Spring Steel Sleeve Retainer With Rotating Mud-Shielded Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retaining mechanisms for work implement assemblies, such as those used in earth-moving equipment, face issues with mud or debris packing and increased force required for unlocking, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,243 B2, which affects the performance and efficiency of the retaining mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded retainer mechanism with a serpentine spring design and a lug receiving portion that includes a catch surface and drive portion, along with a rail on the adapter to prevent mud ingress, allowing for easy assembly and reduced unlocking force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retaining clip is used to prevent rotation of the mounting component, then the lock is securely positioned, but mud or other material packs into the retaining mechanism increasing the force necessary to unlock
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed to rotate between locked and unlocked positions, transitioning from a static retaining clip to a dynamic rotating mechanism. This rotation allows the retainer to be driven by the drive portion while maintaining secure positioning when locked, and enables easy unlocking through rotational movement without requiring excessive force to overcome packed material
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element changes the force parameters of the system by providing elastic force that assists in both locking and unlocking operations. The spring-loaded mechanism stores and releases energy to reduce the force needed to overcome mud packing, while the spring tension maintains reliable engagement in the locked position
2Reliability
If a threaded pin and retaining clip design is used, then the wear member is securely held to the base, but the complexity of the retaining mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer combines multiple functions into a single rotating component: it replaces the separate retaining clip and mounting component, integrates the locking and unlocking functions, and works with the spring element to provide both secure attachment and easy release. This merged design reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining reliable wear member attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer serves multiple functions: it acts as a locking element, a rotating driver interface, a spring-loaded actuator, and a mud-shielding barrier. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components, reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining secure wear member attachment
3Ease of operation
If the retainer is designed to rotate between locked and unlocked positions, then easy assembly and disassembly is achieved, but the force required to overcome mud packing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element acts as a counterbalancing force that offsets the resistance created by mud packing. The spring stores energy during the locking operation and releases it during unlocking, providing assistance that reduces the net force required to rotate the retainer against packed material
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating retainer design creates dynamic movement that prevents mud from fully packing and hardening in the mechanism. The rotation motion stirs and displaces packed material, reducing its binding effect, while the spring-loaded operation provides dynamic force assistance to overcome remaining resistance
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 spring-loaded retainer mechanism effectively prevents mud and debris from entering the retaining mechanism while reducing the force needed to unlock, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of the retaining mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring arm extending from the first side edge of the flat base, the first spring arm including a first arcuate portion extending rearwardly from the flat base
Data Source
AI summary
A spring includes a first spring arm extending from the first side edge of the flat base, the first spring arm including a first arcuate portion extending from the flat base, a first straight portion extending from the first arcuate portion and disposed proximate to the rear face, the first straight portion defining a first obtuse angle with the rear face, and a first straight portion length.