WEAR PLATE FOR WORK IMPLEMENT
A wear plate for a work implement of a work machine includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The body defines an engagement surface, an operational surface opposite the engagement surface, and a cut-out extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface. The wear plate also includes at least two projections extending outwards from the engagement surface along the vertical axis. Each of the at least two projections is adapted to be received within a base structure of the work implement to removably couple the wear plate with the work implement, such that the at least two projections are isolated from the operational surface of the wear plate.
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The present disclosure relates to a work implement for a work machine, and more particularly, to a wear assembly for the work implement of the work machine and a wear plate for the work implement of the work machine.
BACKGROUNDA work machine, such as a wheel loader or an excavator, includes a work implement to perform one or more work operations. The work implement may include a bucket. The work implement may be used for scooping, holding, and moving loosely packed materials like sand, mud, mineral powder, and the like. The work implement is subjected to a high degree of abrasion wear while performing the work operations. The work implement often includes a wear plate to inhibit abrasion wear on a base of the work implement. Conventionally, a mounting plate is coupled with the base of the work implement for example, by welding. Further, the wear plate is removably coupled with the mounting plate via one or more fastening means, such as, bolts.
Generally, while performing work operations, the one or more fastening means may wear out that results in a separation of the wear plate from the work implement. In such cases, the wear plate may separate from the work implement before completion of an expected service life of the wear plate, which may prevent an effective utilization of the wear plate. For example, the wear plate may have a remaining service life for example, 50%, before the wear plate separates from the work implement. Further, the half-worn wear plate is excess mass that may serve no purpose and may reduce a maximum payload capability of the work implement as well as a fuel efficiency of the work machine. Furthermore, the welding of the mounting plate with the base of the work implement may cause distortion in the wear plate that may lead to failure of the wear plate due to preloading from the fastening means while coupling the wear plate with the mounting plate.
U.S. Patent Number 9,371,631 describes a wear member assembly that has a wear member, a wear member receiver with at least first and second contact portions and at least one aperture to receive at least one wear member locating member of the wear member. An attachment mechanism, releasably attaches the wear member to the receiver has at least one moveable attachment member and at least one respective fastening means. Actuation of each of the fastening means moves the associated attachment member to apply a retaining force to one of the contact portions of the receiver and causes the respective wear member locating member to apply a retaining force to the other of the contact portions of the receiver. At least one of the receiver first and second contact portions has a sloped or tapered face, and the corresponding wear member locating member or attachment member has a slope or taper, such that contact between the wear member locating member slope/taper or attachment member slope/taper and a corresponding one of the wear member receiver sloped/tapered contact portions causes the wear member to positively locate to the receiver when the releasable fastening means is actuated thereby releasably retaining the wear member to the outer surface of the earth moving apparatus member.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn an aspect of the present disclosure, a wear plate for a work implement of a work machine is provided. The wear plate includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The body defines an engagement surface that is adapted to face a base structure of the work implement, an operational surface opposite the engagement surface, and a cut-out extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface. The wear plate also includes at least two projections extending outwards from the engagement surface along the vertical axis. Each of the at least two projections is adapted to be received within a base structure of the work implement to removably couple the wear plate with the work implement, such that the at least two projections are isolated from the operational surface of the wear plate.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a wear assembly for a work implement of a work machine is provided. The wear assembly includes a mounting plate adapted to be coupled with a base of the work implement. The mounting plate extends along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The mounting plate defines a pair of opposing surfaces and a first cut-out extending between the pair of opposing surfaces of the mounting plate. The wear assembly also includes a wear plate removably coupled with the mounting plate. The wear plate includes a body extending along the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis, and the vertical axis. The body defines an engagement surface that faces the mounting plate of the work implement, an operational surface opposite the engagement surface, and a second cut-out extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface. The wear plate also includes at least two projections extending outwards from the engagement surface along the vertical axis. Each of the at least two projections is received within the mounting plate to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate, such that the at least two projections are isolated from the operational surface of the wear plate.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a work implement for a work machine is provided. The work implement includes an implement body defining a base. The work implement also includes a wear assembly coupled with the base of the implement body. The wear assembly includes a mounting plate coupled with the base of the work implement. The mounting plate extends along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The mounting plate defines a pair of opposing surfaces and a first cut-out extending between the pair of opposing surfaces of the mounting plate. The wear assembly also includes a wear plate removably coupled with the mounting plate. The wear plate includes a body extending along the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis, and the vertical axis. The body defines an engagement surface that faces the mounting plate of the work implement, an operational surface opposite the engagement surface, and a second cut-out extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface. The wear plate also includes at least two projections extending outwards from the engagement surface along the vertical axis. Each of the at least two projections is received within the mounting plate to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate, such that the at least two projections are isolated from the operational surface of the wear plate.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts.
Referring to
The work machine 100 includes a frame 102 that supports various components of the work machine 100. The work machine 100 also includes a hood 104 mounted on the frame 102. Further, the work machine 100 includes a prime mover 106 supported by the frame 102. The prime mover 106 is disposed within the hood 104. The prime mover 106 may provide power to various components of the work machine 100 for operational and mobility requirements. The prime mover 106 may include a battery system, a fuel cell, and/or an engine for example, an internal combustion engine.
The work machine 100 includes a pair of front wheels 108 and a pair of rear wheels 110. The front wheels 108 and the rear wheels 110 provide support and mobility to the work machine 100 on grounds. In other examples, the work machine 100 may include two or more pairs of front wheels 108 and/or the rear wheels 110. Alternatively, the work machine 100 may include tracks instead of the wheels 108, 110.
Further, the work machine 100 includes an operator cabin 112 supported by the frame 102. The work machine 100 also includes a linkage assembly 114 coupled with the frame 102. The linkage assembly 114 is movably coupled with the frame 102. The linkage assembly 114 includes a pair of linkage arms 116 (only one of which is shown in the view shown in
The work machine 100 also includes a work implement 118. Specifically, the linkage assembly 114 includes the work implement 118. The work implement 118 is embodied as a bucket herein. Alternatively, the work implement 118 may include a blade or any other work implement that requires a wear assembly at a base thereof. The work implement 118 includes an implement body 120 defining a base 122. The work implement 118 includes a base structure 124. The work implement 118 further includes a number of ground engaging tools (not shown herein) coupled with the implement body 120. The ground engaging tools may engage with material while the work machine 100 is in operation.
The mounting plate 202 extends along a longitudinal axis A1, a lateral axis A2 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A1, and a vertical axis A3 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A1. The mounting plate 202 defines a pair of opposing surfaces 204, 206. The mounting plate 202 also defines a first cut-out 208 extending between the pair of opposing surfaces 204, 206 of the mounting plate 202. The first cut-out 208 is semi-circular in shape.
The mounting plate 202 further defines four first through-openings 210 (only two of which are visible in
The wear assembly 200 also includes a wear plate 212 removably coupled with the mounting plate 202. The mounting plate 202 facilitates coupling of the wear plate 212 with the base 122. It may be contemplated that, in some examples, the mounting plate 202 may be replaced by any other component/structure that facilitates coupling of the wear plate 212 with the base 122 of the work implement 118. In other examples, the wear plate 212 may be directly coupled with the base 122 without any intermediate components/structures.
In some examples, the wear plate 212 may be manufactured from a metal, such as, steel or its alloys. In an example, the wear plate 212 may be made of a cast heat treated material. The present disclosure is not limited by a material of the wear plate 212.
Referring to
The wear plate 212 also includes two or more projections 222 extending outwards from the engagement surface 216 along the vertical axis A3. Each of the two or more projections 222 is received within the base structure 124 of the work implement 118 to removably couple the wear plate 212 with the work implement 118, such that the two or more projections 222 are isolated from the operational surface 218 of the wear plate 212. Specifically, each of the two or more projections 222 is received within the mounting plate 202 to removably couple the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202. Each of the two or more projections 222 is received within a corresponding first through-opening 210 (see
The wear plate 212 further includes one or more pads 226 integral with the body 214 and extending from the engagement surface 216 of the body 214. In the illustrated example of
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring to
The wear assembly 400 includes a mounting plate 402. The mounting plate 402 is substantially similar to the mounting plate 202 of
Further, each second through-opening 450 is defined adjacent to a corresponding first through-opening 410 of the pair of first through-openings 410. Each of the second through-openings 450 from the pair of second through-openings 450 has a pair of beveled cut-outs 460 that taper from the surface 204 towards the opposing surface 206 of the mounting plate 402. It should be noted that dimensions of the second through-openings 450 is different from dimensions of the first through-openings 410. Specifically, the dimensions of second through-openings 450 is greater than the dimensions of the first through-openings 410.
As shown in
The body 214 of the wear plate 412 further defines two through-holes 452 extending from the engagement surface 216 to the operational surface 218 along the vertical axis A3. Each of the two through-holes 452 is defined adjacent to a corresponding mounting feature 422 of the two mounting features 422.
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring now to
It is to be understood that individual features shown or described for one embodiment may be combined with individual features shown or described for another embodiment. The above described implementation does not in any way limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood although some features are shown or described to illustrate the use of the present disclosure in the context of functional segments, such features may be omitted from the scope of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.
Industrial ApplicabilityThe present disclosure relates to the wear assembly 200, 400 that includes the wear plate 212, 412. The wear plate 212, 412 may be associated with work implements of different work machines, such as, wheels loaders, hydraulic excavators, and the like. The wear plate 212, 412 prevents abrasion wear of the base 122 of the work implement 118. The wear assembly 200, 400 of the present disclosure may prevent separation of the wear plate 212, 412 from the base 122 of the work implement 118 and may allow the wear plate 212, 412 to complete its expected service life. Specifically, the design of the wear plate 212, 412 may ensure 100% usage of the wear plate 212, 412 before separation of the wear plate 212, 412 from the mounting plate 202, 402. The wear assembly 200, 400 may increase a maximum payload capability of the work implement 118 and may also increase a fuel efficiency of the work machine 100.
The wear plate 212 includes the one or more pads 226. The pads 226 may alleviate stresses experienced by the wear plate 212 that may occur during coupling of the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202, 402.
Further, in an example, the wear plate 212 includes four tapped bosses 222 that are received in the corresponding through-opening 210 of the four first through-openings 210 in the mounting plate 202. Each tapped boss 222 receives the fastening means 224 that may be torqued into the corresponding tapped bosses 222. Furthermore, each of the four first through-openings 210 defines the chamfer 211 that creates the clearance gap 213 for each tapped boss 222. The clearance gap 213 may prevent failure of the wear plate 212 by reducing stresses that may be caused during coupling of the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202. The tapped bosses 222 and the fastening means 224 do not extend from the operational surface 218 of the wear plate 212, which is the primary wear surface, and are therefore not subjected to wear. Specifically, when the wear assembly 200 includes the tapped bosses 222 and the fastening means 224, the tapped bosses 222 and the fastening means 224 are received entirely within the base structure 124 of the work implement 118 and are isolated from the operational surface 218, thereby protecting the tapped bosses 222 and the fastening means 224 from external material wear throughout the operational life of the wear plate 212.
In another example, the wear assembly 400 includes two mounting features 422 that are received within the corresponding through-opening 410 of the two or more through-openings 410 in the mounting plate 402 to removably couple the wear plate 412 with the mounting plate 402. The wear assembly 400 may eliminate use of fastening means to removably couple the wear plate 412 with the mounting plate 402. The mounting features 422 do not extend from the operational surface 218 of the wear plate 412, which is the primary wear surface, and are therefore not subjected to wear. Specifically, when the wear assembly 400 includes the mounting features 422, the mounting features 422 are received entirely within the base structure 124 of the work implement 118 and are isolated from the operational surface 218, thereby protecting the mounting features 422 from external material wear throughout an operational life of the wear plate 412.
Furthermore, the wear plate 212, 412 described herein may offer an increased wear life while maintaining same mass of the wear plate 212, 412, or more payload benefits while reducing mass of the wear plate 212, 412 for the same wear life. Overall, the wear assembly 200, 400 described herein is simple in design and manufacturing, may be cost-effective, and may be retrofitted on existing work implements. The wear assembly 200, 400 may reduce maintenance and replacement costs of the work implement 118 as compared to conventional wear assemblies, may reduce downtime of the work machine 100, and may improve performance of the work machine 100.
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 machines, 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 wear plate for a work implement of a work machine, the wear plate comprising:
- a body extending along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, wherein the body defines an engagement surface that is adapted to face a base structure of the work implement, an operational surface opposite the engagement surface, and a cut-out extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface; and
- at least two projections extending outwards from the engagement surface along the vertical axis, wherein each of the at least two projections is adapted to be received within the base structure of the work implement to removably couple the wear plate with the work implement, such that the at least two projections are isolated from the operational surface of the wear plate.
2. The wear plate of claim 1, wherein the at least two projections include four tapped bosses.
3. The wear plate of claim 2, wherein the work implement includes a plurality of fastening means, and wherein each of the four tapped bosses is adapted to be removably coupled with the base structure of the work implement by a corresponding fastening means from the plurality of fastening means.
4. The wear plate of claim 1, further comprising at least one pad integral with the body and extending from the engagement surface of the body, wherein a height of the at least one pad is lesser than a height of the at least two projections.
5. The wear plate of claim 1, wherein the at least two projections include two mounting features, and wherein each of the two mounting features is adapted to be received within the base structure to removably couple the wear plate with the base structure of the work implement.
6. The wear plate of claim 5, wherein the body further defines two through-holes extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface along the vertical axis, and wherein each of the two through-holes is defined adjacent to a corresponding mounting feature of the two mounting features.
7. The wear plate of claim 5, wherein each of the two mounting features has a trapezoid shaped cross-section.
8. A wear assembly for a work implement of a work machine, the wear assembly comprising:
- a mounting plate adapted to be coupled with a base of the work implement, wherein the mounting plate extends along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the mounting plate defines a pair of opposing surfaces and a first cut-out extending between the pair of opposing surfaces of the mounting plate; and
- a wear plate removably coupled with the mounting plate, the wear plate including: a body extending along the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis, and the vertical axis, wherein the body defines an engagement surface that faces the mounting plate of the work implement, an operational surface opposite the engagement surface, and a second cut-out extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface; and at least two projections extending outwards from the engagement surface along the vertical axis, wherein each of the at least two projections is received within the mounting plate to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate, such that the at least two projections are isolated from the operational surface of the wear plate.
9. The wear assembly of claim 8, wherein the mounting plate further defines four first through-openings extending along the vertical axis between the pair of opposing surfaces of the mounting plate, wherein the at least two projections in the wear plate include four tapped bosses, and wherein each of the four tapped bosses is received within a corresponding first through-opening of the four first through-openings in the mounting plate to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate.
10. The wear assembly of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of fastening means, wherein each tapped boss of the four tapped bosses receives a corresponding fastening means from the plurality of fastening means to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate.
11. The wear assembly of claim 8, wherein the wear plate further includes at least one pad integral with the body and extending from the engagement surface of the body, and wherein a height of the at least one pad is lesser than a height of the at least two projections.
12. The wear assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least two projections include two mounting features.
13. The wear assembly of claim 12, wherein the body further defines two through-holes extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface along the vertical axis, and wherein each of the two through-holes is defined adjacent to a corresponding mounting feature of the two mounting features.
14. The wear assembly of claim 13, wherein the mounting plate further defines a pair of first through-openings and a pair of second through-openings, wherein each of the pair of first through-openings and the pair of second through-openings extend along the vertical axis between the pair of opposing surfaces of the mounting plate, wherein each second through-opening is defined adjacent to a corresponding first through-opening of the pair of first through-openings, wherein each of the two mounting features is received within the corresponding first through-opening of the pair of first through-openings in the mounting plate to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate, and wherein each of the two through-holes in the body is in alignment with a corresponding second through-opening of the pair of second through-openings.
15. The wear assembly of claim 14, further comprising at least two spring locking devices that prevent a movement of the wear plate relative to the mounting plate along the lateral axis, wherein each of the at least two spring locking devices is received within a corresponding second through-opening of the pair of second through-openings in the mounting plate.
16. The wear assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the two mounting features has a trapezoid shaped cross-section.
17. A work implement for a work machine, the work implement comprising:
- an implement body defining a base;
- a wear assembly coupled with the base of the implement body, the wear assembly including: a mounting plate coupled with the base of the work implement, wherein the mounting plate extends along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the mounting plate defines a pair of opposing surfaces and a first cut-out extending between the pair of opposing surfaces of the mounting plate; and a wear plate removably coupled with the mounting plate, the wear plate including: a body extending along the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis, and the vertical axis, wherein the body defines an engagement surface that faces the mounting plate of the work implement, an operational surface opposite the engagement surface, and a second cut-out extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface; and at least two projections extending outwards from the engagement surface along the vertical axis, wherein each of the at least two projections is received within the mounting plate to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate, such that the at least two projections are isolated from the operational surface of the wear plate.
18. The work implement of claim 17, wherein the wear assembly further includes a plurality of fastening means, wherein the mounting plate further defines four first through-openings extending along the vertical axis between the pair of opposing surfaces of the mounting plate, wherein the at least two projections in the wear plate include four tapped bosses, wherein each of the four tapped bosses is received within a corresponding first through-opening of the four first through-openings in the mounting plate, and wherein each tapped boss of the four tapped bosses receives a corresponding fastening means from the plurality of fastening means to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate.
19. The work implement of claim 17, wherein the at least two projections include two mounting features, wherein each of the two mounting features has a trapezoid shaped cross-section, wherein the body further defines two through-holes extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface along the vertical axis, and wherein each of the two through-holes is defined adjacent to a corresponding mounting feature of the two mounting features.
20. The work implement of claim 19, wherein the mounting plate further defines a pair of first through-openings and a pair of second through-openings, wherein each of the pair of first through-openings and the pair of second through-openings extend along the vertical axis between the pair of opposing surfaces of the mounting plate, wherein each second through-opening is defined adjacent to a corresponding first through-opening of the pair of first through-openings, wherein each of the two mounting features is received within the corresponding first through-opening of the pair of first through-openings in the mounting plate to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate, and wherein each of the two through-holes in the body is in alignment with a corresponding second through-opening of the pair of second through-openings.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 28, 2024
Publication Date: Mar 5, 2026
Applicant: Caterpillar Inc. (Peoria, IL)
Inventors: David Michael Worth (Naperville, IL), Riley A. Albers (Marana, AZ)
Application Number: 18/817,297