Arch-Shaped Pushrod for Mining Plow Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mining plows face challenges with pushrod wear and assembly restrictions, particularly in low profile slim designs, where the pushrod is often exposed to environmental influences and space constraints, leading to increased wear and potential load behavior issues.

Innovation Solution

An arch-shaped pushrod and pushrod guiding recess are arranged within the plow body, protecting the pushrod from environmental damage and allowing for a slim design without enlarging the plow body, with cleaning recesses and throughholes to manage dirt and particles, facilitating smooth movement and reduced wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pushrod is arranged outside the plow body, then the pushrod is exposed to environmental influences causing increased wear, but the plow body can maintain a slim design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepushrod wear resistanceVSAvoidenvironmental exposure to pushrod

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pushrod is nested within the plow body, specifically arranged inside the plow body structure. This nesting arrangement protects the pushrod from environmental influences such as debris and dust while maintaining the compact slim design of the plow body, resolving the contradiction between wear resistance and environmental exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the pushrod is arranged within the plow body, then the pushrod is protected from environmental damage, but the plow body size may need to be enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepushrod protectionVSAvoidplow body volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pushrod is arranged in a specific spatial configuration within the plow body, utilizing the internal space efficiently. The arch-shaped guide structure and strategic positioning of the pushrod allow it to be accommodated within the existing plow body volume without requiring significant enlargement, thus protecting the pushrod while maintaining a compact design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If a straight pushrod is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot pass around the central roof cutting bit carrier assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepushrod structure simplicityVSAvoidpushrod spatial adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pushrod is designed with an arch-shaped curvature instead of a straight configuration. This curved shape allows the pushrod to pass around the central roof cutting bit carrier assembly and be arranged within the plow body, providing the necessary spatial adaptability while maintaining relatively simple construction through the use of a single curved element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2799662B1Mining plow with pushrod

Publication Date: 2018.07.25 CATERPILLER GLOBAL MINING EURO GMBH

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AI summary

A mining plow (1) for a longwall mining system in an underground mine is disclosed. The mining plow (1) comprises a plow body (10) and a pushrod (62). The pushrod (62) is displaceably arranged within the plow body (10) to form a positive coupling between a first cutting bit carrier (12) pivotably supported on the plow body (10) via a first pivot pin and a second cutting bit carrier (14) pivotably supported on the plow body (10) via a second pivot pin. The pushrod (62) is arch-shaped to pass around a central roof cutting bit carrier assembly which may facilitate a wear-protected arrangement of the pushrod (62) within the plow body (10).