Retainer Sleeve Anti-Rotation Geometry for Secure Tool Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Earth-working machines experience wear and tear of ground engaging tools due to abrasion and impact, leading to potential rotation and detachment from customized retainer systems, which can cause the tools to come unattached.
Innovation Solution
A retainer sleeve with an anti-rotation feature, featuring a locking surface at a specific angle to prevent rotation of the lock relative to the retainer axis, and detent projections to securely hold the lock in place, ensuring the ground engaging tools remain attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a customized retainer system is used to attach ground engaging tools, then the tools can be readily removed and replaced, but vibrations or loads may cause the tools to rotate to an unlocked position and come unattached
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer sleeve includes a locking surface that applies preliminary anti-action to prevent the lock from rotating to an unlocked position. The locking surface is positioned and angled to counteract the rotational force generated by vibrations or loads before the tool can detach, thereby maintaining reliable attachment while allowing easy replacement when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the ground engaging tool and the implement. It includes a locking mechanism with a lock and locking surface that mediates the connection, providing both secure attachment during operation and ease of replacement when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
2Ease of operation
If the retainer sleeve allows rotation of the lock, then the tool can be unlocked and removed, but vibrations or loads may cause unintended rotation to an unlocked position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking surface provides preliminary anti-action by being positioned to prevent unintended rotation of the lock during operation. It counteracts vibrational and load-induced forces before they can cause the lock to rotate to an unlocked position, while still allowing intentional rotation for tool removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking surface is positioned asymmetrically on the retainer sleeve, creating a specific geometric relationship with the lock. This asymmetric positioning ensures that the lock can rotate in one direction for intentional unlocking while being blocked from rotating in the opposite direction due to vibrations or loads, thus maintaining stability while preserving operability.
Data Source
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AI summary
In some implementations, a retainer sleeve may include a body including an at least partially annular configuration defining a retainer axis. The body may include an inner surface configured to rotatably receive an outer surface of a lock. The body may include a plurality of plates circumferentially joined together with respect to the retainer axis, where a first plate of the plurality of plates includes a first leg joined to the first plate extending away from the retainer axis and configured to contact a lock cavity of the lock. The body may include an anti-rotation feature, disposed on the first plate, extending inward from the inner surface toward the retainer axis, the anti-rotation feature including a locking surface configured to contact a lock skirt of the lock, the locking surface disposed at a first angle with respect to a bottom end of the first plate.