Reversible Bucket Coupler for Excavator Orientation Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current excavator couplers do not allow the operator to reverse the orientation of the bucket with respect to the excavator, limiting flexibility and efficiency in excavation tasks.

Innovation Solution

A reversible bucket coupler device made from steel plate, comprising hook-like excavator couplers and L-shaped bucket couplers, with transverse attachment and support panels, enabling the bucket teeth to face away from the excavator cab, allowing for reversed orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a standard bucket coupler is used, then the bucket orientation is fixed with teeth facing the cab, but the flexibility and efficiency in excavation tasks are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebucket orientation flexibilityVSAvoidcoupler structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupler is divided into separate panels (first side excavator panel, second side excavator panel, first side bucket panel, second side bucket panel) connected by transverse attachment panels, allowing independent positioning and reversible assembly to achieve multiple bucket orientations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupler structure is designed to be reversible, allowing the bucket to be oriented with teeth facing away from the cab by inverting the standard configuration. The symmetric design with hook-like excavator couplers and L-shaped bucket couplers on both sides enables this inversion without requiring a different coupler design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the bucket orientation is reversed with teeth facing away from the cab, then operational efficiency and safety are enhanced, but the coupler structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcavation task efficiencyVSAvoidcoupler structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupler structure serves multiple functions: it allows both standard orientation (teeth facing cab) and reversed orientation (teeth facing away from cab), enabling the same device to adapt to different excavation task requirements and improve productivity across various scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse attachment and support panels merge the excavator panels and bucket panels into a unified reversible structure, combining multiple functional elements into a single integrated coupler system that achieves both orientations through one design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11898319B2Reversible bucket coupler for excavator buckets and method of use

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 PETRO JACOB A

AI summary

The present invention provides a reversible bucket coupler device and method of use for reversing the orientation of a bucket used with an excavator so that the teeth of the bucket is facing away from the cab of the excavator and method of use. The reversed orientation of the bucket using the reversible bucket coupler device provides an operator of an excavator the ability to complete tasks in a more efficient, clean and safe manner, as well as providing much needed flexibility in the way excavation projects can be performed.