Wear Element Locking Assembly for Misaligned Threaded Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for wear elements in earth moving machines face challenges in mounting and dismounting due to deformations in the central shaft, causing misalignment and thread damage, making it difficult to securely attach and detach wear elements without damaging the machine.
Innovation Solution
The locking device employs coupling means with a disc and tongue-and-groove mechanisms that absorb deformations, allowing rotational movement between misaligned threads, and includes a non-smooth surface and elastic polymer joints to prevent damage and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central shaft with threaded segments is used to secure wear elements, then the wear elements can be mechanically locked, but deformations in the central shaft cause misalignment and thread damage during mounting and dismounting
Solution Approach 1:
The central shaft is segmented into multiple threaded segments (first threaded segment and second threaded segment) that can rotate independently around different rotation axes. This segmentation allows each threaded segment to accommodate deformations independently while maintaining secure locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device incorporates dynamic capability by allowing the first and second threaded segments to rotate around different rotation axes (first rotation axis and second rotation axis) that can be misaligned. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to handle shaft deformations during mounting and dismounting operations without causing thread damage.
2Strength
If the threaded segments are rigidly connected, then structural strength is maintained, but misalignment causes thread damage and difficult operation
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling means acts as an intermediary between the first threaded segment and the second threaded segment. This coupling means transmits rotational movement between the two segments while accommodating misalignment between their rotation axes, thereby preventing thread damage while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in rotational parameters by enabling the first threaded segment and second threaded segment to rotate around different rotation axes. The coupling means facilitates this parameter change by transmitting rotational movement even when the axes are misaligned, preventing the harmful effects of rigid connection.
3Ease of manufacture
If wear elements are welded to the support, then lower cost is achieved, but changing wear elements becomes difficult and risks damaging the blade
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the welding process with a mechanical locking system using threaded segments and locking elements. This substitution maintains the cost advantage of mechanical assembly while enabling easy replacement of wear elements through simple rotational operations on the threaded segments, avoiding blade damage risks associated with welding.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device for securing a wear element in a support in an earth moving machine includes a central shaft with a first right hand threaded segment and a second left hand threaded segment. Locking elements are screwed onto the threaded segments. Both threaded segments are attached to one another and are suitable for transmitting rotational movement between both threaded segments. A coupling of the threaded segments can comprise a disc with two faces, each of them opposite one end of the threaded segments. Between each of the faces and the end of the threaded segment there is a tongue and groove extending to a first diameter and a second diameter, respectively, such that the disc and the threaded segments are suitable for moving with respect to one another.