Excavator Tooth Wear Assembly With Offset Stabilizing Surfaces

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wear assemblies for excavating equipment face challenges in stability, strength, durability, penetration, safety, and ease of replacement, particularly under harsh conditions and heavy loading, which lead to frequent wear and tear and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

The wear assembly features offset upper and lower stabilizing surfaces on the nose and socket with inclined faceted shapes, integrated stabilizing shoulders, and a secure lock system that allows for easier installation and reduced component count, enhancing stability, strength, and penetration while minimizing wear and the risk of breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional wear members are used with simple mounting structures, then the device complexity is low, but the stability and strength under heavy loading are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wear member is divided into multiple functional segments: a body portion with upper and lower sides, stabilizing shoulders on each side, and a mounting portion. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally while collectively providing enhanced strength and stability under heavy loading conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wear member employs asymmetrical design features including offset upper and lower stabilizing surfaces at different positions, and stabilizing shoulders that extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This asymmetrical configuration provides superior resistance to both vertical and lateral loads compared to symmetrical designs, enhancing overall strength without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Duration of action of stationary object

If wear members are designed for maximum durability and stability, then the lifespan is extended, but the ease of replacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelifespanVSAvoidease of replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lockable mounting mechanism provides dynamic functionality, allowing the wear member to be securely locked in place during operation for maximum durability, yet easily unlocked and removed when replacement is needed. This dynamic locking system resolves the contradiction between extended lifespan and ease of replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wear member design incorporates features that facilitate self-servicing during replacement operations. The stabilizing shoulders and mounting portion geometry enable the wear member to be easily engaged and disengaged from the base using simple tools, reducing the need for complex service procedures while maintaining secure attachment during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If wear members are designed with streamlined profiles for good penetration, then the penetration capability is improved, but the stability under side loads deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepenetrationVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The wear member incorporates stabilizing shoulders that extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, adding a dimensional element that provides lateral stability without significantly increasing the forward profile. This multi-dimensional approach allows streamlined penetration while maintaining stability under side loads through the offset stabilizing surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of repair

If separate components are used for nose, socket, and lock, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity and shipping costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of repairVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nose and socket are merged into a single integral base component, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the ability to service the lock mechanism independently. This merging reduces device complexity and shipping costs while preserving ease of repair through the modular lock assembly that can be accessed and replaced without removing the entire base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3263777B1Wear assembly
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 ESCO GROUP LLC
  • EP3263777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3263777B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3263777B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A wear member (12) for attachment to excavating equipment comprising a front end (44) defining a narrow front edge for penetrating into the ground, a rear end (46), a socket (16) defined by top, bottom and side walls that opens in the rear end (46) to receive a nose (14) fixed to the excavating equipment to define an excavating tooth. The wear member (12) has a through-hole (81) in communication with the socket (16). A lock (17) is received in the through-hole (81) for pivotal movement between a hold position where the lock (17) secures the wear member (16) to the nose (14) and a release position where the wear member (15) can be installed on the nose (14), wherein the pivotal axis extends generally in an axial direction. Typically the lock (17) is maintained in the opening (81) irrespective of the insertion of the nose into the cavity, and can include a latch formation (115) to secure the lock (17) in the hold and release positions.