Upper head bushing

Abstract

An upper head bushing for a cone crusher, comprising a ring-formed bushing (60), comprising an inner surface, wherein the ring-formed bushing comprises a number of separate parts (60a-c) forming the ring-shaped bushing

Description

[0001] UPPER HEAD BUSHING

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to mineral material processing. The disclosure relates particularly, though not exclusively, to mineral material processing using a cone crusher. The disclosure relates particularly, though not exclusively, to an upper head bushing of a cone crusher.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein representative of the state of the art.

[0006] During mineral material processing with a cone crusher, the crusher head is supported on the main shaft and requires lubrication. However, an undesired spinning of the crusher head is a commonly occurring problem in some situations, especially when the crusher is idling, i.e. there is no material in the crushing chamber. Accordingly, an anti-spin arrangement is used.

[0007] The upper head bushing is a part of the anti-spin arrangement and configured to brake the undesired movement of the head. The braking effect of the upper head bushing is lessened by the presence of the required lubricant. Replacement and assembly of the upper head bushing can be a task requiring large effort-

[0008] The present disclosure aims to provide an upper head bushing having improved anti spin properties through efficient lubricant removal and easy assembly.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] The appended claims define the scope of protection. Any examples and technical descriptions of apparatuses, products and / or methods in the description and / or drawings not covered by the claims are presented not as embodiments of the invention but as background art or examples useful for understanding the invention.

[0011] According to a first example aspect there is provided an upper head bushing for a cone crusher, comprising a ring-formed bushing, comprising an inner surface, wherein the ring-formed bushing comprises a number of separate parts forming the ringshaped bushing.

[0012] The ends of the separate parts may be slanted.

[0013] The upper head bushing may comprise a connection element configured to connect the ends of the separate parts, wherein the ends of the separate parts abut form-fittingly against the connection element.

[0014] The inner surface of the bushing may comprise a number of grooves configured to convey lubricant away from the inner surface of the bushing, wherein the grooves may be inclined with respect to a plane parallel with the circumference of the ring-formed bushing

[0015] The grooves may be inclined with respect to the plane parallel with the circumference of the ring-formed bushing with an angle of inclination between 30 and 60 degrees.

[0016] The number of grooves may be between 4 and 12.

[0017] The grooves may be configured to convey lubricant from their upper end towards their lower end.

[0018] The grooves may be inclined in such a direction that the rotating direction forces the lubricant from the upper end towards the lower end.

[0019] According to a second example aspect there is provided a cone crusher, comprising the upper head bushing of the first example aspect.

[0020] According to a third example aspect there is provided a mineral material processing plant, comprising the cone crusher of the second example aspect

[0021] Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in different implementations. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain example aspects. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] Some example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0024] Fig. 1A and 1 B schematically show a head assembly of a cone crusher according to an example embodiment; Fig. 2 schematically shows an upper head bushing according to an example embodiment;

[0025] Fig 3 schematically shows a detail of an upper head bushing according to an example embodiment; and

[0026] Fig 4 schematically shows a detail of an upper head bushing according to an example embodiment.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In the following description, like reference signs denote like elements or steps.

[0029] Fig. 1A and 1 B schematically show a head assembly of a cone crusher according to an example embodiment. Figs. 1 A and 1 B show a head 10 of the cone crusher. The head 10 is supported on the main shaft 20 of the crusher. The head assembly comprises a head bearing 30 supported on a socket liner 40, and an upper head bushing 60, which is in contact with a socket 50 when anti-spin is active, i.e. there is no contact during crushing operation with material to be crushed in the crushing chamber.

[0030] The lower head bushing 80 and the main shaft 20 are configured to distribute the weight of the head assembly to maintain a proper alignment of the head and to provide a lubricated surface for reducing friction during crushing.

[0031] The upper head bushing 60 comprises in an example embodiment, a ring-formed bushing. In an example embodiment, the upper head bushing 60 comprises a ring-formed bushing assembled from separate parts.

[0032] During crushing, situation may arise in which the head 10 of the crusher has a tendency to spin, i.e. to rotate in an uncontrolled and undesired manner. Such situations arise for example if the feed of material to the crushing chamber is interrupted for some reason.

[0033] The lubrication of the upper head bushing 60 might hinder the functioning of anti-spin measures, and accordingly, the amount of lubricant on the surface of the upper head bushing 60 should be removed efficiently in a spinning situation.

[0034] In an example embodiment, the inner surface of the upper head bushing 60 comprises grooves 70, or indentations, configured to convey lubricant away from the upper head bushing 60.

[0035] Fig. 2 schematically shows a bushing 60 according to an example embodiment. In an example embodiment, the upper head bushing 60 comprises a ring-formed bushing.

[0036] The upper head bushing comprises a ring-formed bushing formed of separate parts 60a, 60b, 60c. In an example embodiment, the number of separate parts is three.

[0037] In an example embodiment, each separate part 60a, 60b, 60c forms a part of the circumference of the ring-formed bushing, so that the separate parts together form a ring form. In an example embodiment, each separate part is positioned at the same circumference, i.e. the distance from the centre of the ring form is the same.

[0038] In an example embodiment, the upper head bushing 60 further comprises lifting holes 64 for attaching a lifting tool for lifting the bushing for maintenance and / or installation.

[0039] In an example embodiment, the upper head bushing 60 comprises protrusions 62 on the lover edge thereof for aligning the bushing with corresponding protrusions, or recesses, in the socket 50, see Fig. 1.ln an example embodiment, the separate parts 60a-c are configured to be attached through connection holes 66.

[0040] In an example embodiment, the ends 68 of the parts 60a-c are slanted, i.e. the end is not parallel with a radius of the ring- formed bushing, for ease of assembly and in order to keep each part in place, as one end of each part is under the neighbouring part. In an example embodiment, the ends of the parts 60a-c are inclined, or slanted, with respect to a plane parallel with the circumference of the ring-formed bushing.

[0041] In an example embodiment, the ring formed bushing comprises grooves 70, or indentations, on the inner surface thereof.

[0042] Fig 4 schematically shows a detail of an upper head bushing according to an example embodiment. In an example embodiment, the ends 68 of the parts 60a, 60b are slanted in such a way that they form-fittingly abut against a protrusion 78a in order to keep each part in proper position. Fig. 4 further shows connection hole 66 through which a fastening element 76 attaches the part 60a in place.

[0043] Fig 5 schematically shows a detail of an upper head bushing according to an example embodiment. In an example embodiment, the ends 68 of the parts 60a, 60b are formed into a step in such a way that they abut form-fittingly against a connection part 78b which presses the parts 60a, 60b into proper position. The connection hole 66 through which a fastening element 76 attaches the parts 60a, 60b in place is provided in the connection part 78b between the parts 60a, 60b.

[0044] In an example embodiment, the grooves 70 shown in Fig. 2 have a top end 72 and a bottom end 74. The grooves 70 are configured to convey lubricant in a downwards direction, i.e. from the top end 72 towards the bottom end 74.

[0045] In an example embodiment, the grooves 70 run straight. In a further example embodiment, the grooves 70 have bends or curves.

[0046] In an example embodiment, the grooves have a regular cross-section, for example in the shape of a half circle. In an example embodiment, the edges of the grooves are rounded.

[0047] In an example embodiment, the grooves 70 are inclined, or slanted, with respect to a plane parallel with the circumference of the ring-formed bushing, in order to improve the surface contact of the bushing, i.e. the surface is not interrupted at the same circumferential position through the full height of the surface.

[0048] In an example embodiment, the grooves 70 are positioned on the circumference in such a way that no two grooves occupy the same circumferential position.

[0049] In a further example embodiment, the parts 60a-c forming the ring-formed bushing are spaced somewhat apart from each other around the circumference, so that a space remains between the respective ends 68 of the parts 60a-c in such a way that the space between the parts 60a-c functions in a manner similar to the grooves 70.

[0050] As the surface is not interrupted in the same circumferential position by more than one groove and as the grooves are slanted, wear caused to the ring-formed bushing 60 or parts 60a-c forming the ring-formed bushing is distributed evenly and any service or replacement actions are needed less frequently.

[0051] In an example embodiment, the ring-formed bushing 60 or parts 60a-c forming the ring- formed bushing comprise metal. In an example embodiment, the metal comprises aluminium and / or bronze.

[0052] In an example embodiment, the grooves are inclined in such a direction that the rotating direction forces the lubricant in a downwards direction, i.e. from the upper end 72 towards the lower end 74.

[0053] In an example embodiment, the angle of inclination with respect to the plane parallel with the circumference of the ring-formed bushing is between 30 and 60 degrees. In an example embodiment, the angle of inclination with respect to the plane parallel with the circumference of the ring-formed bushing is about 45 degrees.

[0054] In an example embodiment, the grooves 70 are positioned evenly distributed around the circumference of the upper head bushing 60. In an example embodiment, the number of grooves is between 4 and 12. In an example embodiment, the upper head bushing 60 comprises eight grooves 70.

[0055] In an example embodiment, the ring-formed bushing 60, i.e. the assembled parts 60a-c forming the ring-formed bushing have a diameter between 200 and 1000 mm. In one embodiment the diameter is about 470mm. In an example embodiment, the height of the ring-formed bushing 60, i.e. the assembled parts 60a-c forming the ring-formed bushing, is between 20 and 120 mm, preferably about 60 mm. In an example embodiment, the height of the ring-formed bushing 60, i.e. the assembled parts 60a-c forming the ring-formed bushing, is between 20 and 120 mm, preferably about 60 mm. In an example embodiment, the wall thickness of the ring-formed bushing 60, i.e. the assembled parts 60a-c forming the ring-formed bushing, is between 6 and 16 mm, preferably about 9 mm.

[0056] Without in any way limiting the scope of the appended claims, some technical effects of the upper head bushing according to example embodiment are explained in the following.

[0057] The upper head bushing according to example embodiments is configured to provide ease of assembly and maintenance and to provide improved anti-spin properties without compromising lubrication.

[0058] Accordingly, a technical effect of example embodiments is the provision of easier maintenance. A further technical effect of the example embodiments is the provision of improved spin control. A further technical effect of the example embodiments is to provide lubricant removal without compromising the structural integrity of the bushing. A still further technical effect of the example embodiments is to provide a lighter bushing. A still further technical effect of the example embodiments is to improve safety due to improved anti-spin. A still further technical effect of the example embodiments is easier assembly and installation of the upper head bushing. A still further technical effect of the example embodiments of the invention is longer service intervals allowing more uptime.

[0059] Various embodiments have been presented. It should be appreciated that in this document, words comprise; include; and contain are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity.

[0060] The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples of particular implementations and embodiments a full and informative description of the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. It is however clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented in the foregoing, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means or in different combinations of embodiments without deviating from the characteristics of the invention.

[0061] Furthermore, some of the features of the afore-disclosed example embodiments may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and not in limitation thereof. Hence, the scope of the invention is only restricted by the appended patent claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An upper head bushing for a cone crusher, comprising a ring-formed bushing (60), comprising an inner surface, characterized in that the ring-formed bushing comprises a number of separate parts (60a-c) forming the ring-shaped bushing.

2. The upper head bushing of claim 1 , wherein the ends (68) of the separate parts (60a-c) are slanted.

3. The upper head bushing of claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper head bushing comprises a connection element (78a, 78b) configured to connect the ends (68) of the separate parts (60a-c), wherein the ends (68) of the separate parts abut form-fittingly against the connection element (78b).

4. The upper head bushing of any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of the bushing (60) comprises a number of grooves (70) configured to convey lubricant away from the inner surface of the bushing (60), wherein the grooves (70) are inclined with respect to a plane parallel with the circumference of the ring-formed bushing.

5. The upper head bushing of claim 4, wherein the grooves (70) are inclined with respect to the plane parallel with the circumference of the ring-formed bushing with an angle of inclination between 30 and 60 degrees.

6. The upper head bushing of claim 4 or 5, wherein the number of grooves (70) is between 4 and 12.

7. The upper head bushing of any preceding claim 4 to 6, wherein the grooves (70) are configured to convey lubricant from their upper end (72) towards their lower end (74).

8. The upper head bushing of any preceding claim 4 to 7, wherein the grooves are inclined in such a direction that the rotating direction forces the lubricant from the upper end (72) towards the lower end (74).

9. A cone crusher, comprising the upper head bushing of any preceding claim.

10. A mineral material processing plant, comprising the cone crusher of claim 9.

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