Quick-Change Jaw Set With Self-Aligning Bridge Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing demolition, recycling, and material processing equipment requires multiple distinct tools for different tasks, leading to high capital costs and inefficiencies in tool changes and equipment operation.
Innovation Solution
A multiple tool attachment system with a quick release mechanism, allowing tools with movable jaws to be easily attached and detached from a universal body without disengaging the main pivot pin, utilizing a bridge housing that is detachably connected to both the receiving member and the hydraulic cylinder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distinct tools are used for different demolition tasks, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but capital costs increase and tool change time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal body with a standardized receiving member that can accommodate multiple different tool sets through a common quick-change interface. The bridge housing with keeper pins provides a universal attachment mechanism that works with various tool configurations, allowing the single body to perform multiple demolition functions without requiring separate equipment for each task type.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool set is divided into separable components: the bridge housing containing the main pivot pin, the receiving member on the body, and the tool-specific elements (blades, jaws, etc.). This segmentation allows the tool set to be quickly detached and replaced by simply removing the bridge housing from the receiving member, eliminating the need to disassemble the entire tool assembly and significantly reducing tool change time.
2Productivity
If a quick release system is implemented for tool changes, then tool change time is reduced, but the complexity of the attachment mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into the bridge housing with integrated keeper pins and the receiving member with corresponding apertures. This segmentation allows the quick-change function to be achieved through a simple pin-and-aperture interface rather than a complex multi-component system, reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining rapid tool change capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The main pivot pin is extracted from the tool set and permanently integrated into the bridge housing. This extraction simplifies the quick-change process by eliminating the need to handle or reposition the main pivot pin during tool changes - the operator only needs to detach the bridge housing from the receiving member, significantly reducing tool change complexity while maintaining speed.
3Ease of operation
If the main pivot pin is disengaged during tool changes, then tool detachment is simplified, but tool integrity and alignment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The main pivot pin is extracted from the tool set and permanently integrated into the bridge housing. This ensures the pivot pin remains securely positioned and pre-aligned during all tool changes, eliminating misalignment risks while still allowing easy tool detachment through the bridge housing interface. The pivot pin stays intact and properly positioned, maintaining tool integrity and operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge housing is pre-configured with the main pivot pin in its correct position and orientation before the tool set is attached to the body. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the tool set is quickly attached by connecting the bridge housing to the receiving member, the pivot pin is already correctly aligned, eliminating the need for post-attachment alignment adjustments and ensuring immediate operational reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If distinct tools are used for each body, then each tool can be optimized for its specific task, but equipment investment costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal body platform with a standardized receiving member that can interface with multiple different tool sets through the common bridge housing attachment system. This allows a single body to be equipped with various specialized tools (shears, crushers, grapples, etc.) as needed, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain separate bodies for each tool type, thereby significantly reducing equipment capital costs while maintaining task specialization capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple tool attachment system is adapted to be attached to demolition equipment. The system includes a universal body attached to the demolition equipment. A series of tools are independently attachable to the universal body. Each tool generally includes a bridge housing with a pair of jaws that are pivotable relative to one another and adapted to be attached to the receiving member of a universal body. The multiple tool attachment system is provided with quick change features designed to optimize strength and ease of removing and installing the bridge housing.