Patent ID: 12258066

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure can involve or be directed to a front suspension transition, and systems, components, and methods thereof.

Referring now to the drawings and with specific reference toFIG.1, this figure illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a machine10. Machine10may be a mobile machine that performs some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining, construction, or any other industry known in the art. For example, as shown inFIG.1, machine10may be an earth moving machine, particularly, an off-highway rear haul truck.

Machine10may have a space frame20supported by front wheels14and rear wheels16(including respective tires). The front and rear wheels14,16may be connected to space frame20by front suspension members and rear suspension systems, respectively.

Machine10may also include a bed or body30supported by the space frame20. Such bed or body30may be referred to herein as a dump body30. The dump body30can be configured as a receptacle to receive hauling material.

A rear portion34of the dump body30can be pivotably coupled or attached to a portion (including portions) at a rear24of the space frame20. Discussed in more detail below, portions of the dump body30between the rear portion34and a front portion36of the dump body30can be movably positioned relative to respective portions of the space frame20to support the dump body30on the space frame20at a rest position of the dump body30. The rest position of the dump body30may be considered as positioning of the dump body30such that the front portion36of the dump body30is at a lower-most position (i.e., not raised). The dump body30can be pivoted at the rear portion34about the rear24of the space frame20to raise or lower the portion of the dump body30in front of the pivot (and hence move the portion of the dump body30behind the pivot in the opposite direction). Such pivoting of the dump body30to raise the front portion36of the dump body30can be to dump content from within the dump body30. Likewise, pivoting of the dump body30to lower the front portion36of the dump body30to the rest position can be to receive content in the dump body30.

Machine10may have an operator cabin18supported by the space frame20at a front of the space frame20. Machine10may also be equipped with a steering mechanism and controls to move the machine10and controls to raise and lower dump body30. The steering mechanism and the controls may be located within the operator cabin18of the machine10.

Machine10may have a prime mover supported by the space frame20. Generally, the prime mover may be provided in a space21of the space frame20. The prime mover may be configured to propel the front and rear wheels14,16in the forward or rearward direction. The prime mover may be lengthwise aligned on space frame20along a travel direction of the machine10. One skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the prime mover may be aligned transversally. In one exemplary embodiment, the prime mover may be an internal combustion engine, which may be a two-stroke or four-stroke diesel engine, for instance. One skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the prime mover may be any other type of internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline engine or a gaseous fuel-powered engine. The prime mover may be connected to front and/or rear wheels14,16via other components such as a drive train to transfer motive power to move the front and/or rear wheels14,16in a forward or rearward direction.

Exhaust from the prime mover may be output from one or more exhaust outputs. Optionally, the one or more exhaust outputs may be provided generally between the operator cabin18and a front wall37of the dump body30such that exhaust is provided toward at least a predetermined portion of the front wall37. A coupling (e.g., bellows) may be provided to connect the one or more exhaust outputs to the front wall37of the dump body30, for instance, to a heating channel provided in or on the front wall37of the dump body30to heat the material carried in the dump body30.

In general, a space frame according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, such as space frame20, may be a frame that includes structural members connected to each other at nodes and/or joints. The structural members can include hollow tubes and/or solid tubes, and in some instances can be connected according to a triangulated structure. The structural members can be made of metal, metal alloys, or reinforced composite materials, for instance.

FIG.2is a more detailed view of the space frame20. As shown, the space frame20can include a pair of rear frame connections210at the rear24of the space frame20, a pair of center lower frame connections220, a center upper horizontal frame connection225, a pair of center upper frame connections230, a pair of center upper frame nodal connections240, a pair of front upper frame connections250, a pair of front lower frame connections260, a front suspension transition265, a front upper frame connection270, a pair of front upper suspension connections280, and a front lower suspension connection290. Though the foregoing connections are described as pairs, the connections of a pair may not be identical. For instance, the connections of a pair may be symmetrical, generally, but not necessarily identical. The foregoing connections can be castings or fabrications. In general, a casting may refer to a connection that is not welded to another support component of the space frame20, and a fabrication may refer to a connection that is welded to another support component of the space frame20.

The space frame20can also include a plurality of elongate support members, such as elongate support members201, elongate support members202, and elongate support members203. Elongate support members, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, can be in the form of rods and/or tubes, circular, for instance, where some or all of the rods and/or tubes may be solid or hollow.

Turning now toFIG.3andFIG.4, the front suspension transition265can be a fabrication and can be connected between a front lower suspension connection290, particularly a rear mounting surface2930thereof, and a pair of elongate support members203. Thus, the front suspension transition265can be regarded as a front suspension transition fabrication or a front suspension fabricated transition. Further, the front suspension transition265can have a first end fixed (e.g., welded) to the rear mounting surface2930and a second end opposite the first side fixed (e.g., welded) to each of the elongate support members203. The elongate support members203can be spaced or separated from the front lower suspension connection290by way of the front suspension transition265.

Referring now also toFIGS.5-7, the front suspension transition265can have a body2650having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first pair of ribs2660on a first side of the body2650, a second pair of ribs2665on a second side of the body2650opposite the first side, and a connection interface2670on the second end of the body2650. According to one or more embodiments, the front suspension transition265can be asymmetrical in an end view, a top plan view, and/or a bottom plan view. The front suspension transition265can be symmetrical in a side elevational view, such as shown inFIG.4. Each of the body2650, the ribs2660of the first pair of ribs, the ribs2665of the second pair of ribs, and/or the connection interface2670can be formed in one piece, for instance, from metal.

Optionally, the front suspension transition265, including the front suspension transition265in non-assembled form, can consist of the body2650, the first pair or ribs2660, the second set of ribs2665, and the connection interface2670. Further, optionally, the front suspension transition265can include a weld joint or joints associated with welding of the connection interface2670to the body2650and/or a weld joint or joints associated with each of the ribs from the first pair of ribs2660and the second pair of ribs2665. The connection interface2670can form the second end of the front suspension transition265. According to one or more embodiments, the body2650, the ribs2660of the first pair of ribs, the ribs2665of the second pair of ribs, and/or the connection interface2670can be in the form of plates. All of the plates can be flat except for a portion of the connection interface2670(discussed in more detail below). Optionally, some or all faces of the plates can be smooth.

Each of the elongate support members203can extend from the front suspension transition265, particularly the connection interface2670, at a right angle with respect to corresponding connection portions of the connection interface, such as shown inFIG.3andFIG.4. Also shown inFIG.3andFIG.4, the ribs2660(of the first pair of ribs) can be aligned with respective ones of the elongate support members203of the pair of elongate support members. Likewise, the ribs2665(of the second pair of ribs), which can be on the other side of the body2650, can be aligned with respective ones of the elongate support members203of the pair of elongate support members. Thus, first opposing ribs of the first2660and second2665pairs of ribs, on the first and second sides of the body2650, respectively, can be aligned with a first elongate support member203of the pair of elongate support members, for instance, in a side view of the front suspension transition265, and second opposing ribs of the first2660and second2665pairs of ribs, on the first and second sides of the body2650, respectively, can be aligned with a second elongate support member203of the pair of elongate support members, for instance, in the side view of the front suspension transition265. Further, the ribs2660,2665can extend from the corresponding side of the body2650at a right angle. The ribs2660,2665can also extend from the connection interface2670at a right angle.

As shown inFIG.4andFIG.5, for instance, the first pair of ribs2660can be entirely separated from each other, and, likewise, the second pair of ribs2665can be entirely separated from each other. Further, each of the ribs2660,2665can extend from the rear mounting surface2930of the front lower suspension connection290toward and to the connection interface2670. Thus, the ribs2660,2665can extend from the first end of the body2650to the second end of the body2650. Such extension can be at an angle, for instance, acute, right, or obtuse (e.g., 90 degrees+/−10 degrees) for the first pair of ribs2660and the second pair of ribs2665. Optionally, the angle can be the same for the first pair of ribs2660and the second pair of ribs2665on the first side of the body2650and the second side of the body2650, respectively.

The ribs2660can be identical to each other. Likewise, the ribs2665can be identical to each other. According to one or more embodiments, all of the ribs2660,2665can be identical to each other. Each of the ribs2660and each of the ribs2665can have a concave portion2664, which may be situated at a middle portion in a length direction of the ribs2660,2665.

The body2650of the front suspension transition can include a plurality of cutouts, including a first cutout2651, a second cutout2652, and a third cutout2653. As shown inFIG.5, for instance, the third cutout2653can be between the first cutout2651and the second cutout2652in a length direction of the body2650. The first cutout2651and the second cutout2652can be identical. As shown inFIG.5, for example, the first cutout2651, the second cutout2652, and the third cutout2653can be curved. Further, according to one or more embodiments, the first cutout2651, the second cutout2652, and the third cutout2653each can be spaced from the first end of the body2650and/or the second end of the body2650. The third cutout2653can be enclosed by the body2650, whereas each of the first cutout2651and the second cutout2652may not be fully enclosed by the body2650.

The connection interface2670, generally speaking, can have an elongate body, bent, at an angle, convex outward relative to the first end of the body2650(and the rear mounting surface2930when the first end of the body2650is welded to the rear mounting surface2930). The connection interface2670can have a first connection portion2672at a first end and a second connection portion2674at a second end opposite the first end. The first connection portion2672and the second connection portion2674each can be regarded as connection pads. In this regard, the first connection portion2672and the second connection portion2674each can receive corresponding ones of the elongate support members203for fixed attachment (e.g., via welding) of the elongate support members203to the respective first connection portion2672or the second connection portion2674.

The connection interface2670can also include a middle portion2676, which can be curved at an angle. The connection interface2670can be straight from the first connection portion2672to the middle portion2676and from the second connection portion2674to the middle portion2676. Optionally, the connection interface2670can taper in width from thick to thin from the first connection portion2672toward the middle portion2676and from the second connection portion2674toward the middle portion2676.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As noted above, embodiments of the present disclosure can involve or be directed to a front suspension transition, and systems, components, and methods thereof. The front suspension transition, as noted above, can be a fabrication.

Tubular structures can provide lightweight structures, however, some connections truncate where coped tubes have to be welded by hand to a flat surface. These connections may be complicated and difficult to weld. For instance, tubes under a steering box in a haul truck attaching to the front suspension mounting assembly may intersect and may require to be coped together with complicated cuts. The welding for the interface may also be complicated and may only be able to be done manually. In addition, the tubes may block (e.g., partially or fully) access to the steering cylinder pins and may make access for removing them difficult or impossible.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a fabricated transition can be provided or implemented such that the tube joints are moved away from each other and away and from surrounding components, for instance, so the ends of them can be squared up (i.e., at right angles). The squared up ends of the tubes with the additional clearance to other parts of the frame can enable a mechanized orbital welding machine for welding the tubes to the fabricated transition can be used. The unique shape of the fabricated transition can also allow full access to the steering cylinder pins.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a space frame, such as space frame20, or portion thereof, such as a front suspension transition, e.g., front suspension transition265, can be provided or implemented (including assembled fully or partially). As noted above, the front suspension transition265can have the body2650, the first pair of ribs2660, the second pair of ribs2665, and the connection interface2670.

The body2650can have a first cutout, such as first cutout2651, a second cutout, such as second cutout2652, and a third cutout, such as third cutout2653. The first cutout2651, the second cutout2652, and the third cutout2653can be sized and shaped to allow access to respective steering pins300, such as shown in the bottom view of the space frame20ofFIG.4.

The front suspension transition265can be fixed to (e.g., welded to) a pair of elongate support members, such as elongate support members203shown inFIG.4. The front suspension transition265can also be fixed to (e.g., welded to) a rear mounting surface of a front lower suspension connection, such as rear mounting surface2930of the front lower suspension connection290. More specifically, the elongate support members203can be welded directly to the connection interface2670, and the base2650and optionally the ribs2660,2665can be welded directly to the rear mounting surface2930of the front lower suspension connection290.

According to one or more embodiments, the front suspension transition265can be asymmetrical in an end elevational view, a top plan view, and/or a bottom plan view. In this regard, the front suspension transition265can extend from the rear mounting surface2930of front lower suspension connection290at an acute angle with respect to the rear mounting surface2930in a side elevational view of the space frame20, which can also be upward relative to horizontal. Thus, the ribs2660,2665and the base2650, themselves, can be angled or canted at the acute angle with respect to the rear mounting surface2930in the side elevational view of the space frame20, which can also be upward relative to horizontal. The front suspension transition265can be symmetrical in a side elevational view.

There can be one or more reasons the ribs2660,2665are configured as they are, including to match the stiffness of the elongate support members203, for instance, for fatigue life; to reduce weight; and/or align the middle plate along the intersecting tube axis, which can make an efficient load path connection to the front lower suspension connection290.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can also be as set forth according to the following parentheticals.

(1) A space frame for an off-highway rear haul truck comprising: a front lower suspension connection; a front suspension transition fabrication; and a pair of elongate support members, wherein the front suspension transition fabrication is welded to the front lower suspension connection at a first end of the front suspension transition fabrication and is welded to each of the elongate support members at a second end of the front suspension transition fabrication opposite the first end such that the elongate support members are spaced from the front lower suspension connection, wherein the front suspension transition fabrication includes: a body, a first pair of ribs welded on a first side of the body, a second pair of ribs welded on a second side of the body opposite the first side of the body, and a connection interface forming the second end of the front suspension transition fabrication and being welded to each of the elongate support members, the connection interface being arcuate, wherein each of the ribs of the first pair of ribs and the ribs of the second pair of ribs extends from the front lower suspension connection to the connection interface.

(2) The space frame according to (1), wherein in a side view of the front suspension transition fabrication the first pair of ribs are entirely separated from each other and extend from the front lower suspension connection to the connection interface at an angle, and wherein in the side view of the front suspension transition fabrication the second pair of ribs are entirely separated from each other and extend from the front lower suspension connection to the connection interface at the angle.

(3) The space frame according to (1) or (2), wherein the elongate support members, which are in the form of cylindrical tubes, extend from the second end of the front suspension transition fabrication at a right angle with respect to corresponding connection portions of the connection interface.

(4) The space frame according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein in a bottom view of the space frame, the ribs of the first pair of ribs are aligned with respective ones of the elongate support members of the pair of elongate support members.

(5) The space frame according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein first opposing ribs of the first and second pairs of ribs, on the first and second sides of the body, respectively, are aligned with a first elongate support member of the pair of elongate support members in a side view of the front suspension transition fabrication, and wherein second opposing ribs of the first and second pairs of ribs, on the first and second sides of the body, respectively, are aligned with a second elongate support member of the pair of elongate support members in the side view of the front suspension transition fabrication.

(6) The space frame according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the body of the front suspension transition fabrication includes three cutouts, a first cutout, a second cutout, and a third cutout between the first and second cutouts in a length direction of the front suspension transition fabrication, wherein the first and second cutouts are identical, and wherein in a bottom view of the space frame, the first, second, and third cutouts are sized and shaped to allow access to respective steering pins of a steering interface.

(7) The space frame according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the connection interface has an elongate body bent, at an angle, convex outward relative to the front lower suspension connection.

(8) A front suspension fabricated transition comprising: a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first pair of ribs on a first side of the body; a second pair of ribs on a second side of the body opposite the first side of the body; and a connection interface on the second end of the body, the connection interface being arcuate, wherein the body, the ribs of the first pair of ribs, the ribs of the second pair of ribs, and the connection interface are in the form of plates, wherein the body includes at least a first curved opening and a second curved opening spaced from the first curved opening in a length direction of the body, and wherein the front suspension fabricated transition is asymmetrical in a bottom plan view of the front suspension fabricated transition and in a top plan view of the front suspension fabricated transition.

(9) The front suspension fabricated transition according to (8), further comprising a third opening between the first and second curved openings in the length direction of the body.

(10) The front suspension fabricated transition according to (8) or (9), wherein the ribs of each of the first pair of ribs and the second pair of ribs extend from the first end of the body to the second end of the body, and wherein the ribs extend from the first end of the body at a right angle.

(11) The front suspension fabricated transition according to any one of (8) to (10), wherein in the side view of the front suspension fabricated transition the first pair of ribs are entirely separated from each other and run from the first end of the body to the second end of the body at an angle, and wherein in the side view of the front suspension fabricated transition the second pair of ribs are entirely separated from each other and run from the first end of the body to the second end of the body at an angle.

(12) The front suspension fabricated transition according to any one of (8) to (11), wherein the connection interface has a first connection portion at a first end and a second connection portion at a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the connection interface tapers from thick to thin from each of the first and second connection portions toward a center curved portion of the connection interface.

(13) The front suspension fabricated transition according to any one of (8) to (12), wherein the connection interface is straight from the first end to the center curved portion, and wherein the connection interface is straight from the second end to the center curved portion.

(14) The front suspension fabricated transition according to any one of (8) to (13), wherein each of the ribs of the first and second pairs of ribs has a concave portion at a center portion thereof in a length direction of the rib.

(15) The front suspension fabricated transition according to any one of (8) to (14), wherein the first pair of ribs is welded to the body on the first side of the body, the second pair of ribs is welded to the body on the second side of the body, and the connection interface is welded to the body on the second end of the body.

(16) A method comprising: providing a front suspension transition; and providing one of a front lower suspension or at least one of a first tubular support member or a second tubular support member, each of the first and second tubular supports being cylindrical, wherein the front suspension transition includes: a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first pair of ribs on a first side of the body; a second pair of ribs on a second side of the body opposite the first side of the body; and a connection interface on the second end of the body, the connection interface being curved, wherein the body includes a first curved opening and a second curved opening spaced from the first curved opening in a length direction of the body, and wherein the front suspension fabricated transition is asymmetrical in a bottom plan view of the front suspension fabricated transition and/or in a top plan view of the front suspension fabricated transition.

(17) The method according to (16), further comprising welding the front suspension transition to said one of the front lower suspension or the at least one of the first tubular support member or the second tubular support member.

(18) The method according to (16) or (17), wherein said providing includes providing both of first tubular support member and the second tubular support member, and wherein said welding includes welding both of the first tubular support member and the second tubular support member to the front suspension transition using an automated welding machine.

(19) The method according to any one of (15) to (18), wherein said providing includes providing the front lower suspension, and wherein said welding includes welding the front suspension transition to the front lower suspension.

(20) The method according to any one of (15) to (19), wherein the front suspension transition is a fabrication consisting of the body, the first pair of ribs, the second pair of ribs, the connection interface, and corresponding weld joints affixing each of the ribs and the connection interface to the body, wherein each of the body, the ribs of the first pair of ribs, the ribs of the second pair of ribs, and the connection interface is in the form of a plate, and wherein the connection interface has a first connection portion at a first end, a second connection portion at a second end opposite the first end, and a center curved portion between the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. That is, unless clearly specified otherwise, as used herein the words “a” and “an” and the like carry the meaning of “one or more.” The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B” or one or more of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B; A, A and B; A, B and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Similarly, as used herein, the word “or” refers to any possible permutation of a set of items. For example, the phrase “A, B, or C” refers to at least one of A, B, C, or any combination thereof, such as any of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or multiple of any item such as A and A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C; etc.

Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer,” and the like that may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not necessarily limit embodiments of the disclosed subject matter to any particular orientation or configuration. Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components, points of reference, operations and/or functions as described herein, and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments of the disclosed subject matter to any particular configuration or orientation.

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, assemblies, 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.