TURRET ASSEMBLY FOR MACHINES

Abstract

A turret assembly for supporting a moveable boom assembly is disclosed. The turret assembly includes a base assembly structured and arranged for selective rotation. The turret assembly further includes a swing motor being attached to the base assembly. The swing motor has a housing portion projecting outward from the base assembly in a direction towards the boom assembly. The turret assembly further includes a mount assembly having a forward attachment portion, a rearward attachment portion and a hinge portion defined therebetween. The hinge portion of the mount assembly is configured to support the moveable boom assembly coupled thereto. The forward attachment portion and the hinge portion are structured and arranged to define a recess pocket. The swing motor is at least partially disposed within the recess pocket.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a turret assembly for supporting a moveable boom assembly of a machine.

BACKGROUND

Machines, such as hydraulic excavators include a boom for performing various operations, such as an earth moving operation via implements, such as a bucket. The boom has a foot that is pivotally coupled to a mounting bracket provided on a base assembly of the machine. The boom is actuated hydraulically to move up and down relative to the base assembly. The machine also includes a swing drive disposed on an undercarriage system to move the base assembly relative to the under carriage system. The swing drive is disposed in the under carriage system proximate to the mounting bracket. Based on applications and specification of the machines, the swing drive may be disposed around the mounting bracket at different locations. The swing drive has an upper portion that may project above a surface of the base assembly. To prevent interference between the foot of the boom and the swing drive, the swing drive may have to be provided at selective locations on the base assembly. This may cause restrictions in the location of the swing drive, thereby causing complexity in the assembly and design of other components.

JP Patent Publication Number 2006/316536 (the '536 publication) discloses a boom foot structure for a working machine. The '536 publication discloses a boom having one end pivotally coupled with the body of the working machine. The end of the boom is formed with a fork structure to couple with a pair of mounting brackets provided on the body. The fork structure is formed at the end of the boom to facilitate coupling of the boom with the pair of mounting brackets via separate pin members. Further, the forked structure is integrally fabricated with a body of the boom.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a turret assembly for supporting a moveable boom assembly is provided. The turret assembly includes a base assembly structured and arranged for selective rotation. The turret assembly further includes a swing motor being attached to the base assembly. The swing motor has a housing portion projecting outward from the base assembly in a direction towards the boom assembly. The turret assembly further includes a mount assembly having a forward attachment portion, a rearward attachment portion and a hinge portion defined therebetween. The hinge portion of the mount assembly is configured to support the moveable boom assembly coupled thereto. The forward attachment portion and the hinge portion are structured and arranged to define a recess pocket. The swing motor is at least partially disposed within the recess pocket.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided. The machine includes a turret assembly for supporting a moveable boom assembly. The turret assembly includes a base assembly structured and arranged for selective rotation. The turret assembly further includes a swing motor being attached to the base assembly. The swing motor has a housing portion projecting outward from the base assembly in a direction towards the boom assembly. The turret assembly further includes a mount assembly having a forward attachment portion, a rearward attachment portion and a hinge portion defined therebetween. The hinge portion of the mount assembly is configured to support the moveable boom assembly coupled thereto. The machine further includes a foot member coupled to the boom assembly and pivotally coupled to the hinge portion of the mount assembly. The foot member is configured to define a recess so that the boom assembly provides a clearance with respect to the housing portion of the swing motor. The forward attachment portion and the hinge portion are structured and arranged to define a recess pocket. The swing motor is at least partially disposed within the recess pocket.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a turret assembly for supporting a moveable boom assembly is provided. The turret assembly includes a base assembly structured and arranged for selective rotation. The turret assembly further includes a swing motor being attached to the base assembly. the swing motor has a housing portion projecting outward from the base assembly in a direction towards the boom assembly. The turret assembly further includes a mount assembly having a forward attachment portion, a rearward attachment portion and a hinge portion defined therebetween. The hinge portion of the mount assembly is configured to support the moveable boom assembly coupled thereto. A foot member is coupled to the boom assembly and pivotally coupled to the mount assembly in order to allow the boom assembly to move between a first position and a second position relative to the base assembly. In the first position, the foot member is distal to the swing motor, and in the second position, the foot member is proximate to the swing motor. The foot member includes a base portion and a first leg member extending from the base portion. The first leg member is pivotally coupled to a first mounting member of the mounting assembly. The foot member further includes a second leg member spaced apart from the first leg member. The second leg member is extending from the base portion and pivotally coupled to a second mounting member of the mounting assembly. The first and second leg members are configured to define a recess therebetween. The recess is adapted to at least partially accommodate the swing motor therein in the second position of the boom assembly. The swing motor is at least partially disposed between the hinge portion and the forward attachment portion of each of the first and second mounting members.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary machine having a boom assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the boom assembly coupled to a turret assembly of the machine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foot member of the boom assembly of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the boom assembly disposed proximate to a swing motor attached to a base assembly of the turret assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the base assembly showing a position of the swing motor with respect to a mount assembly attached to the base assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the base assembly showing another position of the swing motor with respect to the mount assembly, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary machine 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the machine 100 is an excavator having a boom assembly 102. The boom assembly 102 is used for performing various operations, such as an earth moving operation. Further, the boom structure 102 is movable relative to an undercarriage system 104 of the machine 100. The machine 100 may be any machine having a boom assembly used for the purpose of construction, mining, quarrying, and the like.

The machine 100 further includes an upper structure 106 and an operator cab 108 rotatably supported on the undercarriage system 104 by a turret assembly 110. Further, the boom assembly 102 is moveably supported on the turret assembly 110. The operator cab 108 includes one or more operator interface devices for controlling operation of the boom assembly 102 and/or the machine 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the undercarriage system 104 includes a pair of tracks. In various embodiments, the upper structure 106 and the operator cab 108 may be rotatably supported on a base structure having a plurality of wheels.

As shown in FIG. 1, the boom assembly 102 is movably coupled to a base assembly 114 (shown in FIG. 2) of the turret assembly 110. The base assembly 114 is structured and arranged for selective rotation thereof. The base assembly 114 is configured to support the upper structure 106 and the operator cab 108. The boom assembly 102 includes a boom member 112 coupled to the base assembly 114. The boom member 112 is moved relative to the base assembly 114 using a first hydraulic actuator 116. The first hydraulic actuator 116 is coupled between the base assembly 114 and the boom member 112. The boom member 112 is further pivotally coupled to a stick member 118 via a pin member 120. A second hydraulic actuator 122 is coupled between the boom member 112 and the stick member 118 to move the stick member 118 relative to the boom member 112. A working tool 124, such as a bucket is pivotally coupled to the stick member 118. A third hydraulic actuator 126 is coupled between the stick member 118 and the working tool 124 to move the working tool 124 relative to the stick member 118. The machine 100 may further include a hydraulic system (not shown) in communication with the first, second and third hydraulic actuators 116, 122, 126 to move the boom assembly 102 relative to the upper structure 106.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the boom assembly 102 coupled to the base assembly 114 of the machine 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The undercarriage system 104 includes a base 128 for movably supporting the base assembly 114. The turret assembly 110 includes a swing motor 130 attached to the base assembly 114. The swing motor 130 is operably engaged with the base assembly 114 to move the base assembly 114 relative to the undercarriage system 104 along an axis ‘A’ defined by the swing motor 130.

The swing motor 130 includes a housing portion 132 disposed on a base plate 134 of the base assembly 114. The housing portion 132 projects outward from the base assembly 114 in a direction along the axis ‘A’ towards the boom assembly 102. The base plate 134 is coupled to the base assembly 114 and moves relative to the base 128. The swing motor 130 may further include a bottom portion (not shown) movably disposed within the turret assembly 110. The housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130 may be engaged with the bottom portion to move the base assembly 114 relative to the base 128. The housing portion 132 of the swing drive 130 defines an outer circumference 136. In one example, the outer circumference 136 of the housing portion 132 is circular. However, in various examples, the outer circumference 136 of the housing portion 132 may be square, rectangular, elliptical, polygonal or any other shape known in the art. The housing portion 132 of the swing drive 130 further extends above an upper surface 138 of the base assembly 114. The upper surface 138 of the base assembly 114 further includes a plurality of reinforcing members to provide structural rigidity to the base assembly 114. The base assembly 114 also includes a plurality of supporting members 139 for mounting various components of the machine 100 including, but not limited to, an engine and a fuel tank. In the preferred embodiment, based on the location of the engine and the fuel tank, the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130 is disposed on the base plate 134 adjacent to a front end 137 of the base assembly 114. In alternate embodiments, the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130 may be disposed adjacent to a rear end or sides of the base assembly 114.

The turret assembly 110 further includes a mount assembly 140 coupled to the base assembly 114. The mount assembly 140 includes a first mounting member 142 extending from the upper surface 138 of the base assembly 114. The mount assembly 140 further includes a second mounting member 144 extending from the upper surface 138 of the base assembly 114. The first and second mounting members 142, 144 are laterally spaced from each other. The first mounting member 142 includes a forward attachment portion 142A, a rearward attachment portion 142B and a hinge portion 142C defined therebetween. Similarly, the second mounting member 144 includes a forward attachment portion 144A, a rearward attachment portion (not shown) and a hinge portion (not shown) defined therebetween. The hinge portions of the first and second mounting members 142, 144 are configured to be pivotally coupled to the boom assembly 102. The forward attachment portions 142A, 144A and the hinge portions of the first and second mounting members 142, 144 are structured and arranged to define a recess pocket 143. The swing motor 130 is at least partially disposed within the recess pocket 143.

The boom member 112 includes an elongate member 146 having a first end 148 and a second end 149. The first end 148 of the elongate member 146 is adapted to be coupled to the working tool 124 via the stick member 118. In an embodiment, the elongate member 146 is fabricated from a plurality of metal plates. However, in various embodiments, the elongate member 146 may be manufactured through any known manufacturing method known in the art.

The boom member 112 further includes a foot member 150 coupled to the second end 149 of the elongate member 146. The foot member 150 is pivotally coupled to the first and second mounting members 142, 144 to allow the boom assembly 102 to move between a first position P1 and a second position P2 relative to the base assembly 114. In the first position P1, the foot member 150 is distal to the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130. In the second position P2, the foot member 150 is proximate to the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130. Moreover, the first position P1 of the boom member 112 may correspond to an extended position of the first hydraulic actuator 116 and the second position P2 may correspond to a retracted position of the first hydraulic actuator 116. Referring to FIG. 2, the first position P1 of the boom member 112 relative to the base assembly 114 is shown.

In an embodiment, the foot member 150 is pivotally coupled to the first and second mounting members 142, 144 via a first pin member 152 and a second pin member 154, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the foot member 150 may be pivotally coupled to the first and second mounting members 142, 144 via a single pin member.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foot member 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The foot member 150 includes a base portion 156 coupled to the second end 149 of the elongate member 146. The base portion 156 may define an outer circumference 158 substantially similar to an outer circumference (not shown) defined at the second end 149 of the elongate member 146. The base portion 156 includes a protrusion 160 configured to be received through a hollow space (not shown) defined at the second end 149 of the elongate member 146. The protrusion 160 may extend from the base portion 156 adjacent to the outer circumference 158 thereof. The outer circumference 158 of the base portion 156 may align with the outer circumference of the second end 149 of the elongate member 146, once the protrusion 160 is received through the second end 149 of the elongate member 146. In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 156 is welded to the second end 149 of the elongate member 146. In various embodiments, the base portion 156 may be coupled to the elongate member 146 via fastening members, such as bolts and nuts. It may also be contemplated that the base portion 156 may be integrally formed with the second end 149 of the elongate member 146.

The base portion 156 further includes an upper base portion 162 and a lower base portion 164 distal to the upper base portion 162. The upper base portion 162 extends from a top side 166 adjacent to the outer circumference 158 of the base portion 156. Similarly, the lower base portion 164 extends from a bottom side 168 adjacent to the outer circumference 158 of the base portion 156. The upper and lower base portions 162, 164 are configured to define a second space 170 therebetween. In an example, one or more hydraulic valves used for actuation of the boom assembly 102 may be disposed within the second space 170.

The foot member 150 further includes a first leg member 172 configured to be pivotally coupled to the first mounting member 142 of the base assembly 114. The first leg member 172 extends from the base portion 156 and configured to be detachably coupled to the first mounting member 142 via the first pin member 152. The foot member 150 further includes a second leg member 174 spaced apart from the first leg member 172. The second leg member 174 is configured to be pivotally coupled to the second mounting member 144 of the base assembly 114. The second leg member 174 extends from the base portion 156 and configured to be detachably coupled to the second mounting member 144 via the second pin member 154. The first and second leg members 172, 174 are configured to define a recess 176 therebetween. The recess 176 of the boom assembly 102 is configured to define a clearance ‘C’ (shown in FIG. 6) with respect to the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130. The recess 176 is adapted to at least partially accommodate the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130 therein in the second position P2 of the boom member 112.

Each of the first and second leg members 172, 174 includes a pair of arms 178 configured to be detachably coupled with the first and second mounting members 142, 144, respectively. The pair of arms 178 of the first leg member 172 is described in detail. Each of the pair of arms 178 includes a hole 180. The holes 180 are adapted to receive the first pin member 152 therethrough. Further, each of the pair of arms 178 is laterally spaced from each other to define a width that is greater than a thickness of the first mounting member 142, such that the first mounting member 142 may be disposed between the pair of arms 178 to align a hole (not shown) of the first mounting member 142 with the holes 180 of the pair of arms 178. Similarly, the pair of arms 178 of the second leg member 174 includes the holes 180 to receive the second pin member 154 therethrough.

The boom member 112 further includes a first upper beam 182 extending between the upper base portion 162 and the first leg member 172 and a second upper beam 184 distal to the first upper beam 182. The second upper beam 184 extends between the upper base portion 162 and the second leg member 174. The upper base portion 162, the first upper beam 182, the second upper beam 184, the first leg member 172 and the second leg member 174 together define a first inner circumference 186.

The boot member further includes a first lower beam 188 extending between the lower base portion 164 and the first leg member 172 and a second lower beam 190 distal to the first lower beam 188. The second lower beam 190 extends between the lower base portion 164 and the second leg member 174. The lower base portion 164, the first lower beam 188, the second lower beam 190, the first leg member 172 and the second leg member 174 together define a second inner circumference 192. The first inner circumference 186 and the second inner circumference 192 are greater than the outer circumference 136 defined by the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130 to receive the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 132 therein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the boom assembly 102 disposed proximate to the swing motor 130, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. When an operator actuates the first hydraulic actuator 116 to the retracted position thereof, the boom assembly 102 moves to the second position P2. While the boom assembly 102 moves to the second position P2, the outer circumference 136 defined by the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130 is received within the recess 176 defined by the foot member 150. Further, the first and second inner circumferences 186, 192 of the foot member 150 may define the clearance ‘C’ with the outer circumference 136 of the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130. The clearance ‘C’ is designed in such a way that the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130 may be freely disposed within the recess 176 without interfering with surrounding surface of the swing motor 130.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate various locations of the swing motor 130 with respect to the mount assembly 140. Referring to FIG. 5, the swing motor 130 is fully received within the recess pocket 143 defined by the forward attachment portions 142A, 144A and the hinge portions of the first and second mounting members 142, 144, respectively. In such a case, the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130 may be partially received within the recess 176 defined by the foot member 150 at the second position ‘P2’ of the boom assembly 102. Referring to FIG. 6, the swing motor 130 is partially received within the recess pocket 143. In such a case, the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130 may be fully received within the recess 176 at the second position ‘P2’ of the boom assembly 102.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure relates to the turret assembly 110 and the foot member 150 coupled to the second end 149 of the elongate member 146. The foot member 150 is movably coupled to the first and second mounting members 142, 144 of the mount assembly 140 to move the boom assembly 102 between the first position P1 and the second position P2. The recess 176 defined between the first inner circumference 186 and the second inner circumference 192 of the foot member 150 may accommodate the housing portion 132 of the swing motor 130 in the second position P2 of the boom member 112.

In the illustrated embodiment, the foot member 150 is a casting member. The pair of arms 178 of each of the first and second leg members 172, 174 may be further machined to define the holes 180 and the width to detachably couple with the first and second mounting members 142, 144, respectively, of the mount assembly 140. Further, the base portion 156 may also be machined to couple with the second end 149 of the elongate member 146. The upper base portion 162, the lower base portion 164, the first upper beam 182, the second upper beam 184, the first lower beam 188, the second lower beam 190, the first leg member 172 and the second leg member 174 are formed by single piece casting member to reduce weight of the foot member 150. Thus, development cost of the foot member 150 may be reduced.

As the foot member 150 is separately casted and coupled to the second end 149 of the elongate member 146, scrapping of the elongate member 146 due to damages, such as a wear or a crack formed in the first and the second leg members 172, 174 after prolonged operation of the machine 100 may be minimized by replacing with a new foot member 150 at the second end 149 of the elongate member 146 with less or no modification in the elongate member 146.

In various examples, the swing motor 130 may be disposed either at the front end 137, the rear end or sides of the base assembly 114. Hence, with the foot member 150 of the present disclosure, the base assembly 114 may be commonized for machines having same specification or different specification. Thus, development cost and inventory cost of the base assembly 114 may be reduced or eliminated.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A turret assembly for supporting a moveable boom assembly, the turret assembly comprising:

a base assembly structured and arranged for selective rotation;

a swing motor being attached to the base assembly and having a housing portion projecting outward from the base assembly in a direction towards the boom assembly; and

a mount assembly having a forward attachment portion, a rearward attachment portion and a hinge portion defined therebetween, the hinge portion of the mount assembly configured to support the moveable boom assembly coupled thereto;

wherein the forward attachment portion and the hinge portion being structured and arranged to define a recess pocket, the swing motor being at least partially disposed within the recess pocket.

2. The turret assembly of claim 1 further comprising a foot member coupled to the boom assembly, the foot member defines a recess so that the boom assembly provides a clearance with respect to the housing portion of the swing motor.

3. The turret assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing portion of the swing motor is completely enclosed within the recess pocket defined by the forward attachment portion and the hinge portion of the mount assembly.

4. The turret assembly of claim 2, wherein the foot member comprises a first leg member and a second leg member configured to be pivotally coupled to the mount assembly.

5. The turret assembly of claim 4, wherein the mount assembly comprises:

a first mounting member configured to be detachably coupled to the first leg member of the foot member; and

a second mounting member configured to be detachably coupled to the second leg member of the foot member.

6. The turret assembly of claim 2, wherein the foot member comprises a base portion having an upper base portion and a lower base portion spaced apart from the upper base portion, and wherein the upper and lower base portions are configured to define a second space therebetween.

7. The turret assembly of claim 6, wherein the foot member further comprises:

a first upper beam extending between the upper base portion and the first leg member; and

a second upper beam spaced apart from the first upper beam and extending between the upper base portion and the second leg member;

wherein the upper base portion, the first upper beam, the second upper beam, the first leg member and the second leg member together define a first inner circumference.

8. The turret assembly of claim 7, wherein the foot member further comprises:

a first lower beam extending between the lower base portion and the first leg member; and

a second lower beam spaced apart from the first lower beam extending between the lower base portion and the second leg member;

wherein the lower base portion, the first lower beam, the second lower beam, the first leg member and the second leg member together define a second inner circumference.

9. The turret assembly of claim 8, wherein the first inner circumference and the second inner circumference are greater than an outer circumference defined by the housing portion of the swing motor.

10. The turret assembly of claim 6, wherein the base portion of the foot member is welded to the boom assembly.

11. The turret assembly of claim 2, wherein the foot member is a cast member.

12. A machine comprising:

a turret assembly for supporting a moveable boom assembly, the turret assembly comprising: a base assembly structured and arranged for selective rotation; a swing motor being attached to the base assembly and having a housing portion projecting outward from the base assembly in a direction towards the boom assembly; and a mount assembly having a forward attachment portion, a rearward attachment portion and a hinge portion defined therebetween, the hinge portion of the mount assembly configured to support the moveable boom assembly coupled thereto; and

a foot member coupled to the boom assembly and pivotally coupled to the hinge portion of the mount assembly, the foot member configured to define a recess so that the boom assembly provides a clearance with respect to the housing portion of the swing motor;

wherein the forward attachment portion and the hinge portion being structured and arranged to define a recess pocket, the swing motor being at least partially disposed within the recess pocket.

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein the housing portion of the swing motor is completely enclosed within the recess pocket defined by the forward attachment portion and the hinge portion of the mount assembly.

14. The machine of claim 12, wherein the foot member comprises a first leg member and a second leg member configured to be pivotally coupled to the mount assembly.

15. The machine of claim 14, wherein the mount assembly comprises:

a first mounting member configured to be detachably coupled to the first leg member of the foot member; and

a second mounting member configured to be detachably coupled to the second leg member of the foot member.

16. The machine of claim 12, wherein the foot member is welded to the boom assembly.

17. The machine of claim 12, wherein the foot member is a cast member.

18. A turret assembly for supporting a moveable boom assembly, the turret assembly comprising:

a base assembly structured and arranged for selective rotation;

a swing motor being attached to the base assembly and having a housing portion projecting outward from the base assembly in a direction towards the boom assembly; and

a mount assembly having a forward attachment portion, a rearward attachment portion and a hinge portion defined therebetween, the hinge portion of the mount assembly configured to support the moveable boom assembly coupled thereto, a foot member coupled to the boom assembly and pivotally coupled to the mount assembly in order to allow the boom assembly to move between a first position and a second position relative to the base assembly, wherein, in the first position, the foot member is distal to the swing motor, and wherein, in the second position, the foot member is proximate to the swing motor, the foot member comprising: a base portion; a first leg member extending from the base portion, the first leg member pivotally coupled to a first mounting member of the mounting assembly; and a second leg member spaced apart from the first leg member, the second leg member extending from the base portion and pivotally coupled to a second mounting member of the mounting assembly, wherein the first and second leg members are configured to define a recess therebetween; wherein the recess is adapted to at least partially accommodate the swing motor therein in the second position of the boom assembly, and wherein the swing motor is at least partially disposed between the hinge portion and the forward attachment portion of each of the first and second mounting members.

19. The turret assembly of claim 18, wherein the base portion of the foot member is welded to the boom assembly.

20. The turret assembly of claim 18, wherein the foot member is a cast member.