bucket, the stick, and the boom are sequentially connected, and the boom is connected to the platform. One end of the stick hydraulic cylinder is hinged with the bucket to form a first hinged point, and another end is hinged with the boom to form a second hinged point. One end of the boom hydraulic cylinder is hinged with the boom to form a third hinged point, and another end is hinged with the platform to form a fourth hinged point. The first hinged point, the second hinged point, the third hinged point, and the fourth hinged point are located in a same vertical plane area, and a boom sidewall structure of the boom coincides with the vertical plane area.