Dragline Lip Shroud Segmented Wear Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wear members for earthmoving equipment, such as dragline buckets, require frequent replacement due to wear and tear, but their removal is complicated by welding or mechanical fastening methods that can deform under operational forces, making quick and secure replacement challenging.
Innovation Solution
A lip shroud design featuring a monolithic body with abutment surfaces and a securing portion configured for coupling with a lock device, allowing for easy mounting and removal while withstanding operational forces, and featuring a channel to receive the edge portion of the dragline lip with a boss that inserts into an opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If wear members are welded to leading edges to increase usable life, then protection and durability are improved, but removal requires substantial dismantling of the bucket
Solution Approach 1:
The wear member is designed as a segmented structure with a body portion and a replaceable edge portion connected by a reversible connection mechanism. This allows the edge portion to be replaced independently without removing the entire wear member or performing substantial dismantling of the bucket, thus maintaining durability while improving ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the body portion and edge portion is made dynamic and reversible through a connection mechanism that allows easy attachment and detachment. This enables the edge portion to be quickly replaced when worn, while the body portion remains attached to provide continuous protection, resolving the contradiction between durability and ease of removal.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical fasteners are used to attach wear members, then quick replacement is enabled, but the fasteners deform under large operational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism merges features of both mechanical fastening and permanent attachment into a single hybrid system. It provides the quick replacement capability of mechanical fasteners while incorporating structural elements that distribute and withstand large operational forces, preventing deformation under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism uses a composite structure combining different material properties and connection methods to achieve both quick replacement and high strength. The design integrates elements that provide rapid attachment/detachment with elements specifically engineered to resist deformation under the large forces experienced during mining and earthmoving operations.
3Reliability
If wear members are designed for secure mounting to withstand considerable forces, then reliability is improved, but removal and replacement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wear member is divided into a body portion that remains securely mounted to withstand forces, and a replaceable edge portion that can be easily exchanged. This segmentation allows the secure mounting requirement to be satisfied by the body portion while the edge portion is designed for easy replacement, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge portion, which is subject to wear, is extracted as a separate replaceable component. This allows the main body to maintain secure mounting and withstand forces, while the extracted edge portion can be quickly removed and replaced without compromising the overall reliability of the wear member assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A lip shroud for a dragline lip configured to prevent wear on the dragline lip and to prevent decoupling therefrom during operations. The lip shroud comprises of a first sidewall having a first abutment surface provided with an opening; a second sidewall having a second abutment surface wherein the second sidewall has a securing portion configured for coupling to a lock device on the dragline lip; and a center wall having a third abutment surface, the center wall connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall wherein the first, second and third abutment surfaces define a channel to receive an edge portion of the dragline lip.