Crusher Apron Assembly with Hydraulic Shock Absorber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional apron assemblies for rock crushers are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and result in excessive force on components, leading to high maintenance and repair costs, short component lifespans, and undesirable downtime due to 'tramp iron' events.
Innovation Solution
An apron assembly with a shock absorber system that includes a tension rod, spring seat, actuator, and hydraulic shock absorber, which reduces pressure on the actuator by controlling the movement and speed of the apron, preventing excessive force and extending component lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional apron assemblies use manual bolt and shim combination, then the apron assembly can be adjusted, but it becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system (bolts and shims) with a hydraulic actuator system that automatically adjusts the apron position. The hydraulic actuator can be controlled remotely or automatically, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing adjustment time while maintaining precise adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic actuator system enables the apron assembly to adjust itself without requiring manual intervention. The system can be controlled through automated feedback mechanisms or remote operation, allowing the assembly to service itself and eliminating labor-intensive manual adjustment operations.
2Device complexity
If conventional apron assemblies are used, then the structure is simple, but excessive forces are applied to components including actuators during tramp iron events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a shock absorber positioned between the apron and the hydraulic actuator that provides beforehand cushioning against excessive forces. During normal operation, the shock absorber is in a relaxed state, but when tramp iron or overload events occur, the shock absorber compresses to absorb the shock, preventing excessive forces from being transmitted to the actuator and other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber acts as an intermediary element between the apron and the hydraulic actuator. It mediates the force transmission by absorbing shock loads during abnormal conditions while allowing normal operational forces to pass through, thereby protecting the actuator from damaging excessive forces without interfering with normal operation.
3Device complexity
If conventional apron assemblies are used, then the design is straightforward, but components including actuators have short lifespans and high maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber provides beforehand cushioning that protects components from shock loads and excessive forces during tramp iron events. By absorbing these abnormal forces before they reach the actuator and other components, the shock absorber significantly extends their operational lifespan and reduces maintenance requirements, while adding only minimal complexity to the overall assembly design.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber converts the harmful effect of shock loads and excessive forces into a beneficial protective function. By deliberately incorporating an element that compresses under abnormal conditions, the system transforms potentially damaging force spikes into a controlled energy absorption process, thereby extending component life and improving reliability with minimal design complexity.
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 solution reduces labor and maintenance costs, minimizes downtime, and extends the lifespan of components by mitigating excessive pressure during normal and overload conditions, ensuring efficient operation and reduced wear on crusher components.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that is operatively disposed between the tension rod base and the spring seat
Implementation Method 2
a shock absorber that is operatively attached to and disposed between the spring seat and a shock absorber mount. In the preferred embodiments of the apron assembly the shock absorber reduces the pressure applied to the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
An apron assembly comprising an apron mounted to the crusher and adapted to be moved between an operating position and an open position, a tension rod operatively attached to and disposed between the shock absorber mount and the apron, a spring seat mounted to the crusher and adapted to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position, a spring operatively disposed between the tension rod base and the spring seat, an actuator mounted to the crusher and the spring seat and adapted to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position, a shock absorber operatively attached to and disposed between the spring seat and a shock absorber mount. The shock absorber reduces the pressure applied to the actuator. A method for controlling the opening in a crusher comprising providing an apron assembly and moving the shock absorber between a retracted position and an extended position.