Earthmoving Wear Assembly With Internal Geared Latches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earth moving machines face challenges in securely locking wear elements, such as teeth or cast lips, to their supports due to the weight and size of these components, which complicates maintenance and can lead to operational inefficiencies and safety risks, especially when replacing worn parts.
Innovation Solution
A locking device is integrated within the support, utilizing an anchor point, geared transmission, and latches that rotate to engage with the wear part from inside, allowing for secure locking without external manipulation, and featuring a geared transmission for robust torque control and protection from external particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock is used to secure the wear element to the support, then the wear element is securely locked, but the maintenance operation becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is inverted by placing the lock inside the support rather than outside. The lock engages with the wear element from the interior of the support, allowing the wear element to be secured reliably while enabling maintenance operators to access and manipulate the lock from the exterior through an opening in the support.
Solution Approach 2:
An opening is introduced as an intermediary element in the support structure. This opening allows the maintenance operator to access the lock mechanism from the exterior without requiring disassembly of the support, thereby reducing maintenance time while preserving the secure locking function.
2Reliability
If a lock is used to secure the wear element, then the wear element remains secure during operation, but removing and installing the lock becomes a tedious task requiring great force
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is positioned inside the support and engages with the wear element from the interior. This inversion allows the operator to apply force to the lock through an opening in the support, making installation and removal less tedious while maintaining secure engagement during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual manipulation of the lock is facilitated by providing an opening in the support that allows external access. This substitution of direct internal access with external access through an opening reduces the physical effort required by the operator during lock installation and removal.
3Ease of operation
If the lock is accessible from outside the support, then it can be easily manipulated, but it becomes vulnerable to blockage by compacted fine particles generated during machine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed with differentiated local qualities: most of the support is solid to protect the lock from particle blockage, while a specific local region contains an opening that provides controlled access to the lock. This localized opening allows operator access while minimizing exposure to harmful particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening in the support acts as an intermediary that mediates between the need for operator access to the lock and the need to protect the lock from particle blockage. It provides a controlled pathway for manipulation while limiting direct exposure to the harsh operating environment.
4Ease of operation
If the lock is positioned outside the support, then it is easily accessible for maintenance, but it exposes the locking mechanism to external particles and environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is inverted from its conventional external position to an internal position within the support. This inversion protects the locking mechanism from external particles and environmental damage while maintaining ease of operation through a strategically placed opening that provides external access to the internal lock.
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 provides a secure, efficient, and reliable locking mechanism that minimizes the need for external manipulation, reduces downtime, and enhances productivity by protecting the locking mechanism from external interference, facilitating easy replacement and adaptation to various configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a geared transmission between said anchor point and said shaft, such that rotating said anchor point drives said shaft to rotate by means of said geared transmission
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
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AI summary
Wear assembly (1) for an earth moving machine comprising a support (2), a wear part (3), and a locking device (4) arranged inside said support (2) and comprising: - an anchor point (41), for receiving an actuating tip (43) for rotating said anchor point (41) around a central axis (42); - a shaft (44), arranged in a direction not parallel and preferably perpendicular to said central axis (42); - a geared transmission (45) between said anchor point (41) and said shaft (44); - at least one latch (46) attached to said shaft (44), movable between a withdrawn position and a locking position; wherein, in said locking position, each latch (46) protrudes from said support (2) in an extension enough to engage with said wear part (3), thereby locking said wear part (3) to said support (2); and wherein, in said withdrawn position, each latch (46) does not protrude from said support (2) in an extension enough to lock said wear part (3) to said support (2).