Grapple-Bucket Attachment Plate for Fast Tool Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grapple equipment struggles to handle particulate material effectively and requires significant effort to switch between different attachments like grapples and buckets.
Innovation Solution
A grapple assembly with an attachment plate that connects to a boom arm, allowing the grapple to engage with a bucket, enabling simultaneous use of both for grasping large and small items without detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If grapple equipment is designed with two pivotal opposing fork arms for grasping objects, then it works well for grasping objects, but it does not work well for particulate material
Solution Approach 1:
The grapple assembly is designed with a universal interface system comprising an attachment plate with receivers that can accommodate both grapple arms and bucket attachments. This multi-functional design allows the same base structure to perform different functions by simply changing the attached component, enabling handling of both discrete objects and particulate materials without redesigning the entire system.
2Ease of operation
If a motorized vehicle is equipped with grapple equipment, then it can grasp and move objects, but it takes significant effort to swap out the attachment for other tools like a bucket
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into modular components: a permanent base plate with receivers that remains on the vehicle, and interchangeable attachment components (grapple arms, buckets, etc.) that can be independently swapped. This segmentation eliminates the need to remove and reinstall the entire attachment assembly, reducing swapping effort and time while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment plate with receivers serves as an intermediary component that mediates between the vehicle's mounting system and various attachments. This intermediate interface standardizes the connection mechanism, allowing different attachments to be quickly exchanged without direct manipulation of the vehicle's mounting structure, thereby reducing conversion time and effort.
3Productivity
If the grapple assembly uses an attachment plate with receivers for the arms, then it allows quick conversion between grapple and bucket functions, but it requires an additional component structure
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment plate merges multiple functions into a single component: it serves as the mounting base for the grapple arms, the interface for bucket attachments, and the structural support element. By combining these functions into one integrated piece, the system achieves quick conversion capability without proportionally increasing the number of separate components, as the plate itself is designed to accommodate multiple attachment types.
Data Source
AI summary
A grapple assembly includes a grapple with two opposing arms connected to a boom arm of an excavator for engaging an attachment plate connected to an excavator attachment, such as a bucket. The attachment plate includes two outwardly extending plates creating two receivers for engaging the grapple arms. The attachment plate allows an operator of the excavator to use the grapple to handle large items, and to use the grapple to grab the attachment plate connected to a bucket to use the bucket to handle small items without having to disconnect the grapple from the boom arm and attach the bucket to the boom arm.