Wear assembly of an earth-moving machine and corresponding machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wear assembly (1) of an earth-moving machine (2) comprising at least a support (3) and a wear element (4); wherein one of the parts is provided with an opening (6) which is facing the second part and opens toward the interface between both parts; the assembly (1) further comprising a presence sensor (7) arranged in said opening (6), control means (8), and communication means (9); said presence sensor (7) comprises a magnetic source (71) and a magnetic sensor (72) configured to measure the magnetic field of said magnetic source (71); said control means (8) configured to receive measurements from the magnetic sensor (72), to determine the presence or absence of said second part based on a variation in said measurements, and to send, using said communication means (9), information about the presence or absence of said second part.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention is comprised in the field of earth-moving machines, particularly for excavators, loaders, dredging machines, or the like.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a wear assembly of an earth-moving machine comprising assembling parts that can be assembled together, which comprise at least a support and a wear element; such that they can have at least an assembled position in which said assembling parts are assembled together and a separated position in which said assembling parts are separated from one another; wherein a first part from among said assembling parts is provided with an opening which, in said assembled position, is facing at least a second part from among said assembling parts, which is different from said first part; such that, in said assembled position, an assembling interface is defined between said first part and said second part, and said opening opens at least toward said assembling interface; wherein said wear assembly further comprises: a presence sensor arranged in said opening; a control means; and a communication means.

[0003] The invention also relates to an earth-moving machine comprising at least one wear assembly according to the invention.State of the Art

[0004] Wear elements and their supports are parts usually made of strong materials, usually cast material, given that they are exposed to working conditions that normally involve high pressures and extreme temperatures. A common example of a wear element is an excavator tooth, with the support thereof being commonly known as a tooth adapter; however, there are numerous types of earth-moving machines, such as loaders, excavators, dredging machines, bulldozers, etc. Likewise, there are different wear elements and supports, such as teeth, intermediate adapters, front guards, side guards, cast lips and buckets, among others.

[0005] It is desirable to control the presence of the wear element on the support during earth-moving operations, given that if the wear element were to come loose, it could be lost among the extraction material, which involves deterioration of the support and a loss of efficiency in earth-moving tasks. Furthermore, it can be particularly problematic in cases in which said material passes through a grinder, given that the presence of a wear element could cause damage or interrupt the operation of said grinder. Furthermore, the removal of a wear element from the grinder may involve a very high risk of accident.

[0006] For this reason, different solutions aimed at determining the presence or absence of the wear element have been developed. However, many of these solutions require complex systems, with electronic components that may be rather unsuitable for the working conditions, which require the solution to be physically very robust.

[0007] Some of the proposed solutions, such as PCT / ES2021 / 070594, involve the use of magnetic elements, for example, a magnet arranged in the wear element which generates a magnetic field. A corresponding magnetic sensor which detects the presence or absence of said magnetic field is positioned in the support. Thus, the magnet is placed in one part and the detector in another; if the detector detects the presence of the magnetic field, it is determined that the parts are together, whereas if no magnetic field is detected or the detection is below a threshold, it is deduced that the part where the magnet is located has been separated.

[0008] This type of solutions solve the technical problem of determining the presence or absence of the wear element. However, they require the presence of two elements, one in the support and another in the wear element which, furthermore, must be as well aligned as possible when the machine is in operation so as to not cause the false determination of falling. Moreover, it is necessary to provide a suitable location on both the support and the wear element for the installation of the magnet and the sensor. This may require modifying the structure of said elements, therefore, suitable molds must be manufactured, hindering the reuse of pre-existing parts.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a need to provide an invention which constitutes an alternative to the known technique and that allows solving the aforementioned problems.Description of the Invention

[0010] In the context of this document and its figures, and unless otherwise indicated, the assembling interface reference coordinates uses a convention wherein the word "vertical" corresponds to a direction perpendicular to said interface, and the word "horizontal" corresponds to a direction parallel to said interface. In addition, the wear element and the support each have an assembling portion with an external assembling surface, both assembling portions being complementary to one another, such that, in the assembled position, the respective external assembling surfaces of the wear element and of the support are facing one another, thereby defining said assembling interface.

[0011] The purpose of the invention is to provide a wear assembly of the type indicated above, which allows solving the problems described above.

[0012] This purpose is achieved by means of a wear assembly of the type indicated above, characterized in that said second part is made of a ferromagnetic material in at least one portion which, in said assembled position, is facing said opening; and wherein said presence sensor comprises: a magnetic source, comprising one or more magnetic field-generating elements, said magnetic source being configured to generate a magnetic field; and a magnetic sensor, configured to measure said magnetic field generated by said magnetic source; said control means being configured to receive magnetic field measurements from said magnetic sensor and to determine the presence or absence of said second part based on a variation in said magnetic field measurements, and to send, using said communication means, at least one communication signal including information about the presence or absence of said second part.

[0013] Therefore, in the case of the invention, both the magnetic source and the magnetic sensor are located in the same part from among said assembling parts, for example, either in the support or the wear element. Therefore, the presence sensor is placed in a first part (for example, the support or the wear element) and the second part (for example, the wear element or the support) is the part to be detected, and alterations in the structure thereof are not required. This allows avoiding modifications in the second part and simplifies both stock management and the need to create specific parts to accommodate each component separately. Although it has been indicated that the assembling parts comprise at least a support and a wear element, as will be indicated below, further parts may also be present. In the context of the invention, it is sufficient that the selected first and second parts have an interface between them in the assembled position, and that the first part has enough space for accommodating the components that allow detection.

[0014] The field generated by the magnetic source may be a combination of magnetic fields generated by each of said magnetic field-generating elements in case that there are more than one of said elements. In the assembled position in which the assembling parts are assembled together, the second part interferes with said magnetic field, thereby altering the characteristics of the magnetic flux that can be detected by the magnetic sensor. If said alteration involves a measurable variation of the magnetic field measured by the magnetic sensor, it is possible to determine whether or not the second part is present. This technical effect enables the determination of the presence or absence of the second part with a single presence sensor and without having to arrange any magnetic source in said second part. The second part must have a portion made of a ferromagnetic material, at least in an area which is facing the opening of the first part in the assembled position, such that said ferromagnetic material interferes with the magnetic field generated by the magnetic source. Conveniently, this requirement can be easily fulfilled given that the parts are usually made of cast iron.

[0015] In turn, as will be described below, the control means, and the communication means may or may not be integrated monolithically together with the presence sensor or they may be located in different places. Furthermore, the communication means may be wired or wireless communication means. Advantageously, the elements arranged inside the opening may be protected, for example, by means of a filler material or encapsulated inside a protective capsule. By way of non-exclusive examples, the elements may be held inside the opening by friction, for example, in the case of using a protective capsule, by means of the filler material itself, by means of adhesives, or by welding.

[0016] The wear assembly may further comprise other technical elements, for example, pressure, temperature, and movement sensors, accelerometers, strain gauges, or other types of components which allow additional functionalities. These elements may be incorporated in the same opening as the presence sensor, even integrated in the presence sensor and / or inside a protective capsule, or in other locations which are suitable for their operation. Likewise, the control means may be further configured to send, through the communication means, additional information of the wear assembly, for example, information from the aforementioned technical elements such as additional sensors.

[0017] Likewise, the wear assembly may comprise further wear elements and / or supports. It is also common for one and the same part to be, at the same time, a wear element (for example, couplable to a support base), and also a support for a further wear element. An example of this configuration is a cast-lip that acts as a support for a tooth adapter, which is subject to wear, and the presence of which is to be controlled, and said tooth adapter in turn acts as a support for a tooth the presence of which is also to be controlled. A presence sensor would thus be provided in each assembling interface of the elements to be controlled.

[0018] This solution allows eliminating the need to install a proximity device (magnet, RFID tag, among others) in the second part, i.e., the part to be detected. In the preferred embodiments, said second part is the wear element. By way of illustration, generally the frequency for the consumption of the wear elements is between 6 and 10 times greater than the consumption of the supports. Therefore, in the embodiments in which the sensor is located in the support to detect the wear element, said wear elements do not need modifications or additional elements for their detection, reducing magnet consumption in the same proportion of between 6 to 10 times lower. This factor does not only provide significant benefits in terms of reduced magnet consumption, but also allows wear element assembly and production costs to be reduced. These embodiments also provide benefits in terms of ease of recycling and carbon footprint impact reduction. Once the wear element is worn, it is not necessary to perform any additional process to remove and recycle the magnet, and all the components to be recycled are integrated in a single sensor element that is readily removed and recycled.

[0019] Preferably, said assembling parts further comprise a lock, more preferably a pin, configured to lock at least said support and said wear element in said assembled position. The wear assembly may further contain other additional locks which are also part of said assembling parts. Thus, different alternatives may be envisaged for the first part and the second part, for example, in the case where the assembling parts comprise a support, a wear element, and a lock, the first part may be any one of them, and the second part may be another different one, by way of example: the first part is the lock, and the second part is either the support or the wear element; the first part is the support, and the second part is either the wear element or the lock; or the first part is the wear element, and the second part is either the support or the lock.

[0020] Preferably, said communication means comprise wired communication means and / or wireless communication means. Different wireless communication means known in the art, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth ®< , or other communication protocols which allow sending data wirelessly, may be envisaged. It may also be envisaged that the communication means is a combination of wireless and wired means, for example, by way of a safety system in case one of the systems fails. Wireless means are particularly advantageous in the case where the presence sensor is located in the wear element or in the lock given that, in this case, it would be difficult to establish a wired communication with the outside.

[0021] Preferably, said at least one communication signal comprises a loss signal when a change from presence to absence of said second part is determined and / or an assembling signal when a change from absence to presence of said second part is determined.

[0022] Preferably, said control means is configured to determine said presence or absence of said second part periodically and to send a corresponding periodic presence or absence signal, so that said at least one communication signal comprises said periodic signal. This embodiment also allows said periodic signal to be interpreted as an indication that the presence sensor continues to be active.

[0023] Preferably, said first part is said support, so that it is facing said second part in said assembled position, and configured to determine the presence or absence of said second part, for example, the wear element or the lock. This option is particularly advantageous given that it facilitates the use of wireless communication means. An additional advantage is that the support usually has a structure which facilitates the placement of the opening and is generally less exposed to the extreme temperatures and pressures experienced by other parts such as the wear elements. Furthermore, given that the life cycle of the support is usually longer, the same presence sensor may be reused for several wear elements or locks once they wear out and are replaced. The particularly advantageous positions, regardless of the part in which the presence sensor is located, are those that are less affected by working material compaction and / or less exposed to stress buildup, such that the part is weakened, to a lesser extent, by the presence of the opening. In the case of the support, a position which complies with the preceding features is on the lateral sides of said support.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, said first part is said wear element, so that it is facing said second part in said assembled position, and configured to determine the presence or absence of said second part, for example, the support or the lock. This option is advantageous to avoid modifications in the support, so that the supplier of the parts can provide complete wear elements which incorporate the electronic elements such as the presence sensor, the control means, and the communication means. For this alternative, the use of wireless communication means is preferred. An embodiment with similar technical effects is the one in which the first part is the lock and the second part is the wear element or the support.

[0025] Preferably, said magnetic sensor has a direction of maximum sensitivity to the magnetic field and said magnetic sensor is arranged so that said direction of maximum sensitivity is oriented toward said assembling interface in said assembled position. Thus, detection is maximized in the case where the magnetic field lines altered by the presence of the second part are perpendicular to the assembling interface. It has been observed in simulation tests that, in fact, this is often the case for different positions of the magnetic source.

[0026] Preferably, said magnetic sensor is a Hall effect sensor, so that it has a reduced energy consumption. In a preferred option, said sensor is an analog sensor, which allows taking measurements with an approximately linear response in the working range and facilitates an eventual pre-calibration. In an alternative embodiment, said sensor is a digital sensor, so it has an even more reduced consumption, in this case, it is convenient to select a digital Hall sensor in which the hysteresis loop is adjusted to the values of the possible variation in magnetic field between the assembled position and the separated position. Alternatively, another type of magnetic sensors known in the art may also be used, by way of non-exclusive examples, inductors and reed sensors.

[0027] Preferably, each of said magnetic field-generating elements of said magnetic source comprises at least one of: a magnet; an inductor, preferably an electromagnet.

[0028] The use of electromagnets involves greater electric consumption than in the case of magnets, however, they provide a probably greater magnetic field. A preferred embodiment if electromagnets are used is that the magnetic field is not generated continuously but rather in short-duration pulses. For this option, the electromagnet is activated, measurement is taken by the magnetic sensor, and the electromagnet is deactivated again, thus electric consumption can be minimized. Similar functionality can also be obtained by means of using coils.

[0029] Preferably, each of said one or more magnetic field-generating elements of said magnetic source is arranged so that, in said assembled position, one of the magnetic poles thereof is directed toward said assembling interface. It has been observed by means of numerical simulations and subsequent experimentation that this option maximizes magnetic field variation effect, particularly if the surface of the second part facing said interface is positioned perpendicular to the direction of the poles. In this case, by assembling the first part and the second part, a vertical magnetic field concentration effect is maximized due to the influence of the second part. This concentration causes the magnetic flux to increase in the direction of the pole of each magnetic field-generating element and to decrease horizontally when the first part and the second part are assembled together. Preferably, all of said one or more magnetic field-generating elements are arranged with their poles oriented in the same direction in order to maximize the effect described above and prevent possible cancelations of magnetic field in some regions.

[0030] Preferably, said presence sensor is arranged in said opening and is free of the presence of ferromagnetic material between said presence sensor and said assembling interface in said assembled position. Thus, interference of magnetic field alterations between the magnetic source and the second part is avoided. For practical purposes, this absence of ferromagnetic material generally means that the magnetic source and magnetic sensor are not arranged under a metal cover or the like which may alter the field lines toward said assembling interface.

[0031] Preferably, said magnetic sensor is provided in a position in which the difference in magnetic flux of said magnetic field generated by said magnetic source between said assembled position and said separated position is greater than any of the differences caused at least by: working temperature, which can change the behavior of the magnetic source; the play between said first part and said second part; and alteration in the position of said presence sensor due to material compaction; and preferably, also of temporary degradation of the components; and impacts and vibrations experienced by the wear assembly;

[0032] Therefore, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the second part, even in the presence of situations that may interfere, given that variation in the measurement is greater than the influence of all those interferences. Different configurations regarding the positions of the magnetic sensor and of the magnetic source may be envisaged, some of them are described by way of illustrative examples herein. It has been experimentally determined that variations due to the working temperature are the interferences possibly having the greatest influence, said variations due to the working temperature affect the magnetic field generated by the magnetic source and may also influence the magnetic sensor even by way of thermal noise, the play, i.e., the relative movements between the first part and the second part, which can affect relative alignment and distance between the parts, and alterations in the position of the presence sensor, i.e., of the magnetic sensor and / or the magnetic source which are generally due to effect of material compaction in the assembling interface. There are other types of interferences, for example, interferences due to the presence of ferromagnetic material in soils in which work is being performed, however, the effects thereof are generally less relevant.

[0033] Preferably, said magnetic sensor is horizontally spaced away from each of said magnetic field-generating elements. Thus, if the magnetic field lines are concentrated vertically in the assembled position, the sensor is exposed to a variation in the magnetic field between the assembled position and the separated position and vice versa. One skilled in the art will understand that, for said variation to be measurable, it is necessary for the sensor not to be too horizontally spaced away from the magnetic source, or too close to same so as to saturate it, such that the range of detection of the magnetic sensor is also maximized. The specific horizontal separation point will therefore depend on the characteristics of the magnetic sensor, the magnetic source, and the position and characteristics of the second part, however, one skilled in the art will have no problem in determining the ideal position for determining said position based on the operating considerations described above.

[0034] Preferably, said variation in said magnetic field measurements comprises an increase in the magnetic field measurement between said assembled position and said separated position. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the magnetic sensor is arranged with its direction of maximum sensitivity toward the assembling interface in the assembled position and / or, when the magnetic field-generating element or elements are arranged with the poles thereof oriented toward said assembling interface.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, said magnetic sensor is arranged vertically above said magnetic source. In this configuration, the concentration of the magnetic field lines described above also means a variation in the measurements between the assembled position and the separated position, in this case, a decrease. Like the preceding case, the magnetic sensor must be located close enough to the magnetic source to enable detecting said variation, but far enough away so as not to saturate same. This embodiment is also advantageous when the magnetic sensor is arranged with its direction of maximum sensitivity toward the assembling interface in the assembled position, and / or when the magnetic field generating element or elements are arranged with their poles oriented toward said assembling interface.

[0036] Preferably, said control means is further configured to store previously obtained calibration parameters, comprising one of: a first reference value for said assembled position; and a second reference value for said separated position; and a reference value for one of said assembled position and said separated position, and a differential value; wherein said control means is further configured to determine the presence or absence of said second part based on a comparison of said variation in said magnetic field measurements with respect to said calibration parameters. This calibration allows comparing the variation of the measurements with reference values which, by way of non-exclusive examples, may be previously introduced during manufacture and / or may be taken in field measurements. This calibration allows adjusting the thresholds for the detection of the presence and / or absence of the second part, thereby improving the results.

[0037] Preferably, at least one of said calibration parameters is previously stored in said control means, for example, by means of calibration at the time of product manufacture or assembly. By way of non-exclusive examples, the second reference value or both may be pre-calibrated, the reference value may also be pre-calibrated but not the differential value. In preferred modes, the pre-calibrated value stored in the control means corresponds at least to the value in the separated position, although the case where it corresponds to the assembled position may also be envisaged.

[0038] Preferably, said control means is further configured to take at least one measurement of said magnetic field in one among said assembled position and said separated position, thereby determining at least one of said configuration parameters, such that they may be a combination of factory or in situ calibration, by way of non-exclusive examples, the parameter corresponding to the measurement in the assembled position or the differential value.

[0039] In an advantageous embodiment, said wear assembly further comprises a magnetic activator, comprising an additional magnetic sensor, preferably a Hall sensor, configured to detect the presence of an additional magnetic field; said magnetic activator being configured to cause the transition of said presence sensor, and preferably, said control means, from a standby state to an operating state when said additional magnetic sensor detects the presence of said external magnetic field. Different alternatives may be envisaged for said standby state and said operating state where, by way of non-exclusive example, in the standby state, said presence sensor, and preferably also said control means, are deactivated, without electric consumption, and in said operating state, said presence sensor, and preferably also said control means, are activated and have electric consumption. Other non-exclusive examples may also be envisaged, for example, wherein in the standby state the presence sensor, and preferably the control means, have an electric consumption that is lower than in the operating state. This option may be achieved, by way of example, if during the standby state, the presence sensor, and preferably also the control means, are configured to be activated periodically with a first period, and during the standby state, they are configured to be activated periodically with a second period shorter than the first period.

[0040] This configuration allows the electronic elements of the wear assembly to have a low or even zero consumption, until the additional magnetic sensor detects the presence of an additional magnetic field, originating from a source different from the magnetic source of the presence sensor, for example, by means of a magnet brought closer to the wear assembly by an operator. At the moment of detecting the presence of the additional magnetic field, the electronic components transition to the normal operating state, even when said additional magnetic field disappears. This allows minimizing the electric consumption of the components of the wear assembly, particularly while they are in storage or still not in use, prolonging the service life thereof while they are in storage or still not in use.

[0041] Preferably, said additional magnetic field is generated by one of: a portable external magnet; and a magnet arranged inside said opening. The case where said additional magnetic field is generated by means of a portable external magnet allows an operator to bring said magnet close to the additional magnetic sensor of the wear assembly so that the magnetic activator performs its function. This is a particularly advantageous option when the wear assembly or at least the first part (support, wear element, lock, etc.) in which the presence sensor is located is supplied with the presence sensor already incorporated in the part. Alternatively, the option of a magnet arranged inside said opening allows the activator to perform its function when the electronic components are installed in the part, which is a particularly advantageous embodiment in the case wherein the part and the components are supplied separately and may be assembled in situ.

[0042] Preferably, said magnetic source, said magnetic sensor of said presence sensor, and where applicable, said additional magnetic sensor of said magnetic activator, are all arranged inside a protective capsule inserted into said opening, which facilitates the assembly thereof and allows protecting the components from the working conditions.

[0043] Preferably, the control means is arranged inside said capsule, thereby forming a monolithic encapsulated assembly. Options in which the control means is outside said capsule may also be envisaged.

[0044] Preferably, said presence sensor, and more preferably also said control means, are electrically powered by means of at least one of: at least one battery arranged inside said capsule, thereby providing a device que that can work autonomously, this being a particularly advantageous option when the components are protected by means of a protective capsule; and power supply wires, which allow supplying more electric power when necessary, increasing autonomy, and reducing the size occupied by the assembly of elements arranged inside the opening. Likewise, the power supply wires themselves may be further configured to allow sending information, for example, between the presence sensor and the control means, if it is located spaced away from the presence sensor, or acting as the wired communication means described above if the presence sensor and the control means are all arranged inside said opening.

[0045] Preferably, said control means is not arranged in said opening. This configuration has various advantages, for example, it minimizes the size of the opening that does not need to contain the control means. Preferably, the control means is located spaced away from the assembling interface, which allows them to be less affected by the extreme working conditions to which the wear assembly is subjected. The control means is connected to said presence sensor to receive said magnetic field measurements from said presence sensor by an additional communication means, preferably by means of a wired connection.

[0046] Preferably, said wired connection of said additional communication means is further configured to electrically power said presence sensor, which allows reducing the number of cables required.

[0047] The invention also relates to an earth-moving machine comprising at least one wear assembly according to any one of the preferred embodiments described above.

[0048] In an embodiment of said earth-moving machine, a group of wear assemblies shares one and the same control means. For example, in an excavator, all the wear assemblies of the excavator bucket may share one and the same control module which acts by way of control means. Thus, each presence sensor of the group of wear assemblies is connected to said control module to send respective magnetic field measurements to the wear assembly to which the presence sensor corresponds. This option minimizes the total number of elements of the machine and is particularly suitable in the case in which there is a wired connection between the presence sensors and the control module.

[0049] The invention also covers other detailed features illustrated in the detailed description of embodiments of the invention and in the attached figures.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0050] The advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which preferred embodiments of the invention are described in a nonlimiting manner with respect to scope of the main claim. Figure 1 schematically shows a bucket of an excavator provided with several wear assemblies according to the invention. Figure 2 schematically shows an earth-moving machine provided with several wear assemblies according to the invention. For clarity's sake, only one of the wear assemblies of the bucket is indicated. Figure 3 is a side view of a wear assembly in the assembled position. Figure 4 is a side view of the support of the wear assembly of Figure 3 in the separated position. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the assembly of Figure 3. Figure 6 is a perspective view in which the inside of the isolated wear element of Figure 3 is shown. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a capsule according to an embodiment of the invention which contains the presence sensor. To enable visualization, the upper cover of the capsule has been removed from the view. Figure 8 is a vertical section of the capsule of Figure 7 in which the cover is also shown. For this embodiment, it can be appreciated that the control means and a supply battery are also arranged inside the protective capsule. Figure 9 is a detailed perspective view of the elements contained inside the protective capsule of Figure 8 and Figure 9. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the capsule which, in this case, contains two magnets and an additional magnetic sensor which is part of a magnetic activator. Figure 11 is a side view of the complete capsule of Figure 10, including the cover. Figure 12 is a section view of the detail of the capsule for another embodiment. In this case, there is arranged inside the capsule the presence sensor, but not the control means, which are located spaced away from the capsule. The figure also shows power and communication wires connecting the presence sensor to the control means. Due to the section, the wires seem to be cut off, although they are actually connected to the magnetic sensor. Figure 13 shows two simulation graphs depicting the intensity of the magnetic field in situation A, in which the wear assembly is in an unassembled position, and situation B, in which the wear assembly is in an assembled position. Figure 14 shows a time evolution graph of magnetic field measurements in an exemplary situation. Axis X corresponds to time and axis Y shows the output of the magnetic sensor converted to digital values by means of an analog-digital converter, ADC. In the example, high areas corresponding to the separated position and valley areas corresponding to the assembled position are shown. Figures 15A to 15G correspond to different non-exclusive examples of positioning the presence sensor in a support. Figures 16A and 16B show different configurations in which the support is a cast lip, shown partially in Figure 16B, and the wear element is a lip guard, shown in Figure 16A. The figures show different options for positioning the presence sensor, either in the lip guard or in the cast lip. Figure 16B also shows a possible placement of the presence sensor in the case in which the wear element is a wearcap, not shown in the figures. In this last case, the position is the one shown on the upper surface of the cast lip. Figure 17 corresponds to an exploded view of a wear assembly in which the assembling parts that can be assembled together comprise a support, a wear element, and a lock which is a pin in this case. Figure 18 shows a pin provided with a presence sensor according to another embodiment. Figure 19 shows a wear element provided with a presence sensor according to another embodiment. Figure 20 shows a cast lip of an excavator shovel which acts as a support for various wear elements. The figure shows different options for positioning the presence sensor in different configuration options and different wear elements, such as the so-called wearcaps, shrouds, wing shrouds, or intermediate elements. Detailed Description of Several Embodiments of the Invention

[0051] Figure 2 shows an earth-moving machine 2 provided with a bucket with several wear assemblies 1 according to the invention. Figure 1 shows an example of a bucket provided with four wear assemblies 1, each comprising a support 3 and a wear element 4.

[0052] Figures 3 to 6 show a first embodiment of a wear assembly 1 of an earth-moving machine 2 comprising two assembling parts that can be assembled together, in particular, a support 3 and a wear element 4. In this first embodiment, the wear element 4 is an excavator tooth, whereas the support 3 is a tooth adapter. Both the support 3 and the wear element 4 are made of ferromagnetic cast material. In other embodiments derived from this first embodiment, the wear assembly 1 further includes a lock 15 configured to improve securing of the support 3 and the wear element 4, by locking the support 3 and the wear element in the assembled position.

[0053] Figure 3 shows the parts in an assembled position in which said assembling parts are assembled together, whereas Figure 4 and Figure 6 show, respectively, the support 3 and the wear element 4 in a separated position in which said assembling parts are separated from one another.

[0054] A first part from among said assembling parts which, in the case of the first embodiment corresponds to the support 3, is provided with an opening 6 on one side. In the assembled position, said opening 6 is facing a second part, in this case, the wear element 4. The section view of Figure 5 shows that, in the assembled position, an assembling interface 5 is defined between the first part and the second part, and the opening 6 of the support 3 opens toward said assembling interface 5. In other embodiments, the first part is the wear element 4 and the second part is the support 3.

[0055] Figures 7 to 9 show the details of other elements which are part of the wear assembly 1 in the first embodiment. In particular, the wear assembly 1 is provided with a presence sensor 7, a control means 8, and a communication means 9. In the first embodiment, all these elements, together with a power supply battery 12, are arranged inside a protective capsule 11 which is inserted into the opening 6 of the support 3 and is depicted in Figure 11. The cover of the capsule 6 is made of plastic, so that the wear assembly 1 is free of the presence of ferromagnetic material between the presence sensor 7 and the assembling interface 5 in said assembled position, as shown in Figure 5.

[0056] The presence sensor 7 has a magnetic source 71, with a magnet as a magnetic field-generating element 710, so that the magnetic source 71 generates a magnetic field. The presence sensor 7 also has a magnetic sensor 72 which is configured to measure the magnetic field generated by the magnetic source 71. In the first embodiment, the magnetic sensor 72 is an analog Hall effect sensor, although digital Hall effect sensors or even sensors of another type may be envisaged. The magnetic sensor 72 has a direction of maximum sensitivity to the magnetic field arranged such that it is oriented toward the assembling interface 5 when the wear assembly 1 is in the assembled position. In turn, the magnet 710 of the magnetic source 71 is arranged so that, in the assembled position, one of the magnetic poles thereof is also directed toward the assembling interface 5. The relative position between the magnet 710 and the magnetic sensor 72 is shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8, where it is shown that the magnetic sensor 72 is horizontally spaced away from the magnet 710. The word "horizontal" is used herein as depicted in the figures, particularly Figure 8. Thus, the magnetic sensor 72 is provided in a position in which the difference in magnetic flux of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic source 71 between the assembled position and the separated position is greater than any of the differences caused by the working temperature, the play between the support 3 and the wear element 4, and the alteration of the position of the presence sensor 7 due to material compaction, among others.

[0057] In the first example, the control means 8 is depicted in Figure 9 by means of a circuit. Said control means 8 is configured to receive magnetic field measurements from the magnetic sensor 72 and to determine the presence or absence of the second part based on a variation in the magnetic field measurements. Given the relative arrangement between the magnetic source 71 and the magnetic sensor 72, in the case of the first embodiment, the variation is an increase in the measurement of the magnetic field when the wear assembly 1 transitions from the assembled position to the separated position. Figure 13 shows a depiction of the intensity of the magnetic flux between the separated position A and the assembled position B. It is shown that, in the second case, the magnetic field declines in the area where the magnetic sensor 72 is located because the presence of the wear element 4 vertically concentrates the flux of magnetic field. Figure 14 depicts an exemplary time evolution of the measurements showing peak areas, shaded in the graph, corresponding to separated position A, and valley areas corresponding to assembled position B.

[0058] In the first embodiment, said communication means 9 comprises a slot antenna which is shown in Figure 7, that allows sending wireless signals to the outside of the wear assembly 1 by means of a Bluetooth-based protocol. Thus, the control means 8 sends, through the communication means 9, communication signals including information about the presence or absence of the second part. Said signals comprise a loss signal when a change from presence to absence of said second part is determined, and additionally, may also comprise an assembling signal when a change from absence to presence of said second part is determined. The measurement is taken periodically.

[0059] Other embodiments of the wear assembly 1 according to the invention which share a large part of the features of the first embodiment described above are disclosed hereinafter. Accordingly, only the differentiating elements will be described below. The same reference numbers as in the first embodiment have been used in the figures to designate equivalent elements.

[0060] In a second embodiment shown in Figure 10, the magnetic source 71 consists in two magnets 710 arranged in parallel, with the poles oriented in the same direction. In this case, the magnetic sensor 72 is arranged in an intermediate position, horizontally spaced away from both magnets 710, forming a triangle.

[0061] In the second embodiment, the wear assembly 1 further comprises a magnetic activator and has an additional magnetic sensor 10. Said magnetic activator is not exclusive of this second embodiment and may also be used in combination with the rest of the embodiments described herein, particularly embodiments in which the presence sensor 7 is powered by one or more batteries. In the case of the second embodiment, the additional magnetic sensor 10 is a Hall sensor which is configured to detect the presence of an additional magnetic field which, in the case of this embodiment, is a portable magnet that an operator may take closer to the wear assembly 1. Other configurations may be envisaged, for example, a magnet arranged inside the opening 6, such that the magnetic activator acts when the capsule 11 is introduced in the opening 6. In this embodiment, the magnetic activator is also arranged inside the capsule 11. The magnetic activator is configured to cause the transition of the presence sensor 7 and the control means 8, from a standby state to an operating state, when said additional magnetic sensor 10 detects the presence of the external magnetic field. The power consumption of the presence sensor 7 and of the control means 8, is lower in the standby state than in the operating state.

[0062] Figure 12 shows the detail of a third embodiment in which the presence sensor 7 is electrically powered by means of power supply wires 13 which further act as additional communication means 14 connecting the presence sensor 7, particularly the magnetic sensor 72, with the control means 8. In the third embodiment, the control means 8 (not shown in the figure) is not arranged in said opening 6, but rather are provided in an area which is located spaced away from the assembling interface 5 in the assembled position. In turn, the control means 8 is electrically powered by means of wires.

[0063] Figure 17 shows a fourth embodiment of the wear assembly 1 of the invention in which, in addition to the support 3 and the wear element 4, the assembling parts also comprise a lock 15, in this case a pin made of a ferromagnetic material, which is configured to lock the support 3 and the wear element 4 in the assembled position. The figure schematically shows an exploded view of the three assembling parts separated from one another. In this fourth embodiment, the first part is the support 3, and the second part is the lock 15, so the presence sensor 7 is located in an opening 6 arranged in the support 3, particularly in an inner wall of the through opening in which the pin 15 is housed.

[0064] Figure 18 shows a lock 15 of a fifth embodiment, derived from the fourth embodiment described above. In this case, the first part in which the presence sensor 7 is housed is the lock 15, whereas the second part is the wear element 4. In other embodiments, the second part is the support 3.

[0065] Figure 19 shows a wear element 4 of a sixth embodiment, derived from the fourth embodiment described above. In this case, the first part in which the presence sensor 7 is housed is the wear element 4, whereas the second part is the support 3. In other embodiments derived from this sixth embodiment, the second part is the lock 15. In the case of this embodiment, Figure 19 shows how the presence sensor 7 is provided in the lower portion of the wear element 4, in the wall that abuts with the support 3 in the assembled position. There are other embodiments in which the presence sensor 7 is provided in other locations, by way of non-exclusive examples, on one side, in the upper portion, or even in the inner wall formed when fitting the wear element 4 and the support 3. Still in other embodiments, the wear sensor 7 is arranged in the hole envisaged for the lock 15, in this case, the second part would be said lock 15.

[0066] Figure 20 shows different alternatives for other embodiments of the wear assemblies 1 in which the support 3 is a cast lip having presence sensors 7 for detecting several wear elements 4, particularly for tooth adapter, wearcaps, shrouds, wing shrouds, or other intermediate elements.

[0067] In a seventh embodiment not shown in the figures, derived from any of the preceding embodiments, although advantageously from embodiments wherein the presence sensor 7 is externally powered (for example, in the third embodiment), each of the magnetic field-generating elements 710 of the magnetic source 71 is at least one inductor, in particular an electromagnet.

[0068] In an eighth embodiment, derived from any of the preceding embodiments, the control means 8 is further configured to store calibration parameters that have been obtained previously. Said calibration parameters comprise a first reference value for the assembled position, and a second reference value for said separated position. In alternatives embodiments, the calibration parameters comprise a reference value for either the assembled position or for the separated position, as well as a differential value with respect to said reference value. In these embodiments, the control means 8 is further configured to determine the presence or absence of the second part based on a comparison of the variation in the magnetic field measurements with respect to the calibration parameters. Different options may be envisaged, for example, the calibration parameters may be previously stored in the control means 8, may be measured with the wear assembly 1 in the earth-moving machine 2 in the assembled position and / or separated position, or a combination of both.

Claims

1. Wear assembly (1) of an earth-moving machine (2) comprising assembling parts that can be assembled together, which comprise at least a support (3) and a wear element (4); such that they can have at least an assembled position in which said assembling parts are assembled together and a separated position in which said assembling parts are separated from one another; wherein a first part from among said assembling parts is provided with an opening (6) which, in said assembled position, is facing at least a second part from among said assembling parts which is different from said first part; such that, in said assembled position, an assembling interface (5) is defined between said first part and said second part, and said opening (6) opens at least toward said assembling interface (5); wherein said wear assembly (1) further comprises: - a presence sensor (7) arranged in said opening (6); - a control means (8); and - a communication means (9); characterized in that said second part is made of a ferromagnetic material in at least one portion which, in said assembled position, is facing said opening (6); and wherein said presence sensor (7) comprises: - a magnetic source (71), comprising one or more magnetic field-generating elements (710), said magnetic source (71) being configured to generate a magnetic field; and - a magnetic sensor (72), configured to measure said magnetic field generated by said magnetic source (71); said control means (8) being configured to receive magnetic field measurements from said magnetic sensor (72) and to determine the presence or absence of said second part based on a variation in said magnetic field measurements, and to send, using said communication means (9), at least one communication signal including information about the presence or absence of said second part.

2. Wear assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said assembling parts further comprise a lock (15), preferably a pin, configured to lock at least said support (3) and said wear element (4) in said assembled position; preferably wherein: - said first part is said lock (15) and said second part is one of said support (3) and said wear element (4); - said first part is said support (3) and said second part is one of said wear element (4) and said lock (15); or - said first part is said wear element (7) and said second part is one of said support (3) and said lock (15).

3. Wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said communication means (9) comprises wired communication means and / or wireless communication means.

4. Wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said magnetic sensor (72) is a Hall effect sensor, preferably, an analog Hall effect sensor; and wherein, preferably, each of said magnetic field-generating elements (710) of said magnetic source (71) comprises at least one of: - a magnet; - an inductor, preferably an electromagnet.

5. Wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of said one or more magnetic field-generating elements (710) of said magnetic source (71) is arranged so that, in said assembled position, one of the magnetic poles thereof is directed toward said assembling interface (5), preferably, all of said one or more magnetic field-generating elements (710) being arranged with their poles oriented in the same direction.

6. Wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said magnetic sensor (72) is horizontally spaced away from each of said magnetic field-generating elements (710), and preferably, said magnetic field measurements comprise an increase in the magnetic field measurement between said assembled position and said separated position.

7. Wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said magnetic sensor (72) is provided in a position in which the difference in magnetic flux of said magnetic field generated by said magnetic source (71) between said assembled position and said separated position is greater than any of the differences caused at least by: - working temperature; - play between said first part and said second part; and - alteration in the position of said presence sensor (7) due to material compaction.

8. Wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said control means (8) is further configured to store previously obtained calibration parameters, comprising one of: - a first reference value for said assembled position; and a second reference value for said separated position; and - a reference value for one of said assembled position and said separated position, and a differential value; wherein said control means (8) is further configured to determine the presence or absence of said second part based on a comparison of said variation in said magnetic field measurements with respect to said calibration parameters.

9. Wear assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein at least one of said calibration parameters is previously stored in said control means (8) and / or wherein said control means (8) is further configured to take at least one measurement of said magnetic field in one of said assembled position and said separated position, thereby determining at least one of said configuration parameters.

10. Wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a magnetic activator, comprising an additional magnetic sensor (10), preferably a Hall sensor, configured to detect the presence of an additional magnetic field; said magnetic activator being configured to cause the transition of said presence sensor (7), and preferably, also of said control means (8), from a standby state to an operating state when said additional magnetic sensor (10) detects the presence of said external magnetic field, wherein the electric consumption of said presence sensor (7), and where applicable, of said control means (8), is lower in said standby state than in said operating state; preferably, wherein said additional magnetic field is generated by one of: - a portable external magnet; and - a magnet arranged inside said opening (6).

11. Wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said magnetic source (71), said magnetic sensor (72) of said presence sensor (7), and where applicable, said additional magnetic sensor (10) of said magnetic activator, are all arranged inside a protective capsule (11) inserted into said opening (6).

12. Wear assembly (1) according to claim 11, wherein said control means (8) is arranged inside said capsule (11).

13. Wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said presence sensor (7) and said control means (8) are electrically powered by means of one of: - at least one battery (12) arranged inside said capsule (11); and - power supply wires (13).

14. Wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said control means (8) is not arranged in said opening (6), preferably being provided in an area spaced away from said assembling interface (5) in said assembled position, and are connected to said presence sensor (7) to receive said magnetic field measurements from said presence sensor (7) by an additional communication means (14), preferably, by means of a wired connection; and wherein, preferably, said wired connection of said additional communication means (14) is further configured to electrically power said wear sensor.

15. Earth-moving machine (2) comprising at least one wear assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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