Wing Shroud Locking Assembly for Wear-Adjustable Bucket Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pinned systems for attaching ground engaging tools to excavator buckets face challenges in adjusting to wear, leading to loose fittings prone to vibration and rattling, despite being secure against loss.
Innovation Solution
A locking system comprising a first and second locking member with guiding surfaces oriented at an acute angle, combined with a tightening element, which aligns their axial bores and collars to securely attach ground engaging tools to the bucket edge, preventing rotation and bending of the tightening element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional wedge-and-spool pinned system is used to secure ground engaging tools, then the tool is locked securely against loss, but the system has limited capability to adjust to wear, resulting in loose fittings prone to vibration and rattling
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system incorporates adjustable locking members that can be repositioned along the pin to accommodate wear of the ground engaging tool. The system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one where the locking members can be moved axially to maintain proper engagement as the tool wears down, thereby maintaining both security and adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for changes in the position parameters of the locking members along the pin axis. By adjusting the axial position of the locking members, the system adapts to the changing dimensions of the tool due to wear, maintaining optimal locking engagement without requiring replacement of the entire pin or tool
2Strength
If a traditional pinned system is used to attach ground engaging tools, then the connection is secure, but the fitting becomes loose and prone to vibration over time due to limited wear adjustment capability
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system incorporates adjustable locking members that can be repositioned along the pin to accommodate wear of the ground engaging tool. The system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one where the locking members can be moved axially to maintain proper engagement as the tool wears down, thereby maintaining both security and adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables operators to perform adjustments and tightening operations themselves without requiring specialized equipment or extensive maintenance procedures. The adjustable locking members can be easily repositioned and secured by the end users, making the system self-maintaining and reducing downtime
3Reliability
If a tightening element is used to lock the pin within the bucket aperture, then the pin is secured against loss, but the tightening element is prone to rotation and bending without proper constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces guiding surfaces as intermediary elements between the locking members and the pin. These guiding surfaces provide the necessary constraints and direction for the tightening element, preventing unwanted rotation and bending while maintaining the pin retention function. The guiding surfaces act as mediators that translate the tightening force into effective locking action
4Productivity
If ground engaging tools are attached to buckets subject to abrasive wear, then the tools can be replaced, but the attachment systems must continuously adapt to maintain secure connection despite wear
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system incorporates adjustable locking members that can be repositioned along the pin to accommodate wear of the ground engaging tool. The system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one where the locking members can be moved axially to maintain proper engagement as the tool wears down, thereby maintaining both security and adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to anticipate wear through preliminary adjustability features. The locking members are positioned and configured in advance to allow for future adjustments as wear occurs, enabling proactive maintenance rather than reactive repairs. This preliminary configuration allows the system to adapt to wear over the tool's service life
Data Source
AI summary
A method of locking a wing shroud to a cable shovel includes the use of a lock having two locking members arranged to be bolted together. Each locking member has an angled collar arranged to bear against an angled surface of the wing shroud. Tightening of the bolt causes the collars to move towards each other, resulting in the wing shroud being forced in a rearward direction to lock the shroud onto the wing of the cable shovel bucket.