Grapple Roller Reduces Friction on Prime Mover Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical grapple attachments for prime mover vehicles cause damage to the vehicle's lifting arms due to significant friction and contact between metal components, as the lower tine slides along the arms during operation.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical grapple design featuring a first tine pivotally combined with a second tine, where the second tine includes a roller that rotates relative to the arm of the prime mover vehicle, reducing friction and preventing damage by distributing the contact area and minimizing abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lower tine contacts and slides along the arms of the prime mover vehicle to close the grapple, then the grapple can grasp the load, but significant friction and damage occur to both the grapple and the arms
Solution Approach 1:
A roller is introduced as an intermediary component between the lower tine and the prime mover arms. The roller is rotationally combined with the second tine and configured to engage the lift arm, allowing the lower tine to rotate rather than slide directly against the metal arms. This intermediary roller reduces friction and prevents direct metal-to-metal contact, thereby reducing damage while maintaining the grapple closing function.
2Device complexity
If metal grapple components contact and slide along metal arms, then the grapple can be actuated mechanically, but significant friction causes damage and denting to both components
Solution Approach 1:
The roller serves as a mediator between the metal lower tine and the metal prime mover arms. By introducing this intermediate rolling element, the direct sliding friction between metal components is eliminated, replaced by rolling friction which is significantly lower. This protects the structural integrity of both the grapple components and the prime mover arms from damage and denting.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller introduces a curved, cylindrical surface between the flat metal surfaces of the lower tine and the prime mover arms. This curvature transformation changes the contact from linear sliding to rotational rolling, reducing the friction coefficient and preventing the metal-to-metal damage that would otherwise occur during grapple actuation.
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 roller-based design ensures smooth engagement and reduced friction between the grapple attachment and the prime mover's arms, preventing damage and allowing secure grasping of loads with minimal wear on either component.
Implementation Method 1
The roller is configured to engage the lift arm of the prime mover vehicle... ensuring a smooth engagement between the second tine and the arm with limited friction as the roller contacts and travels along the arm
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical grapple attachment configured to be combined with a prime mover vehicle. The mechanical grapple attachment comprises a grapple assembly having a first tine pivotally combined with a second tine. As the prime mover's arms are tilted forward, the first tine moves toward the second tine. The second tine pivots in the same direction until it contacts the arm of the prime mover vehicle and is prevented from pivoting further. The first tine continues to pivot toward the second tine causing the grapple assembly to compressively grasp a load between the tines. The second tine includes a roller configured to contact the arm of the prime mover vehicle as the first tine is tilted toward the second tine. The roller helps ensure a smooth engagement between the lower tine and the arm with limited friction as the roller contacts and travels along a portion of the arm.