Trapeze-Shaped Fitting Interlock for Quick Attachment Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting devices for underground extraction machines, such as those used in coal mining, face difficulties in quick and simple attachment and detachment due to cumbersome screw connections and potential jamming, especially under high cross forces and in environments where small coal caking occurs.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device featuring trapeze-shaped fittings and counter fittings that interlock via vertical movement, utilizing locking strips and grooves for secure attachment and detachment without screw connections or wedges, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly even under high cross forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screw connections and retaining strips are used to secure attachments, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome detaching processes
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is divided into separate fitting and counter fitting components that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The fitting is secured to the trough pan while the counter fitting on the attachment can be quickly connected and disconnected, enabling easy detachment without affecting overall connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of securing the attachment to the trough pan directly with difficult-to-remove fasteners, the invention inverts the approach by using a fitting- counter fitting system where the counter fitting on the movable attachment connects to the fixed fitting. This allows the attachment to be secured strongly while enabling simple vertical movement for detachment.
2Reliability
If retaining pieces such as screw bolts are used, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the loss of time increases due to time-consuming detaching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device transitions from static screw connections to a dynamic system where the counter fitting can move vertically relative to the fitting. This dynamic vertical movement mechanism allows the connection to remain reliable during operation while enabling rapid detachment when needed, significantly reducing the time required for maintenance operations.
3Strength
If traditional connecting devices are used in environments with small coal caking, then the connection strength is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to jamming of bolts and retaining strips
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the problematic retaining strips and screw bolts from the connecting device design. By eliminating these components that are prone to jamming in coal mining environments, the system achieves both strong connections through the fitting-counter fitting interlock and easy operation through vertical movement without jamming issues.
4Ease of operation
If hook joint connections are used to facilitate placement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to inability to prevent pivoting apart under high cross forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the ease of hook joint connection with the reliability of positive locking. The fitting and counter fitting are designed to interlock in a manner that provides both simple vertical movement for easy placement and interlocking features that prevent pivoting apart under high cross forces, combining the advantages of both previous designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting device for connecting an attachment to a side member of a trough pan of an extracting device is provided. The connecting device includes first fittings on a side member and counter fittings on the attachment, which are detachably connectable to the first fittings. At least one retaining piece prevents detachment of fitting and counter fitting. The first fitting tapers upward in a trapeze-shaped manner and the counter fitting tapers upward in a trapeze-shaped manner, so that by a vertical movement, the first fitting and the counter fitting are able to be fitted into each other or to be detached from each other, and the first fitting and counter fitting are provided with locking strips and/or grooves which interlock in a locking state.