Rotatable Excavator Attachment Module Without Hydraulic Motor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing excavator machines face challenges in achieving flexible and precise tool operation without the added cost, complexity, and weight of hydraulic motors for tool rotation.

Innovation Solution

An attachment module with a rotatable tool section and a locking assembly that allows the tool section to rotate relative to the excavator arm without a hydraulic motor, using an external force or torque to change the tool's operation direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hydraulic motor is added to the excavator arm to enable tool rotation, then the flexibility and precision of tool operation is improved, but the cost, complexity, and weight of the excavator arm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and precision of tool operationVSAvoidcomplexity of excavator arm

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the rotation function from the main excavator arm structure by providing a separate rotatable attachment module. This module can be detached and attached to different excavator arms, thereby removing the complexity of integrating hydraulic rotation systems into the primary arm design while still enabling flexible tool operation when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment module is designed as a universal component that can be mounted on various excavator arm types. It provides multi-functionality by combining the tool attachment capability with optional rotation functionality, allowing the same module to serve both fixed and rotatable tool configurations across different excavator models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a hydraulic motor is added to the excavator arm to enable tool rotation, then the flexibility and precision of tool operation is improved, but the weight of the excavator arm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and precision of tool operationVSAvoidweight of excavator arm

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into the main excavator arm and a separate rotatable attachment module. The rotation mechanism with hydraulic motor is contained entirely within the detachable module, so the weight penalty is isolated to the module itself rather than increasing the weight of the entire excavator arm structure. Users can choose whether to install the module based on weight-sensitive applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a tiltrotator module is added to an existing excavator arm to enable tool rotation, then the flexibility and precision of tool operation is improved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and precision of tool operationVSAvoidcost of excavator arm

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment module is designed as a cost-effective, potentially disposable or replaceable component rather than a permanent integrated system. This approach allows users to add rotation capability only when needed for specific tasks, avoiding the high upfront cost of manufacturing entire excavator arms with built-in rotation systems. The module can be removed or replaced without affecting the main arm structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a tiltrotator module is added to an existing excavator arm to enable tool rotation, then the flexibility and precision of tool operation is improved, but the weight and size may not be suited for smaller excavator machines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and precision of tool operationVSAvoidweight and size of attachment module

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment module incorporates a compact rotation mechanism that dynamically adapts to different excavator arm sizes. The module's design allows it to be mounted on various arm configurations, and its rotation functionality is activated only when needed, optimizing the weight-to-functionality ratio for both small and large excavator machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4245926B1Attachment module, excavator arm, excavator, and method of rotating a tool relative to excavator arm

Publication Date: 2025.04.30 LIMAKO TEKNIK AB

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AI summary

An attachment module (1) is disclosed configured to attach a tool (2) to a distal end (3') of an excavator arm (3). The attachment module (1) comprises an arm section (5) and a tool section (6). The tool section (6) is rotatably arranged relative to the arm section (5) around a rotation axis (Ra). The attachment module (1) comprises a locking assembly (7) controllable between a locked state and an unlocked state in which the locking assembly (7) unlocks the tool section (6) from the arm section (5) such that the tool section (6) is free to rotate relative to the arm section (5) around the rotation axis (Ra). The present disclosure further relates to an excavator arm (3), an excavator machine (4), a method (100) of rotating a tool (2) relative to an excavator arm (3), a computer program, and a computer-readable medium (200).