Hammer Tool Assembly Locking Mechanism for Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hammer tool assemblies in hammer mills experience significant wear and efficiency reduction due to uneven deformation of materials, leading to frequent replacements and increased production costs.

Innovation Solution

A hammer tool assembly with a locking arrangement comprising protuberances and through slots allows for robust and reliable assembly of thin, hard hammer blades without welding, enabling easier replacement and reduced wear, using materials like Hardox for enhanced durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hammer blades are made thin and hard to reduce wear, then wear resistance is improved, but assembly complexity and reliability deteriorate due to difficulty of secure attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple hammer blades into a single integrated assembly with a common mounting structure. The first and second hammer blades are both mounted on the same hammer shaft with shared locking mechanisms, merging what would otherwise be separate assembly operations into one unified assembly unit. This reduces overall assembly complexity while maintaining the wear resistance benefits of thin, hard blades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking arrangements are designed with protrusions that automatically engage with slots in the hammer blades during the assembly process. This preliminary positioning action ensures proper alignment and secure attachment before final tightening, making the assembly of thin, hard blades more reliable and less complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If hammer blades are made thin and hard to reduce wear, then wear resistance is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to difficulty of secure attachment without welding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional welding or permanent mechanical fastening methods with a reversible locking mechanism using protrusions and slots. This mechanical substitution allows thin, hard hammer blades to be securely attached without welding, maintaining wear resistance while significantly improving ease of assembly and replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking arrangement acts as an intermediary element between the hammer shaft and the hammer blades. The protrusions on the locking arrangement engage with slots in the blades, providing a secure mechanical connection that is easier to manufacture and assemble than direct welding or permanent fastening of the blades themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If hammer blades are made thin and hard to reduce wear, then wear resistance is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to frequent replacements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidproduction continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the hammer blade assembly into modular components that can be independently replaced. The locking arrangement allows individual hammer blades to be quickly detached and replaced without affecting the entire assembly, maintaining productivity by enabling rapid blade replacement while preserving the wear resistance of thin, hard blades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism provides dynamic adjustability, allowing hammer blades to be quickly secured or released as needed. This dynamic capability enables rapid blade replacement when wear occurs, maintaining production continuity while the blades themselves maintain high wear resistance due to their thin, hard construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If multiple hammer blades are assembled together to maintain efficiency, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to assembly structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemill efficiencyVSAvoidassembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple hammer blades into a coordinated assembly that functions as a unified impact tool. The first and second hammer blades work together on the same shaft, providing continuous crushing capability that maintains high mill efficiency. The merged assembly structure reduces overall complexity compared to having completely separate hammer mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking arrangement design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it secures hammer blades to the shaft, allows for quick replacement, provides alignment, and enables reversible mounting. This multi-functionality maintains productivity through reliable multi-blade operation while avoiding the need for separate complex mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3207993B1Hammer tool assembly, hammer mill rotor, hammer mill and use of a hammer tool assembly
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 SSAB TECHNOLOGY AB
  • EP3207993B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3207993B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3207993B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A hammer tool assembly (50), a hammer mill rotor (60), a hammer mill (100) and use of a hammer tool assembly (50) are provided. The hammer tool assembly (50) comprises a locking arrangement (11), a first hammer blade (1 a) and a second hammer blade (1 b). The locking arrangement (11) is arranged to be fitted into first and second through slots (5a, 5b) of the first and second hammer blades (1a, 1b) and at least a part of the first hammer blade (1a) and at least a part of the second hammer blade (1b) are arranged to be interposed between a first protuberance (15) and a second protuberance (17) of the locking arrangement (11).