Mechanical Rope Wedge Assembly Tool-Free Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wedge assemblies for securing ropes in excavation machines, such as dragline bucket rigging equipment, face challenges in efficient securement and release mechanisms, often requiring manual tools like hammers for disassembly and lacking a reliable method to alter the assembly's width for secure rope retention.
Innovation Solution
A wedge assembly comprising an inner tapered wedge with guide features and outer wedges with receiving features, actuated by a threaded fastener, allowing for axial movement and expansion/contraction to securely engage or release the rope from a socket without the need for hammers, utilizing a slider and axial retainer for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional wedge assembly is used for securing ropes in excavation machines, then the rope can be held in the socket, but the assembly requires manual tools like hammers for disassembly and lacks an efficient release mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge assembly transitions from a static traditional design to a dynamic system where the wedge can be easily moved between expanded and contracted positions. The threaded rod allows the wedge to be dynamically adjusted by rotation, enabling tool-free release by simply backing off the threads, while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical hammer-based disassembly system with a threaded fastening system. Instead of requiring impact forces from a hammer to drive the wedge out, the new system uses simple螺纹 rotation to axially move the wedge, substituting complex mechanical impact operations with a simpler rotational motion that can be performed by hand.
2Reliability
If a wedge assembly is expanded to securely engage the rope, then the rope retention is reliable, but the assembly cannot be easily contracted for release without tools
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge assembly incorporates dynamic adjustability through the threaded rod mechanism. During operation, the wedge remains firmly expanded for reliable rope retention. For release, the same threaded mechanism allows easy contraction by simply rotating the rod in reverse, enabling the assembly to dynamically switch between secure engagement and easy release states.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the axial position parameter of the wedge by rotating the threaded rod. When the rod is tightened, the wedge is pushed into the expanded position for secure rope retention. When the rod is loosened or backed off, the wedge contracts automatically, providing easy release without tools. This parameter change through螺纹 rotation solves both reliability and ease of operation requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a threaded fastener is used to axially actuate the inner wedge, then tool-free expansion and contraction is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded rod serves multiple functions: it acts as the actuating mechanism for moving the wedge, provides a locking feature when tightened, and serves as a reference axis for the assembly. The groove in the wedge body simultaneously guides the wedge movement and engages with the threaded rod. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, offsetting the added complexity with functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner wedge with the groove is nested within the outer wedge, and the threaded rod passes through both components. The groove in the inner wedge contains the threaded rod during actuation, creating a nested arrangement where smaller components are housed within larger ones. This nesting consolidates the structure and reduces the overall footprint, mitigating the complexity increase from the threaded actuation system.
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
Enables convenient and tool-free expansion or contraction of the wedge assembly for secure rope engagement and release, enhancing operational efficiency in mining and earth-moving applications by providing a reliable and efficient securement mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded fastener configured to axially actuate the inner wedge along the receiving features of the first outer wedge and the second outer wedge
Implementation Method 2
The wedge assembly includes an inner wedge. The inner wedge includes a tapered body
Data Source
AI summary
A wedge assembly for holding a rope in a socket includes an inner wedge. The inner wedge includes a tapered body and a threaded hole. The inner wedge includes a first guide feature and a second guide feature. The wedge assembly includes a first outer wedge and a second outer wedge, each outer wedge including a receiving feature. The receiving features of the first outer wedge and the second outer wedge are configured to receive the first guide feature and second guide feature. The wedge assembly includes a fastener configured to actuate the inner wedge between the two outer wedges.