Tool Retention System Using Wedge Assembly for Wear Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retention systems for wear components on earth-working machines, such as draglines, are inadequate as they fail to securely hold fasteners in place, leading to increased stress and difficulty in removal due to material buildup.
Innovation Solution
A retention system featuring a wedge assembly with a fastener having a conical surface and threaded rod, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure clamping of tools to work implements, reducing stress and facilitating easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bolt retention system is used to secure wear components to a bucket, then the wear components can be retained on the adapter, but the bolt may not be sufficiently held in place in a centered position, causing the head of the bolt to move when material is loaded and unloaded, thereby increasing stresses on the bolt
Solution Approach 1:
A wedge assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the bolt and the wear component/adapter assembly. The wedge includes a inclined surface that interfaces with a complementary inclined surface on the bolt head, preventing the bolt from moving laterally or rotating during operation. This intermediary wedge distributes and stabilizes the forces acting on the bolt, eliminating the problematic movement and reducing stress concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge assembly is pre-positioned and secured to the wear component or adapter before the bolt is fully tightened. This preliminary positioning ensures that the bolt head is immediately constrained in the correct centered position, preventing any movement during the loading and unloading cycles. The wedge is designed to maintain constant contact with the bolt head throughout operation, proactively preventing stress-inducing movements rather than reacting to them.
2Reliability
If a bolt retention system is used to secure wear components to a bucket, then the wear components can be retained on the adapter, but material may build up on or around the bolt, making removal of the bolt difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge assembly is designed as a separate, removable component that can be easily detached from the wear component or adapter. When bolt removal is needed, the wedge can be quickly extracted first, creating clearance and preventing material from blocking access to the bolt head. This extraction of the intermediary component simplifies the removal process and eliminates the time-consuming issue of material buildup around the bolt.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system is segmented into distinct components: the bolt, the wedge assembly, and the wear component/adapter. This segmentation allows the wedge to be independently removed or adjusted without requiring complete disassembly of the entire retention system. The modular design enables quick access to the bolt by simply removing the wedge portion, significantly reducing maintenance time.
3Reliability
If a conventional retention system is used to secure wear components to a bucket, then the wear components can be retained on the adapter, but the bolt may not provide a sufficiently secure attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge assembly acts as a force-distributing intermediary between the bolt and the wear component/adapter assembly. By introducing the wedge with its inclined surfaces, the system creates multiple contact points and distributes the clamping forces more evenly across the attachment interface. This intermediary structure prevents stress concentrations and enhances the overall attachment strength, providing more secure retention of the wear component.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge assembly incorporates curved or inclined surfaces that conform to the geometry of the bolt head and the wear component/adapter interface. These curved surfaces increase the contact area and distribute forces more uniformly, enhancing the mechanical interlocking and frictional resistance. The geometric configuration of the wedge creates a more robust mechanical connection that resists detachment forces better than a conventional flat-headed bolt alone.
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 system provides improved stability and ease of use by maintaining fastener centrality and preventing material buildup, enhancing the secure attachment and detachment of wear components.
Implementation Method 1
The wedge assembly includes a wedge including a recess extending along a first axis, and the wedge includes an annular protrusion extending into the recess. The annular protrusion includes a surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The fastener also includes an axis extending between the first and second end, and a head disposed on the first end. The head includes a plurality of radially-extending gear teeth disposed on the head around the first end and a first collar including a conical surface that tapers along the axis toward the second end. The fastener also includes a threaded rod disposed on the second end.