Articulated Lock for Earth-Working Equipment Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locks for wear members on earth-working equipment face challenges in retaining the wear members effectively under harsh conditions, resisting ejection, and ensuring easy installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
An articulated lock with pivotally coupled bodies and a threaded insert is used, featuring retainers and interlocks to secure the wear member to the equipment, allowing easy installation and secure retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locks are used to secure wear members, then the structure is simple, but the lock cannot effectively resist ejection under heavy loads and harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is divided into multiple bodies (first body and second body) that are pivotally coupled together. Each body has specific functions: the first body engages with the wear member while the second body engages with the base. This segmentation allows the lock to distribute mechanical loads across multiple engagement points, significantly improving retention strength under heavy loads while maintaining a manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock bodies are designed to be movable relative to each other through pivotal coupling, allowing the lock to dynamically adapt to loading conditions. The articulated configuration enables the lock to flex and adjust during installation and operation, improving reliability by accommodating misalignments and reducing stress concentrations that would occur in rigid lock designs.
2Reliability
If heavy-duty locks are designed to resist ejection, then retention strength improves, but installation and removal become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal coupling between lock bodies enables easy installation and removal through a simple rotational motion. During installation, the lock bodies can be pivoted into the engaged position with the wear member and base. During removal, the same pivotal motion allows quick disengagement. This dynamic mechanism provides strong resistance to ejection during operation while maintaining ease of installation and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock bodies are pre-configured with engagement features (retainers, interlocks) that automatically engage with corresponding features on the wear member and base during the pivotal motion. This preliminary configuration of engagement features ensures that once the lock is pivoted into position, strong resistance to ejection is immediately established without requiring additional tightening or securing actions.
3Reliability
If the lock uses multiple components for secure retention, then reliability improves, but the risk of deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the lock into multiple bodies that each engage with different components (wear member and base), the mechanical loads are distributed across multiple engagement points rather than concentrated in a single structure. This segmentation reduces the risk of deformation in any single component while maintaining secure retention through the combined engagement of all lock bodies.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated, movable connection between lock bodies allows the structure to flex and absorb dynamic loads without rigid stress concentrations. This dynamic capability prevents deformation by allowing the lock to adapt to varying load conditions while maintaining secure retention through the interlocking features of the multiple bodies.
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 lock provides robust retention against heavy loads and easy installation/removal, minimizing the risk of ejection and deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The threaded insert (300) is received in a threaded opening (375) formed in the collar (474)
Implementation Method 2
The threaded insert (300) is received in a threaded opening (375) formed in the collar (474) to prevent rotation of the lock bodies (470, 472) about the pivot axis (274)
Data Source
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AI summary
An articulated lock for securing a wear member to earth-working equipment includes a plurality of bodies (70,72) interconnected for pivotal movement between an extended orientation with the bodies aligned and a retracted orientation with the bodies folded. The lock in the extended orientation can engage an opening of the wear member at an inner hold position to secure the wear member to the earth-working equipment or an outer release position. In the folded orientation the lock disengages from the opening of the wear member. Each body has a slot (144) and a tab (142) and, in the extended orientation, the tab of each body is received in the slot of the other body to limit separation of the bodies.