Fastening device for wear parts in earth-moving machines and system

Abstract

A fastening device for wear elements in earth-moving machines, related to a fastening device of the type that is arranged between two parts, components or elements of an earth-moving machine for the fastening or coupling between both parts or elements. The device has at least one mobile blocking element and autonomous activation mechanism of the mobile blocking element, which enables the mobile blocking element to be activated such that, once the fastening device is inserted in a housing for this purpose in any of the parts to be coupled, the effective coupling is achieved at a certain distance from the fastening device, and even from the machine.

Claims

1. A fastening device of a first part or wear part in a second part in earth-moving machines comprising at least one mobile blocking element and autonomous activation means of said mobile blocking element, said activation means comprising at least one processor configured to control movement of the mobile blocking element to a first position wherein the mobile blocking element engages between the first part and the second part, thereby blocking movement of the first part relative to the second part and to control movement of the mobile element to a second position wherein the mobile blocking element disengages between the first part and the second part, thereby unblocking movement of the first part relative to the second part; wherein said activation means is configured to control movement of the mobile blocking element autonomously.

2. The device, according to claim 1, further comprising: actuation means of the mobile blocking element connected to the activation means, transmission means located between the actuation means and the mobile blocking element, and a power supply of the actuation means of the mobile blocking element.

3. The device, according to claim 1, wherein the processor is connected to an emitter/receiver device to remotely control the device.

4. The device, according to claim 1, wherein the processor is connected to different sensors arranged in the device or to components external to the device.

5. The device, according to claim 2, wherein the actuation means comprise an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic motor.

6. The device, according to claim 2, wherein the actuation means comprise electromagnetic elements that generate at least one electromagnetic field that acts on the blocking element.

7. The device, according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means comprise mechanical and/or hydraulic and/or pneumatic and/or magnetic means.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one longitudinal axis (L) with respect to which the at least one mobile blocking element moves.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one blocking element moves longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis (L).

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the blocking element rotates with respect to the longitudinal axis (L).

11. The device, according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous activation means activate the mobile blocking element at a predetermined periodicity.

12. A retention system between a first wear part and a second part in earth-moving machines comprising a device according to claim 1.

13. The system, according to claim 12, wherein the device is arranged in a housing in the second part and engages with a hole or cavity or surface arranged on the wear part wherein the mobile blocking element engages with the second part by means of the insertion thereof in the hole or cavity or by means of friction or pressure against the surface.

14. The device, according to claim 2, wherein the transmission means is coupled to a shaft that has a threaded coupling to the mobile blocking element and rotation of the shaft causes the rotation of the mobile blocking element which is fixed against rotation, thereby moving the mobile blocking element in translation in a direction of movement between the first position and the second position.

15. The device, according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor incorporates operation instructions that are autonomously executed by the at least one processor to move the mobile blocking element in a direction of movement between the first position and the second position.

16. The device, according to claim 15, wherein the at least one processor incorporates operation instructions that are autonomously executed by the at least one processor to periodically move the mobile blocking element in the direction of movement according to a predetermined periodicity.

17. The device, according to claim 15, wherein the at least one processor incorporates operation instructions that are autonomously executed by the at least one processor, based on a signal from a sensor indicative of wear, to move the mobile blocking element in the direction of movement.

18. The device, according to claim 1, wherein mobile blocking element comprises: a cavity having an internal thread about a longitudinal direction of the mobile blocking element extending in the direction of travel of the mobile blocking element, and an inner shaft having an external thread coupled to the internal thread; wherein rotation of the inner shaft in one direction causes a distal end of the mobile blocking element to move toward the first position and rotation of the inner shaft in an opposite direction causes a distal end of the mobile blocking element to move toward the second position.

19. The device, according to claim 1, further comprising a casing in a form of a sleeve around at least a portion of the mobile blocking element, the casing and the mobile blocking element mechanical coupled to one another by a longitudinal groove and guide element extending within the longitudinal groove to allow relative sliding movement along a direction of movement of the mobile blocking while fixing the mobile blocking element and the casing against relative rotation during relative sliding movement of the casing and the mobile guide element.

20. The device, according to claim 1, wherein the processor is connected to a sensor arranged in the device or to components external to the device and configured to detect a state of wear between the first part and the second part.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The present invention includes the following figures that show, in a non-limiting manner, several exemplary embodiments of the invention object of the present patent application.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a retention system between two parts, a wear part or tooth and a second part, which can be a tooth-holder or an intermediate element between the tooth-holder and the tooth, and a first embodiment of the fastening device object of the invention in a position before being coupled.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a fastening device according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows an elevation view of the first embodiment of a fastening device according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows four stages, A to D, of the operation of a fastening device in accordance with the previous figures, in an alternative operation or functioning.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a retention system between two parts, a first wear part or tooth and a second wear part, which can be a tooth-holder or an intermediate part or element, where this second part comprises two housings in which two fastening devices are inserted in accordance with a second embodiment object of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the two fastening devices in accordance with the second embodiment.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a detailed cross section of FIG. 5 wherein the location of the fastening device in accordance with the second embodiment in the housing of the second part can be seen.

(9) FIG. 8 shows another detailed cross section of FIG. 5 wherein the location of a displaced fastening device in accordance with the second embodiment in the housing of the second part can be seen.

(10) FIG. 9 shows a cross section of a retention system between two parts, a first wear part or tooth and a second wear part, which can be a tooth-holder or an intermediate part or element, where this second part comprises a housing to insert the fastening device and the wear part or tooth comprises a projection on which the fastening device is secured in accordance with a third embodiment according to the invention.

(11) FIG. 10 shows another view, without the second part, wherein the tooth and the projection thereof can be seen next to the fastening device in accordance with the third embodiment.

(12) FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a fastening device according to the invention, comprising two mobile blocking elements moving in opposite directions on both sides of a longitudinal axis of the device.

(13) FIG. 12 shows a side view and an upper/lower view of the embodiment in FIG. 10.

(14) FIG. 13 shows the components of the fastening device according to FIGS. 11 and 12 without the case that holds, keeps and protects said elements within the case.

(15) FIG. 14 shows a cross section of the components of FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(16) The invention shall be described below in accordance with the figures included in the present invention.

(17) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment wherein a tooth 1 and an adapter 2 that are coupled by means of a fastening device 100 can be seen. Said fastening device 100 is inserted in a channel 4 in the nose of the adapter 2 and subsequently the tooth 1 is coupled on the adapter 2 in the cavity of the tooth 1 that in turn has a hole 3 such that, when the tooth 1 and the adapter 2 are coupled, said hole 3 is aligned with the channel 4 of the tooth-holder 2.

(18) The fastening device 100 comprises a body with a longitudinal axis L and a mobile blocking element 120 that is activated from the activation means 150 and that is located at one end of the fastening device 100, and by means of the longitudinal movement of this mobile element 120 along the axis L, the fastening of the coupling between the tooth 1 and the tooth-holder 2 is achieved when it engages with the two parts. In order to achieve the movement of the mobile element 120, the fastening device 100 comprises at the opposite end thereof a motor 110 as an actuation means of the aforementioned mobile blocking element 120, as well as mechanical transmission means 123 arranged between the motor 110 and the mobile element 120. Said transmission means 123 can also be hydraulic, pneumatic, magnetic or a combination of any of the above. The motor 110 has power supply means 140, preferably batteries connected to the motor 110, which activate the same and that are in turn connected to the activation means 150. These activation means 150 can be a receiver device, which receives instructions from the exterior of the device, sent by an emitter device controlled by an operator, or can be a microprocessor that incorporates the operation instructions of the fastening device so that the retention device and mechanisms operate autonomously. These activation means 150 can receive information from different sensors arranged in the different components, such that even when it is detected that the tooth and the adapter have been coupled, the mobile blocking element is automatically and autonomously activated.

(19) In accordance with the previous arrangement, and once the fastening device 100 is inserted in the channel 4 of the tooth-holder 2 and the nose of the tooth-holder 2 is subsequently coupled in the housing of the tooth 1, a signal (remote or automatic) is generated by means of which the activation means 150 activates the electric or hydraulic or pneumatic motor 110 that is powered by a power supply, a battery 140, and that through the mechanical transmission means 123 longitudinally moves the mobile blocking means 120 along the axis L, by means of an inner shaft 122 (FIG. 4) which functions as a screw (a worm screw could also be used). This mobile element 120 moves with respect to the inner axis and is inserted in the hole 3 of the tooth 1, coming into contact with the walls of said hole 3, ensuring the tooth 1 and tooth-holder 2 are secured or retained and thus preventing the tooth 1 from being separated from the tooth-holder 2. Said transmission means 123 can also be hydraulic, pneumatic or a combination of any of the above. It must be noted that the fastening device must be secured in some way to the tooth-holder 2.

(20) The activation means 150 also enable the fastening device 100 to autonomously maintain the tightness between the tooth 1 and the nose of the adapter 2 during the operation of the system by means of the periodic activation of the mobile blocking element depending on the different constraints that are previously predefined and stored in the processor of the activation means 150 or in a controller that is external to the device and even the machine.

(21) In the previous example, the fastening device 100 only has one mobile blocking element 120 at one end, although in an alternative construction (not shown) a second mobile blocking element 120 could be included at the opposite end, the rest of the components being arranged between both mobile blocking elements 120.

(22) In order to maintain the position of the fastening device 100 in the working position thereof in the channel 4 of the tooth-holder 2, as shown in FIG. 4, the fastening device 100 is inserted in a hollow cylindrical case, cover or body 160 made of a resistant material, which is subsequently inserted in the channel 4 of the tooth-holder. Externally, the case 160 is the shape of the opening of the channel 4 of the tooth-holder in order to prevent, if it is cylindrical, said case 160 from rotating in the inside of the channel 4, that is, the outer cross section of the case 160 is largely the same as the cross section of the channel 4 of the tooth-holder, such that it enables the insertion thereof in said channel 4 but does not enable the rotation thereof inside the same. The case 160 likewise comprises an inlet hole in one of the bases thereof through which the fastening device 100 is inserted and can also have a rear hole in the opposite base that has a housing, of the through type or not, for the insertion of the end of the fastening device 100 opposite that of the mobile blocking device 120. In this way, the mobile element 120 can come out through the inlet hole of the case 160. Said case 160 further comprises at least one through hole in the surface thereof for the insertion of a tightening element or screw 161 that is inserted in a groove 121 made in the surface of the mobile blocking element 120 once the device 100 is inserted in the case 160. After the insertion of the fastening device in the case 160, the screw 161 is adjusted so that it is inserted in the groove 121 of the mobile element 120. In this way, it is ensured that the mobile element 120 does not rotate inside the case 160 and the path of the mobile blocking element 120 is controlled. Likewise, in order to prevent the motor 110 from rotating about its own axis (L), it must be secured inside the case 160, for which reason the inner cross section of the case 160 at the end or place where the motor 110 is located once inserted in the case 160, must preferably be complementary to the outer cross section of the motor 110 or alternatively have an element that secures the motor 110 inside the case 160, thus preventing it from rotating about its axis L. In this example, the inside of the case has at least one flat surface that comes into contact with the flat surface of the batteries 140 that are located externally to the motor 110, such that the contact between both flat surfaces prevents the rotation of the motor 110 about its axis. After inserting and ensuring the position of the fastening device 100 in the case 160, the same is inserted in the channel 4 of the nose of the tooth-holder 2, to subsequently couple the tooth 1 in said nose 2 and aligning the channel 4 with the hole 3 of the tooth. The foregoing is seen in stage A of FIG. 4.

(23) Once arranged in the channel 4 of the tooth-holder 2, and as can be seen in stage B of FIG. 4, the mobile element 120 of the fastening device 100 is activated in accordance with some of the options already described above, such that the motor 110 causes the rotation of the transmission elements 123 that are coupled to the shaft 122, which is in turn threaded inside the mobile element 120. In this way, when the inner shaft 122 rotates, it causes the rotation of the mobile element 120 that, due to having limited rotation as a result of the action of the screw 161, moves along the longitudinal axis L of the fastening device in the direction of the horizontal arrow H. In this translation movement, the screw 161 remains inside the groove 121 of the mobile element 120. This movement of the mobile element 120 causes it to be inserted in the hole 3 of the tooth 1 and come into contact with the walls of said hole 3, ensuring the retention between the tooth 1 and the tooth-holder 2.

(24) In stage C of FIG. 4, uncoupling takes place when the tooth 1 has moved according to the vertical arrow “P” due to brinelling (wear due to contact) and plastic deformation due to large impacts caused between the tooth 1 and tooth-holder 2 as a result of the work of the system or assembly. This brinelling causes the system to no longer be tight given that the mobile element 120 is no longer in contact with the walls of the hole 3 of the tooth 1. In this way, it is difficult for the tooth to uncouple from the tooth-holder 2, but there is movement between both parts, tooth 1 and tooth-holder 2, which increases said brinelling and also increases the relative movement between the two parts.

(25) In order to resolve this problem of lack of tightness between the tooth 1 and the tooth-holder 2 and by extension with the fastening device 100, the mobile blocking element 120 is autonomously or automatically (although it can also be remotely) activated in accordance with the instructions received from the activation means 150 and according to any of the activation options described above. By means of the new longitudinal movement in accordance with the horizontal arrow “H” of the mobile blocking element 120, it comes back into contact with the walls of the hole 3 of the tooth 1, the coupling between the tooth 1 and the tooth-holder 2, and therefore the whole system, thus being re-tightened. This can be seen in stage D of FIG. 4.

(26) In a second exemplary embodiment, the fastening device 200 is inserted in a housing made in the nose of a second adapter element 20, in this case shown represented by an intermediate element, which at one end is coupled to a wear element or tooth 10 and at the opposite end is coupled to a nose (not shown), or another part, through holes 30 made in the wall of the intermediate element 20. Said intermediate element could also be a tooth-holder or the nose in a blade of a bucket. Likewise, the intermediate element 20 has two noses 50, each one being independent, with a housing 40 and that are inserted in cavities 16, which are also independent, arranged in the tooth 10 and separated by a wall 17. Before the coupling of the tooth 10, the fastening devices 200 are inserted in said housing 40. Clearly, this second part 20 could be a conventional tooth-holder instead of an intermediate element, or even the blade of a bucket of an earth-moving machine.

(27) In this example, the two fastening devices 200 have the same components, although as they are arranged at opposite ends, the arrangement of the components in one device and the other is symmetrical. Said devices 200 comprise a longitudinal axis L, a mobile blocking element 220, located at one end of the fastening device 200 and connected to the actuation means 210 by means of mechanical transmission means 223. Said transmission means 223 can also be hydraulic, pneumatic, magnetic or a combination of any of the above.

(28) Similarly to the example above, the actuation means 210 is an electric motor, although it could be a hydraulic or pneumatic motor or electromagnetic elements that enable the mechanical transmission means 223 to be actuated in order to move the mobile blocking element 220. The device 200 has power supply means 240, preferably a battery, which is responsible for supplying electricity to the actuation means 210 as well as the receiver device 250 or activation means. The mobile element 220 has a body with an upper surface, a lower surface and a continuous side wall or several side walls, and acts as a cam, having the join with the transmission means 223 in the wall of one end and a rotary projection or pin 221 in the upper surface of the other end with respect to the vertical axis V with respect to which it rotates. The longitudinal axis L and the vertical axis V are on planes that are perpendicular to each other, although said axes do not intersect. Preferably, the mobile element 220 is the shape of a right-angled triangle with a curved hypotenuse and rounded corners such that in the portion thereof with the acute angle it connects to the transmission means 223 and in the portion thereof with the right angle it has the rotary projection 221. Likewise, in the curved side wall and opposite that of the connection with the transmission means 223, the body of the mobile element 220 has a retention surface, that is rough or has projections since it is the surface that comes into contact with the wear element 10 when the fastening device 200 is activated.

(29) In this embodiment, after the coupling of the fastening device 200 in the housing 40 of the intermediate element 20, the fastening device 200 is located such that the end with the mobile blocking element 220 is located in the inner portion of the intermediate element 20, both mobile elements 220 in this specific example facing and close to each other, separated by a space in which an intermediate wall 17 is inserted that separates the two cavities 16 of the tooth 10. Each of these housings 40 has, at the end where the mobile element 220 is fitted, a particular configuration since it must house the rotary projection or pin 221 with respect to which the mobile element 220 subsequently rotates.

(30) Once the parts and the fastening device 200 are coupled, the mobile blocking element is remotely activated by means of actuating the activation means 250. For example, by sending a signal to a receiver of the activation means 250 of the fastening device 200. This signal causes the actuation means 210 to activate the mechanical transmission means 223 which move longitudinally along the longitudinal axis L of the fastening device 200, causing the rotation of the mobile element 220 with respect to the rotary projection 221 and, therefore, the vertical rotation axis V. This movement causes the mobile blocking element 220 to move outside the cavity 40, as well as the curved and rough surface 222 to engage and interact with the surface of the intermediate wall 17 of the tooth 10 located between both cavities 16, or with one cavity or recess made in the surface of said wall 17. In this way, the position of the fastening device 200 between a first wear part 10 and a second part 20 is ensured.

(31) The activation means 250 autonomously enable, similarly to the first example, the tightness between the different components to be maintained by means of the periodic activation of the mobile blocking element depending on the different constraints that are previously predefined.

(32) In order to achieve the separation of the tooth 10 from the nose 20, the mobile blocking element 220 must return to its initial position, such that there is no engagement between said mobile element 220, the tooth 10 and the nose 20. To do so, the activation means 250 cause the mobile blocking element or cam 220 to move again to its initial unblocking position.

(33) In a third exemplary embodiment, the retention system is formed by a wear part or tooth 11 with a cavity 13 and a projection or lug 12 in said housing 11. Likewise, the second part or adapter 21 further comprises a cavity 42 with a housing 41. The fastening device 300 is inserted in said housing 41.

(34) Said fastening device 300 comprises the actuation means 310 of the mobile blocking element of the fastening device 300 in the end that is inserted in the housing 41 of the adapter 21. Next to said actuation means, which are preferably an electric motor, although it can also be a hydraulic or pneumatic motor or electromagnetic elements, there is a receiver 350, or activation means, which is responsible for activating the actuation means 310 and power supply means or battery 340, which are responsible for supplying electricity to the components that require it. Said actuation means 310 are connected to at least one mobile blocking element 320 through transmission means 323. In this example, the mobile blocking element 320 comprises an assembly of articulated elements that are connected to a bushing that moves along a shaft connected to the transmission means 323. In this way, the rotation of the shaft causes the movement of the bushing connected to said articulated elements which, depending on the direction of movement of said bushing, cause the articulated elements to separate or move closer together. Said transmission means 323 can also be hydraulic, pneumatic, magnetic or a combination of any of the above.

(35) To mount the fastening device 300 in the system, the end of the device 300 that is opposite to the mobile element 320 is inserted in the housing 41 of the tooth-holder 21, the mobile element 320 being housed in the cavity 42 of said tooth-holder 21. Subsequently, the tooth 11 is placed on the tooth-holder 21 and the actuation means 310 of the device 300 are remotely activated, and which cause the longitudinal movement of the bushing of the mobile element 320 along the longitudinal axis L of the device 300. This longitudinal movement of the bushing causes the articulated elements of the mobile device to move closer and “grip” or exert pressure on the projection or lug 12 of the tooth 11, thus ensuring the coupling and retention between the tooth and the tooth-holder.

(36) FIGS. 11 to 14 show a fourth embodiment of a fastening device 400 for coupling a first part or tooth and a second part, adapter or tooth holder. Said fastening device 400 is inserted in a channel, preferably in the nose of the adapter, and subsequently the tooth is coupled on the adapter, as in the first embodiment explained.

(37) The fastening device 400 comprises a body with two longitudinal axis, a first longitudinal axis L and a second longitudinal axis M and two mobile blocking elements 420 that are activated from the activation means 450 and move along the first longitudinal axis L. The blocking elements 420 are located on opposite ends of the fastening device 400, and by means of the longitudinal movement of these mobile elements 420 along the first axis L, the fastening of the coupling between the tooth and the tooth-holder is achieved when it engages with the two parts. In order to achieve the movement of the mobiles elements 420, the fastening device 400 comprises: a motor 410 as actuator means with first transmission means 423a for reducing the speed of the motor 410, second transmission means 423b, connected to the first transmission means 423a, and placed approximately in the middle of the fastening device 400, two mobile blocking elements 420, each with a bolt 421 connected to a screwed shaft 422, placed on opposite sides of the second transmission means 423b, that when said transmission means 423 are activated the blocking elements 420 move parallel to the longitudinal axis L because the screwed shaft 422 turns displacing the bolt 421, a power supply or battery 440, and autonomous activation means 450 comprising the microprocessor or processor, as well as other electronic components required, preferably placed in an electronic board, and that can be connected to other electronic components such as an emitter and/or receiver 450′ that can be placed separated from the electronic board.

(38) The transmission means are important when the actuation means or motor 410 does not have the required power because the space inside the case 460 of the fastening device 400 limits the size of the activation means or motor 410, and therefore the power of the same, introduced in said case 460 of the device 400. Due to this limitation in space, and to be able to move the blocking elements 420, or element, with a small exit torque from the motor 410, the transmission means 423 comprise gears 423a, 423b. These are placed for reducing the speed that exits the shaft of the motor 410 and increasing the torque, therefore allowing the displacement of the blocking elements 420 along the longitudinal axis L. Depending of the size of the fastening device and the space available inside said fastening device, the number of transmission means or gears forming part of said transmission means can be modified and therefore have one, two, three or more gears/reducers in the transmission means 423.

(39) The transmission means are preferably two gears 423a, 423b working as speed reducers that serve to increase the torque exiting from the actuation means to a torque capable of moving the blocking element or elements 420. Therefore, as stated, the number of gears or reducers 423a, 423b to be placed between the exit of the actuation means 410 and the blocking element or elements 420 will depend on the space, torque exiting from the actuation element 410 and torque required to move the blocking element or elements 420. For example, as shown in the fourth embodiment, a first reducer 423a can be placed at the exit shaft of the actuation element 410 and a second reducer 423b can between said first reducer 423a and the blocking element 420 or elements to transmit the torque to this/these. As an example, for a torque exiting the motor 410 of about 0.5 Nm, the torque moving the blocking elements 420 at the exit of the second transmission means or gears 423b is around 135 Nm.

(40) Due to space restrictions, the previous elements have a particular distribution in the fastening device 400. Specifically, the elements are placed along the two parallel longitudinal axis, L, M, such that the two blocking elements 420 along the first longitudinal axis are parallel to the power supply, battery, 440 and the actuation means, motor, 410 placed along the second longitudinal axis M. Further, both blocking elements 420 are separated by the second transmission means 423b, as well as the battery 440 and the motor 410 with the first transmission means 423a. The autonomous activation means 450 are preferably placed between the battery 440 and one of the mobile blocking elements 420 and the emitter/receptor can be placed closed to one end of the battery 440.

(41) As in previous embodiments, the transmission means 423 are preferably mechanical, gears, but they can also be hydraulic, pneumatic, magnetic or a combination of any of the above.

(42) The operation of this embodiment 400 is similar to the one of the first embodiments, such that when the fastening device 400 is in place in the tooth-holder coupled in the housing of the tooth, a signal is generated by means of which the activation means 450 activates the motor 410 that is powered by the battery 440, and through the gear transmissions 423, the moving blocking elements 420 are longitudinally moved in opposite directions along the axis L. Other additional features of this fourth embodiment of a fastening device 400 are similar to the features described for the fastening device of the first embodiment 100.

(43) The fastening devices 100, 200, 300, 400, as well as the systems in which they are installed, can incorporate the following element in addition to those mentioned above: The receiver installed in the actuation means of the device itself can also act as an emitter element for information exchange between the fastening device and the exterior, Sensors the enable the measurement of variables inside the housings, such as for example temperature, or incorporating sensors that enable the measurement of stresses to which the device is subjected, and Positioning devices of the fastening device, such as for example a GPS device.