Wedge Segment Mounting for Cutter Ring Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting arrangements for cutter rings in undercutting mining machines are inefficient due to non-optimized force transmission pathways, leading to bolt failure and complex, labor-intensive interchange processes, which reduces machine performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wedge segment-based mounting mechanism that provides radial and axial locking of the cutter ring directly to the shaft, minimizing force transmission through auxiliary attachments like bolts, allowing for secure frictional contact and rapid interchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing mounting arrangements with bolts are used to attach cutter rings to shafts, then the cutter rings can be securely mounted, but the force transmission pathways are not optimized leading to bolt failure and complex interchange processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the force transmission function from the bolts and relocates it to the wedge segment. The bolts are retained only for positional fixing and stabilisation, while the wedge segment handles all loading forces through direct contact between its contact faces and the cutter ring and shaft. This separation of functions eliminates bolt failure from force transmission while simplifying the interchange process.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge segment acts as an intermediary element between the cutter ring and shaft. It provides secure frictional contact and serves as a force transmission conduit, mediating the connection between the cutter ring and shaft while avoiding undesirable direct transmission of loading forces through auxiliary mounting regions or attachments.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing mounting arrangements are used, then cutter rings can be attached, but interchange processes are time and labour intensive reducing machine performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the force transmission function from the bolts and relocates it to the wedge segment. The bolts are retained only for positional fixing and stabilisation, while the wedge segment handles all loading forces through direct contact between its contact faces and the cutter ring and shaft. This separation of functions eliminates bolt failure from force transmission while simplifying the interchange process.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge segment acts as an intermediary element between the cutter ring and shaft. It provides secure frictional contact and serves as a force transmission conduit, mediating the connection between the cutter ring and shaft while avoiding undesirable direct transmission of loading forces through auxiliary mounting regions or attachments.
3Strength
If bolts are used to couple cutter ring to shaft, then mounting is achieved, but significant forces and stress during use are translated through the bolts causing failure or loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the force transmission function from the bolts and relocates it to the wedge segment. The bolts are retained only for positional fixing and stabilisation, while the wedge segment handles all loading forces through direct contact between its contact faces and the cutter ring and shaft. This separation of functions eliminates bolt failure from force transmission while simplifying the interchange process.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge segment acts as an intermediary element between the cutter ring and shaft. It provides secure frictional contact and serves as a force transmission conduit, mediating the connection between the cutter ring and shaft while avoiding undesirable direct transmission of loading forces through auxiliary mounting regions or attachments.
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 ensures a reliable, robust attachment that withstands significant loading forces while simplifying the interchange process, enhancing machine performance and efficiency by directly transmitting forces through the wedge segment, thus reducing the risk of bolt failure and complex attachment issues.
Implementation Method 1
The wedge segment is advantageous to provide secure frictional contact between the ring and the shaft
Implementation Method 2
the wedge segment specifically avoids undesirable direct transmission of loading forces through auxiliary mounting regions or attachments such as bolts or screws
Data Source
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AI summary
A roller cutter unit (13) mountable at a cutting head (15) of undercutting mining machines (10). The cutter unit comprises an elongate mount shaft (23) to position and support a cutter ring (14). The cutter ring (14) is secured to the mount shaft via a bracket (17) having a wedge segment (24) configured to be wedged axially and radially between the cutter ring and the shaft. Accordingly, a mounting mechanism is provided to achieve a desired force transmission pathway from the cutter ring into the shaft so as to maximise the locking action of the cutter ring at the cutter unit.