EP1875006A1

EP1875006A1 - Method and device for connecting a wear part to the support thereof on material-handling devices on heavy-construction machinery

Info

Publication number: EP1875006A1
Application number: EP06743813A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Charles Pasqualini
Original assignee: AFE Metal SAS; PREDAC
Current assignee: AFE Metal SAS; PREDAC
Priority date: 2005-04-26
Filing date: 2006-04-19
Publication date: 2008-01-09
Also published as: US20080184603A1; FR2884841A1; WO2006114538A1; AU2006239042B2; CN101203646B; CN101203646A; RU2392391C2; US7690137B2; CA2606243A1; BRPI0608171A2; AU2006239042A1; RU2007143376A; FR2884841B1; KR20080000616A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for connecting a wear part to the support thereof on material-handling devices for heavy-construction machinery. The invention is characterised in that a key (C) is axially aligned with a sleeve (F) which is disposed in part of an adapter (A). According to the invention, the key is equipped with an end part (C2), known as the key foot, and a key head (C5) which are provided on either side of a body (C1). The key head is arranged with one part (C5) forming an off-centre projection. The key foot comprises anchoring means that can temporarily penetrate the elastically-deformable sleeve. As the key rotates, it becomes misaligned with the initial axis thereof and is clamped tightly either in the sleeve by means of anchoring or against the metal parts of the prong and of the adapter on different support areas.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONNECTION BETWEEN A WEAR PIECE AND ITS SUPPORT PROVIDED ON EQUIPMENT FOR THE HANDLING OF MATERIALS BY

PUBLIC WORKS

The invention relates to the technical sector of load handling equipment including public works machinery with buckets, buckets or other means likely to come scrape, remove, move materials and others for their evacuation from a place given to other operating stations using said machines.

It is known, according to the prior art, to place, for their penetration ability and their protection, wear parts on the attack blade of the various buckets, buckets and other receptacles. On the attacking blades are fixed "support-adapters" having a profiled nose, while the wear parts are teeth or shields which are positioned on the support-adapter in a precise connection, temporary for authorize their change after wear. Various technologies exist such as those developed by the applicants themselves.

The connection is in the majority of cases carried out by a keying, the tooth or the shield and the support-adapter being profiled for the reception of the key. This may be metallic with an exclusive mechanical assembly or with the integration of a support element of elastic material which can also be in the form of a sleeve previously shaped or made in situ by casting resin.

The design of "sandwich" wedges designed from two components receiving a material lining is also known. elastic. In most cases, the assembly and disassembly of keyings is performed by the action of striking tools.

Thus, under the prior art, one can cite EP 0618.334, WO 2004/035945, EP 1,048,792. To be effective, the keying devices must ensure a firm connection of the elements they bring together, which makes their assembly and disassembly often difficult with the risk of injury to stakeholders.

In the case of keyings that do not require the use of striking tools, special binding equipment is required especially for dismantling. According to the known devices, these keyings are complex, too mechanical and do not accommodate the presence of materials that adversely affect their operation.

The approach of the applicants was therefore to think about a new design of the keying device that allows to get rid of striking operations for both mounting and dismounting teeth, thus ensuring the safety of operators, while ensuring the performance of holding the tooth-adapter connection by a simple and easy to access system. Another object of the invention was to provide a device that does not require geometric rigor relative position of the tooth relative to the adapter.

These and other goals will be apparent from the rest of the description.

According to a first characteristic, the connecting device between a wear part and its support used on material handling equipment for public works machinery, of the type including the fitting of a tooth on an adapter, and their connection with a sheath of elastically deformable material and a key, the tooth and

The adapter being profiled with openings and receiving areas of said sleeve and the key where it is immobilized, characterized in that the key is disposed in axial alignment with respect to the sleeve, said sleeve being disposed in a portion of

The adapter, and in that said key has an end portion said key foot and a key head on either side of a body, and in that the body is inserted into said sleeve while the head keyway is overflowing thereof, and in that the keyway is arranged with an eccentric bearing portion capable of providing a bearing function and thrust against a complementary shape established in a first hole of the tooth , and in that the end of the key head can be actuated in rotation by an operating means, and in that the keyway comprises anchoring means that can temporarily penetrate the elastically deformable sleeve in a first action at a preset value, and in that the end of the keyway is arranged with a conical portion to abut against a second orifice of the tooth, in the context of a squeezing action. greater than the previous one and resulting from the rotation of the key, and in that the rotation of the key causes its misalignment with respect to its initial axis and the tight holding of said key, either in the sheath by anchoring or against metal parts of the tooth and the adapter on differentiated support areas. The solution implemented by the invention to meet the initial objectives reveals unexpected advantages and more particularly the possibility offered to the operator to be able to adjust the position of the key according to the needs in situ according to anchoring forces, pre-set thrust and pushback to desired values. This solution is particularly interesting because it optimizes the fixing and binding according to the environmental constraints during the lifetime of each tooth.

These and other characteristics will be apparent from the rest of the description.

For fixing the object of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner to the figures of the drawings where:

- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the device according to the invention before mounting between tooth and adapter,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the key according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the key,

FIG. 4 is a front view of the key according to the arrow F1 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line XX of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a view in longitudinal section of the sheath,

FIG. 6a is a view in longitudinal section of the sheath alternatively,

FIG. 7 is a view from above of the sheath according to FIG. 6,

- Figure 8 is a side view of the adapter,

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the adapter, FIG. 10 is a view of the tooth with a half portion in longitudinal section,

FIG. 11 is a view from above of the tooth,

- Figure 12 is a side view of the tooth-adapter assembly mounted longitudinal side of the key head.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the tooth-adapter assembly mounted on the foot side of the key,

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tooth-adapter assembly mounted according to section A.A of FIG. 12, FIG. 15 is a partial view of the assembly with the positioning of the key and the sleeve. in the first phase of positioning,

FIG. 15.1 is a view from below, according to FIG. 15;

FIG. 16 is a partial view according to the second positioning phase, with a rotation of the key according to a first angulation,

FIG. 16.1 is a view from below, according to FIG.

FIG. 17 is a partial view according to the fourth positioning phase with a rotation of the key according to a second angulation,

FIG. 17.1 is a view from below according to FIG. 17,

FIG. 18 is a partial view according to the fifth positioning phase with a rotation of the key according to a third angulation; FIG. 18.1 is a view from above according to FIG.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings. The connecting device between the tooth (D) and the adapter support (A) according to the invention implements a particular configuration of the key referenced as a whole by (C) in a sleeve (F) elastically deformable and also configured specific way and in combination with particular arrangements of the tooth and the adapter and this to ensure a specific function. This function is to allow the orientation of the key at will in the sleeve in the axial direction and in rotation. The sheath is thus partially compressed and restores a flexible reaction force which determines that of the retention of the tooth and which in a service situation, secures the key (C) from the risk of accidental exit while maintaining it in the angular position. chosen. In other words, the key which is inserted axially into the sheath along a determined axial line is then angularly oriented to come partially anchored in the sheath, and have tight contact with one or both of the orifices of the tooth and with that of the adapter, and this according to the clamping forces made and the misalignment rotation amplitude of the key at the appropriate connection locations. This keying can be implemented in a vertical or horizontal position, the latter position being illustrated in the figures of the drawings. To perform the above functions, the components are described.

Key (Cl), rigid, monolithic, cylindrical, comprises a body (1) of elongated shape with a lower end zone called key foot (C2) including a frustoconical end portion (C3) and a zone (C6) configured with an arrangement of recessed shapes and reliefs to give an ability to anchor the key in the sheath. In the setting illustrated without limitation FIG. 3, this zone (C6) has one or more grooves or grooves whose depth decreases as it moves away from the end key foot. These coaxial grooves can be supplemented on the periphery by in-ground zones (C6.1) to form notches, as will be specified later. The key (C) has at its other end (C4) constituting the key head a cylindrical portion (C5) offset greater diameter than the body (Cl). This offset is as shown in Figures 3, 4 is partially tangential to the body (Cl) and the opposite of this overflow portion to form eccentricity. Beyond this offset (C5) and end, the key has a raised area (C7) with one or more notches (C8) for taking a disassembly tool. The key has a face (C9) connecting the body (Cl) and the offset (C5).

This key (C) is designed according to the invention to be able to perform during its service, in one direction or another a complete rotation on itself of 360 °. This key therefore has its own specificities in the context of the implementation of the invention.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the head of the key can be arranged with any form for receiving an operating tool to control the rotation of the key in the operating conditions developed below.

The characteristics of the sleeve (F) should therefore be explained with reference to FIGS. 6, 6.1 and 7.

The sleeve (F) receiving the key (2) is made of a material having an elastic capacity of deformation. This sleeve of frustoconical outer shape (Fl) is of great length but less than that of the section of the nose of the adapter in which it is housed. Internally, it has a central hole (F2) whose diameter is equal to that of the body (Cl) of the key. Its thickness is variable depending on the position of misalignment that will be able to take the key (C) in situation of service. This thickness is maximum in the receiving zone of the keyway (C2) whose angular displacement will be greater during the misalignment. Only the body (Cl) of the key enters the sheath, the head (C4) with in particular the offset part (C5) and the raised area (C7) being sheath apart. To ensure an accentuated anchoring of the key in the sheath, it is possible to envisage according to FIG. 6.1, a slight internal narrowing at (F3) contributing to the anchoring force. Thus and contrary to the known and usual forms of the sleeves according to the prior art, the sleeve implemented according to the invention is of a simplified configuration.

We now describe the tooth (D) and the adapter (A) which are likely to accommodate the above key and sheath.

The adapter (A), shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, has a first transverse housing opening (A2) of frustoconical configuration for the oriented reception of the sheath of complementary configuration. The transverse housing (A2) allows the reception of the sleeve being thus established on only part of the width of the receiving zone of the adapter. This transverse housing thus has a bottom abutment face of the sheath. It is extended by a second hole or hole (A3) complementary overflowing into the external lateral clearance (A4) of the adapter. The diameter of the hole (A3) is voluntarily larger than that of the body of the key (Cl) to avoid premature contact with the key during its first phases of misalignment. The sheath is introduced by the opposite lateral clearance (A5). The offset between the hole (A3) and the bottom of the housing (A2) of the sheath (F) forms the shoulder (A7).

The tooth (D) shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 comprises two orifices (D2) and (D3) formed in the vertical or horizontal walls according to the configuration of the tooth, and as represented in the drawings by way of example in the lateral ears (D4) (D5). The orifice (D3) receives the head (C4) of the key. The size of this orifice is chosen in a particular manner and is greater than the diameter of the body (Cl) of the key. More specifically, and in an advantageous implementation, the diameter of the orifice (D3) is obtained by adding to the value of the diameter (C1) of the key, twice the difference between the value of the diameters (C5) and ( Cl) of the key. On the other hand, the orifice (D2) receives the end (C3) of the keyway with a dimension substantially greater than the latter so as not to create an undesired contact during certain misalignments of the key. In addition, a clearance (D6) formed in the ear

(D4) gives access to the notch (C8) formed in the key for disassembly.

It is therefore necessary to describe the mounting and operation of the connection device in service. It is previously specified that the assembly of the tooth and the adapter, depending on their fitting geometry may have variable relative positions with respect to each other and the connecting device according to the invention, and in particular the key which is rotatable at will in the axial direction and in rotation, can be in a plurality of positions. These positions are hereinafter set forth and are identified in the figures of the drawings (FIGS. 15 to 18.1) in which they are presented in six phases in which each performs the same function.

PHASE 1: This corresponds to the assembly of the various elements and represents the rest position, represented in FIGS. 15, 15.1. The sheath (F) is inserted and positioned in the housing (A2) of the adapter. The key (C) is introduced through the orifice (D3) by being manually pushed into the bore (F2) of the sheath. The key in this phase has no contact with either the tooth or the adapter. The key head (C4) and in particular the offset portion (C5) is oriented to take place in the orifice (D3) of the tooth. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 15-1, the axis DD of the orifices (D2-D3) of the tooth is different from the axis AFC-common to the adapter, the sheath and the key. In other words, the two axes DD and AFC are initially parallel, with a difference according to a variable value E which can be zero so fortuitously depending on the geometry of the fitting considered, they are to be confused. The complete depression of the key in the sheath is obtained when its face (C9) abuts on the face (A6) opposite the adapter

PHASE 2: This corresponds to a first method of fixing and clamping the tooth with a representation in FIGS. 16 - 16.1.

With the aid of a usual mechanic's tool, such as a pipe wrench mounted on the head of the key, said key is rotated so that the part (C5) in offset moves in contact with the surface. the rear half-circumference (D3.1) of the orifice D3 (shown in FIG. 14). At first, this has the effect of bringing the tooth to the adapter on the areas provided for their contact in service. As soon as this contact is reached, the tooth is blocked. Thus, by continuing the control in rotation of the key, it causes its misalignment with respect to the initial axis AFC-, as shown in Figures 16 and 16.1. The key head by its offset (C5) forcing the semi-circumferential surface (D3.1) on the first contact zone (P) with the lateral orifice formed on the tooth receives a reaction force (FlC ) which moves the body (Cl) forwards by compressing the sheath (F) according to the arrow (F2C) which, by resisting this compression forces the opposite part to the keyway to tilt in opposite directions and submit to the sheath a identified constraint (F3C). Due to its elastically deformable constituent material, the sheath (F) is susceptible to deformation at the contact areas considered. Thus the zone (C6) by its particular configuration with projecting and recessed parts, illustrated for example by grooves and projections (C6.1) will become embedded in the sheath and form an anchorage in the angular position chosen by maintaining the key.

If the key rotation force is continued, the bearing stress of the part (C5) of the key will be increased on the area (D3.1) identified above, as well as the compression of the sleeve which will restore a force reaction proportional to the one he receives. Thus according to the invention, the key and more particularly the key body behaves as a lever arm partially blocked in the sheath. Furthermore, the key body transmits from its portion (C5) at the point (P) a force adjustable on the face (D3.1) for the retention of the tooth. Referring to Figures 16, 16.1, it is observed that the key misaligned with respect to its initial position has changed direction orientation according to the angle GlDR, and that of its rotation according to the angle GIRT. The positioning illustrated and described in FIGS. 16, 16.1 corresponds to the use of the coupling assembly for the purposes of normal earthworks. PHASE 3: This corresponds to a second level of attachment and tightening of the tooth.

By continuing the rotation of the key head and thus of its offset portion (C5) against the face (D3.1), the movement of the key body (Cl) forward continues and comes into contact with the adapter on the face (A7) of the hole (A3) where it finds a fixed support pivoting at a second point (Pl) (shown in Figure 17) which misaligned even more the key increasing the retaining force in the sleeve and therefore the tooth. PHASE 4: This corresponds to the maximum tightening situation for fixing the tooth, and its representation is illustrated in Figures 17, 17.1.

In this situation, the operator who makes the adjustments still causes the rotation of the key using his tool of the aforementioned type.

Continuing the rotation of the key and the part (C5) offset against the face (D3.1), by the shift of the axes (CD and CA) forces exerted at points P and Pl that create a couple, the misalignment the key will become even more pronounced. Its conical end (C3) thus comes into contact for the first time according to a third point or bearing zone (P2) formed in the orifice (D2) of the tooth. This results in a mechanical keyway tightened by the exclusively metal contacts in the bearing areas (Pl) on the adapter and (P) and (P2) on the rear faces in the two orifices (A3-A2) of the tooth. The sheath is only intended to ensure the holding in place of the key and its chosen angular position. In this situation, the key has changed its direction orientation according to the angle G2DR and that of its rotation according to the angle G2RT. The keying thus established corresponds to severe working conditions.

Thus according to the invention, it is observed that the retaining means and counter-support are transferred due to the progressive and controlled misalignment of the key according to the working conditions, with a possible precise adjustment of the retaining force. Either there is simply an anchorage in the sheath for normal conditions of intervention, or there is in addition to the anchoring action in against tight support and pushed by the metal parts of the tooth and the adapter arranged for the implementation of the desired function. PHASE 5: This illustrated figure 18 - 18.1 is when the adapter is worn in the final phase of use. In this case, the very worn adapter brings a deeply depressed position of a new tooth. We find keying conditions close to those of phase 2 with a directional orientation evolution according to the angle G3DR equivalent or lower than the angle GIDR and that in rotation according to the angle G3RT to the value of 90 ° which is the maximum allowed by the system.

PHASE 6: This is the dismantling of the key. After cleaning if necessary of the opening D3 of the tooth giving access to the key head and its projecting portion (C7), rotation reversal is performed to eliminate the support stresses given by the offset part (C5). in the hole (D3). We cancel the compression on the sheath. The key returns to its rest position shown in FIG. 15 and simply by pushing on the end portion (C3) through the orifice (D2) or by the action of a screwdriver in the notch C8 of the tooth, it is possible to remove the key.

The new solution of the invention therefore perfectly meets the desired objectives. In addition, it provides a permanent possibility of adjusting the pressure exerted by the key in its connection mode adapted to the nature of the work performed and their operating conditions.

The modification in the mode and the connecting function of the key either by anchoring in the sleeve, or by the tight contact to metal parts of the tooth and the adapter or vice versa is obtained by the specific conformation of the key and its ability to misalign in the axial direction and in rotation.

The solution according to the invention provides an unexpected advantage with this ability to adjust the anchoring pressure of the key on the entire coupling according to the needs in situ.

Claims

R E V E N D I C A T IO N S

-1- Connecting device between a wear part and its support used on material handling equipment for public works machinery, of the type including the fitting of a tooth (D) on an adapter (A ), and their connection with a sheath (F) of elastically deformable material and a key (C), the tooth and the adapter being profiled with openings and housing areas of said sheath and the key, and in that the key (C) is disposed in an axial alignment with respect to the sheath, said sheath being arranged in a part of the adapter, characterized in that said key has an end portion called a key foot and a key head on both sides; other than a body (Cl), and in that the body (Cl) is introduced into said sheath while the key head is in overflow thereof, and in that the key head is arranged with an eccentric bearing portion (C5) capable of ensuring a a function of support and thrust against a complementary shape established in a first hole of the tooth, and in that the end of the key head can be actuated in rotation by a means of maneuver, and in that the foot key comprises anchoring means that can temporarily penetrate the elastically deformable sleeve according to a first clamping action to a predetermined value, and that the end of the keyway is arranged with a conical portion to come against the support in a second orifice of the tooth in the context of a clamping action greater than the previous one and resulting from the rotation of the key, the rotation of the key causes its misalignment with respect to its initial axis and the tight holding of said key, either in the sleeve by anchoring, against the metal parts of the tooth and the adapter on differentiated bearing areas (P) (P1) (P2).

-2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the key (Cl), rigid, monolithic, cylindrical, comprises a body (1) of elongated shape with a lower end zone called key foot (C2) including a frustoconical end portion (C3) and an area (C6) configured with an arrangement of recessed and raised shapes to provide an ability to anchor the key in the sleeve, and in that the key (C) presents to its other end (C4) constituting the key head a cylindrical portion (C5), offset diameter greater than that of the body (Cl). and in that beyond this offset (C5) and at the end, the key has a raised area (C7) with one or more notches (C8) allowing the taking of a disassembly tool, and in that the key has a face (C9) connecting the body (Cl) and the offset (C5).

-3- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the zone (C6) comprises a plurality of grooves or grooves whose depth decreases away from the end of the key foot, and in that these coaxial grooves are completed on the periphery by in-ground areas (C6.1) to form notches.

-4- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the offset is partially tangential to the body (Cl) and the opposite of this overflow portion to form eccentricity. -5- Device according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that the key (C) is designed to be able to perform during its service, in one direction or another a complete rotation on itself of 360 °.

-6- Device according to claims 1 and 2 together, characterized in that the sleeve with a frustoconical outer shape (Fl) is of great length but less than that of the section of the nose of the adapter in which it is housed and is immobilized, and in that it has internally a central hole (F2) whose diameter is equal to that of the body (Cl) of the key, and in that its thickness is variable depending on the misalignment position that may take the key (C) in service.

-7- Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the sleeve has a slight internal narrowing (F3) of the central hole (F2) contributing to the anchoring force.

-8- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the adapter (A) has a first hole forming a transverse housing (A2) of frustoconical configuration for the oriented reception of the configuration sheath complementary, and in that the transverse housing (A2) allows the reception of the sheath being thus established on only a part of the width of the receiving zone of the adapter, and in that the transverse housing has a stop face of bottom of the sheath, and in that it is extended by a complementary second hole or hole (A3) projecting into the external lateral clearance (A4) of the adapter, and that the hole (A3) has a diameter substantially larger than the diameter ( Cl) of the body of the key, and in that the sleeve is introduced by the opposite lateral clearance (A5), and in that the offset between the hole (A3) and the bottom of the housing (A2) of the sleeve (F) forms the shoulder (A7).

-9- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tooth (D) comprises two orifices (D2) and (D3) formed in the vertical or horizontal walls or in the side lugs (D4) ( D5), in that the orifice (D3) receives the head (C4) of the key, and in that the orifice (D2) receives the end (C3) of the key foot with a dimension substantially larger than it.

-10- Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the dimension of the orifice (D3) is greater than the diameter of the body (Cl) of the key of a value equal to twice the difference between the section of the offset ( C5) and the section of the key body (Cl).

-11- Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the tooth has a clearance (D6) formed in the ear (D4) to give access to the notch (C8) formed in the key for disassembly.

-12- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating means is a pipe wrench. -13- A method of implementation of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the conformation of the key and its ability to misalign in the axial direction and in rotation allows the modification in the mode and function connecting the key either by anchoring in the sheath, or by the tight contact to metal parts of the tooth and the adapter.

-14- A method according to claim 13, characterized in that it implements the following phases: - insertion of the sleeve in the housing (A2) of the adapter, the key having no contact with the tooth, nor with the adapter, the key head projecting into the orifice (D2) of the tooth;

- Implementing a rotary movement of the key with a tool acting on the key head, so that the portion (C5) offset comes into contact with the orifice (D3) causing misalignment of the key and causing anchoring of the portion (C6) of the key in the sleeve in a selected angular position, corresponding to a use of the coupling assembly for purposes of normal earthworks, and in that the key body transmits from its portion (C5) at a point P a force adjustable on the face (D3.1) for the retention of the tooth.

-15- A method according to claim 13, characterized in that by continuing the rotation of the key head and its offset part (C5) against the face (D3.1) of the tooth, the displacement of the key body ( Cl) forward continuously and comes into contact with the adapter on the face (A7) of the hole (A3) where it finds a fixed pivoting support at a second point (Pl) which further misaligns the key increasing the force retainer in the sheath. -16- A method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that under severe working conditions, the additional rotation of the key and the portion (C5) offset against the face (D3.1) of the tooth causes a transfer of the bearing and contact areas of the key by mechanical keying tightened by exclusively metal contacts in the bearing areas (Pl) on the adapter and (P-P2) on the rear faces in the two orifices (D3-D4) of the tooth.