Eccentric Bushing Cam Assembly for Drill Feed Guide Wear Pad Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting wear pads in drill feed guides is cumbersome and often requires two workers due to the need for simultaneous adjustment in multiple directions, which is difficult with traditional methods.
Innovation Solution
A cam assembly with an eccentric bushing or bolt provides a camming action to position wear pads relative to the drill feed guide, allowing for single-worker adjustments by rotating the bushing or bolt, which engages the wear pad and mount apertures to maintain desired clearance gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional wear pad adjustment methods are used with shims and bolts, then the wear pad can be positioned in two different directions at once, but the process becomes difficult and cumbersome requiring two workers
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment fastener is segmented into two offset collinear shank portions, with the first engaging the wear pad aperture and the second engaging the mount aperture. This segmentation allows each shank portion to independently control positioning in different directions, simplifying the adjustment process while maintaining the ability to position the wear pad in two directions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment fastener introduces a rotational dimension to the adjustment process. By rotating the fastener about its axis, the offset shank portions create a camming action that simultaneously adjusts the wear pad position in two different directions. This transforms a complex multi-directional adjustment into a simple rotational motion that a single worker can perform.
2Manufacturing precision
If wear pad adjustment requires simultaneous positioning in two different directions, then proper clearance gaps are maintained, but the process requires two workers making it labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment fastener merges two adjustment functions into a single tool. The first shank portion merges the function of maintaining one clearance gap, while the second offset shank portion merges the function of maintaining the second clearance gap. Both functions are achieved simultaneously through a single fastener that is rotated by one worker, eliminating the need for two workers while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset collinear arrangement of the shank portions creates a mechanical leverage relationship. As the fastener is rotated, the camming action generated by the offset shanks transforms the rotational motion into precise linear positioning adjustments in two directions simultaneously. This parameter transformation allows one worker to achieve the same precision that previously required two workers.
3Reliability
If periodic adjustment of wear pads is performed to minimize excessive movement, then the moving parts function properly, but the frequent adjustments increase maintenance time and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment fastener is designed to be self-contained and self-operating. A single worker can perform the entire adjustment process by simply rotating the fastener, which automatically positions the wear pad in two directions simultaneously through the camming action of the offset shanks. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex tooling or multiple workers, reducing maintenance time while ensuring reliable positioning.
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 simplifies the adjustment process, enabling efficient and single-worker operation for maintaining clearance gaps in wear pads, reducing the complexity and labor required for periodic adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The bushing is rotatable causing the shank portion to engage the aperture of the wear pad, thereby providing a camming action to position the wear pad relative to a drill feed guide
Implementation Method 2
The bolt is rotatable such that the first shank portion engages the wear pad and the second shank portion engages the mount aperture thereby providing a camming action caused by the offset to position the wear pad
Data Source
AI summary
A cam assembly is provided for adjustment of a drill feed guide wear pad. The cam assembly has an eccentric bushing with a shank portion extending circumferentially about a first axis and defining a bore along a second axis. The second axis is generally parallel and offset from the first axis. The bushing has a head portion extending from the eccentric bushing portion, with the bore extending though the head portion. The bushing is sized for insertion into an aperture of a drill feed guide wear pad, and is rotatable causing the shank portion to engage the aperture of the wear pad to provide a camming action to position the wear pad relative to a drill feed guide. The head portion is shaped to interact with a tool for rotating the bushing.