Patent Abstract:
A mobile rock crushing vehicle with a detachable electronic control box which can be automatically lifted, by a pair of hydraulic pivoting arms, off the vehicle, lowered and set upon any vibration damping and isolating mass, such as the earth, all by moving a hydraulic lever. The pair of pivoting arms further automatically configure a reduced-vibration transmitting connection when the electronic control box is set upon the ground.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to mobile rock crushers with electronic component vibration reduction mechanisms. It should be noted that any vehicle with high amplitude low frequency vibrations similar to the vibrations of a rock crusher could benefit from the present invention. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, advancements in rock crusher controls have involved utilization of more complex electronics. However, this has also increased the concern for reducing the vibration experienced by electronic or other shake-sensitive components of such mobile rock crushers. Some designs have been improved by isolating the electronic control box or panel of the rock crusher from vibration. The high amplitude, low frequency vibrations generated by the crusher can cause problems with the electronic components inside the box. The fine wires mounting components inside the electronic devices can break due to fatigue and over time, can cause equipment shut-down conditions. 
     In the past, shock-absorbing mounts have been attempted to separate the control box from rigid structure on the mobile crusher. Because of the large amplitude of these vibrations, these mounts have been generally quite soft. While soft mounts can effectively reduce the vibration transmitted to the electric control box, they lead to instability on the highway as the control boxes may weigh around 1000 lbs or more with certain crusher designs. Having a 1000-lb package elevated above the ground and mounted on very soft mounts is less than optimal. 
     It is becoming common for crushing plant manufacturers to recommend that sensitive electronics be removed when the crusher is in operation. Recently, crusher manufacturers have employed a removable electronic control panel which is taken off the vehicle and placed on the adjacent surface of the ground. The ground acts to dampen the vibrations from the rock crusher and isolate the electronic control panel. 
     Common practice for many operators of crushing plants is to use an end loader to lift the electrical control panel or cabinet from a mounting position on the plant/vehicle and lower it to the ground. This often means the operator ties a chain, strap, cable, or other device to lifting eyes mounted to the top of the cabinet and the bucket of the loader. Once the panel is lifted from the mounting brackets on the plant, there are usually no guides to hold it in position (keep from twisting, etc). This can result in difficult handling and damage to the cabinet, wiring, or plant due to the tight clearances and “lack of finesse” associated with the loader controls. Because of these problems, some crusher operators resort to simply ignoring the recommendation to remove the panel from the plant during operation. 
     One improvement to the loader lift idea has been a special purpose crane boom built by James W. Bell Manufacturing of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This device may hold two electrical cabinets side by side. A hydraulic cylinder extends and retracts to raise and lower the cabinet, but the swing toward and away from the plant is manual. It may employ a “loose” (chain, etc.) mount between the boom/arm and the cabinet to isolate vibration from the plant. 
     While removing the electronic control panel and placing it on the ground to enhance vibration isolation has been used successfully in the past, numerous problems exist with prior art removable electronic control boxes. The approach using a front end loader with a chain to lift the electronic control box off the vehicle and lower it to the ground has numerous drawbacks, including the need to have a front end loader available, as well as a skilled front end loader operator. While the James W. Bell unit has eliminated the need for a front end loader, it now requires a person to swing the electric box away from the vehicle. This involves pushing on the electrical box after it is lifted and is free to swing about. This step creates an opportunity for a personal injury or damage to the plant to occur by placing a person next to a 1000-lb elevated and swinging object. This design and others may require extra care during deployment to take up and let out extra electrical cabling which extends between the mobile rock crusher and the electronic control box. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and systems for offloading an electrical control box from a mobile rock crusher, which simultaneously provides for increased safety and speed of downloading. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for offloading an electronic control box from a mobile rock crusher. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide a single action or single motion hydraulic actuator for lifting the electronic box of the vehicle, moving it away from the vehicle and lowering it to the ground. 
     It is still another feature of the present invention to include a continuous electrical connection between the electronic control box, while reducing the need for extra cable which potentially creates problems during deployment. 
     It is yet another feature to include an adjustable foot stop mechanism to keep the electronic control box stable while in the transport position. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to provide for a single motion for lifting and securing an electronic control, thereby increasing the speed of downloading an electronic control box from a mobile rock crusher and decreasing the risk of personal injury to humans involved in the offloading process, while eliminating the need for a cable winch and limiting the amount of extra cabling required to facilitate the offloading. 
     The present invention is a system and method for offloading an electronic control panel from a mobile rock crusher which is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is a system and method which includes a mobile rock crusher with a hydraulically actuated dual boom system which is configured for operation with a single continuous motion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the mobile rock crusher of the present invention with the electronic control box at an intermediate stage in the process of being offloaded. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the electronic control box and the pivoting boom structure, where the electronic control box is disposed in a stowed position for transportation. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the electronic control box and the pivoting boom structure, where the electronic control box is deployed in a ground resting position for operation of the mobile rock crusher. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the side of the electronic control box and the pivoting boom structure, where the electronic control box is disposed in a ground resting position for operation. 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the side of the electronic control box and the pivoting boom structure, where the electronic control box is disposed in a stowed position for transportation. 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the side of the electronic control box and the pivoting boom structure of  FIG. 5 , where the electronic control box is disposed in a stowed position for transportation, and with a cover plate and a mechanical lock shown thereon. 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the front of the electronic control box and the pivoting boom structure, where the electronic control box is disposed in a stowed position for transportation. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic sketch of the mobile rock crusher of the present invention which includes a block diagram depiction of the control system for the pivoting boom structures. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is focused upon the system and method of the present invention in association with electronic control boxes and mobile rock crushing equipment because it is believed that the advantage of the present invention would be readily apparent in such situations. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. The beneficial aspects of the present invention could be desirable for other construction equipment which has high amplitude low frequency vibration characteristics and for other equipment or structures besides electronic control boxes which have need for vibrational damping during operation of the equipment. 
     Now referring to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more specifically referring to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , there is shown a mobile rock crusher  100  with an electronic control box  120 . Mobile rock crusher  100  shows a cone crusher, but a jaw crusher or impact rock crusher could be used to crush rock, concrete or other aggregate-type material as well. 
     The electronic control box  120  is shown as a cabinet-like container for housing an electronic control, which may include components whose longevity can be adversely affected in a high amplitude low frequency vibration or shock environment. The electronic control box  120  is shown coupled to the cone crusher via several large electric cables from each side of the electronic control box  120 . Also shown is mobile rock crusher trailer structure  106  and mobile rock crusher wheels  110 . Mobile rock crusher  100  could be constructed to be independently moveable on tracks, and could be made either with or without a trailer arrangement. A first pivoting boom arm mechanical lock  108  is also shown for latching the electronic control box  120  in a stowed position for transport. The various components can be made of suitable materials, but steel may be preferred. The first pivoting boom main arm  102  and second pivoting boom main arm  104  must be constructed to carry the load of the electronic control box  120  which could weigh 1000 pounds or more. 
     The electronic control box  120  is shown suspended from above by first pivoting boom main arm  102  and second pivoting boom main arm  104 . First pivoting boom main arm  102  is shown having a first pivoting boom arm upper connecting member  1020  and a first pivoting boom arm central pivot point member  1022 . Second pivoting boom main arm  104  is constructed in a like manner to first pivoting boom main arm  102 . Second pivoting boom main arm  104  could be identical in construction and be a simple translation in position. A mirrored relationship could exist between first pivoting boom main arm  102  and second pivoting boom main arm  104 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a drawing of the electronic control box  120  in a stowed position on the mobile rock crusher trailer structure  106  for transport. The first pivoting boom stationary end pivot point member  1034  can be seen, as well as the first pivoting boom adjustable foot stop  1042  and the second pivoting boom adjustable foot stop  1044  and the boom connecting rod  1040 . Also shown are electric cable or cable conduit  111  which can connect the electronic control box  120  to other equipment on the mobile rock crusher  100 . Pivoting control box support  1041  is pivotally coupled to first pivoting boom main arm  102  and second pivoting boom main arm  104 , so that the electronic control box  120  pivots freely with respect to both booms  102  and  104 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown the system of the present invention with the electronic control box  120  in a lowered position, such as when it rests upon the earth. Also shown are the first pivoting boom non-rigid connection  1046 , which could be a chain, some detachable links, a clevis or the like, or a combination of them. Also shown are first pivoting boom adjustable foot stop  1042  and second pivoting boom adjustable foot stop  1044 , each with the adjustable contact pads  11  which can be screw adjusted so as to automatically and precisely apply pressure onto the top surface of the electronic control box  120  when the first pivoting boom main arm  102  and the second pivoting boom main arm  104  lift and place the electronic control box  120  onto the mobile rock crusher  100 . 
     Also shown is the first pivoting boom arm lower connecting member  1024 , as well as the first pivoting boom linear actuator  1030  and the first pivoting boom linear actuator pivot only end  1032 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 3  in a deployed position where the electronic control box  120  has been lowered to the ground and where it can be seen that electronic control box  120  is suspended from first pivoting boom main arm  102 , which pivots about first pivoting boom stationary end pivot point member  1034  by extension or retraction of first pivoting boom linear actuator  1030 , which couples to first pivoting boom arm upper connecting member  1020  and first pivoting boom arm lower connecting member  1024  at first pivoting boom arm central pivot point member  1022 . First pivoting boom linear actuator  1030  could be a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic actuator, an electro-mechanical or mechanical linear actuator, etc. During storage for transport, the first pivoting boom linear actuator  1030  could be locked in place by a hydraulic locking valve or the like. First pivoting boom linear actuator  1030  has a translating and pivoting portion at first pivoting boom arm central pivot point member  1022  and a first pivoting boom linear actuator pivot only end  1032 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a side view of the electronic control box  120  similar to  FIG. 4 , except that the electronic control box  120  is shown in a stowed position for transporting. In  FIG. 5 , the first pivoting boom linear actuator  1030  is revealed and the first pivoting boom arm lower connecting member pivot only end  1026  is shown. First pivoting boom arm upper connecting member  1020  is shown coupled at the first pivoting boom arm central pivot point member  1022  and at the first pivoting boom main arm to upper connecting member pivot member  1028 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown the electronic control box  120  of  FIG. 5  with the addition of a first boom arm side stationary connection structure  602  and a first pivoting boom arm mechanical lock  108  which couples to a bolt, rod or other protuberance at first pivoting boom arm central pivot point member  1022 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a front view of the electronic control box  120  of the present invention, also shown in a stowed configuration for transport. Also shown is pivoting control box support  1041 , which extends between and pivotally couples to first pivoting boom main arm  102  and second pivoting boom main arm  104 , thereby allowing the electronic control box  120  to remain hanging vertically through the various stages of deployment. When first pivoting boom main arm  102  is fully deployed for transport, the first pivoting boom adjustable foot stop  1042  and second pivoting boom adjustable foot stop  1044  come in contact with a top surface of electronic control box  120 , thereby creating a restraining force on the electronic control box  120 , which helps to reduce movement of the electronic control box  120  relative to the boom connecting rod  1040 . 
     Electronic control box  120  is shown coupled to pivoting control box support  1041  by first boom side upper connection loop  1080  and first boom side lower connection loop  1070 , as well as the combination of second boom side upper connection loop  1082  and second boom side lower connection loop  1072 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown the mobile rock crusher  100 , including pivoting boom structure  101 , as well as boom pivoting control and power system  800 , which may include a boom power source  802  and boom control station  804  with a boom control lever  806  and boom control up and down buttons  808 . However, a preferred embodiment may have either one of the boom control lever  806  or boom control up and down buttons  808 . It should be understood that other types of well-known controls for controlling hydraulic, pneumatic and electric or mechanical actuators could be used. Hydraulic locking valves could be used as well to secure the electronic control box  120  in place with the first pivoting boom adjustable foot stop  1042  and the second pivoting boom adjustable foot stop  1044  when being stored for transport. 
     DEFINITIONS 
     The term “rock crusher” is used throughout this description and is intended to be construed in the claims as a mechanism for crushing hard objects, such as rock, concrete, or other aggregate type materials. 
     The term “vibration transmissibility” is intended to suggest the ability of something to transmit vibrations from one location to another. For example, a taut chain has a high vibration transmissibility, while a slack chain has a lower vibration transmissibility. 
     The term “coupled” is intended to mean somehow operatively arranged, but not necessarily meaning in direct physical contact. 
     It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps, and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1