Pin Securing Assembly with Inclined Mounting Formations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pin securing assemblies for pivot joints face issues with play due to manufacturing tolerances and require access to both ends for assembly and disassembly, which can be impractical in compact designs, especially when attaching work tools to machines.

Innovation Solution

A pin securing assembly with a mounting pin featuring inclined mounting formations and a U-shaped securing member that locks to the pin mounting piece, allowing for secure angular and axial prevention while enabling rotation, and facilitating one-sided access for assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional cylindrical pin with flanged head is used, then the pin can be inserted through both sides of the attachment portion, but access to both ends is required for assembly which is impractical in compact designs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAssembly accessibilityVSAvoidPin structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional pin structure by placing the mounting formations on a protruding portion that extends from one end of the pin body, rather than having symmetric features at both ends. This allows the pin to be assembled from one side only, eliminating the need to access both ends of the attachment portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The pin design employs asymmetry by providing mounting formations only on one protruding portion at one end of the pin body, rather than symmetric mounting features at both ends. This asymmetric configuration enables one-sided assembly while maintaining secure attachment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of manufacture

If manufacturing tolerances are accepted, then assembly is simpler, but play exists between the flanged head and the complementary head receiving formation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveManufacturing toleranceVSAvoidConnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the mounting formations by providing oppositely disposed inclined mounting formations on the protruding portion. These inclined formations with specific angular orientations create a geometry that eliminates play between the securing member and pin, while still allowing for standard manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If a locking plate with diameter greater than registering holes is used, then axial displacement is prevented, but the design becomes less suitable for compact configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAxial position stabilityVSAvoidAssembly footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The securing member is designed with a U-shaped configuration that wraps around and engages the protruding portion of the pin. This nested arrangement allows the securing member to lock the pin axially without requiring a large diameter locking plate, thus maintaining compact dimensions while preventing axial displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2964840B1A mounting pin and a pin securing assembly
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 CATERPILLAR WORK TOOLS
  • EP2964840B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2964840B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2964840B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This invention relates to a pin securing assembly (10) for use in a pivot joint and comprises a pin mounting piece (12), a mounting pin (100) comprising an elongate body portion (102) which is positioned within the pin mounting piece (12) and a protruding portion (104) which protrudes from the pin mounting piece (12), a securing member (14) which defines a seat (16) which engages the protruding portion (104) of the mounting pin (100) and locking means (18) in the form of a plurality of bolts which releasably lock the securing member (14) to the pin mounting piece (12).