Helical Spring Locking Device for Excavator Wear Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for wear parts in excavators and similar machines fail to effectively address plastic deformation and inner wear, leading to gaps between bearing surfaces, which can cause wear parts to break or detach, resulting in costly downtime and increased risk of damage to machinery.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a helical spring threaded into a locking element, allowing for axial displacement and automatic adjustment to maintain contact between wear parts, eliminating the need for hammers and reducing the number of components, thus preventing unintentional disengagement during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional locking devices are used to secure wear parts, then the wear parts can be attached to the support, but gaps appear between bearing surfaces due to plastic deformation and inner wear, leading to wear parts breaking or detaching
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device incorporates a spring element that enables dynamic adjustment of the locking element's position. As wear occurs and gaps form between bearing surfaces, the spring allows the locking element to move axially, maintaining continuous contact and pressure between the wear part and support, thereby preventing detachment despite dimensional changes over time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the locking system by introducing elasticity through the spring. This allows the system to adapt to parameter changes (wear, deformation) by adjusting the position and contact force of the locking element, transforming a rigid fixed-position system into one that can compensate for dimensional variations
2Ease of operation
If traditional locking devices require hammers for assembly and disassembly, then secure attachment is achieved, but operational downtime increases and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device features a self-contained spring mechanism that can be compressed and released using simple manual manipulation or basic tools. The spring's elastic energy storage and release capability allows the locking element to be positioned and secured without requiring external energy sources or complex assembly procedures, enabling operators to perform maintenance independently and quickly
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded during assembly to store elastic energy that automatically maintains the locking element in its engaged position. This preliminary action of compressing the spring during initial assembly creates a self-sustaining locking force that persists throughout operation, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments or additional securing actions
3Reliability
If the locking device uses multiple components to ensure secure attachment, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the spring element and locking element into a single integrated assembly where the spring is positioned within or alongside the locking element. This combination allows the elastic compensation mechanism and the locking function to work together as one unified component system, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining both reliability and simplicity
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 locking device ensures reliable assembly and disassembly without tools, adapts to changing wear conditions, and maintains constant contact between wear parts, reducing the risk of breakage and downtime while minimizing the risk of accidental disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
at least one helical spring defining a longitudinal axis, where the spring is at least partially threaded in the thread
Implementation Method 2
the spring being fixed in respect of the support in order to prevent its rotation in respect of the support
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6A~7B
AI summary
Locking device for securing a wear part (1) on a support (2) for excavators and similar machines, the locking device that comprises a locking element (20), with a locking end, a thread (40), and at least one helical spring (30) defining a longitudinal axis, where the spring (30) is at least partially threaded in the thread (40). The support (2) comprises a housing (12) and the wear part (1) comprises an orifice (11) so that, in a mounted position, the housing (12) and the orifice (11) are at least partially overlapped, where the locking device is able to be introduced in the housing (12), where, in the mounted position, the locking end at least partially emerges from the housing (12) and penetrates into the orifice (11).