Gyratory Crusher Main Shaft Alignment Ring for Safer Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gyratory crushers require manual alignment and installation of the main shaft, which poses safety risks due to the weight of the shaft and the need for workers to be positioned beneath it during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A dust collar with an integrated alignment ring and dust seal retainer system that allows for pre-alignment of the main shaft and dust seal before installation, eliminating the need for manual alignment during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment of the main shaft is performed during installation, then alignment can be achieved, but worker safety is compromised due to the need to position personnel beneath the heavy shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment ring is pre-attached to the dust collar before the main shaft installation. This preliminary alignment preparation eliminates the need for manual alignment operations beneath the heavy shaft during installation, allowing the shaft to be lowered into pre-aligned position and thereby resolving the safety hazard while maintaining alignment precision.
2Productivity
If the main shaft assembly is lowered into the stationary main frame, then installation progresses, but manual alignment becomes necessary which increases assembly time and labor requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment ring is attached to the dust collar before the main shaft assembly is lowered into the main frame. This preliminary alignment action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual alignment operations during the lowering process, thereby improving assembly efficiency and reducing the time lost to alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment ring serves as an intermediary component between the dust collar and the main shaft installation process. It provides pre-established alignment references that guide the main shaft into correct position without requiring manual intervention during the critical lowering operation, thus streamlining the assembly process.
Data Source
AI summary
A gyratory crusher including a main shaft that can be installed into a main frame. The gyratory crusher includes an alignment system having a stationary dust collar and a separate alignment ring attached to the dust collar. The alignment ring includes a tapered contact surface extending from a lower outer edge to a top edge to guide a dust seal past the alignment ring and into contact with an outer surface of the dust collar. The dust seal is received within a receiving cavity of a dust seal retainer mounted to the main shaft of the crusher. A series of alignment openings extend through the dust seal retainer to provide access to an outer edge of the dust seal such that the position of the dust seal can be adjusted. The main shaft includes a chamfer on the lower end to guide the main shaft into a bushing assembly.