Work Implement Liner Assembly with Grooved Weld Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wear liners for work implements in work machines require extensive welding around their edges, which can lead to reduced welding integrity due to material flow and weld wash, causing potential failure and costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
A liner assembly with grooves on the base plates of the liners that allows for welding along the longitudinal axis, eliminating the need for welding along the lateral axis in line with material flow, thereby enhancing welding integrity and enabling easy replacement of worn-out liners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wear liners are welded to the work implement at each side edge, then the liners are securely attached, but the welding integrity is reduced due to material flow and weld wash
Solution Approach 1:
The welding process is segmented into two distinct phases: first welding the liner to the work implement body, then welding adjacent liners to each other. This segmentation prevents material flow from compromising the primary attachment welds, as the lateral welds are applied after the material flow path is established.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner is first welded to the work implement body before welding adjacent liners to each other. This preliminary action ensures that the primary attachment is established before any lateral welding occurs, preventing material flow from interfering with the primary weld integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If spacing is maintained between adjacent wear liners, then welding equipment can access the liners, but welding material accumulates in the spacing and reduces welding integrity
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent liners are welded to each other before material is loaded into the work implement. This preliminary welding eliminates the spacing between liners, preventing welding material accumulation while still allowing welding equipment access during the assembly phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional approach welds liners to the body first, then welds adjacent liners together with spacing for equipment access. This invention inverts the sequence by welding adjacent liners together first (when spacing is still needed for positioning), then welding to the body, eliminating the harmful spacing while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Reliability
If conventional wear liner design is used, then coverage is provided, but extensive welding is required leading to potential failure and costly repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The liner system is segmented into individually replaceable units that can be detached and reattached. This segmentation allows for rapid replacement of worn liners without requiring complete removal and rewelding of entire liner assemblies, significantly reducing maintenance time.
Solution Approach 2:
Worn liners can be discarded and replaced with new liners through a simplified attachment process. The modular design allows liners to be recovered (removed) and replaced without extensive welding operations, reducing both maintenance time and costs while maintaining reliable attachment through the groove-based welding system.
Data Source
AI summary
A liner assembly for a work implement is adapted to be coupled to a body of the work implement. The liner assembly includes a plurality of liners coupled to the body of the work implement. Each of the plurality of liners includes a base plate. The base plate defines a first surface adapted to contact material present in the work implement. The base plate also defines a second surface adapted to contact the body of the work implement. The base plate further defines a plurality of grooves extending between the first surface and the second surface. Each of the plurality of grooves defines a first maximum length between two ends thereof. Each of the plurality of grooves is adapted to receive welding material to couple a corresponding liner with the body of the work implement.