Gripping Member Overbite Block for Wear Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grapple designs suffer from inefficiencies in gripping and cutting materials due to overbite formation between gripping edges as they wear, and mechanical end stops fail to maintain optimal contact, leading to gaps and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an overbite block on the gripping edges, positioned slightly inboard from the leading edge, which prevents overbite by ensuring continuous contact between edges even as they wear, allowing for effective gripping and cutting without mechanical interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mechanical end stops are used to control grapple shell travel distance, then the shell travel is limited and stopping position is controlled, but as gripping edges wear, gaps form between gripping edges reducing gripping efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The overbite block is pre-positioned on the gripping member at a predetermined location that accounts for future wear. This preliminary positioning ensures that as the gripping edges wear down over time, the overbite block will eventually contact the opposing gripping edge to compensate for the wear and maintain proper alignment, preventing gap formation without requiring adjustment of the mechanical end stops.
2Duration of action of moving object
If gripping edges are allowed to wear naturally, then operational duration is extended, but overbite forms between members causing inefficiencies in gripping and cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The overbite block acts as an intermediary element between the worn gripping edges. When the primary gripping edges wear and would normally form an overbite, the overbite block contacts the opposing gripping edge first, serving as a mediator that maintains proper spacing and alignment. This allows the gripping members to continue functioning efficiently even after significant wear, extending their service life without sacrificing productivity.
3Reliability
If overbite block depth equals gripping edge width, then complete overbite prevention is achieved, but structural integrity and cutting effectiveness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The overbite block is designed with selective depth characteristics - it has sufficient depth at its leading edge to contact the opposing gripping edge and prevent overbite, but its depth is less than the full gripping edge width. This local quality variation ensures that the block performs its alignment function while leaving the main gripping edge intact and structurally sound, maintaining both overbite prevention and structural integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~8
Figure 9~11
AI summary
A gripping member (101, 201, 301) for a work tool is provided such that in one embodiment, the gripping (or cutting) member includes a top and bottom surface (103), and a first gripping edge (104a) extending between the top and bottom surfaces (103), and a overbite block (105, 205a, 205b, 305, 405) located proximate to the first gripping edge (104a).