Removable Wrench Assembly Bumper Plate for Faster Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The replacement of prior art bumper plates in wrench assemblies is challenging due to the need to expose sensitive internal components, requiring significant time, skill, and increasing the risk of contamination, while also being costly and frequent due to wear and damage from impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A wrench assembly design featuring a removably mountable bumper plate and a separately embodied cover plate that maintains idler shaft position, allowing the bumper plate to be replaced without removing the cover plate, thus reducing exposure to contaminants and simplifying the replacement process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bumper plate is integrated with the cover plate as in prior art, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the replacement process requires opening the housing and exposing sensitive internal components to contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper plate and cover plate are separated into two distinct components. The bumper plate can be removed independently without removing the cover plate, allowing replacement of the wear-prone bumper plate while keeping the protective cover plate in place, thus avoiding exposure of internal components to contaminants
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bumper plate design is specific to each arm as in prior art, then the directional and geometric requirements are met, but the replacement process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal bumper plate design can be used on both arms of the wrench assembly. The bumper plate is configured to accommodate the different directionalities and geometries of the first and second arms, eliminating the need for separate bumper plate designs for each arm and reducing replacement time
3Measurement precision
If the tubular level gauge is positioned on the bumper plate as in prior art, then the visibility is good, but the gauge is exposed to impact forces and may break
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular level gauge is extracted from the bumper plate and repositioned on the housing in a location that is not exposed to impact forces. This separation allows the level gauge to maintain its visibility function while being protected from damage by impact forces applied to the bumper plate
Data Source
AI summary
Example systems for wrench assembly bumper plates. One example system may comprise a wrench assembly for assisting with attaching drill segments to, and/or separating drill segments from, a drill string. The wrench assembly may comprise a pair of arms. Each arm may comprise a bumper plate. The bumper plate may be shaped to be removably mountable to either of the pair of arms in a location where the bumper plate receives impact force when the arm makes contact with a drill segment.