Adjustable Wear Pad Assembly for Telescopic Boom Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wear pad assemblies for telescopic booms in work machines require complex and forceful adjustments, are not suitable for high-load applications, and result in frequent replacements, leading to high maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A wear pad assembly with a threaded boss and bolt system, featuring complementary profiles and locking means, allows for simple and reliable adjustment of the wear pad position through threaded engagement and locking, enabling precise control of the wear pad's extension and retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wear pads are replaced frequently to maintain performance, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate due to frequent maintenance interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear pad performanceVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the position parameter of the wear pad along the longitudinal axis of the boom segment. By adjusting the wear pad position, the sliding surface is renewed without replacing the entire wear pad, thereby extending maintenance intervals and reducing downtime while maintaining reliable performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If wear pads are made adjustable to extend maintenance intervals, then productivity is improved, but device complexity worsens due to additional adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance intervalVSAvoidadjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the wear pad assembly into separable components: a wear pad element and a mounting structure with threaded boss and bolt. This segmentation allows the wear pad to be adjusted independently along the longitudinal axis by rotating the bolt, providing simplicity while enabling extended maintenance intervals through position adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If wear pad adjustment requires extensive force and multiple work steps, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear pad positioningVSAvoidadjustment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with a simple threaded bolt mechanism. The threaded engagement between the bolt and boss provides precise positioning control through rotation, achieving accurate wear pad placement without requiring extensive force or multiple work steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If multiple interfaces are used in wear pad assembly, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to requirement for clean environment during adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidadjustment environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the adjustment function from a complex multi-interface assembly system and implements it through a single threaded bolt mechanism. This reduces the number of interfaces that require cleanliness, allowing adjustment to be performed more easily without stringent environmental requirements while maintaining assembly stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The assembly facilitates convenient and cost-effective adjustment of wear pad position, extending maintenance intervals and improving reliability by allowing uniform wear distribution and precise clearance control without the need for extensive force or environmental cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

a threaded bolt (14) configured for threaded engagement with the threaded boss (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded engagement: Screw

Implementation Method 2

locking means (18) being configured to lock the threaded boss (12) and the threaded bolt (14) in a first engagement position (P1) and at least a further engagement position (P2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical locking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

a wear pad (16) providing a sliding surface for a second telescopic boom segment (220)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4134347B1Wear pad assembly and method for adjusting
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 CATERPILLAR INC
  • EP4134347B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4134347B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4134347B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention pertains to a wear pad assembly (10) for adjusting a position of a wear pad in a telescopic boom of a work machine, comprising a threaded boss (12), a threaded bolt (14) configured for threaded engagement with the threaded boss (12) and a wear pad (16) connectable to the threaded bolt (14). The wear pad assembly (10) further comprises locking means (18) configured to lock the threaded boss (12) and the threaded bolt (14) in a first engagement position (P1) and at least a further engagement position (P2). The present invention further pertains to a method of adjusting such a wear pad assembly (10), the wear pad assembly (10) being mounted to a first telescopic boom segment (210) such that the wear pad provides a sliding surface (160) for a second telescopic boom segment (220), the method comprising the steps of unlocking (S10) the threaded bolt (14) by disassembling at least a part of the locking means (18), rotating (S20) the threaded bolt (14) from the first engagement position (P1) into the further engagement position (P2), and locking (S30) the threaded bolt (14) in the further engagement position (P2) by reassembling the disassembled locking means (18) when the threaded bolt (14) is in the further engagement position (P2).