Pivoting Heel Shroud Assembly for Weld-Free Bucket Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficient connection of heel shrouds to excavator buckets is challenging due to issues with welding, which leads to difficult removal and replacement, and mechanical systems that are not as secure or require complex arrangements, potentially weakening the bucket heel.
Innovation Solution
A heel shroud assembly with a locking arm that pivots about an axis and a restraining means to selectively restrict pivoting, using a bucket engaging portion, projection, and resilient locator for secure attachment to the excavator bucket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to attach heel shroud to excavator bucket, then connection strength is improved, but removal and replacement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: a heel shroud, a locking arm, and a restraining means. The locking arm pivots about an axis and can be selectively restricted by the restraining means, allowing the shroud to be attached and detached without welding. This segmentation enables strong connection during use while facilitating easy removal when needed.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical engagement system is used to attach heel shroud, then removal and replacement ease is improved, but connection strength and security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is designed to pivot about an axis, transitioning between locked and unlocked positions. The restraining means selectively restricts this pivoting motion to maintain the locked position during operation. This dynamic mechanism provides both ease of removal and strong connection security.
3Ease of operation
If bolted system is used to attach heel shroud, then removal and replacement ease is improved, but bucket heel strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt that would pass through the bucket heel is extracted from the design. Instead, the locking arm pivots about an axis located at the bucket heel without requiring penetrating fasteners. This eliminates the weakening effect of bolts while maintaining ease of removal and replacement.
4Device complexity
If simple locking system is used to attach heel shroud, then device complexity is reduced, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm and restraining means are combined into an integrated mechanism where the restraining means selectively restricts the pivoting of the locking arm. This merging provides reliable connection through a relatively simple structure, avoiding the need for complex multi-component locking systems.
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
Facilitates fast and secure attachment and removal of heel shrouds without weakening the bucket, reducing downtime and ensuring a robust connection.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient locator positioned within at least one of the locating arms
Data Source
AI summary
A heel shroud assembly for connection of a heel shroud to an excavator bucket is disclosed. The heel shroud assembly includes a locking arm arranged to pivot about an axis of the heel shroud, and a restraining means is arranged to selectively restrict the pivoting of the locking arm.