Wear Element Fixing Means for Earthmoving Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing systems for wear elements in earth moving machines are expensive, complex, and have a limited service life, requiring frequent replacement and posing a risk of breakage, with screws often being single-use and difficult to remove without causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A method using a C-shaped first body, a wedge, and a second body with ratchet means and a screw, allowing for hammerless assembly and disassembly, where the screw can be reused and the fixing means are designed to prevent wear and breakage by removing it before operation, with the option to include or exclude the screw from the supply unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixing systems with screws are used, then the wear element can be fixed securely, but the screw becomes damaged during removal and cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is divided into separate functional components: a C-shaped body, a wedge, and a screw. The screw is separated from the assembly process - it is only used to drive the wedge into position and then removed, while the C-shaped body and wedge remain as the permanent fixing mechanism. This segmentation allows the screw to be reused without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge is pre-positioned between the C-shaped body and the wear element before the screw is inserted. The screw's sole function is to drive the wedge home and then it is removed. This preliminary arrangement of components ensures the screw never remains in the final assembly, preventing damage from vibration and impact during operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional hammer-driven wedge systems are used, then assembly is simple, but the system is complex and requires multiple parts that are difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The hammer is extracted from the final assembly - it is only used temporarily to drive the wedge between the C-shaped body and the wear element, then removed. The fixing system itself consists of only three parts: the C-shaped body, the wedge, and the screw. This extraction of the hammer from the permanent assembly simplifies the device while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a hammer to permanently drive the wedge home, the system inverts the approach by using a screw to drive the wedge and then removing the screw. This inversion allows for easy disassembly by simply removing the screw, whereas traditional hammer-driven systems require complex extraction processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed screw systems are used, then the wear element remains secure during operation, but the screw is subjected to wear and breakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The screw is treated as a disposable tool rather than a permanent component. It is used only during assembly to drive the wedge into position, then removed and discarded or reused on another assembly. The actual fixing function is performed by the C-shaped body and wedge, which remain in place and are not subjected to the wear and impact forces that would damage a permanently installed screw.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, durable, and reusable fixing system that reduces the risk of breakage and allows for easy assembly and disassembly without damaging the screw, extending the service life of the fixing means and wear elements.
Implementation Method 1
The fixing means comprise a C-shaped first body, a wedge and a second body. In the assembled position, the first body, the wedge and the second body are housed in the openings, the wedge being located between the first body and the second body.
Implementation Method 2
screwing the screw into the threaded surface such that the wedge moves, according to the axis of assembly, with respect to the second body and the first body
Implementation Method 3
ratchet means suitable for allowing relative movement between the wedge and the first body according to the axis of assembly and a downward direction and suitable for blocking the relative movement between the wedge and the first body according to the axis of assembly and an upward direction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of fixing a wear element (2) on the front edge of a support (1) using fixing means, where the wear element (2) comprises two arms (3) with first through openings (4) and the support (1) has a second through opening (5) sandwiched between the first through openings (4). The fixing means comprise a C-shaped first body (6), a wedge (14), ratchet means (24) between both and a second body (8), which are housed in the openings in an assembled position. The method consists of positioning the first body (6) and the second body (8) in the openings, inserting the wedge (14) between both, positioning a screw (21) between the wedge (14) and the second body (8) and screwing it in such a way that the wedge (14) moves with respect to the second body (8) and the first body (6) until the wedge (14) reaches its assembled position, and at least partially unscrewing the screw (21) and removing the screw (21) from the fixing means.