Pitch Adjustment Assembly With Offset Bushing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pitch adjustment systems for machine-mounted tools, such as turnbuckle links, are prone to self-adjustment under vibrations, costly, and susceptible to damage under high loads, making it difficult to maintain a consistent pitch angle.

Innovation Solution

A pitch adjustment assembly featuring a link with bushings having offset bores and pins that allow incremental adjustments by reconfiguring the bushings within slots, reducing shear loads on fasteners and enhancing stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a turnbuckle link is used for pitch adjustment, then the pitch angle can be adjusted manually, but the system becomes prone to self-adjustment under vibrations and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual pitch adjustmentVSAvoidpitch angle consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pitch adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete components: a link with slots, bushings with offset bores, and pins. This segmentation allows the system to maintain manual adjustability while improving reliability through controlled, discrete positioning options rather than continuous adjustment, preventing self-adjustment under vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bushing acts as an intermediary component between the link and the pin. The bushing with its offset bore provides a stable, vibration-resistant connection point that mediates the force transmission, preventing the turnbuckle link from self-adjusting while maintaining manual pitch adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a turnbuckle link is used for pitch adjustment, then the pitch angle can be adjusted, but the system is expensive and prone to damage under high loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitch adjustment capabilityVSAvoidresistance to high loads

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a composite approach combining robust mechanical components (link, bushing, pin) with precise geometric features (offset bores, slots). This composite design provides both adaptability for pitch adjustment and strength to resist high loads, avoiding the expense and fragility of traditional turnbuckle links.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The bushing with offset bore provides beforehand cushioning by creating a stable, pre-positioned connection point that absorbs and distributes high loads before they can damage the pitch adjustment mechanism, protecting the system while maintaining full adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a turnbuckle link is used for pitch adjustment, then the pitch angle can be changed, but it is difficult to attain a consistent pitch angle between uses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitch angle variabilityVSAvoidpitch angle consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bushing with its precisely engineered offset bore is pre-positioned within the link's slot before assembly. This preliminary action ensures that when the pin is inserted, the pitch angle is automatically and consistently positioned, eliminating variability between uses while maintaining the ability to adjust pitch angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the top link assembly configuration is used, then pitch adjustment is achieved, but fasteners are exposed to high shear loads requiring special hardening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitch angle adjustmentVSAvoidfastener processing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional fastener-based mechanical system is replaced with a bushing-and-pin system. The bushing with offset bore and the pin create a robust connection that eliminates the need for specially hardened fasteners, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining pitch adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Adaptability or versatility

If the top link assembly configuration is used, then pitch adjustment is possible, but spacer plates may slide relative to adjustment plates inadvertently adjusting the pitch angle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitch adjustment rangeVSAvoidpitch angle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bushing serves as a stable intermediary component between the link and the pin, preventing inadvertent movement. The offset bore geometry creates a positive mechanical stop that prevents the spacer plates from sliding relative to the adjustment plates, maintaining pitch angle stability while allowing intentional adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10087600B2Pitch adjustment assembly for machine-mounted tool

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

An assembly for use in adjusting a pitch of a tool relative to a machine may have a link with a first end connectable to the tool and a second end connectable to the machine. The assembly may also have a bushing configured to engage a slot in at least one of the machine and the tool. An offset bore may be formed in the bushing. The assembly may also have a pin passing through the offset bore of the bushing and the link. The bushing may be reconfigurable between a plurality of discrete positions within the slot to incrementally adjust the pitch of the tool relative to the machine.