Engine mounting assembly for a work vehicle

An engine mounting assembly includes a front frame element defining, in part, a structural load bearing assembly, a differential case mounted to the frame at a frame mounting area, and an oil pan having upright and bottom walls defining an oil sump. The differential case has an opening configured to receive an axle assembly and has walls defining a pan-receiving recess. The oil pan is configured to conform to the pan-receiving recess to be supported by the differential case and overlap the frame mounting area. The oil pan has a mounting flange extending from the upright walls and mounting bores that receives mounting bolts for coupling the oil pan to the engine and the oil pan to the differential case. The differential case and the oil pan form part of the structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle to transfer structural loads to and from the front frame element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

Not applicable.

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to an engine mounting assembly for work vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Work vehicles, such as agricultural tractors, require a robust powertrain (e.g., diesel engine), drivetrain (e.g., transmission, axles, differentials, wheels or tracks, etc.), and frame in a relatively compact form factor (e.g., height and width). The tractor frame may experience a variety of structural loads. For example, the wheel axle region may support significant static weight loads from on-board components (e.g., engine, transmission, axle, work implements, etc.) and encounter significant operating loads (e.g., via the wheels and suspension and attached work implements). The load-carrying demands on the vehicle and the arrangement and form factor of the vehicle's structural and operating components may impact manufacturing, assembly, and overall dimensions of the engine compartment and of the vehicle platform itself.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure provides an engine mounting assembly for a work vehicle and a work vehicle including the same.

In one aspect, the disclosure provides an engine mounting assembly for supporting an engine in a work vehicle. The engine mounting assembly includes a front frame element, a differential case mounted to the front frame element at a frame mounting area, and an oil pan having upright and bottom walls defining an oil sump. The front frame element defines, at least in part, a structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle. The differential case has an opening configured to receive an axle assembly of the work vehicle and having walls defining, at least in part, a pan-receiving recess. The oil pan is configured, at least in part, to conform to the pan-receiving recess of the differential case to be supported by the differential case and overlap the front frame mounting area. The oil pan has a mounting flange extending from the upright walls with a plurality of mounting bores that receives a plurality of mounting bolts for coupling the oil pan to the engine and the oil pan to the differential case. The differential case and the oil pan form part of the structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle to transfer structural loads to and from the front frame element.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a work vehicle including an engine having an engine block, an engine mounting assembly, and a structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle. The engine defines an engine center of gravity in a longitudinal travel direction of the work vehicle. The engine mounting assembly includes a differential case and an oil pan having upright and bottom walls defining an oil sump. The differential case has a first opening configured to receive an axle assembly of the work vehicle and has walls defining, at least in part, a pan-receiving recess. The oil pan is configured, at least in part, to conform to the pan-receiving recess of the differential case to be supported by the differential case. The oil pan has a mounting flange extending from the upright walls with a plurality of mounting bores that receives a plurality of mounting bolts for coupling the oil pan to the engine and the oil pan to the differential case. The work vehicle includes a front frame element connected to the frame mounting area of the differential case and a rear frame element connected to a rear end of the differential case. At least the engine block, the engine mounting assembly, the front frame element, and the rear frame element form a structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle that is configured to transfer structural loads between the engine block, the engine mounting assembly, the front frame element, and the rear frame element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes one or more example embodiments of the disclosed engine mounting assembly, as shown in the accompanying figures of the drawings described briefly above. Various modifications to the example embodiments may be contemplated by one of skill in the art.

Furthermore, in detailing the disclosure, terms of direction and orientation, such as “downstream,” “upstream,” “longitudinal,” “radial,” “axial,” “circumferential,” “lateral,” and “transverse” may be used. Such terms are defined, at least in part, with respect to a wheel axle, engine components, and/or suspension components. As used herein, the term “longitudinal” indicates an orientation along the length of the apparatus; the term “lateral” indicates an orientation along a width of the apparatus and orthogonal to the longitudinal orientation; and the term “transverse” indicates an orientation along the height of the apparatus and orthogonal to the longitudinal and lateral orientations. These orientations may be taken in relation to a work vehicle, or a travel direction of the work vehicle, to which the components may be attached. As used herein, the terms “front,” “forward,” “rear,” and “rearward” are merely example relative terms with respect to a primary direction of travel of a depicted configuration of a work vehicle. In other examples, the components referenced by those terms may be reversed in accordance with the present disclosure.

OVERVIEW

Work vehicles, such as agricultural tractors, typically include components such as a chassis, drivetrain, and engine, that implement various types of tasks over a variety of terrain and conditions. Typically, the work vehicle may be subject to combinations of static and operating loads resulting from the work tasks and the vehicle itself. For example, the static loads come from a variety of components, including the weight of the engine and other vehicle components, the weight of work implements, tongue weight of towed work implements, and/or the weight of any payload carried by work implements. The operating loads (e.g., dynamic or shock loads) include forces transferred through the wheels from the ground (e.g., ruts or imperfections in a field, on-road potholes, etc.), forces transferred through work implements (e.g., soil resistance to tilling or digging), or forces from internal components of the work vehicle (e.g., acceleration and deceleration, engine hop, actuation of work implements, actuation of suspension components, etc.). Various components of the work vehicle may cooperate to form a structural load bearing assembly to accommodate these static and operational loads on the work vehicle. As described below, this disclosure provides an engine mounting assembly that is capable of supporting the various combinations of static and operating loads placed upon a structural load bearing assembly of a work vehicle, particularly at the differential case and oil pan.

Generally, it may be beneficial for work vehicles, especially agricultural tractors, to configure the structural load bearing assembly along the load path to be sufficiently robust to accept the static and dynamic load discussed above, while also configured narrowly to accommodate a variety of work tasks. Whereas trucks or consumer automobiles may have ladder frames or unibody constructions that transfer structural loads throughout the vehicle's width and length, agricultural tractors may have “I” frames defining structural load paths arranged generally centrally along the fore-aft centerlines of the vehicles. In other words, agricultural tractors may not have laterally outboard frame elements that extend longitudinally between front and rear wheel axles to accommodate structural loads. Instead of providing additional, separate frame components that coextend along the operational components of a drivetrain, powertrain, or the like, some operational components may be designed to also accept structural loads according to this disclosure.

As used herein the term “structural load bearing assembly” refers to a network of components forming the frame or chassis of the work vehicle by which loads of the work vehicle itself or loads applied to the work vehicle are supported off of the ground through attached ground-engaging wheels or tracks. In effect, the structural load bearing assembly corresponds to the group of components along a structural load path of the work vehicle. The structural load bearing assembly thus pertains to components having adequate structure to contribute to the load-bearing capacity of the work vehicle frame or chassis, including components that typically have not been considered part of a vehicle frame or chassis. However, the term should not be interpreted to encompass any work vehicle component that, merely by virtue of being a physical part, has some ability to bear loads generally inconsequential to the weight of the work vehicle or the loads applied thereto. For example, an engine mounting assembly for an engine block that includes an oil pan and a differential case, as disclosed herein, may be considered part of a work vehicle structural load bearing assembly, whereas, for example, body panels are not part of the structural load bearing assembly.

In particular, various components of the tractor, including components of the drivetrain such as a differential case and engine block, may be configured to contribute to the structural load path as part of the structural load bearing assembly in addition to serving respective primary functions. For example, a differential case for an agricultural tractor may not only house the mechanical components of a differential (e.g., gear components and axle components), but may also support and transfer internal and external loads throughout the structural load path. Additional components, such as the oil pan between the engine block and the differential case, may also be incorporated into the structural load bearing assembly.

Along with load accommodation, the size and arrangement of the components along the load path, including a differential case and oil pan, may suggest practical considerations with respect to manufacturing and assembly. For suitable strength, the differential case may be formed as a large unitary cast metal piece. Such a cast differential case may be one of the larger cast metal components for a work vehicle and may approach the size limits of casting or subsequently the size limits of an assembly line. Accordingly, incorporation of the oil pan in between the engine block and differential case may be implemented with consideration of not only function but also with respect to the size (e.g., height) of the resulting assembly. In certain embodiments, the oil pan is sized and shaped to closely fit within the differential case and extend forward beyond the differential case. The oil pan is dimensioned such that sufficient volume is provided while also being structurally integrated with the differential case and allowing the differential case to mount a variety of advanced components. The size and arrangement of these internal components affect a variety of overall form factors for the work vehicle, including hood height, hood slope, hood width, and ground clearance, as well as the size and position of a work implement. Generally, the height and slope of a hood over the engine compartment directly affect sightlines of the operator during the direction of the work vehicle and any attached work implements. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a compact construction that improves these sightlines.

The disclosure also provides an engine mounting assembly that is advantageous for applications with various advanced components incorporated into the wheels, wheel axles, and/or power train. In particular, the engine mounting assembly described herein facilitates implementation of these components by providing improved support capability along the structural load path for the respective functions. Such advanced components may include robust suspension systems that not only dampen loads but also incorporate powered components (e.g., hydraulic or electromechanically powered linkages) to move a wheel axle in response to a variety of detected loads or terrain conditions, thereby resulting in improved ground contact and more efficient work. In another example, the advanced components may include a mechanical front wheel drive (MFWD) system incorporated into a front axle and axle hub. Such a MFWD system provides the capability to selectively drive the front wheels in addition to rear wheels, which allows for engine braking, increased power, and improved traction. For an agricultural tractor or other work vehicle, these advanced components allow for operation under more extreme conditions. Moreover, the benefits of these advanced components result in additional weight and dynamic loads to be supported by the structural load bearing assembly. Accordingly, a stronger structural load bearing assembly in the area of wheel axle mounting is provided according to the present disclosure to implement these improvements.

The disclosure also provides an engine mounting assembly that is advantageous for initial assembly along with repair and maintenance. A forward position of the oil pan and engine allows for maintenance and repairs to be performed without obstruction from the front wheels, wheel axles, differential case, or other components. This accessibility saves costs and reduces time that a work vehicle is out of commission, thereby resulting in more efficient work. For assembly, the disclosed engine mounting assembly may be manufactured with top-down bolting of the oil pan onto the differential case, which is easier and quicker than a bottom-up bolting of conventional assemblies. Moreover, the disclosed oil pan is both structurally sound and compactly designed so as to be mounted to an engine while still on the assembly line, which also streamlines the manufacturing process.

In an agricultural setting, tractor improvements such as those noted above directly correlate to improved structural strength and improvements in manufacturing and assembly as well as work efficiency, lowered costs, and increased crop yield. This disclosure provides an engine mounting assembly for use in work vehicles that addresses these and other aspects relative to conventional arrangements. The engine mounting assembly is capable of achieving the requisite load support and distribution characteristics while incorporating a desired oil pan, engine, drivetrain, and suspension system within a suitable form factor. The systems and components of the example agricultural tractor provide the noted benefits along with requisite work performance and user comfort in the field and during on-road transit.

The following describes one or more example implementations of the disclosed engine mounting assembly. While discussion herein may sometimes focus on the example application of an engine mounting assembly with an embedded oil pan in a large rigid frame agricultural tractor, the disclosed engine mounting assembly may also be applicable to other types of work vehicle, including lower-capacity self-propelled or towed work vehicles, as well as various other agricultural machines (e.g., articulated tractors, utility tractors, front end loaders, harvesters and the like), landscaping machines (e.g., lawn mowers, golf mowers and the like), and various construction and forestry machines (e.g., backhoes, excavators, forestry skidders and so on).

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE WORK VEHICLE AND ENGINE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

Referring toFIG. 1, in some embodiments, the disclosed work vehicle10may be a rigid frame agricultural tractor, although, as noted, the engine mounting assembly described herein may be applicable to a variety of machines, such as articulated-frame tractors, construction vehicles, and forestry vehicles. As shown, the work vehicle10may be considered to include a chassis12, a drivetrain14, an operator cabin16, and an engine18. In one example, the work vehicle10may further be considered to include an engine mounting assembly20that operates to couple together aspects of the chassis12, drivetrain14, and engine18into a functional unit that forms part of a structural load bearing assembly22.

Generally, the chassis12is part of the load-bearing framework of the work vehicle10and structurally supports the drivetrain14, operator cabin16, engine18, and various other components and systems of the work vehicle10. The chassis12may further support (directly or indirectly) a front coupling area24to support the mounting of work implements (not shown) and a rear coupling area26for coupling (e.g., towing) work implements. As described in greater detail below, the front coupling area24may be formed on or proximate to a front frame element28, which in turn may be considered part of the engine mounting assembly20.

The engine18provides a source of power to propel the work vehicle10through the drivetrain14, either directly as mechanical power or upon being converted to electric or hydraulic power. In one example, the engine18is an internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine, that is controlled by an engine control module (not shown) of a control system (not shown). As described in greater detail below, the engine18, particularly an internal combustion engine, is at least partially formed by an engine block30, which contains the cylinders, pistons, crankshaft, valves and other working components of the engine, and is an integrated component onto which other aspects of the engine18may be mounted. In addition to providing tractive power to propel the work vehicle10, the engine18may provide power to various onboard subsystems, including various electrical and hydraulic components of the work vehicle10. It should be noted that the use of an internal combustion engine is merely an example, as the source of propulsion may be a fuel cell, an electric motor, a hybrid-gas electric motor, or other power-producing devices. As such, although the engine mounting assembly20is generally discussed with respect to an engine, other embodiments may incorporate one or more motors or fuel cells as a substitute for the engine18, and the example characteristics of the mounting assembly discussed herein are appropriately applicable to alternate propulsion systems.

In the illustrated example, the drivetrain14includes a transmission32; a differential (not shown); a differential case34that houses, at least in part, the differential driven by the transmission32; an axle assembly36(including respective left and right wheel axles38a,38b) coupled to the differential; and one or more left and right steerable wheels40a,40bmounted to the axle assembly36. As noted above, the engine18provides power to the transmission32that drives the differential and axle assembly36, which in turn, drives the wheels40a,40bmounted thereon to propel the work vehicle10. The transmission32generally includes one or more gear arrangements and/or clutches to modify the speed of the input from the engine into one or more speeds suitable for the axle assembly36. The differential case34is structurally coupled to the engine18as part of the engine mounting assembly20, as discussed in greater detail below.

In this example, the axle assembly36includes the pair of front left and right wheel axles38a,38b, as well as other suitable mounting components. Each wheel40a,40bis mounted on the respective wheel axle38a,38b. A suspension system42with a suspension linkage44, a hydraulic assist46, and steering components48may be provided for one or both of the wheels40a,40band/or wheel axles38a,38bto facilitate the suspension and steering of the work vehicle10. As discussed below, aspects of the suspension system42may be housed and/or supported by the differential case34.

The suspension system42facilitates, or otherwise interacts with, the drivetrain14, chassis12, and/or other aspects of the work vehicle10. Generally, the suspension system42includes various devices that couple each individual wheel axle38a,38bto the chassis12with mechanical support (e.g., upper and lower control arms, ball joints, steering knuckles, springs, etc.), hydraulic support (including e.g., suspension pistons and cylinders, a control valve manifold, a front differential lock, and hydraulic accumulators), and/or electrical support (including e.g., position sensors, solenoids for hydraulic control valves, and a controller). The suspension system42may be configured to not only dampen loads, but also actively maintain the center of the work vehicle10(e.g. the operator cabin16and the differential case34) horizontally leveled in response to operating loads and shocks acting upon the wheels40a,40b. At the same time the suspension system42maintains the wheels40a,40bin contact with the ground, directly improving traction and power to the ground. Additionally, the wheel axles38a,38band suspension system42may incorporate a mechanical front wheel drive (MFWD) system50in a wheel hub. The MFWD system50may be selectively engaged (automatically or by operator selection) as dictated by conditions, such as difficult or steep terrain, to improve traction and braking.

As introduced above, the operator cabin16is supported on the chassis12and functions to house an operator (e.g., a human driver). As such, the operator cabin16may also house various types of operator interface and control mechanisms (e.g., various controls wheels, levers, switches, buttons, screens, keyboards, etc.). Generally, the operator cabin16includes a window or windshield52that enables an operator to view the surrounding environment. In the forward direction, the work vehicle10may be considered to have an operator sightline out of the windshield52, over a panel or hood54that covers the engine18. As noted above and discussed in greater detail below, the engine mounting assembly20housed under the hood54may be considered to enable advantageous sightlines from the operator cabin16for the operator.

As also introduced above, the engine mounting assembly20generally supports the engine18and functions to mount the engine relative to the chassis12and drivetrain14. The engine mounting assembly20is discussed in greater detail with respect toFIGS. 2-4in which the engine18and/or engine mounting assembly20are depicted in a side view (FIG. 2), an exploded view (FIG. 3), and an enlarged cross-sectional view (FIG. 4).

Referring initially toFIG. 2, an example engine mounting assembly20may be considered to include the differential case34supporting the engine block30, an oil pan56arranged in between the engine block30and the differential case34, and the front frame element28that is mounted in a forward position on the differential case34, as described in greater detail below. In one example, the differential case34is fixedly mounted to the chassis12of the work vehicle10. In this example, the differential case34is mounted longitudinally between the front frame element28and a rear frame element58of the chassis12. The differential case34may be of heavy-duty construction such as cast steel or iron to support the loads on the work vehicle10. The differential case34is illustrated as an integrally formed part (e.g., formed of the same material at the same time by the same process), although it may be provided in any suitable configuration and number of parts.

As depicted inFIG. 2and described in greater detail below, the differential case34may be generally rectangular or prism shaped with at least a partial front (or forward) end wall60, a rear (or aft) end wall62, and lateral side walls64(one of which is shown inFIG. 2) extending between the front and rear end walls60,62. Generally and as better shown inFIG. 3described below, the front end wall60is generally U-shaped and mounts (e.g., via bolts) the front frame element28in a cantilevered fashion. The rear end wall62of the differential case34is mounted (e.g., bolted) to the rear frame element58. The rear frame element58is mounted to additional components (not shown) of the work vehicle10and the chassis12.

Each lateral side wall64of the differential case34includes an axle opening66for receiving a wheel axle38a. The center of the axle opening66defines a centerline68extending laterally across the work vehicle10. Each lateral side wall64of the differential case34further includes a suspension opening70for receiving a component of the suspension system42(e.g., suspension linkage44, a control arm, etc., as depicted inFIG. 1). For example, the suspension linkage44may be mounted at one end in a ball-and-socket arrangement to the suspension opening70of the differential case34and mounted at an opposite end to the wheel axle38a(FIG. 1).

Generally, the differential case34may be at a centralnexusof the structural load bearing assembly22and also mounts various components related to the drivetrain14, transmission32, and wheel axles38a,38b(FIG. 1). Structurally, the differential case34is positioned between wheel axles38a,38b, below the engine18, and directly behind the front frame element28for a front-mounted work implement.

In a general sense, the differential case34may be considered as a rigid housing for the oil pan56and various components (not shown) of the suspension system42and the differential. The differential case34may house all or some components of a differential (not shown) of the drivetrain, including u-joint(s), ring gear, pinion shaft(s), pinion gear(s), planet gear(s), side gears, clutch plates, bearings, and the like. Any type of differential may be mounted within the differential case34, including an open differential, limited slip differential, or the like. As described below, the differential case34may provide mounting positions and/or support portions of a driveshaft, half shafts, and/or axle shafts, as well as components of the suspension system42, including any support structures such as bearings (not shown, e.g., angled roller bearings) or joints (not shown, e.g., ball joints) for the wheel axles38a,38band the suspension system42. In sum, these components impart a number of structural loads on the differential case34.

The engine mounting assembly20also includes the oil pan56mounted (e.g., bolted as discussed below) directly above the differential case34and mounted directly below the engine block30. The oil pan56is arranged between the engine18and the differential case34. The oil pan56may be formed of a cast metal or other heavy-duty construction to aid in sharing structural loads that are borne by the engine18and the differential case34. As described in greater detail below, the oil pan56forms an oil sump72(FIG. 3) that functions to collect the motor oil that is used throughout the engine18. The oil pan56is operatively connected to an oil filter (not shown) and an oil pump (not shown) for impelling pressurized oil throughout the engine18. In this manner, the oil pan56is operatively configured to supply oil to the oil pump and oil filter in the engine18of the work vehicle10.

The engine block30is positioned below the engine18and, along with the oil pan56, is generally coextensive longitudinally (right-to-left as illustrated inFIG. 2) with the engine18. The differential case34also extends longitudinally along, at least in part, the engine18, particularly the engine block30that supports various components of the engine18. The engine18defines a center of gravity74in the longitudinal direction of the work vehicle10. In one aspect, the center of gravity74may be positioned longitudinally forward (i.e., in the forward travel direction of the work vehicle indicated inFIG. 2) of the centerline68of the axle opening66in the differential case34. In other words, the center of gravity74may be positioned longitudinally forward of a rotational axis of the wheel axles38a,38b. At the same time, the center of gravity74may be positioned, at least in part, longitudinally behind the suspension opening70in the differential case. As illustrated, the oil pan56and the engine block30span longitudinally across the centerline68. In particular, the oil pan56and the engine block30begin behind the centerline68of the axle opening66and terminate at a point forward of the centerline68that is beyond the front end wall60of the differential case34. The oil pan56and engine block30thus hang partially over the front frame element28. Various types and sizes (e.g., displacements) of engine may be used for the work vehicle10, and the present disclosure contemplates various locations for the center of gravity74so long as the center of gravity is positioned relative to other components of the engine mounting assembly20in the manner discussed herein.

In one embodiment, the engine mounting assembly20and the engine18are configured for a compact fit within the work vehicle10. As introduced above, the hood54of the work vehicle10operates to delimit the available vertical envelope for the engine18and various additional components (e.g., hydraulic components, electrical circuitry, sensors, etc.) mounted within the interior of the work vehicle10. Likewise, and additionally referring toFIG. 1, the hood54delimits the sightlines across the exterior for the operator from the operator cabin16, particularly through the windshield52and over the height and slope of the hood54. To provide a lower overall height of the engine mounting assembly20, the oil pan56is fit closely within the differential case34. Moreover, to provide a desired volume of the oil sump72(FIG. 3) while limiting height, the oil pan56may extend forward beyond the differential case34to utilize available space above the front frame element28. Each of these characteristics are discussed in greater detail below.

Collectively, the vehicle chassis12(including the front frame element28and rear frame element58), differential case34, oil pan56, and engine block30constitute at least a portion of the structural load bearing assembly22of the work vehicle10. As described above and additionally referring toFIG. 1, the work vehicle10may experience a variety of loads, particularly delivered via the wheels40a,40band work implements mounted on the front or rear coupling areas24,26. The structural load bearing assembly22supports and distributes any static and dynamic loads on the work vehicle10. With particular regard to the engine mounting assembly20, the differential case34directly receives loads from a variety of sources. For example, the lateral side walls64of the differential case34are coupled to one of the wheel axles38a,38band components of the suspension system42, as well as power transmission, brake and housing components that facilitate mounting and rotation of the wheels40a,40b. Accordingly, the differential case34directly receives loads from the front frame element28and the wheel axles38a,38b. Because the oil pan56and the engine block30are rigidly fixed together along the longitudinal length of the differential case34, these components also receive and transfer some or all of the loads imparted on the differential case34, along with the weight load of the engine18.

Reference is now also made toFIG. 3, which depicts the engine18and engine mounting assembly20in an exploded view to illustrate interconnections between the constituent parts. As noted above, the differential case34generally includes the front end wall60, rear end wall62, and lateral side walls64. These walls60,62,64collectively form a differential case cavity76. As shown, the differential case includes an axle support structure78that is generally tubular and extends through the cavity76between the axle openings66. Similarly, a suspension support structure80that is generally tubular and extends through the cavity76between the suspension openings70. Above the axle support structure78and the suspension support structure80, the walls60,62,64of the differential case34define, at least in part, a pan-receiving recess82.

The front end wall60of the differential case34defines a frame mounting area84that includes vertically-arranged mounting bores85for attaching the front frame element28via fasteners such as bolts (not shown). The front end wall60is generally U-shaped with an upwardly and forwardly open arrangement to accommodate the oil pan56(as described below). This U shape of the front end wall60contribute to the oil pan-receiving recess82and allows a front portion86of the oil pan56to extend forward beyond the differential case34along with a front portion88of the engine18and a front portion90of the engine block30. Since the majority of the front end wall60is this open U shape, the differential case34may generally be considered to have an open front end wall60and three closed walls (lateral walls64and rear end wall62).

The front frame element28has a bottom wall92that, when assembled, extends between the differential case34and the front coupling area24. The front frame element28additionally has lateral walls96and a rear wall98for mounting to the differential case34. The rear wall98is substantially open and U-shaped and may conform to the front end wall60of the differential case34.

The front coupling area24includes a horizontal surface94that may be configured to support a work implement. The front coupling area24may include support structure (not shown, e.g., a three-point hitch) for holding a work implement. The horizontal surface94may be formed integrally with the front frame element28or may be coupled thereto. Likewise, the front coupling area24may be formed by various structures or assemblies. In some examples, the front coupling area24may be a portion of the front frame element28, may be defined in part by the front frame element28(e.g., horizontal surface94of the front frame element28along with additional mounting structures not shown), or may be a separate structure mounted to the front frame element28. In any arrangement, the front frame element28is configured to support loads from the front coupling area24and distribute these loads through the chassis12and the structural load bearing assembly22.

The oil pan56generally includes a bottom wall100and upright walls102that together form the oil sump72. In operation, the oil sump72contains and collects motor oil that is used throughout the engine18. The oil pan56includes the front portion86extending beyond the front end wall60of the differential case34and a rear portion104positioned within the differential case34. Additionally, the oil pan56has a mounting flange106extending from the upright walls102. The mounting flange106provides for direct mounting of the oil pan56to both the engine block30and to the differential case34(e.g., via bolts as described below). It is to be understood that the oil pan56may include various ribs or trusses (some of which are shown) in the upright walls102or extending across the oil sump72to provide additional structural integrity.

The differential case34and the front frame element28are specifically configured (e.g., sized and shaped) to receive the oil pan56in a close fit. The walls60,62,64of the differential case34define, at least in part, a pan-receiving recess82above the axle support structure78and the suspension support structure80. Similarly for the front frame element28, the rear wall98is substantially open and U-shaped to define (along with the lateral side walls64) a supplemental pan-receiving recess110for receiving a portion of the oil pan56. The pan-receiving recess82is shaped to receive at least a portion of the oil pan56(e.g., receive a majority of the oil pan56in a lengthwise or longitudinal orientation as illustrated or alternatively only a rear portion112of the oil pan). The pan-receiving recess82may also be defined in part by the supplemental pan-receiving recess110of the front frame element28.

For assembly, an upper surface114of the differential case extends along the collective perimeters of top surfaces of walls60,62,64. Each lateral side of the upper surface114has a first plurality of bore holes116in a row located in or proximate to the upper surface114. Correspondingly, each side of the mounting flange106of the oil pan56has a second plurality of bore holes118in a relatively outboard row for receiving fasteners such as bolts (not shown inFIG. 3).

When assembled as shown inFIG. 4, the oil pan56and the engine block30overlap the frame mounting area84at the front end wall60of the differential case34pan56, fitting within the U-shape of the front end wall60and within the U-shape of the rear wall98of the front frame element28. In this manner, the supplemental pan-receiving recess110of the front frame element28augments the pan-receiving recess82of the differential case34by receiving the front portion86of the oil pan56. Accordingly, the volume of the oil pan56may be significantly greater than the volume of the pan-receiving recess82of the differential case34alone. The oil pan56is bolted to the differential case34but not the front frame element28, and therefore the oil pan56and the engine18are cantilevered forward from the differential case34. In particular, the front portion86of the oil pan56is cantilevered beyond the front end wall60of the differential case34. The front frame element28also includes a bore120for allowing access and/or drainage for the oil pan56, as discussed further below.

The oil pan56may include several features to improve the fit within the engine mounting assembly20and to provide the requisite structural strength. The bottom wall100and upright walls102of the oil pan56are sized and shaped to fit within the differential case34, including various indents to accommodate the axle opening66and the suspension opening70along with surrounding structures for supporting the wheel axles38a,38band components of the suspension system42. As best shown inFIG. 3, the oil pan56spans across a lateral width of the differential case34. This direct mounting may be provided with or without a gasket (not shown). In this manner the oil pan56is configured to conform, at least in part, to the pan-receiving recess82of the differential case34. As best shown inFIG. 4, the bottom wall100of the oil pan56also includes a sump bore122configured for mounting an oil filter (not shown) and allowing draining. The sump bore122is in the front portion86of the oil pan56and therefore is positioned in front of the differential case34(and may also be positioned in front of the wheels40a,40b) for improved access via the bore120in the front frame element28. The upright walls102are illustrated as substantially vertical, although in alternative examples one or more of the upright walls102may be angled or curved while still defining the oil sump72. The oil pan56is illustrated as an integrally formed piece, for example a cast metal structure.

Referring generally toFIGS. 2-4, the oil pan56has a forward position relative to the differential case34, the axle opening66for the wheel axle38a, and relative to the wheel40a. In particular, a longitudinal midpoint124of the oil pan56is positioned forward of the centerline68of the axle opening66in the differential case34for the wheel axles38a,38b. The longitudinal front portion86of the oil pan56has a front depth126that extends deeper (e.g., vertically in the perspective ofFIG. 4) than a rear depth128of the rear portion112of the oil pan56. The relatively forward position of the oil pan56also provides many benefits including increased size of the oil sump72and accessibility for maintenance/repair of the engine18and the oil pan56(e.g., changing the oil and filter without removing the wheels40a,40bor other components). Moreover, this forward position provides improved weight distribution across the structural load bearing assembly22of the work vehicle10. For example, the work vehicle10may experience significant loads behind the front wheel axles38a,38b(e.g., via the operator cabin16, rear-mounted or towed work implements, etc.). These loads are balanced out by the center of gravity74of the engine18being positioned forward of the front wheel axles38a,38b, which improves load distribution throughout the structural load bearing assembly22and reduces torsional forces on the differential case34and/or the wheel axles38a,38b.

The view ofFIG. 5Adepicts an example oil pan56removed from the engine mounting assembly20in which the oil pan56is a coupling element between the engine18and the differential case34. In particular, and referencingFIGS. 2-4in addition toFIG. 5A, the mounting flange106of the oil pan56and has a first plurality of bore holes130for fixing the engine18to the oil pan56(e.g., via a first plurality of mounting bolts132) and the second plurality of bore holes118for fixing the oil pan56to the differential case34(e.g., via a second plurality of bolts134). Collectively, the first plurality of bore holes130and second plurality of bore holes118constitute a plurality of mounting bores136that receives a plurality of mounting bolts132,134for coupling the oil pan56to the engine18(via the engine block30) and coupling the oil pan56to the differential case34. The first plurality of bore holes130are illustrated in a longitudinal row that is laterally inboard of the second plurality of bore holes118that are also in a longitudinal row, although these relative inboard/outboard positions may be switched. Likewise, one or both of the first and second plurality of bore holes130,118may have other arrangements that are not aligned in rows.

The plurality of mounting bolts134for the second plurality of bore holes118may be installed top-down, such that respective bolt heads138rest against a top side140of the mounting flange106. This arrangement allows for easy access to assemble the oil pan56onto the differential case34. By contrast, the plurality of mounting bolts132for the first plurality of bore holes130may be installed bottom-up, such that respective bolt heads142rest against a bottom side144of the mounting flange106. In alternative examples not illustrated, one or both of the plurality of mounting bolts132,134may be mounted in a reverse fashion (top-down or bottom-up) from the illustrated example.

Moreover, the mounting flange106may be shaped and configured to closely fit with corresponding surfaces of the engine block30and the differential case34. As illustrated inFIGS. 2-5A, the mounting flange106may be substantially planar with the plurality of mounting bores136positioned in its plane. The planar shape of the mounting flange106may face and engage a corresponding planar face146of the engine block30and a planar face148of the differential case34. The mounting flange106is illustrated as being integrally formed with the oil pan56, although it may be a separate component affixed to the upright walls102of the oil pan56.

In some embodiments, engine mounting assembly20described above may be implemented with an oil pan having an alternative mounting configuration, such as an oil pan56′ depicted in the example ofFIG. 5B. Unless otherwise noted, the oil pan56′ ofFIG. 5Bis similar to the oil pan56described above with reference toFIGS. 2-5A. As shown inFIG. 5B, the oil pan56′ includes a mounting flange106′ that is stepped with the plurality of mounting bores136′ at two different heights. For example, the mounting flange106′ defines the second plurality of bore holes118′ at a relatively higher step than the first plurality of bore holes130′, although these relative positions may be reversed. As in the oil pan56depicted inFIG. 5A, the mounting flange106′ and overall arrangement of the oil pan56′ ofFIG. 5Bprovides a structure that may be rigidly affixed to both an engine block (e.g., engine block30ofFIGS. 2 and 3) and a differential case (e.g., differential case34ofFIGS. 2-4) such that all three components receive and distribute substantially similar structural loads as constituent parts of the structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle described herein.

The foregoing describes one or more example engine mounting assemblies in detail. Various other configurations are possible within the scope of this disclosure. Aspects of the disclosed examples provide for a robust structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle. The differential case performs a variety of functions and supports a variety of structures that may transfer significant loads to the structural load bearing assembly. The oil pan and engine block are mounted to be part of the structural load bearing assembly and thus contribute to the structural load path and also are positioned to accommodate repair/maintenance access, balance loads upon the differential case and wheel axles, and improve operator sightlines.

ENUMERATED EXAMPLES

Also, the following examples are provided, which are numbered for easier reference.

1. An engine mounting assembly for supporting an engine in a work vehicle is provided. In various embodiments, the engine mounting assembly comprises a front frame element defining, at least in part, a structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle, a differential case mounted to the front frame element at a frame mounting area, the differential case having an opening configured to receive an axle assembly of the work vehicle and having walls defining, at least in part, a pan-receiving recess, and an oil pan having upright and bottom walls defining an oil sump, the oil pan configured, at least in part, to conform to the pan-receiving recess of the differential case to be supported by the differential case and overlap the frame mounting area, the oil pan having a mounting flange extending from the upright walls with a plurality of mounting bores that receives a plurality of mounting bolts for coupling the oil pan to the engine and the oil pan to the differential case, wherein the differential case and the oil pan form part of the structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle to transfer structural loads to and from the front frame element.

2. The engine mounting assembly of example 1, wherein the oil pan has a longitudinal front portion extending cantilevered beyond the differential case.

3. The engine mounting assembly of example 1, wherein a longitudinal midpoint of the oil pan is positioned forward of a centerline of the opening.

4. The engine mounting assembly of example 1, wherein the oil pan spans across a lateral width of the differential case.

5. The engine mounting assembly of example 1, wherein the front frame element has walls defining, at least in part, a supplemental pan-receiving recess.

6. In further embodiments, a work vehicle is provided. The work vehicle includes an engine including an engine block, the engine defining an engine center of gravity in a longitudinal travel direction of the work vehicle, an engine mounting assembly including: a differential case mounted to the frame at a frame mounting area, the differential case having a first opening configured to receive an axle assembly of the work vehicle and having walls defining, at least in part, a pan-receiving recess, and an oil pan having upright and bottom walls defining an oil sump, the oil pan configured, at least in part, to conform to the pan-receiving recess of the differential case to be supported by the differential case and overlap the frame mounting area, the oil pan having a mounting flange extending from the upright walls with a plurality of mounting bores that receives a plurality of mounting bolts for coupling the oil pan to the engine and the oil pan to the differential case; a front frame element connected to the frame mounting area of the differential case; and a rear frame element connected to a rear end of the differential case, wherein at least the engine block, the engine mounting assembly, the front frame element, and the rear frame element form a structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle that is configured to transfer structural loads between the engine block, the engine mounting assembly, the front frame element, and the rear frame element.

7. The work vehicle of example 6, wherein the oil pan is cantilevered from the differential case.

8. The work vehicle of example 6, wherein the oil pan and the engine block each have a longitudinal front portion extending beyond the differential case in cantilevered fashion.

9. The work vehicle of example 6, wherein the engine center of gravity is positioned longitudinally forward of a centerline of the first opening.

10. The work vehicle of example 9, wherein the engine block is bolted directly to the mounting flange of the oil pan, and the differential case is bolted directly to the mounting flange of the oil pan.

11. The work vehicle of example 10, wherein the engine block is bolted with a first plurality of bolts having heads against an underside of the mounting flange, and the differential case is bolted with a second plurality of bolts having heads against a top side of the mounting flange.

12. The work vehicle of example 6, wherein the mounting flange includes a first plurality of bore holes for attaching the oil pan to the engine block and a second plurality of bore holes for attaching the oil pan to the differential case.

13. The work vehicle of example 6, further comprising a rear frame element incorporated into the structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle.

14. The work vehicle of example 6, further comprising wheel axle mounted to the first opening of the differential case.

15. The work vehicle of example 14, the wheel axle including a suspension linkage mounted to the differential case, the suspension linkage connected to the wheel axle and configured to allow pivoting of the wheel axle.

CONCLUSION

The examples discussed above result in a variety of benefits of the disclosed engine mounting assembly. For example, the forward position of the engine and oil pan allow for easy access for repair and maintenance by avoiding the front wheels. This forward position also improves load distribution along a structural load path of the work vehicle, particularly the load distribution relative to the front axle assembly, which reduces torsion loads and mitigates potential issues in the structural load bearing assembly. Further, the mounting flange of the oil pan allows for top-down bolting of the engine block to the oil pan, providing a simplified assembly method. Moreover, the engine mounting assembly is vertically compact, allowing a low hood height and improved sightlines for an operator in the cabin of the work vehicle. The oil pan arrangement (e.g., being a separate part extending forward of the differential case) provides both a large oil sump volume and a maximized casting size of the differential case while the differential case still can support a variety of mechanical components (e.g., components of the suspension system and/or components of a MWFD). The mechanical components supported by the differential case improve the work vehicle's driving traction and user comfort, resulting in improved performance of agricultural tasks in the field and on-road driving. The structural load bearing assembly of the work vehicle is suitably robust and strong to support and distribute significant static and dynamic loads.