LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FOR IMPLEMENTS OF MACHINES
A linkage assembly for an implement of a machine is disclosed. The machine includes a frame. The linkage assembly includes a bell crank assembly that is pivotally connected to the frame and coupled to the implement. Further, a pair of fluid cylinders are positioned generally parallel to a length of the machine. Each of the pair of fluid cylinders are connected to the frame at one end and connected to the bell crank assembly at an opposite end. The pair of fluid cylinders are extended to raise the implement.
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The present disclosure relates to an implement of a machine. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a linkage assembly to lift and lower the implement.
BACKGROUNDTrack type tractors, such as dozers, generally include an implement, such as a blade, to dig through relatively hard ground or compacted earth deposits involving clay and rocky soil. During a digging operation, a relatively large amount of force is often required to push a leading edge of the implement into the deposit so that the deposit may be broken and collected by the implement. This force is commonly referred to as penetration force. In order to begin a subsequent horizontal push, the implement generally shears and lifts the collected material out of the ground in an application commonly known as pryout or breakout. Breakout also occurs while pulling the implement out the ground at an end of the horizontal push, and also while lifting a large bolder or a hard rock surface.
To pull the implement out of the ground, track type tractors generally employ one or more fluid cylinders (or actuators) that facilitate the implement's release. During such a release, associated breakout forces produce a relatively significant (or largest) amount of force on the fluid cylinders. Additionally, on occasions where track type tractors are produced as purpose built machines, such as purpose built autonomous machines, the fluid cylinders may assume a position that may be unable to easily clear spacing constraints of an associated transportation unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,616 ('616 reference) relates to a frame for a crawler machine. The tractor frame comprises a pair of laterally spaced, rigidly interconnected main frame members, with a pair of lift cylinders that are supported in predetermined positions over the main frame members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the disclosure is directed towards a linkage assembly for an implement of a machine. The machine includes a frame. The linkage assembly includes a bell crank assembly and a pair of fluid cylinders. The bell crank assembly is pivotally connected to the frame and coupled to the implement. Each of the pair of fluid cylinders are connected to the frame at one end and connected to the bell crank assembly at an opposite end. Moreover, the pair of fluid cylinders are positioned generally parallel to a length of the machine. The pair of fluid cylinders are extended to raise the implement.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a track type tractor. The track type tractor includes a frame, an implement, and a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is configured for raising and lowering the implement relative to the frame. The linkage assembly includes a bell crank assembly and a pair of fluid cylinders. The bell crank assembly is pivotally connected to the frame and coupled to the implement. The pair of fluid cylinders are positioned generally parallel to a length of the machine, with each of the pair of fluid cylinders being connected to the frame at one end and connected to the bell crank assembly at an opposite end. The pair of fluid cylinders are extended to raise the implement.
Referring to
Referring to
The engine system 110 is a power source of the machine 100. The engine system 110 is arranged within the engine compartment 108. The engine incorporated within the engine system 110 may represent one of the commonly applied power generation units in the art. The engine may be an internal combustion engine based on one of a dual-fueled engine system, a diesel-fueled engine system, a dual-fueled electric engine system, etc. The engine may embody a V-type, an in-line, or any configuration, as is conventionally known. The engine may be a multi-cylinder engine, although aspects of the present disclosure are applicable to engines with a single cylinder as well. Further, the engine may be one of a two-stroke engine, a four-stroke engine, or a six-stroke engine. Although not limited, the engine may represent power generation units, such as a compression ignition engines powered by diesel fuel, a stratified charge compression ignition (SCCI) engine, or a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine. Although the configurations disclosed, aspects of the present disclosure need not be limited to a particular engine type.
The frame 116 may be a main frame of the machine 100, generally forming a structural reference relative to which nearly every sub-structure and sub-system of the machine 100 is arranged. The frame 116 accommodates and supports the engine system 110, the ground engaging traction devices 118, the implement 120, and the hydraulic mechanism 122. Multiple other known components and structures may be supported by the frame 116 as well. The frame 116 plays a generally pivotal role in integrating and connecting various co-related structural and functions aspects of the machine 100. The frame 116 is supported relative to the ground 112 (or the worksite) by the ground engaging traction devices 118. The frame 116 includes a pair of rearward brackets 126 and a pair of forward brackets 128 to support a portion of the hydraulic mechanism 122 (discussed later).
The ground engaging traction devices 118 may constitute a transport mechanism of the machine 100, and may include a set of crawler tracks. Crawler tracks may be configured to transport the machine 100 from one location to another. Generally, there are two crawler track units (a first crawler track unit 132 and a second crawler track unit 134) provided for the machine 100, with each crawler track unit 132, 134 being suitably and individually provided on the respective sides of the machine 100, in a known manner. The crawler track units 132, 134 are in contact with a front idler 136, as is customary. In certain implementations, the transport mechanism of the machine 100 may include wheeled units (not shown) as well. Wheeled units may be provided either in combination with the crawler track units 132, 134 or may be present on the machine 100 as stand-alone entities. Ground engaging traction devices 118 are adapted to provide tractive force for the machine 100's movement over the ground 112 (or worksite) when powered by the engine system 110.
The implement 120 may be a ground engaging tool positioned at the forward end 102 of the machine 100. The implement 120 may be a work tool that is configured to alter a geography or terrain of a section of the ground 112 and carry out useful work. To this end, the implement 120 may be moveable in varied degrees of motion so as to be tilted right-left and forward-rearward, relative to a length, L, of the machine 100. Movements also pertain to the lowering and raising of the implement 120 relative to the machine 100 (
Referring to
Referring to
In further detail, the hydraulic lift actuators 140, 140′ are categorized into a first hydraulic lift actuator 140 and a second hydraulic lift actuator 140′. The hydraulic lift actuators 140, 140′ may be configured to be actuated synchronously, although the hydraulic lift actuators 140, 140′ may move independently of each other, such as to facilitate a right-left movement of the implement 120. The hydraulic lift actuators 140, 140′ are positioned generally horizontally or substantially along the length, L, of the machine 100 (see
As conventional hydraulic actuators, the actuator 140 includes a cylinder 150, with a rod 152 (
The bell crank assembly 142 is positioned intermediately between the actuator 140 and the implement 120. More particularly, the bell crank assembly 142 includes a first bell crank lever 160 and a second bell crank lever 160′. The first bell crank lever 160 and the second bell crank lever 160′ are generally laterally laid out relative to the machine 100 and are respectively pivotally coupled to the first hydraulic lift actuator 140 and the second hydraulic lift actuator 140′. Also, the first bell crank lever 160 and the second bell crank lever 160′ are pivotally coupled to the pair of forward brackets 128 of the frame 116. Both the first bell crank lever 160 and the second bell crank lever 160′ are similar in construction and working, and thus, wherever applicable, details and working of only the first bell crank lever 160 is provided. It will be understood that the details discussed for the first bell crank lever 160 are equivalently applicable for the second bell crank lever 160′ as well. For ease and simplicity, the first bell crank lever 160 may be interchangeably referred to as bell crank lever 160.
In detail, the bell crank lever 160 includes a first end 166 and a second end 168. The first end 166 of the bell crank lever 160 is pivotally coupled to the rod end portion 156 by an end fork 172. The second end 168 is coupled to the implement 120 through the cross-linkage 144 and a lift arm 146 (discussed later). Further, the bell crank lever 160 includes a fulcrum 170 structured and arranged between the first end 166 and the second end 168. The bell crank lever 160 (i.e. both the first bell crank lever 160 and the second bell crank lever 160′) is pivotally coupled to the pair of forward brackets 128 of the frame 116 at the fulcrum 170. The bell crank lever 160 is defined such that a first axis 174 is defined between (or through) the first end 166 and the fulcrum 170, and a second axis 176 is defined between the second end 168 and the fulcrum 170 (
The cross-linkage 144 is a cross-linking member connected between second ends 168, 168′ of first bell crank lever 160 and the second bell crank lever 160′, respectively. Given the lateral arrangement of the first bell crank lever 160 and the second bell crank lever 160′ relative to the machine 100, the cross-linkage 144 assumes a position that is substantially lateral relative to the machine 100, as well.
The lift arm 146 is an arm is pivotally coupled to the cross-linkage 144 substantially at one end 184, and is also pivotally coupled to the implement 120 at another end 186 by a coupler bracket 188 (
The first arm portion 178 of the bell crank lever 160 is shorter in length than the second arm portion 180, as may be seen from
In certain implementations, lengths of the first arm portion 178 and the second arm portion 180 may be reversed, i.e. the first arm portion 178 may be rendered longer than the second arm portion 180. This may be contemplated when lower energy producing fluid cylinders (actuators 140, 140′) are used, or when it is required to save hydraulic effort or it is required to produce larger degrees of torque (as attained by the larger range of motion of the longer first arm portion 178). Although an implement motion attained may remain similar, as attained by the relatively higher energy producing fluid cylinders (actuators 140, 140′) of the above embodiment, it will be understood that that longer first arm portions (such as first arm portion 178) may correspond to an increased rod (rod 152) length, which may inevitably lead to an increased machine length and size. Effectively, a lesser actuator length corresponds to an increased hydraulic effort, while a greater actuator length may correspond to a decreased hydraulic effort. Therefore, a length of the actuator 140 may vary or be based upon a hydraulic effort of the fluid cylinders (i.e. hydraulic lift actuators 140, 140′).
Referring to
Referring to
In operation, such as when it is required to grade the ground 112 and pile up a quantity of earth at a location, an operator shifts the implement 120 to the lowered state such that the implement 120 is in substantial contact with the ground 112. Thereafter, the operator initiates a machine movement. As the machine 100 moves, the implement 120 breaks into the ground 112 and begins to push the quantity of earth (for example, rubble as disintegrated ground particles) from a point distinct from the location. As machine movement progresses, the implement 120 pushes and grades an underlying surface of the ground 112 to finally collect the disintegrated ground particles at said location. A breaking of the surface of the ground 112 may in turn cause the implement 120 to sustain a proportional reactive force. After pushing through the ground 112, at some point the implement 120 may find itself under a relatively hard rock or a heavy surface. At this point, it may be required to pull the implement 120 out from the ground 112 (which has not yet been fractured or sheared). Pulling the implement 120 out from such a surface may produce the largest amount of force on the implement 120 and the associated linkage assembly 148. This is because during breakout, a maximum amount of machine weight is available, and the machine 100 may end up pivoting about the front idler 136. While pivoting about the front idler 136, the distance of the machine 100's centre of gravity versus the implement's tip to the front idler 136 are relatively similar. Therefore, a useful weight of the machine 100 for reacting against the cylinder forces (of the linkage assembly 148) is maximized.
Referring to
Given the placement of the actuators 140, 140′ in a direction generally parallel to the length of the machine 100, a need to support the actuators 140, 140′ over frames of auxiliary components of the machine 100, as is practiced conventionally, is avoided. Moreover, as the actuators 140, 140′ are mounted to the frame 116, a considerable degree of load resulting from a raising of the implement 120 during breakout, is transferred to the frame 116. Therefore, the linkage assembly 148 has a more direct path to the ground 112, making the implement 120 well connected with the ground 112, to better alter the ground 112. Further, the frame 116 being generally more robust and rigid than frames of other sub-components of the machine 100, well bear the load received from the linkage assembly 148. Additionally, as the linkage assembly 148 is structured generally within the confines of the machine 100, components of the linkage assembly 148 are well veiled from being projected outwards of the machine 100, thus making the machine 100 more compact and compatible with restrictions associated with machine 100's shipping requirements.
It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects of the disclosure may be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claim.
Claims
1. A linkage assembly for an implement of a machine, the machine including a frame, the linkage assembly comprising:
- a bell crank assembly pivotally connected to the frame and coupled to the implement; and
- a pair of fluid cylinders positioned generally parallel to a length of the machine, each of the pair of fluid cylinders being connected to the frame at one end and connected to the bell crank assembly at an opposite end, wherein the pair of fluid cylinders are extended to raise the implement.
2. The linkage assembly of claim 1, wherein the machine is a track type tractor.
3. The linkage assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of fluid cylinders is configured to pivot relative to the frame and angularly vary relative to the length of the machine.
4. The linkage assembly of claim 1, wherein the bell crank assembly includes a first bell crank lever and a second bell crank lever, each of the first bell crank lever and the second bell crank lever being respectively and pivotally coupled to the pair of fluid cylinders.
5. The linkage assembly of claim 4 further including a cross-linking member coupled between the first bell crank lever and the second bell crank lever.
6. The linkage assembly of claim 5 further including an arm coupled between the cross-linking member and the implement.
7. The linkage assembly of claim 1, wherein the bell crank assembly includes one or more bell crank levers with a boomerang shaped structure having a fulcrum.
8. The linkage assembly of claim 7 further including a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending away from the fulcrum.
9. The linkage assembly of claim 8, wherein the first arm portion is defined at an angular offset relative to the second arm portion.
10. The linkage assembly of claim 8, wherein the pair of fluid cylinders are retracted to attain a lowered state of the implement, the second arm portion being inclined towards the implement in the lowered state of the implement.
11. A track type tractor comprising:
- a frame;
- an implement;
- a linkage assembly for raising and lowering the implement relative to the frame, the linkage assembly including: a bell crank assembly pivotally connected to the frame and coupled to the implement; and a pair of fluid cylinders positioned generally parallel to a length of the machine, each of the pair of fluid cylinders being connected to the frame at one end and connected to the bell crank assembly at an opposite end, wherein the pair of fluid cylinders are extended to raise the implement.
12. The track type tractor of claim 11, wherein the pair of fluid cylinders is configured to pivot relative to the frame and angularly vary relative to the length of the machine.
13. The track type tractor of claim 11, wherein the bell crank assembly includes a first bell crank lever and a second bell crank lever, each of the first bell crank lever and the second bell crank lever being respectively and pivotally coupled to the pair of fluid cylinders.
14. The track type tractor of claim 13 further including a cross-linking member coupled between the first bell crank lever and the second bell crank lever.
15. The track type tractor of claim 14 further including an arm coupled between the cross-linking member and the implement.
16. The track type tractor of claim 14, wherein the bell crank assembly includes one or more bell crank levers with a boomerang shaped structure having a fulcrum.
17. The track type tractor of claim 16 further including a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending away from the fulcrum.
18. The track type tractor of claim 17, wherein the first arm portion is defined at an angular offset relative to the second arm portion.
19. The track type tractor of claim 18, wherein the pair of fluid cylinders are retracted to attain a lowered state of the implement, the second arm portion being inclined towards the implement in the lowered state of the implement.
20. The track type tractor of claim 18, wherein the pair of fluid cylinders are extended to attain a raised state of the implement, the first arm portion being inclined towards the implement in the raised state of the implement.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 30, 2016
Publication Date: Jan 4, 2018
Applicant: Caterpillar Inc. (Peoria, IL)
Inventors: Jason Matthew Brauer (West Peoria, IL), Jacob Carl Wyss (Eureka, IL)
Application Number: 15/197,978