Position-Biased Locking Pin Assembly Against Inadvertent Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector structures for excavating tooth assemblies are prone to inadvertent rotation due to vibration and impact, leading to wear and reduced useful life, and require manual pounding for installation and removal, posing safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A locking pin assembly with a radially extending tang and biasing member provides mechanical interference to prevent inadvertent rotation, offering haptic feedback and audible confirmation of locked/unlocked states, allowing secure attachment and easy removal of wear members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotatable connector structure is used to retain the tooth point, then the connector can be easily installed and removed without pounding, but the continuous vibration and impact can cause inadvertent rotation from locked to unlocked position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating a biasing member that continuously exerts a force to counteract the tendency of the connector structure to rotate inadvertently. The biasing member pre-loads the system to resist vibrational and impact forces that would otherwise cause the connector to rotate from the locked to unlocked position, thereby preventing the harmful effect before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static locking mechanism to a dynamic one where the connector structure can rotate between locked and unlocked positions. The biasing member enables controlled rotation while maintaining reliability, allowing the system to adapt to vibrational and impact conditions through dynamic adjustment rather than rigid fixation.
2Reliability
If a conventional pound-in connector structure is used, then the tooth point can be securely retained, but manual pounding is required for installation and removal creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the pounding-based mechanical installation method with a rotation-based locking mechanism. Instead of using impact forces to install and remove the connector, the system uses rotational movement combined with a biasing member to achieve secure retention, thereby eliminating the safety hazards associated with manual pounding while maintaining reliable connection.
3Ease of operation
If the connector structure is designed to be rotatable between locked and unlocked positions, then easy removal is enabled, but excess wear occurs on the connector structure and tooth point interface
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member applies preliminary anti-action by continuously exerting a force that keeps the connector structure firmly in the locked position during operation. This pre-loading minimizes relative movement and wear between the connector and tooth point interface during the operational phase, reducing excess wear while still allowing easy removal through deliberate rotation when needed.
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 locking pin assembly effectively prevents unintended unlocking under vibration and impact, ensuring secure attachment and easy replacement of wear members, enhancing safety and reducing wear, while providing tactile and auditory feedback for user confirmation.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member provides mechanical interference with rotation of the locking element
Implementation Method 2
the friction between the locking element and the wear member can be sufficient to prevent inadvertent rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A locking pin assembly (106) for securing a wear member to a support structure may include a body portion (110) and may include a shaft member (112) partially disposed within and extending from the body portion and rotatable between a first position that mechanically inhibits removal of a ground engaging member from a support structure and a second position that permits removal of the ground engaging member from the support structure. A wear member (104) for receiving a locking pin assembly (106) may include a bore (160) extending laterally through the bore member with a proximal opening and a distal opening, an installation ramp (182) and a removal ramp (184) may be disposed at the proximal opening for engaging a tang (126) of a shaft member (112) of the locking pin assembly (106).