Moveable jaw mounting assembly

Abstract

A movable jaw mounting assembly to provide adjustment of the close side setting (CSS) of a movable jaw and to act as a retraction assembly or assist with retraction. The assembly includes a pair of linear actuators that are coupled between the back frame end and a region of the toggle unit so as to move the toggle unit towards and away from the back frame end to allow insertion and removal of spacers and/or shims.

Claims

1. A movable jaw mounting assembly arranged to provide retraction and positional adjustment of a movable jaw of a jaw crusher relative to a stationary jaw, the jaw mounting assembly comprising: a load bearing support frame having a part with a force transmission wall configured to transmit impact loading forces associated with the moveable jaw to the support frame; a toggle unit having a first toggle end associated with the moveable jaw, a second toggle end mounted, in opposed relationship, to the force transmission wall, a toggle beam forming the second toggle end, and a toggle plate positioned between the first toggle end and the second toggle end; at least one mechanical actuator arranged to provide a pulling and/or pushing force, the mechanical actuator being attached at a first end to the support frame and at a second end of the toggle unit so as to provide a pulling and/or pushing force to the toggle unit to change a separation distance between the second toggle end and the force transmission wall; a toggle holder connecting the second end of the at least one actuator to the toggle plate such that the toggle plate and the toggle beam are arranged to move towards the force transmission wall by the at least one actuator to retain pressure on the toggle unit during retraction; and a mounting bracket attached to the toggle beam and arranged to abut the toggle holder when the actuator is operative to move the toggle beam away from the force transmission wall during adjustment.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a force transmission pathway extends through the toggle unit and the force transmission wall, but not through the at least one mechanical actuator.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is mounted at a side wall of the support frame laterally to one side of the toggle unit and attaches to the toggle unit via an aperture in the side wall.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the aperture in the side wall of the frame is elongate in a direction between the force transmission wall and the moveable jaw so as to allow a connection between the actuator and toggle unit to slide within the aperture.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first end of the at least one mechanical actuator is mounted at a side wall of the support frame laterally to one side of the toggle unit, and wherein the first end of the at least one mechanical actuator is positioned closer to the moveable jaw than a second end of the actuator.

6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of spacers positioned between the force transmission wall and the second toggle end.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toggle unit includes at least one hydraulic toggle actuator positioned between the first and second toggle ends.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toggle unit includes a single toggle plate extending between the first and second toggle ends.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two mechanical actuators mounted at respective side walls of the support frame laterally to either side of the toggle unit.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, further comprising two elongate apertures extending through the side walls, each aperture being positioned laterally to one side of the toggle unit at a region of the second toggle end.

11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the mechanical actuators is pivotally attached via a mounting to the second toggle end.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical actuator includes a linear mechanical actuator including: a barrel having an internal chamber; a piston within the chamber and arranged for reciprocating linear sliding movement within the chamber; and a piston rod attached to the piston and arranged for longitudinal reciprocating extension and retraction relative to the barrel, the rod having a first end positioned furthest from the barrel, wherein the barrel is attached to the support frame and the rod is connected to the toggle plate via the toggle holder.

13. A jaw crusher comprising: a movable jaw; a stationary jaw; and a movable jaw mounting assembly arranged to provide retraction and positional adjustment of the movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw, the jaw mounting assembly including a load bearing support frame arranged to couple at least part of the assembly to the jaw crusher, the support frame having a part with a force transmission wall configured to transmit impact loading forces from the moveable jaw to the support frame, a toggle unit positioned between the force transmission wall and the moveable jaw, the toggle unit having a first toggle end arranged for attachment to the moveable jaw and a second toggle end for mounting in opposed relationship to the force transmission wall, a toggle beam forming the second toggle end, and a toggle plate positioned between the first toggle end and the second toggle end, at least one mechanical actuator arranged to provide a pulling and/or pushing force, the mechanical actuator being attached at a first end to the support frame and at a second end of the toggle unit so as to provide a pulling and/or pushing force to the toggle unit to change a separation distance between the second toggle end and the force transmission wall, a toggle holder connecting the second end of the at least one actuator to the toggle plate such that the toggle plate and the toggle beam are arranged to move towards the force transmission wall by the at least one actuator to retain pressure on the toggle unit during retraction, and a mounting bracket attached to the toggle beam arranged to abut the toggle holder when the actuator is operative to move the toggle plate away from the force transmission wall during adjustment.

14. The assembly as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a mechanical lock arranged to fix the moveable jaw in an immobile position relative to the stationary jaw.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) A specific implementation of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is an underside perspective view of a jaw crusher comprising a moveable jaw mounting assembly according to a specific implementation of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a further lower perspective view of the jaw crusher of FIG. 1 with further components removed for clarity;

(4) FIG. 3 is a partial cross section perspective view through the back frame end and jaw mounting assembly of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the crusher of FIG. 2 with the back frame end removed for image clarity to illustrate selected components of the moveable jaw mounting assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(6) Referring to FIG. 1, a jaw crusher 100 comprises a main frame 102 upon which is mounted a moveable jaw 105 and a substantially fixed jaw 104. The movable jaw 105 is mounted eccentrically at a rotatable shaft 107 (extending from underneath an end cap 109) and is positioned separated and opposed to fixed jaw 104. The orientation of fixed jaw 104 and movable jaw 105 relative to one another is convergent along their respective lengths such that a separation distance between a crushing face 111 of fixed jaw 104 and a corresponding crushing face 110 of movable jaw 105 decreases in the downward lengthwise direction. A suitable wear plate 113 is removably attached to crushing face 111 of fixed jaw 104 and a corresponding wear plate 114 is removably attached to crushing face 110 of movable jaw 105. Main frame 102 comprises two opposed frame walls that support the front frame end 108, which is aligned substantially perpendicular to frame walls 102. The side walls extend either side of fixed jaw 104 and movable jaw 105 to collectively define a crushing zone 103.

(7) The opposed fixed 104 and movable 105 jaws are oriented to be inclined relative to one another and are spaced apart further at their respective upper ends than their lower ends. Accordingly, the crushing zone 103 is convergent from an upper feed region 115 to a lower discharge region 112.

(8) A pair of fly wheels 101 are mounted either end of shaft 107 at an external facing side of side frame walls 102 being external to the crushing zone 103. Movable jaw 105 is thereby configured for gyroscopic or eccentric motion with respect of fixed jaw 104 as fly wheels 101 and shaft 107 are rotated via mating between v-belt grooves at the fly wheels 101 end a suitable drive belt 127 which in turn is attached to a drive motor 128. This movement of jaw 105 provides the necessary crushing action for material within zone 103 between the opposed wear plates 113 and 114. A plurality of removably mounted side liners 106 are attached to each side frame wall 102 at the region of crushing zone 103.

(9) Movable jaw 105 is supported by a back frame end 116. In particular, back frame end 116 provides a mount for a mechanically actuated linkage that is coupled to a lower region of movable jaw 105 so as to support and stabilise the oscillating movement of jaw 105. The linkage comprises a hydraulic toggle assembly having ends 124 and 125 with end 124 coupled to movable jaw 105. A second end 125 of the toggle unit is positioned at the back frame end 116 such that the force transmission pathway, during crushing operations, progresses from movable jaw 105 through toggle unit and into back frame end 116. Accordingly, the toggle unit acts as a connecting member between the rear support frame 116 and movable jaw 105 such that jaw 105 is retained in floating manner with respect to stationary jaw 105.

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the mounting assembly for the movable jaw 105 further comprises a pair of retraction actuators 122 positioned laterally either side of toggle unit. Referring to FIG. 2, each actuator comprises a main cylinder 200 housing a piston (not shown). An actuator rod 201 is capable of linear extension and retraction relative to cylinder 200 according to conventional linear actuator configurations. Cylinder 200 is terminated at one end by a pivot mounting 203 connected to a base mount 204. Mount 204 is in turn attached to an external side surface of a region of back frame end 116. A second end of actuator 122 is mounted at an end region 125 of the toggle unit. In particular, rod 201 terminates at a mounting eye that forms a part of a pivot mounting 202 that is coupled to a toggle beam (seat) 206 that extends laterally through a region of the back frame end 116 between the frame side walls. Accordingly, each rod 201 of the pair of actuators 122 is connected to each end of toggle beam 206 via a toggle holder in the form of a part cylindrical extension (not shown) that is physically connected to a back end toggle plate 303. The toggle holder is configured to abut against a C-shaped flange 205 that is attached securely at each end of the beam 206. Accordingly, this connection between actuators 122 and the beam 206 is floating such that the beam 206 is rendered free relative to the toggle holder and hence toggle plate 303.

(11) FIG. 3 illustrates selected components of the back frame end and toggle unit with various components removed for image clarity. Back frame end 116 comprises a pair of side walls 117. Side walls 117 are mounted either side of a laterally extending beam 118 having a generally H-shaped cross sectional profile as illustrated in FIG. 3. In particular, a force transmission wall 302 provides a bridge to connect a pair of parallel plate like bodies 307. Accordingly, wall 302 divides each plate like body 307 into a first pair of opposed plate like flanges 305 orientated towards movable jaw 105 and a second pair of plate like flanges 306 orientated rearwardly away from movable jaw 105. Force transmission wall 302 comprises an abutment face 304 positioned between front flanges 305. A channel-like cavity is created between flanges 305 and accommodates a plurality of plate-like spacers 126 that seat against face 304.

(12) The toggle unit may be considered to comprise the back end toggle beam (seat) 206; the back end toggle plate 303, a back end hydraulic mounting bar 302; at least one hydraulic cylinder 123; a front end hydraulic mounting bar 308; a front end toggle plate 301; and a front end toggle beam (seat) 300.

(13) The toggle beam 206 extends between flanges 305. The toggle beam 206 extends between flanges 305 to abut spacers 126 which are in turn journalled against face 304. Beam 206 acts as a toggle seat and forms one end (125) of the toggle unit. The second toggle end plate 303 abuts an opposed end of beam 206 and is in turn coupled to the generally wedge shaped hydraulic mounting bar 302. Components 302, 306, 206 (and optionally their various mountings) may be considered to comprise the second end 125 of the toggle unit mounted at back frame end 116. An opposite first end 124 of the toggle unit is orientated for mounting against movable jaw 105. The first toggle end 124 may be considered to comprise the generally wedge shaped hydraulic mounting bar 308 that connects hydraulic cylinders 123 to the first toggle end plate 301, plate 301 and toggle beam 300. In particular, Plate 301 is mounted at movable jaw 105 via the toggle beam (seat) 300. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the hydraulic toggle unit comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders 123 mounted side-by-side and extending between first toggle end plate 301 and second toggle end plate 303 mounted at movable jaw 105 and back frame end 116, respectively.

(14) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuators 122 are mechanically anchored at the back frame end 116 via mounting upon respective external facing surfaces of side walls 117. Each actuator 122 is aligned substantially parallel with the plate like flanges 307 of the back frame end 116 and the general alignment of the toggle unit. Accordingly, cylinder mounting end 203 is positioned closest to movable jaw 105 relative to rod mounting end 202.

(15) Each side wall 117 comprises an elongate aperture 119 having a first end 121 and a second end 120. Each aperture 117 is positioned so as to expose (through side wall 117) the end regions of toggle beam 206 (and the C-shaped brackets 205). Accordingly, each actuator 122 contacts approximately at toggle beam 206 via the mountings 202, 205 that pass at least partially through aperture 119. As aperture 119 is elongate, each actuator 122 is operative to push and pull toggle seat 206 in a direction towards and away from force transmission wall 302 via extension and retraction of rod 201 relative to cylinder 200. Each actuator 122 is controlled by a suitable electronic control (not shown) and an appropriate hydraulic fluid circuit including a fluid reservoir (not shown).

(16) Each actuator 122 accordingly provides a linear mechanical linkage between the side walls 117 of back frame end 116 and one end of the toggle unit corresponding to toggle beam 206 (via mountings 202, 205). By extending and retracting rod 201 relative to cylinder 200, toggle seat 206 is moved relative to wall 302 to adjust the separation distance between face 304 and toggle seat 206. Accordingly, where it is required to adjust the CSS, toggle beam 206 is moved away from surface 304 to increase the separation distance and allow additional spacers 126 to be inserted. Each rod 201 is then extended to trap spacers 126 in position between toggle seat 206 and face 304. Accordingly, actuators 122 are operative over very short distances and are isolated from the force transmission pathway extending from movable jaw 105 to back frame end 116. This is advantageous to reduce component wear and to provide an efficient and robust jaw mounting arrangement.

(17) If toggle unit (or a further component of the jaw mounting assembly) requires maintenance, actuators 122 may be operated to fully retract rod 201 into cylinder 200 to move jaw 105 to a minimum separation distance relative to jaw 104. A mechanical lock (not shown) is then configured to lock jaw 105 in stationary position. The actuators 122 can then be mechanically released to allow separation of the components of the toggle assembly. As will be appreciated, the hydraulic toggle cylinders 123 may be engaged to assist or provide the linear actuation for adjustment of the CSS in addition to the above maintenance positioning.

(18) According to a further specific embodiment, jaw crusher 100 may comprise a non-hydraulic toggle unit in which hydraulic cylinders 123 are replaced by a conventional single plate-like toggle extending between toggle seats 206 and 300 referring to FIG. 3.