RU2823667C1 - Retainer for wearing element of excavating machine working element and corresponding wearing element of excavating machine working element - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: machine building.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to fastening mechanisms used in assembly tools, such as assembled buckets, used in excavation, mining, construction, etc. equipment. Retainer for a worn-out element of a working member of an excavating machine comprises a drive part, which forms an outer diameter of the drive part, and a mounting part which forms a groove for installation of an eye lug, which partially passes through the eye lug installation part, forming the first side panel, the second side panel and the gripping surface connecting the first side panel with the second side panel, and the skirt. Skirt at least partially forms the first side wall, the second side wall and the gripping surface. Skirt has an outer diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the drive part. At that, drive part additionally includes key with hook, which extends from the drive part in the radial direction so that it is spaced from the skirt at a minimum distance to form a passage configured to receive the wear element ring.

EFFECT: reduced probability of fixator overturning or jamming in worn-out element.

9 cl, 24 dwg

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The present invention relates to fastening mechanisms used in assembled working tools, such as assembled buckets used in earthmoving, mining, construction and the like machinery, for fastening a tip to an adapter of the assembled working tool. In particular, the present invention relates to a fastening mechanism in which a thrust sleeve is used to retain a locking member of the fastening mechanism in a locked or unlocked configuration.

State of the art

Machines such as wheel loaders, excavators, etc. use assembled working tools: assembled buckets, rippers, shears, etc. They have teeth or tips attached to them that help perform work with such material as dirt, rock, sand, etc. For example, teeth or tips may be attached to an assembled bucket that help move the bucket into the soil, facilitating the scooping of dirt into the bucket, etc. Adapters are often attached to the working edges (e.g. base, side, etc.) of the bucket or other working tool, allowing different types of teeth or tips to be installed on the working tool. In addition, the tips or teeth can be easily replaced in case of wear due to the presence of a fastening mechanism that is used to selectively hold the tip on the adapter or to remove it from the adapter.

These fasteners may include a plastic retaining sleeve that holds the retainer in the tip. The retainer retaining sleeve may also have features that hold the retainer in the locked or unlocked position, allowing for interchangeability of tips. The retaining sleeve operates under a variety of conditions and operating methods. Extreme conditions and operating methods may require a stronger sleeve. In addition, the retainer may tip over, causing the fastener to jam or otherwise malfunction.

Such a fastening mechanism is shown in U.S. Patent No. 7,762,015, which includes a retainer with a projection that rotates 180 degrees from a locked position to an unlocked position, in which the tip or the like can be removed from the adapter. After reattaching a new or repaired tip to the adapter, this process can be performed in reverse. During the process of locking and unlocking the retainer, it can become undesirably skewed or flipped.

Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 10,024,036 describes an invention in the field of wear elements for wear assemblies, including a lock configured to secure a wear element to a base, where the lock has two engagement positions, namely: (a) a first position in which the lock is secured to the wear element, and (b) a second position in which the wear element is secured to the base. In addition, the locks are configured such that disengagement and removal from the wear element occurs in two stages: first, the lock mechanism is retracted, and then the lock itself is rotated with its removal from the wear element. However, this patent does not provide a thrust sleeve, and also does not describe how to prevent the lock from tipping over when using such a sleeve.

Accordingly, for use with a thrust sleeve, it is recommended to use a fastening mechanism with one or more anti-tip elements.

Brief summary of the invention

The lock according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a drive portion defining the outer diameter of the drive portion, and a mounting portion defining a groove for installing an eyelet, which partially passes through the mounting portion, forming a first side wall, a second side wall and an engaging surface connecting the first side wall with the second side wall. The skirt may at least partially form the first side wall, the second side wall and the gripping surface. In addition, the outer diameter of the skirt may be larger than the outer diameter of the drive portion. In addition, the drive portion may further include a key with a hook extending from the drive portion and located at a minimum distance from the skirt.

A wear element according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a housing comprising a front closed portion and a rear open portion that form a cavity, an outer surface, an inner surface that form the cavity, and an installation hole of a fastening mechanism that includes an inner portion formed by the inner surface, an outer portion formed by the outer surface, and a ring separating the inner and outer portions.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wear element assembly may include a wear element having a housing including a front closed portion, a rear open portion that form a cavity, an outer surface, an inner surface that form a cavity. An opening for installing a fastening mechanism may also be provided, including an inner portion formed by the inner surface, an outer portion formed by the outer surface, and a ring separating the inner portion from the outer portion. A thrust sleeve may also be provided, including a housing having at least a partially annular configuration that forms an axis of rotation in the radial direction and along the circumference. The thrust sleeve may include an inner annular surface in the radial direction that forms an inner opening in the radial direction. The thrust sleeve may be placed in the inner portion of the mounting opening of the locking mechanism, wherein the ring protrudes radially above the thrust sleeve housing and extends along the circumference at an angle exceeding 190.0 degrees.

Brief description of graphic materials

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a working tool assembly, such as a bucket assembly, that utilizes tips, adapters, and fastening mechanisms with components configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tip and adapter assembly of Fig. 1, shown separately from the working tool assembly of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of the tip of Fig. 2 without the adapter, showing the fastening mechanism and its components, including a lock and a thrust sleeve with anti-rotation and retaining elements according to one embodiment of the present invention in a locked configuration.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the tip of Fig. 2 showing the rotation of the lock from the locked to the unlocked position.

Fig. 5 is a partial rear sectional view of Fig. 2 illustrating the fastening mechanism and its components, including the lock and the thrust sleeve with the functions of preventing rotation and holding in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, in assembled form in the mounting hole of the fastening mechanism of the tip. The lock is shown in the unlocked state.

Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of the retainer and thrust sleeve assembly used in Figs. 3 and 5, removed from the tip for clarity.

Fig. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the thrust sleeve of Fig. 6 shown in isolation.

Fig. 8 shows a front view of the retainer and thrust sleeve assembly of Fig. 6 with section lines for Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 shows a top view in section of the retainer and thrust sleeve assembly in Fig. 8 along lines 9-9.

Fig. 10 is a front view of the retainer and thrust sleeve assembly of Fig. 6 with section lines for Fig. 11.

Fig. 11 shows a bottom view in section of the retainer and thrust sleeve assembly in Fig. 10 along lines 11-11.

Fig. 12 is a side view of the tip without an adapter, showing another embodiment of a fastening mechanism including a lock and a thrust sleeve with external ribs in accordance with various principles of implementing the present invention. The fastening mechanism is shown in a locked state.

Fig. 13 is a top sectional view of the tip and fastening mechanism of Fig. 12 showing the lock engaging the first anti-rotation member.

Fig. 14 is a rear view of the thrust sleeve of Fig. 12, shown in isolation.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the thrust sleeve from Fig. 14, on the outer peripheral surface of which there is a recess that ensures the movement of the retainer sleeve in a radial direction outward in a localized area of the first element preventing rotation when the retainer rotates.

Fig. 16 is an alternative perspective view of the thrust sleeve of Fig. 15 shown in combination with anti-rotation features similar or identical to those present in Fig. 3-11.

Fig. 17 is a side view of a wear element assembly in the form of a tip, including a fastening mechanism with anti-tip protection elements located in its pocket in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. For anti-tip protection, the tip pocket has a ring with a gap for installing a key with a hook on a retainer (or lock) during assembly.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of the fastening mechanism of Fig. 17 shown in the locked position.

Fig. 19 shows the fastening mechanism of Fig. 18, turned to the unlocked position.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view of the wear element assembly of Fig. 17 along lines 20-20 illustrating the retention of the retainer in the tip pocket by the retainer sleeve.

Fig. 21 shows a perspective view from the inside of the wear unit in Fig. 20 with the retainer removed for greater clarity.

Fig. 22 is an exploded view of the assembly illustrating the installation of the retainer into the thrust sleeve of Fig. 21. At this stage of the assembly, the key with the hook passes through the gap in the pocket ring, resulting in the wear member assembly shown in Fig. 20.

Fig. 23 shows the external appearance of the wear unit in Fig. 18 with the thrust sleeve and retainer removed. The ramp of the lower part of the tip pocket ring is clearly shown.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the retainer shown in Figs. 17-20 and 22 in isolation.

Detailed description of the invention

The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Throughout the present invention, a reference number is indicated, and in the drawings, the reference number is followed by a letter, such as 100a, 100b, or a simple indicator, such as 100', 100'', etc. It will be understood that the use of letters or simple indicators immediately following the reference number indicates that these features have a similar form and a similar function, as is often the case with mirror images of geometry about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation, letters or apostrophes will often not be included in the present description, but may appear in the drawings to indicate parallelism of the mechanisms discussed herein.

Next, a working tool assembled with tips in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention will be considered.

Starting with Fig. 1, the working tool assembly 100 may be in the form of a bucket assembly 100' that can be used by a wheel loader and includes a housing 101 that defines an opening 102 that communicates with a closed interior space. Starting from the rear of the bucket assembly 100, as shown in Fig. 1, the bucket assembly 100 includes a curved profile of the housing 104 that is attached to the rear wall 106 at the upper end of the housing 104. The other end of the shell is attached to the bottom plate 108 of the assembly 100. An upper plate 110 is attached to the upper end of the rear wall 106. The upper plate 110 passes into a soil spill guard 112 that is designed to draw material into the interior of the bucket and prevent it from exiting the bucket. On the upper plate 110 and the soil spill fence 112, reinforcing ribs 119 are provided, ensuring strength. Two flat end plates 114 are attached to the side edges of the soil spill fence 112, the upper plate 110, the rear wall 106, the lower plate 108 and the body 104.

A side edge 115 is attached to each end plate 114, and a leading edge 116 is attached to the leading edge of the bottom plate 108 of the bucket assembly 100. The leading edge assembly 116 includes a base edge 117 attached to the bottom plate 108, several central adapters 118 attached to the base edge 117, and several tips 200 (which may also be called tools, teeth, etc.), where each of the plurality of tips 200 is attached to one of the plurality of central adapters 118. In addition, two corner adapters 120 are attached to the base edge and the side edges 122 of the bucket assembly 100'. The tip 200 may also be attached to the corner adapters 120.

In addition, several edge protection elements 124 are provided, each of these protection elements 124 being located between the central adapters 120 and between the central adapter 120 and the corner adapter 120. A protection element 126 is also provided, which is attached to the side edge 122 near the corner adapter 120.

It should be understood that the working tool assembly may have other forms besides the bucket, including a ripper, shears, etc. In addition, in a bucket of a different configuration intended for use by an excavator, various versions of the tip, fastening mechanism, adapter, spring, spring-loaded retainer, tip assembly, tip and adapter assembly, etc. may be used, as discussed below.

In Fig. 2-5, the tip 200 may comprise a body 202 that forms a longitudinal axis 204, a vertical axis 206 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204, and a lateral axis 208 that is perpendicular to the vertical axis 206 and the longitudinal axis 204. The body 202 may include a front working portion 210 that is located along the longitudinal axis 204 and has a closed end 212, and a rear fastening portion 214 that is located along the longitudinal axis 204 and has an open end 216.

The rear fastening part 214 has an outer surface 218, a pocket for installing the adapter nose 220, extending in the longitudinal direction from the open end 216, and an opening 222 for installing the fastening mechanism, communicating with the pocket for installing the adapter nose 220 and the outer surface 218. The groove 224 for installing the adapter tip nose can extend in the longitudinal direction from the open end 216 to the opening 222 for installing the fastening mechanism. At least the retainer sleeve 226 can communicate with the mounting opening of the fastening mechanism 222 and the mounting pocket of the adapter nose 220.

Now let us consider Fig. 3-6 with the lock and the thrust sleeve 300 in assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 300 may include the lock 302, comprising a drive portion 304 and a mounting portion 306 defining a groove 308, partially passing through the mounting portion 306 and defining a first side wall 310, a second side wall 312 and an engaging surface 314, connecting the first side wall 310 with the second side wall 312. The skirt 316, at least partially, defines the first side wall 310, the second side wall 312 and a gripping surface 314, which ends at an inclined surface 318, intersecting with the first side wall 310 (best seen in Fig. 3 and 6). In other embodiments of the present invention, another inclined surface may be provided near the second side wall 312, but this is not required.

In Fig. 3, an outline of the eye 128 captured by the retainer and thrust sleeve assembly 300 is shown. It should be understood that the retainer 302 is oriented as shown in Fig. 5 when the tip 200 is installed on the nose of the adapter. The eye 128 passes first through the groove 224 for receiving the eye in the nose of the adapter and then into the groove 308 for receiving the eye, and is surrounded on three sides by the first side wall 310, the second side wall 312 and the gripping surface 314. Then the retainer 302 is rotated 180 degrees until the projection 128 is captured on all sides by the retainer 300 and thrust sleeve 400, as shown in Fig. 3. The tip is now retained on the adapter. To remove the tip from the adapter, this process is performed in reverse order.

Now, with reference to Figs. 3-6, the thrust sleeve 400 according to various embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in more detail below. The thrust sleeve 400 may include a body 402 having an at least partially annular configuration (e.g., at least partially cylindrical, conical, etc.) that defines an axis of rotation 404, in a radial direction 402 and a circumferential direction 406 (best seen in Fig. 6). The axis of rotation 404 is so called for one or both of two reasons. First, at least a portion of the geometry of the thrust sleeve 400 (and, accordingly, the lock 302) can be modeled using the geometry of a cross-section rotating about the axis of rotation 404. Second, the lock 302 can be configured to rotate about the axis of rotation 404. Other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the present invention.

As can be seen in Fig. 6 and 7, in the radial direction, the inner annular surface 410 can form an inner opening 413 and can include a first anti-rotation element 412 extending radially inward from the inner annular surface 410. The first anti-rotation element 412 can include an inclined projection 414 with a locking surface 416 (see also Fig. 7), at least partially, has a shape corresponding to the shape of the inclined surface 318 of the skirt 316 of the lock 302. This locking surface 416 can be flat, slightly arcuate, etc.

In Fig. 7, the thrust sleeve 400 may further comprise a fastening element including a rib 418 extending radially inward from the inner annular surface 410. The rib 418 may be spaced circumferentially at a predetermined distance 420 from the first anti-rotation element 412. The predetermined distance 420 is measured as the arc length from the rib 418 to the first anti-rotation element 412 (e.g., to the fastening surface) at the intersection of the edge 422 and in the radial direction of the inner annular surface 410. In various embodiments of the invention, the rib 418 may have a cylindrical, conical or other arcuate configuration. In other embodiments, it may have a pointed shape, a polygonal shape, etc. in a plane parallel in the radial direction 406.

The housing 402 can be formed by molding a polyurethane material (for example, thermoplastic injection molding, casting, curing, etc.). When molding, voids 424 (see Figs. 3, 5, 6, 9 and 11) can be provided in the structure, which provide a more uniform wall thickness, which helps prevent the formation of voids, cavities, porosity, etc. in the housing 402 as a result of the manufacturing process. The material, structure, or both materials of the housing 402 can contribute to the elasticity of the housing 402, so that the housing 402 can deform and create a recoil effect. This is desirable when locking and unlocking the retainer 302 and when installing the thrust sleeve 400 in the mounting groove 226 of the tip 200 (see Fig. 5).

For this purpose, in the plane containing in the radial direction 406 and the axis of rotation 404, a pair of external angular surfaces 426, 426' are provided, in the radial direction forming different cone angles 428, 428' with a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 404 (see Fig. 5). These angles 428, 428' can be selected in such a way that it is easier to install the thrust sleeve 400 in the groove 226 than to remove it. This helps to hold the thrust sleeve 400 in the groove 226, which, in turn, contributes to 224 holding the retainer 302 in the tip 200.

In Fig. 6 and 7, the thrust sleeve 400 has a first circumferential end 430 located along the circumferential direction 408 and a second circumferential end 430' located along the circumferential direction 408. The rib 418 may be located near the first circumferential end 430. The second rib 418' may be located near the second circumferential end 430', but this is not necessary (see Fig. 9 and 11). The second rib 418' may have a similar, identical or different configuration as the second rib 418 in various embodiments of the present invention. It should also be noted that only one anti-rotation element located near the first circumferential end is shown, but it is contemplated that another anti-rotation element having a similar, identical or different configuration from the first anti-rotation feature in other embodiments of the present invention may be provided near the second circumferential end.

In Fig. 6 and 7, the edge 422 extends radially and circumferentially past the rib 418 and the first anti-rotation surface 412, completely overhanging the rib 418 and the first anti-rotation surface 412. In other embodiments of the present invention, this may appear differently.

In particular, the edge 422 extends from the first circumferential end 430 to the second circumferential end 430', defining an arc length 432 measured from the first circumferential end 430 to the second circumferential end 430' at the intersection point in the radial direction of the inner annular surface 410 and the edge 422.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the ratio of the arc length of the edge 432 to the specified distance 420 may be from 12.0 to 16.0, and the specified distance 420 may be from 3.0 to 9.0 mm.

Similarly, the first anti-rotation element 412 can form a maximum circumference 434 measured as the arc length at the intersection in the radial direction of the inner annular surface 410 and the edge 422. The ratio of the arc length of the edge 432 to the maximum circumference 434 can be from 3.5 to 4.5, and the maximum circumferential size can be from 15.0 to 45.0 mm.

Any of these ranges of ratios or dimensions may differ from what is specifically disclosed in other embodiments of the present invention.

Next, a thrust sleeve 400 will be discussed in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, which can be supplied as a replacement part.

As shown in Fig. 7, the thrust sleeve may have a body 402 including at least partially an annular configuration (as described earlier in this document) defining an axis of rotation 404, in a radial direction 406 and a circumferential direction 408. The inner annular surface in the radial direction 410 may define in the radial direction an inner opening 413. The first rotation-preventing element 412 may extend in the radial direction inward from the inner annular surface 410, including an inclined projection 414 with a locking surface 416, which faces at least partially in the circumferential direction 408 and along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 404, forming an oblique angle 436 with a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 404, in a plane perpendicular to the radial direction 406.

In some embodiments of the invention, the angle of inclination 436 can be from 50 to 80 degrees and at least partially coincide with the angle of inclination of the surface 318 of the lock 302 (see Fig. 6), as discussed earlier. In addition, the body 402 can include at least one of the following elements: plastic, rubber, elastomer, a mesh structure (for example, with voids), foam. This can help to give the body 402 elasticity so that it can deform and create a recoil effect during assembly, locking and unlocking, as discussed earlier in this document.

Also with reference to Fig. 7, the first anti-rotation element 412 may further include a cam surface 438 (may also be referred to as a first transition surface) extending radially inward and circumferentially from the mounting surface 416. A ramp 440 may also be provided extending circumferentially from the cam surface 438 to the inner annular surface 412. As a result of the configuration of the mounting surface 416, the cam surface 438 and the ramp 440, the cam surface 438 may have a triangular shape (for example, a triangular perimeter 438a), and the ramp 440 may include an arcuate surface 442. Other configurations of these features are possible in other embodiments of the present invention. The functions of these various elements of the first anti-rotation element 412 will be discussed below.

In Fig. 6 and 7, at least in part, the annular configuration of the housing 402 forms an angular area 444 relative to the axis of rotation 404, a first axial end 446 located along the axis of rotation 404, and a second axial end 448 located along the axis of rotation 404. The housing 402 may have an edge 422 located at the first axial end 446 and continuing along the entire length of the angular section 444. In other embodiments of the present invention, this may look different.

As already mentioned above, the edge 422 can extend in the radial direction beyond the first anti-rotation element 412. In addition, the first anti-rotation element 412 can extend in the axial direction from the edge 422 toward the second axial end 448, the maximum axial dimension 450 of the first anti-rotation element 412. Similarly, the first anti-rotation element 412 also forms a maximum radial dimension 452, measured in the radial direction from the radial direction of the inner annular surface 410 to the end of the first anti-rotation element 412. In addition, in the radial direction, the inner opening 413 can form an inner diameter 454 (see Fig. 11), and in the radial direction, the inner axial depth of the opening 456 (see Fig. 7) is measured in the axial direction from the edge 422 to the second axial end 448.

In some embodiments of the invention, the ratio of the axial depth 456 in the radial direction of the inner hole 413 to the maximum axial dimension 450 of the first anti-rotation element 412 can be from 1.5 to 2.5, and the ratio of the inner diameter 454 in the radial direction of the inner hole 413 to the maximum in the radial direction dimension 452 of the first anti-rotation element can be from 10.0 to 15.0. In such embodiments, the maximum axial dimension 450 can be from 7.0 to 16.0 mm, and the maximum radial dimension 452 can be from 2.0 to 5.0 mm.

Another thrust sleeve 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention can be described as follows, as shown in Fig. 7.

The thrust sleeve 400 may include a body 402 having at least a partially annular configuration forming an axis of rotation 404, in a radial direction 406, a circumferential direction 408, a first axial end 446 located along the axis of rotation 404, and a second axial end 448 located along the axis of rotation 404.

The inner annular surface 412 can form an inner opening 413 in the radial direction, and the fastening element includes a rib 418 protruding radially inward from the inner annular surface 412. The rib 418 can form a radial height of the rib 458 (see also Fig. 9), and an edge 422 located at the first axial end 446 and extending in the radial direction and circumferentially beyond the rib 418. The rib 418 can extend in the axial direction from the edge 422 toward the second axial end 448, forming an axial length of the rib 460. In addition, in the radial direction, the inner annular surface 410 can form an inner diameter 454' (see Fig. 11), and an inner axial depth of the opening 456, as already mentioned above in this document.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the axial depth 456 in the radial direction of the inner opening to the axial length of the rib 460 can be from 1.5 to 1.0, and the ratio of the inner diameter 454' to the height of the rib 458 in the radial direction can be from 22.0 to 30.0. In such embodiments of the present invention, the axial length of the rib 460 can be from 15.0 to 32.0 mm, and the radial height of the rib 458 can be from 1.0 to 3.0 mm.

In addition, the body 402 may include at least one of the following elements: plastic, rubber, elastomer, mesh structure (for example, honeycomb structure) and foam, which makes the body 402 elastic.

Another embodiment of the assembly 500 of the lock and the thrust sleeve will now be discussed, shown in Figs. 12-16. It should be noted that this assembly and its components may have a similar or identical configuration as the assembly and its components discussed earlier in this document, as shown in Figs. 3 and 11, except for the following differences, possibly. The body 602 of the thrust sleeve 600 may include an outer peripheral surface 662 and several outer ribs 664 extending radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 662 and forming a recess 666, which is radially aligned with the first anti-rotation element 612.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as best seen in Fig. 15, at least one of the plurality of outer ribs 664' may be located in the axial direction above the recess 666 and terminate in the axial direction behind the recess 666. This recess 666 may be configured such that the sleeve of the lock 600 can move in the radial direction outward in a localized region of the first anti-rotation member 612 when the lock is locked or unlocked in the pocket (previously also referred to herein as the mounting hole of the fastening mechanism) of the tip during assembly. The outer rib 664' may provide some rigidity to the thrust sleeve 600 during locking and unlocking operations near the first anti-rotation member 612 by reducing the gap 518 located between the thrust sleeve 600 and the walls of this pocket (see Fig. 13). This can be useful if the pocket is large, etc.

As shown in more detail in Fig. 14, at least one of the plurality of outer ribs 664 may be located near the first circumferential end 630 and/or the second circumferential end 630'. In this case, at least one outer rib 664 located near the first circumferential end 630 and/or the second circumferential end 630' may extend from the first axial end 646 to the second axial end 648 (i.e., at least 90% of the axial height of the thrust sleeve, as best seen in Fig. 13). In other embodiments of the present invention, this may look different.

Also with reference to Fig. 13, at least one of the plurality of outer ribs 664 forms contact surfaces 676 that are offset relative to the pair of corner surfaces 626, 626', creating a V-shaped configuration with a vertex 668 that may or may not be truncated or reduced in size. In some embodiments, the V-shaped configuration of the outer ribs 664 may be divided into an upper and lower portion by providing a gap between the upper and lower portion, if necessary.

Now, as shown in Fig. 14 and 16, a thrust sleeve 600 will be described according to another embodiment of the present invention, which can be provided as a replaceable part. As mentioned above, the outer peripheral surface 662 can have a recess 666, which at least partially coincides in the radial direction with the first rotation-preventing member 612. It should be noted that the outer peripheral surface 662 can have a different configuration than shown in the figure. Thus, the outer peripheral surface 662 can be a single cylindrical surface, a single conical surface, etc. The recess 666 can have a radial recess depth 670 (see Fig. 14) in the range from 1.0 to 5.0 mm and a circumferential recess width 672 in some embodiments of the present invention. The outer rib 664 may be located on each circumferential side 674 of the recess 666 (for example, to enclose the recess), but this is not necessary. In other words, at least one of the plurality of outer ribs 664 may be located circumferentially in close proximity to the recess. In other embodiments of the present invention, this recess may be completely omitted.

At least one outer rib 664' may extend from the outer peripheral surface located in the axial direction above the recess 666. An array of a plurality of outer ribs 664 may be arranged circumferentially around the axis of rotation 604. In other embodiments of the present invention, one or all of the outer ribs 664, 664' may be omitted.

In the presence of such external ribs 664, one external rib 664 can be located near the first circumferential end 630, and the other external rib 664 - near the second circumferential end 630'. In other embodiments of the present invention, this may look different. In addition, at least one of the plurality of external ribs 664 can be radially aligned with the internal rib 618, which performs the function of the lock. In other embodiments of the present invention, this may look different.

As mentioned earlier, the outer peripheral surface 662 can include a pair of angular surfaces 626, 626', and at least one of the plurality of outer ribs 664 includes a contact surface 676, which is offset from at least one of the pair of angular surfaces 626, 626' by an offset distance 678 (see Fig. 13) in the range from 1.0 to 3.0 mm. At least one of the plurality of outer ribs 664 has a v-shaped configuration in the plane containing the axis of rotation 604 and in the radial direction 606. At least one of the plurality of outer ribs 664 extends from the first axial end 646 to the second axial end 648, but this is not necessary. In addition, at least one of the plurality of outer ribs 664 has a thickness 680 (the minimum dimension measured along the direction perpendicular to the radial direction 606, see Fig. 14) of from 0.5 to 3.0 mm in some embodiments of the present invention.

It should also be noted that any of the ranges of ratios, sizes, angles, surface areas and/or configurations of the various elements may be varied as desired or necessary, including those not specifically mentioned herein. Although not specifically discussed, elements such as wedges are shown to connect the various surfaces. In other embodiments of the present invention, they may be absent, and it should be understood that their presence may sometimes be ignored when reading this description unless otherwise specifically stated.

Industrial applications

In practice, a machine, a work tool assembly, a tip assembly or wear part assembly, a tip and adapter assembly, a retainer sleeve, a retainer assembly and retainer sleeve, and/or any combination of these various assemblies and components may be manufactured, purchased, or sold to retrofit a machine or work tool in the field in the aftermarket or, conversely, may be manufactured, purchased, sold, or otherwise obtained in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) context.

Any of the above mentioned components can be made of any suitable material including iron, grey cast iron, steel, plastic, rubber, foam, etc.

The previously described features of the thrust sleeve and detent can be used in the following manner to provide a secure locking configuration and a less secure unlocking configuration.

First, (this is best understood with reference to Fig. 5) the retainer 302 and the thrust sleeve 400 snap into the mounting groove 226 of the thrust sleeve and into the mounting hole 222 of the fastening mechanism. The design of the thrust sleeve 400 is such that it has sufficient elasticity to deform locally and/or as a whole so that it can snap into the mounting groove 226, and is sufficiently rigid to remain therein. The edge 422 of the thrust sleeve 400 is retained by the retainer 302 in the axial direction. The edge 422 completely extends along the perimeter of the thrust sleeve 400, providing a secure axial retention of the retainer 302 in the mounting hole 222.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, 6, 7, 9 and 11, the rib 418 of the lock provides a small holding force for holding the lock 302 in the locked and/or unlocked position. This small holding force can be easily overcome by inserting a tool into the drive part 304 of the lock 302. The first anti-rotation element 412 provides a more reliable holding force than the fastening element. Thus, one skilled in the art can call the first anti-rotation element 412 a primary device for preventing rotation of the lock 302, and the fastening element a secondary device for preventing rotation of the lock 302 from the locked configuration to the unlocked one.

As best seen in Fig. 7, the first rotation preventing member 412 includes a ramp 440 with a larger circumference than the cam surface 438 and the fastening surface 416. Accordingly, the force required to rotate the lock 302 from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration is less than the force required to unlock the lock 302.

More specifically, the wedge or cam effect created by the ramp 440 in contact with the skirt 316 of the lock 302 pushes the thrust sleeve 400 into the gap (portion 226) between the tip 202 and the thrust sleeve 400 (and also provides local deformation) more easily than in the reverse process to achieve the unlocked configuration.

When the lock 302 rotates from the locked position to the unlocked position, the oblique angle 436 of the locking surface 416 provides a smaller wedge or cam effect for the invention of the thrust sleeve 400. With sufficient force, the skirt 316 of the lock 302 contacts the surface of the cam 438, as a result of which the first anti-rotation element 412 is deflected in the radial direction outward into the void 424. In this case, the lock 302 can be more easily rotated to achieve the unlocked configuration. Thus, the likelihood of an unwanted rotation of the lock 302 from the locked to the unlocked configuration is reduced.

In some cases, the pocket for accommodating the fastening mechanism may have an increased size. In this case, a thrust sleeve 600 can be used, as shown and described in this document with reference to Fig. 12-16. For this, the number and sizes of the outer ribs can be selected in such a way as to provide the necessary rigidity of the sleeve and at the same time partially or completely eliminate the sag or gap between the thrust sleeve and the walls of the pocket. In some cases, when the pocket has smaller dimensions, the outer ribs can be deformed to fit into the pocket. The outer ribs can also perform a centering function in the pocket, etc.

In the same or other cases, it may be desirable to provide a recess to allow local bending of the thrust sleeve in the tip pocket near the first anti-rotation element during rotation of the retainer.

As mentioned above, it is desirable to have embodiments of the present invention that provide a reduced likelihood of tipping or jamming of the retainer in a pocket of a tip or other wear element. Such embodiments are shown in particular in Figs. 17-24. It should be understood that any of the embodiments of the present invention and their features shown in Figs. 17-24 can be supplemented or replaced by features of the embodiments discussed earlier in this document, and vice versa. Similar or identical materials and technological processes can be used to manufacture all of the embodiments of the present invention discussed in this document.

In Fig. 17-21, the wear unit 700 is designed in such a way that it can include a wear element 800 itself, having a body including a front closed part 802, a rear open part 804 forming a cavity 806, an outer surface 808 and an inner surface 810 forming a cavity 806. The wear element can have any suitable shape and include tips or other elements of a working tool that can be attached to a working tool, such as a bucket, for performing work on a working material, such as earth, etc. Alternatively or in addition to this, the wear element can have the form of a casing, a protective element of the edge of the base, etc. or any other element intended to protect the working tool from wear, but this is not necessary for performing work on a working material, such as earth, etc. Accordingly, the cavity of the rear open part can have a closed perimeter or represent a lateral passage groove, etc.

The wear element 800 may also have a mounting hole 812 that includes an inner portion 814 (see Fig. 20) formed by the inner surface 810 and an outer portion 816 formed by the outer surface 808. A ring 818 (may also be called a “rib,” “protrusion,” etc.) at least partially separates the inner portion 814 and the outer portion 816.

As shown in Fig. 20 and 21, a thrust sleeve 702 may be provided, formed in accordance with any of the embodiments of a thrust sleeve discussed in this document. Accordingly, the lock sleeve 702 may include a body having at least a partially annular configuration that forms an axis of rotation 704 (so-called because the shape allows the lock to rotate, as described in this document), in a radial direction 706 and a circumferential direction 708.

In particular, this annular configuration can be at least partially defined in the radial direction by an inner annular surface 710 (for example, conical, cylindrical, polygonal, etc.), which forms an inner opening 712 in the radial direction. The thrust sleeve 702 can be located in the inner part 814 of the mounting opening 812 of the fastening mechanism, and the ring 818 can protrude radially above the body of the thrust sleeve 702. The ring 818 can extend circumferentially around the axis of rotation 704 by an angle 820 (see Fig. 18), which exceeds 190.0 degrees. More specifically, the angle 820 can be greater than 270.0 degrees or be in the range from 345.0 to 355.0 degrees (with a nominal value of 350.0 degrees). These features and angles can be different in other embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the enlarged ring can provide additional guidance for the retainer, which helps prevent the retainer from tipping over or jamming during operation.

In Fig. 21 it is seen that the ring 818 forms a through groove 822, which communicates with the inner part 814 and the outer part 816 (see Figs. 17 and 20) of the mounting hole 812 of the fastening mechanism. As shown in Fig. 21, the through groove 822 projects in the radial direction beyond the inner annular surface 710 of the thrust sleeve 702. In other embodiments of the present invention, this may look different. In addition, the through groove 822 can at least partially form a polygonal perimeter 824 (for example, a rectangular perimeter, etc.), projected onto a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 704. Other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 20, the ring 818 can form an inner diameter 826 that is concentric in the radial direction with respect to the inner annular surface 710 of the thrust sleeve 702.

In Fig. 18 and 19, the through groove 822 may communicate with the groove for receiving the key with a hook 828 of the outer part 816 of the mounting hole 812 of the fastening mechanism. The groove 828 for receiving the key with a hook may be limited along the circumference by the first stop surface 830 and the second stop surface 832 (they are so called because the rotation of the lock 900 is limited by these surfaces when the key with a hook 908 is adjacent to them). The groove 822 may be located at a distance along the circumference from the first stop surface 830, and the annular part 818a is located between the first stop surface 830 and the groove 822. In other embodiments of the present invention, this feature may be omitted.

In addition, on the annular portion 818a facing the outer surface 816, a ramp 833 can be arranged, which extends along the circumference from the through groove 822 toward the first stop surface 830. This ramp can facilitate the installation of the retainer and the stop sleeve when the retainer rotates, causing them to move in the axial direction outward. In other embodiments of the present invention, this ramp can be omitted. In other embodiments of the present invention, the ramp can be arranged along the circumference between the through groove and the second stop surface, etc.

In Fig. 20 it is shown that the inner part 814 of the mounting hole 812 of the fastening mechanism includes a pair of radially inclined surfaces 834, 834a, forming an obtuse angle 836 relative to each other, forming an undercut along the axis of rotation 704. This feature helps to hold the lock and the thrust sleeve in place, as discussed above. For this, the sleeve of the lock includes a pair of radially outer surfaces, which in shape coincide in the radial direction with the angular surfaces of the inner part of the mounting hole of the locking mechanism.

In addition, the groove 837 for installing the lugs (see also Fig. 21) can extend from the inner part 814 of the mounting hole 812 of the fastening mechanism to the outer surface, as already indicated in this document, for installing the lug of the adapter during assembly. In other embodiments of the present invention, these features can have a different configuration or be completely absent.

Also with reference to Fig. 20, the retainer 900 may be included in the assembly 700. The retainer 900 may have a drive portion 902 that extends axially past the ring 818 of the wear element 800 to the outer surface 808. The retainer 900 may also include a skirt 904 that is located axially between the ring 818 of the wear element 800 and the edge 714 of the thrust sleeve 702. The ring 818 of the wear element 800 may be configured to axially contact the skirt 904 at its upper annular surface 906.

In Fig. 17, 19, 22 and 24, it is seen that the lock 900 further includes a key with a hook 908, which extends in a radial direction from the drive part 902, forming a passage 910 (see Fig. 24), extending along the circumference between the key with a hook 908 and the skirt 904.

During the assembly process shown in Fig. 22, the retainer 900 snaps into the retainer sleeve 702, whereby the hook key 908 aligns with the through groove 822 of the ring 818 of the wear element 800. After the hook key has passed axially through the through groove, the retainer 900 can be rotated so that the ring 818 of the wear element 800 is radially located in the passage 910, as shown in Figs. 18 and 20 simultaneously. Now the fastening mechanism (e.g. the retainer) will be less likely to tip over or jam due to the additional guides discussed above.

Fig. 24 shows a retainer 900, which can be supplied as a replacement part.

The retainer 900 may consist of a drive portion 902 having an outer diameter OD902 and a mounting portion 912 having a groove 914 that partially passes through the mounting portion 912, forming a first side wall 916, a second side wall 918 and an engaging surface 920 (see Fig. 20) connecting the first side wall 916 to the second side wall 918.

In particular, a skirt 904 is provided that at least partially forms a first side wall 916, a second side wall 918 and a gripping surface 920. The skirt 904 can form an outer diameter of the skirt OD904 (see Fig. 24), which is larger than the outer diameter of the drive part OD902. In other embodiments of the present invention, this may look different. In addition, the key with the hook 908 can project in the radial direction from the drive part 902 and stand off from the skirt 904 by a minimum distance 922 (see Fig. 24, for example, not less than 1.0 mm) to form a passage 910. In other words, the key with the hook 908 can form an axial thickness of the hook T908, which is greater than or equal to the minimum distance 922. In other embodiments of the present invention, other configurations and dimensions are possible.

The drive part 902 may include an arcuate surface 924 (for example, it may be conical, cylindrical, etc.) that forms an axis of rotation (may coincide with the axis 704 in the assembled form, as shown in Fig. 20), in a radial direction (may coincide with the direction 706 after assembly, as shown in Fig. 20), which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and a circumferential direction (may coincide with the direction 708 after assembly, as shown in Fig. 18) around the axis of rotation. Other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the present invention.

In Fig. 20 and 24, the skirt 904 may also have an arcuate skirt surface 926, which is centered relative to the axis of rotation. In Fig. 24, the key with the hook 908 forms the radial end of the hook 928, spaced from the axis of rotation by a radial dimension 930, which is less than half the outer diameter of the skirt OD904 (which is equal in the radial direction to the size of the skirt 932).

In Fig. 24, it can be seen that the skirt forms a first recess 934, which is located in the axial direction under the key with the hook 908. In other embodiments of the present invention, this may look different. As shown, the first recess 934 for the lock may have the form of a first groove 936, which extends in the axial direction completely through the skirt 904 (but this is not necessary) on the arcuate surface of the skirt 926. In addition, the skirt 904 can form a second groove 936a, which completely extends through the skirt 904 on the arcuate surface of the skirt 926 and is located circumferentially from the first groove 936 by an angle 938 in the range from 160.0 to 200.0 degrees in various embodiments of the present invention. In other embodiments of the present invention, this may look different.

The key with a hook 908 can have a shape corresponding to the shape of the through groove of the wearing element. As shown in Fig. 19 and 24, the key with a hook 908 can include a first straight surface 940 extending from the arcuate surface of the leading part 924, a second straight surface 942 extending from the arcuate surface of the leading part 924, a third straight surface 944, which passes tangent to the circumferential direction and connects the first lateral straight surface 940 with the second straight surface 942, forming a radial end of the hook 928.

As shown in Fig. 24, a flat lower surface 946 can extend from the arcuate surface 924 of the drive part, connecting together the first straight surface 940, the second straight surface 942 and the third straight surface 944. Thus, this arrangement forms a passage 910 for installing a ring of a wear element, as well as a polygonal perimeter coinciding with the passage groove of the ring of a wear element. Other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the present invention.

Further details about the wear element 800, which may be provided as a replaceable part, will be discussed in Figs. 17, 19 and 23.

Such a wear element 800 may consist of a housing including a front closed portion 802, a rear open portion 804 defining a cavity 806, an outer surface 808 and an inner surface 810 defining a cavity 806, as described previously herein.

The body of the wear element 800 may also form a mounting hole 812 including an inner portion 814 defined by an inner surface 810, an outer portion 816 defined by an outer surface 816, and a ring 818 dividing or separating the inner portion 814 from the outer portion 816.

In Fig. 23, the outer part 816 of the mounting hole 812 of the locking mechanism may include a mounting hole 838 (so called because it mates with the driving part of the lock) with an arcuate surface 840 (for example, it can be cylindrical, conical, polynomial, etc.), forming a first outer diameter D840. The groove 828 for installing the key with a hook may have a second outer diameter D828, which is larger than the first outer diameter D840. The ring 818 may extend radially inward from the second outer diameter D828, forming the bottom of the mounting groove 828 for the key with a hook. The first circumferential stop surface (for example, see 830) is spaced from the second circumferential stop surface (for example, see 830) by a predetermined angle 842, which in some embodiments of the present invention is in the range from 160.0 to 200.0 degrees. In other embodiments of the present invention, other configurations and dimensions are possible.

As mentioned earlier, the ring 818 forms a through groove 822 which communicates with the inner part 814 and the outer part 816 of the mounting hole 812 of the fastening mechanism.

In addition, the ring 818 can form an inner diameter 826, which is concentric (and can be coaxial, as shown) with the first outer diameter D840 and which is smaller than the second outer diameter D828. The second outer diameter D828 can be concentric with the inner diameter 826, and the through groove 822 can be spaced circumferentially from the first circumferential thrust surface (for example, see 830), and the annular portion 818a is located between the first circumferential thrust surface and the through groove 822. In other embodiments of the present invention, this may look different. If present, the rest of the ring 818 can extend circumferentially from the through groove 822 to another thrust surface (for example, see 832).

The previously mentioned ramp 833 on the ring 818 may be directed axially outwardly toward the outer surface 816 of the wear element 800. This ramp 833 may extend circumferentially from the through groove 822 in the direction of the first circumferential stop surface (for example, see 830), and therefore may be present in some embodiments of the present invention.

In addition, the inner part 814 of the mounting hole 812 of the locking mechanism may include a pair of radially inclined surfaces 834, 834a, which are located at an angle to each other, forming an undercut along the axis of rotation 704. In other embodiments of the present invention, other methods of retaining the fastening mechanism in the wearing element may be used. As shown in Fig. 24, and the groove 837 for installing the eye, which was discussed earlier, may extend from the inner part of the hole for installing the fastening mechanism to the outer surface of the wearing element.

It should be noted that the preceding description provides examples of the assembly to which the invention relates and of the technical solution. However, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the invention may differ in detail from the above examples. All references to the invention or examples imply a reference to the specific example discussed at that point and do not imply any limitations with respect to the scope of the invention in a more general sense. All formulations of distinctive features and disregard of certain features are intended to indicate a lack of preference for these features, and not to exclude them entirely from the scope of the invention, unless otherwise indicated.

The recitation of ranges of values generally serves as a shorthand for individual reference to each distinct value falling within the range unless otherwise indicated herein, and each distinct value is included in the description as if it were separately recited herein.

In this document, the words "one," "one," and "set" are intended to include one or more elements and may be used interchangeably with the words "one or more." In cases where only one product is intended to be used, the term "one" or similar wording is used. In addition, the terms "has," "possesses," "having," "with," and the like, as used herein, are open-ended terms. In addition, the phrase "based on" means "based, at least in part, on," unless expressly stated otherwise.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations of the devices and assembly methods may be made according to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of using the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some equipment is constructed and operated differently than described herein, and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in a different order than that mentioned, and in some cases performed simultaneously or broken down into additional steps. Moreover, changes or modifications may be made to certain aspects or features of various embodiments to create additional embodiments, and features and aspects of various embodiments may be added to or replaced by other features or aspects of other embodiments to provide still further embodiments.

Accordingly, the present invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter of the invention set forth in the claims appended hereto in accordance with applicable law. Furthermore, any combination of the above-described elements in all their possible variations is encompassed by the present description unless otherwise indicated or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims (18)

1. A retainer (900) for a wearing element of a working element of an earthmoving machine, comprising: a drive part (902) forming the outer diameter of the drive part (OD902), and a mounting portion (912) forming a groove (914) for mounting an eye, which partially passes through the portion (912) for mounting the eye, forming a first sidewall (916), a second sidewall (918) and a gripping surface (920) connecting the first sidewall (916) to the second sidewall (918), and a skirt (904) that at least partially forms a first side wall (916), a second side wall (918) and a gripping surface (920), wherein the skirt (904) has an outer diameter (OD904) that is larger than the outer diameter of the drive portion (OD902); wherein the drive portion (902) further comprises a key with a hook (908) which extends from the drive portion (902) in a radial direction (706) so that it is spaced from the skirt (904) by a minimum distance (922) to form a passage (910) configured to receive a ring of a wear element. 2. The retainer (900) according to claim 1, wherein the drive part (902) includes an arcuate surface (924) forming an axis of rotation (704), in a radial direction (706), perpendicular to the axis of rotation (704), and a circumferential direction (708) around the axis of rotation (704), and the skirt (904) includes an arcuate surface of the skirt (926), located centrally around the axis of rotation (704). 3. The retainer (900) according to claim 2, in which the key with the hook (908) forms a radial end of the hook (928), spaced from the axis of rotation (704) by a radial dimension (930) that is less than half the outer diameter of the skirt (OD904). 4. The retainer (900) according to claim 2, in which the minimum distance (922) is measured in the axial direction and is not less than 1.0 mm, the key with the hook (908) forms the axial thickness of the hook (T908), and the axial distance of the hook (T908) is greater than or equal to the minimum distance (922). 5. The retainer (900) according to claim 2, wherein the skirt (904) forms a first recess for the retainer (934) located in the axial direction under the key with the hook (908), and the key with the hook (908) includes a first straight surface (940) extending from the arcuate surface (924) of the drive part, a second straight surface (942) extending from the arcuate surface (924) of the drive part, a third straight surface (944) tangent to the circumferential direction (708) and connecting the first straight surface (940) with the second straight surface (942), and a flat lower surface (946) extending from the arcuate surface (924) of the drive part and connecting the first straight surface (940), the second straight surface (942) and the third straight surface (944) together. 6. A wearing element (800) of a working element of an earthmoving machine, comprising: a body comprising a front closed part (802) and a rear open part (804) forming a cavity (806); outer surface (808); an inner surface (810) forming a cavity (806); and an installation hole (812) including an inner part (814) defined by an inner surface (810), an outer part (808) including an opening (838) for installing a drive part of the lock and defined by an outer surface (816), and a ring (818) separating the inner part (810) and the outer part (816), wherein the ring (818) extends radially inside the opening (838) and forms a through groove (822) communicating with the inner part (814) and the outer part (816) of the installation hole of the fastening mechanism (812). 7. The wear element (800) according to claim 6, wherein the outer part (808) includes an arcuate surface (840) defining a first outer diameter (D840), in a radial direction (706), an axis of rotation (704), a circumferential direction (708) and a groove (828) for installing a key with a hook, forming a second outer diameter (D828), which is larger than the first outer diameter (D840), and a ring (818) extends from the second outer diameter (D828), a first circumferential thrust surface (830) and a second circumferential thrust surface (832), spaced from the first circumferential thrust surface (830) by a predetermined angle (842) amounting to from 160.0 to 200.0 degrees. 8. The wear element (800) according to claim 7, wherein the ring (818) has an inner diameter (826) that is concentric with the first outer diameter (D840) and is smaller than the second outer diameter (D828), the second outer diameter (D828) is concentric with the inner diameter (826), and the through groove (822) is located at a distance along the circumference from the first circumferential thrust surface (830), wherein the annular portion (818a) is located between the first circumferential thrust surface (830) and the through groove (822). 9. The wearing element (800) according to claim 8, further comprising a ramp (833) on the ring (818) facing the outer surface (808) which extends circumferentially from the through groove (822) to the first circumferential stop surface (830), wherein the inner part (814) of the mounting hole of the locking mechanism (812) includes a pair of surfaces (830, 832) inclined in the radial direction relative to each other, forming an undercut along the axis of rotation (704), and a groove for installing the tip (837), extending from the inner part of the mounting hole of the locking mechanism (812) to the outer surface (808).