Polyoxymethylene Retainer Bushing for Ground Engaging Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retainer systems for ground engaging tools on earth-working machines face issues with secure attachment and detachment, as well as increased friction due to work material accumulation, which affects the longevity and efficiency of the tools.
Innovation Solution
A retainer bushing system with a C-shaped body made of polyoxymethylene, featuring a skirt and detent projections that mate with a lock to resist rotation and reduce friction, allowing for secure attachment and detachment of ground engaging tools while minimizing the impact of work material accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional retainer systems are used to attach ground engaging tools, then the tools can be removably attached to implements, but friction increases due to work material accumulation between the retainer components
Solution Approach 1:
A polyoxymethylene bushing is introduced as an intermediary component between the lock and the ground engaging tool. This bushing acts as a mediator that reduces direct metal-to-metal contact and minimizes friction caused by work material accumulation, while still maintaining secure attachment through the detent projection mechanism
2Productivity
If ground engaging tools are subjected to extreme wear from abrasion and impacts, then the tools can perform earth-working functions, but the useful life of the tools decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The polyoxymethylene bushing serves as a protective cushioning element that is installed beforehand to absorb and distribute the extreme wear from abrasion and impacts. This cushioning layer protects the underlying metal components from direct contact with abrasive earth materials, thereby extending the useful life of the ground engaging tools while maintaining their earth-working capability
3Reliability
If detent projections are designed to engage detent recesses to resist rotation, then the lock mechanism provides secure positioning, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detent projection is integrated directly into the polyoxymethylene bushing, merging the buffering, friction-reducing, and positioning functions into a single component. This consolidation achieves secure positioning through the detent engagement mechanism while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate buffering and friction-reduction components
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a retainer bushing for use with a lock of a ground engaging tool. The retainer bushing may include a skirt extending around a retainer axis, where the skirt may include an outer surface configured to mate with a lock cavity of the ground engaging tool and an inner surface configured to rotatably receive an outer surface of the lock. The retainer bushing may also include a detent projection extending radially inward from the inner surface and configured to engage a detent recess of the lock to resist rotation of the lock. The skirt and the detent projection may be integrally constructed of a thermoplastic material comprising polyoxymethylene.