Segmented Thrust Washer Housing for Serviceable Articulation Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

The articulation joint in machines, such as motor graders, poses challenges in accessing the thrust washer due to its size and complex geometry, requiring extensive disassembly for maintenance, leading to increased downtime and costs.

Innovation Solution

A washer assembly with multiple co-planar washer segments and housing segments that enclose them, allowing for service access without full disassembly, using a hinge pin, bearing member, and bushing member to pivotally couple the frames while providing a thrust bearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the articulation joint is designed with a compact structure to save space, then the overall size is reduced, but access to the thrust washer becomes difficult requiring extensive disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall size of articulation jointVSAvoidaccessibility to thrust washer

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a first housing portion and a second housing portion that can be separated from each other. The thrust washer is segmented into multiple segments that can be accessed independently. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access the thrust washer by simply separating the housing portions rather than completely disassembling the entire articulation joint, thus maintaining compact overall size while improving accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thrust washer segments are designed to be extractable from the housing through the opening formed by separated housing portions. This extraction capability allows the thrust washer to be removed and replaced without disturbing other components of the articulation joint, resolving the contradiction between compact design and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the articulation joint requires complete disassembly for thrust washer maintenance, then full access is achieved, but machine downtime and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to thrust washerVSAvoidmachine downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting both the housing and the thrust washer, the invention enables selective access to only the maintenance-required components. The housing portions can be quickly separated to expose the thrust washer segments, which can then be independently removed and replaced. This eliminates the need for complete disassembly, significantly reducing maintenance time and machine downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is pre-designed with separable portions and the thrust washer is pre-segmented into removable sections. This preliminary structuring allows for rapid maintenance operations where only the necessary components need to be accessed and replaced, rather than requiring systematic disassembly of the entire joint, thus reducing time loss during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the thrust washer is designed as a single solid piece, then structural integrity is maintained, but replacement requires complete disassembly of the articulation joint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of thrust washerVSAvoidreplacement of thrust washer

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The thrust washer is divided into multiple segments that can be independently removed through the housing opening. Each segment maintains sufficient structural integrity for its functional role, while the segmented design allows individual segments to be replaced without removing the entire thrust washer assembly or completely disassembling the articulation joint, significantly improving ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thrust washer segments are nested within the housing portions, allowing them to be accessed and replaced through the opening created by separating the housing. This nested arrangement enables individual segment replacement while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the thrust washer assembly during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11473266B2Articulation joint for a machine

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

An articulation joint for a machine includes a first frame portion, a second frame portion, a hinge pin, a bearing member, a bushing member, and a washer assembly. The washer assembly includes a thrush washer and a housing. The thrust washer includes a plurality of washer segments. Each of the plurality of washer segments is adapted to be disposed co-planar and adjacent with respect to one another. The plurality of washer segments defines a central space adapted to receive the hinge pin therethrough. The housing includes a plurality of housing segments. Each of the plurality of housing segments is adapted to be disposed co-planar and adjacent with respect to one another. The plurality of housing segments defines an internal space adapted to enclose each of the washer segments therein.