Ball-Retained Shroud Locking Assembly for Ground Engaging Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical connection methods for ground engaging tools (GET) on earth-moving equipment are prone to deformation, stress concentration, and difficulty in removal due to high impact forces, leading to complex and costly replacement processes.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly with a piston and bolt mechanism that allows for a robust connection between a shroud and a carrier, utilizing balls to secure the bolt in place and absorb large forces, preventing deformation and facilitating easy installation and removal of the GET.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bolts are inserted within the bucket lip to mechanically attach ground engaging tools, then the attachment method avoids welding complexity, but the bolts deform under high impact forces making extraction difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: a shroud that attaches to the bucket lip, a locking device with piston and bolt, and the GET itself. This segmentation allows the bucket lip to remain intact while the GET can be easily removed by operating the locking device independently.
Solution Approach 2:
A shroud acts as an intermediary component between the bucket lip and the GET. The shroud distributes loads and provides mounting points for the locking device, preventing direct stress concentration on the bucket lip while facilitating easy GET removal through the locking mechanism.
2Reliability
If traditional welding is used to attach GET to bucket lips, then the connection is strong and reliable, but the process is complex, time-consuming and requires workshop transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The welding process (thermal/chemical joining) is replaced with a mechanical locking system comprising a piston, bolt, and locking device. This mechanical system provides reliable connection strength while enabling quick attachment and removal of GET without requiring workshop equipment or transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud is pre-attached to the bucket lip with integrated locking mechanisms already in place. This preliminary preparation allows GET to be quickly swapped by simply operating the locking device, eliminating the time-consuming welding process while maintaining connection reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical connection means with multiple components are used to attach GET, then deformation is reduced compared to bolts, but the fitting and refitting process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (shroud, locking device, piston, bolt) are merged into an integrated assembly that works as a unified system. The shroud integrates the mounting structure, the locking device combines the piston and bolt mechanism, and this merged design enables both deformation resistance and quick replacement by operating the integrated locking mechanism as a single unit.
4Force
If the locking assembly uses a bolt and piston mechanism, then the connection withstands high forces, but the bolt may become difficult to undo due to deformation from large forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device uses a dynamic piston-bolt mechanism where the bolt can be easily inserted and locked into position, and equally easily removed by operating the piston. This dynamic design allows the connection to withstand high forces during operation while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly through the reversible locking action.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking assembly is arranged for releasably locking a shroud to a carrier. The locking assembly includes a main body, a piston and a bolt provided with a thread engaging a corresponding thread of the piston for controlling the position of the piston relative to the main body. The locking assembly also includes a retaining arrangement including a plurality of balls securing the bolt within a central recess of the main body.