Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present discussion is related to power machines, such as a wheeled loader having an engine-powered drive system. The present discussion is more particularly related to systems and methods for mounting the engine-powered drive system to a frame of the loader. 
         [0002]    Power machines such as skid steer loaders, tracked vehicles, mini-excavators, utility vehicles, wheel loaders and the like have high utility in construction, landscaping, agriculture, and many other types of applications. Power machines of this type have engines that supply power to drive systems, which transmit the supplied power to a form that can be used to cause the power machine to move. Power systems such as engines and drive systems are necessarily attached to the frame of the machine. Such systems are known to vibrate due to the activity required to generate the necessary power. It is advantageous to attach the engine and drive systems to the frame in such a way as to minimize the transfer of vibration between the frame and the engine and drive systems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one aspect, a loader is discussed. The loader has a frame with a proximal end, a distal end, and first and second opposing sides, an engine, and a drive system operably coupled to the engine for causing the loader to move relative to a support surface. The drive system includes an arrangement of one or more hydraulic pumps attached to the engine to form, with the engine, a power system. The power system is positioned within the frame of the loader. The loader further includes an attachment system to fasten the power system to the frame. The attachment system has first and second connection points positioned in close proximity to a center of gravity of the power system relative to the direction between the proximal and distal ends of the loader and a third connection point positioned distally from the first and second connection points. The positions of the first, second and third connection points connect the power system to the frame to allow most of the weight of the power system to be loaded onto the first and second connection points. 
         [0004]    In another aspect, an attachment system for attaching a power system to a frame of a power machine is discussed. The power machine has a proximal and a distal end, opposing first and second sides, and a top and a bottom. The power system includes an engine and one or more hydraulic pumps attached to the engine. The center of gravity of the power system is defined by the distribution of mass in the engine and the one or more hydraulic pumps with respect to a proximal to distal direction, a first to second side direction and a top to bottom direction. The attachment system includes first, second, and third connection points for connecting the power system to the frame. Each of the first and second connection points are positioned in close proximity to the center of gravity with respect to the proximal to distal direction of the power system. The third connection point is located away from the center of gravity towards the distal end in the proximal to distal direction. 
         [0005]    In yet another aspect, a method of attaching a power system to a frame of a loader is discussed. The method includes positioning the power system, which includes an engine and one or more hydraulic pumps coupled to the engine relative to the frame so that the power system can be attached to the frame at selected first, second, and third connection points on the power system. The first and second connection points are positioned in close proximity to a center of gravity of the power system as it relates to a proximal to distal direction of the frame. The third connection point is positioned toward a distal end of the frame relative to the center of gravity of the power system. The method further includes attaching the power system to the frame at the first, second and third connection points. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a power machine of the type in which a mounting system for an engine and related power components discussed herein might be useful. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram that provides a schematic illustration of a power system for the loader of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of an outline of an engine and hydraulic pump system illustrating connection points for attaching the engine and hydraulic pumps to a frame of a power machine according to one illustrative embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the outline of an engine and hydraulic pump system taken from a distal end illustrating connection points for attaching the engine and hydraulic pumps to a frame of a power machine according to one illustrative embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of attaching a power system to the frame of a loader according to one illustrative embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0011]    While the above-identified figures set forth one or more illustrative embodiments, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted herein. In all cases, concepts presented herein describe the embodiments by way of representation and not by limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the discussion herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a power machine  10  of the type in which an engine and pump mounting arrangement of the type discussed in the embodiments below can be usefully employed. Power machine  10  includes a frame  12  that is supported by wheels  14 . Power machine  10  has an engine (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) that applies power to a drive system (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), which in turn supplies power to the wheels  14  causing power machine  10  to move under the control of an operator. Examples of drive systems for use in power machine  10  will be discussed in more detail below. Frame  12  supports a cab  16 , which defines an operating compartment. 
         [0013]    An operator can be located inside the cab  16  and control the power machine  10  by manipulating control devices (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) located therein to send operator input signals to the drive system. Although the power machine  10  is shown having a plurality of wheels  14 , it should be appreciated that power machine  10  need not have wheels. As one alternative example, power machine  10  can be equipped with one or more tracks that are configured to engage a supporting surface, such as ground, to propel the power machine over the supporting surface. 
         [0014]    Power machine  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , further includes a lift arm  18 . Lift arm  18  is coupled to frame  12  at pivot point  26 . Actuator  20  is coupled to the frame  12  at first pivot point  22  and the lift arm at second pivot point  24 . Actuator  20 , of the power machine  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is a hydraulic cylinder, although other suitable types of actuators may be used. A single lift arm  18  is shown in  FIG. 1 , but it is to be understood that a similar lift arm  18  and corresponding actuator  20  may be positioned on the opposite side of the cab and similarly attached to frame  12 . Further, it should be understood that such a lift arm may be coupled to the lift arm  18  shown in  FIG. 1  via a cross-member (not shown) extending between and attached to each of the lift arms  18 . 
         [0015]    Power machine  10  further includes an attachment interface  28 , which is rotatably coupled to the lift arm  18  about attachment point  30 . One or more tilt actuators (not shown) are coupled to the attachment interface  28  and the one or more lift arms  18  (or the cross-member therebetween). Actuation of the one or more tilt actuators causes the attachment interface  28  to rotate about the attachment point  30  in a direction shown by arrow  38 . Attachment interface  28  is configured to engage and be attached to a variety of different work implements such as a bucket, a planer, a post-hole auger, and the like. By utilizing the various attachments available to be connected to the power machine  10  at attachment interface  28 , the power machine  10  provides a desirable and suitable tool to accomplish a number of different types of tasks. For example, by attaching a bucket (not shown) to power machine  10 , an operator is capable of digging earth, moving material, and any number of tasks related to landscaping, construction, material removal, or any number of different types of applications. 
         [0016]    The power machine  10  has a proximal end  40  and a distal end  42 . An accessible engine compartment is located toward the distal end  42  of the power machine  10 . The engine compartment is accessible via an aperture normally covered by a tailgate  44 . The tailgate  44  is illustratively a latchable hinged door. The power machine  10  has a first side  46  and an opposing second side, not shown in  FIG. 1 . The power machine  10  has a top  48  and a bottom  50 , which are defined for the purposes of this discussion. 
         [0017]    The power machine  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a skid steer loader. A skid steer loader has rigid axles coupled to each of the wheels  14 . The wheels  14  on each side of the skid steer loader are operably coupled to each so that they operate in tandem. Each side of the skid steer loader has its own drive system, which supplies power to the wheels on that particular side. Steering is accomplished by controlling the drive system of one or both sides of the machine to cause the machine to skid on the supporting surface in a direction that is desired by the operator. 
         [0018]    As one illustrative example, an operator wishing to move or turn power machine  10  to the right may cause the wheels  14  on the left side of the power machine  10  to move in a forward direction. In addition, the operator can cause the wheels  14  on the right side to move in a reverse direction, not at all, or in a forward direction at a lesser rate of speed than the left side wheels  14 . The net effect is a forward force applied to the left side of the power machine  10  that is greater than the forward force applied to the right hand side. As a result, the power machine  10  will skid on its wheels  14  to the right. This is just one non-limiting example of how a skid steer loader can be operated. Other steering operations can be employed to accomplish a right turn, for example. Although the illustrative example of the power machine  10  in  FIG. 1  is a skid steer loader, the discussion provided in this document need not be limited to skid steer loaders. Alternatively, and without limitation, the discussion herein can be applied to other power machines such as wheeled loaders with a front or rear steerable axle, excavators, utility vehicles, all-wheel steer vehicles, tracked loaders, or any other similar power machine. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a portion of a power system  100  for power machine  10  according to one illustrative embodiment. Power system  100  includes an engine  102 , which generates power for various functions on power machine  10 . Power system  100  also includes a transmission package  104 , which is operably coupled to the engine  102 . Transmission package  104  is powered by the engine  102  and illustratively provides power to cause the power machine  10  to move when desired. Transmission package  104 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 2  includes a pair of hydrostatic drive pumps  106 , each of which are capable of providing power in the form of hydraulic fluid received from a hydraulic reservoir  108  to hydraulic motors  110 . Each of the hydraulic motors  110  are, in turn, operably coupled to a pair of axles  112  located on one side of power machine  10 . Each axle  112  is coupled to a wheel  14 . Hydraulic fluid provided to either or both of the hydraulic motors  110  causes each of the axles  112  to rotate the wheels  14  in one of a forward or reverse direction. 
         [0020]    Transmission package  104  also illustratively includes a hydraulic pump  120 , which is configured to receive hydraulic fluid from hydraulic reservoir  108  and port it to a control valve  122 . The control valve  122  is capable of providing hydraulic flow to actuators  20  and  124  in response to signals provided by an operator of power machine  10 . Actuator  20 , as discussed above, controls the position of lift arm  18  and can include a pair of hydraulic cylinders one of which is disposed on either side of the power machine  10 . Actuator  124 , in one embodiment represents one or more hydraulic cylinders that, when actuated, cause the attachment interface  28  to rotate about the attachment point  30 . The control valve  122 , in one embodiment is capable of providing hydraulic fluid to a port  126  in response to user signals. Port  126  can be connected to one or more external devices to the power machine  10  so that an operator can control such external devices. One type of external device is an attachment such as a planer or posthole auger that can be coupled to the attachment interface  28 . There are any number of different attachments that can be coupled to the attachment interface  28  and planers and posthole augers are but two non-limiting examples. 
         [0021]    It should be appreciated that the power system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is but one arrangement of a power system that can benefit from the embodiments discussed herein. Different arrangements of hydraulic motors, such as an individual hydraulic motor for each wheel, different traction devices such as tracks, different steering arrangements such as a steerable axle or all wheel steer are all contemplated, as well as many other arrangements. The embodiments discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only. 
         [0022]    The power system diagrammed in  FIG. 2  is illustratively coupled to the frame of a power machine.  FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of an exemplary power system  200  according to one embodiment and  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the power system  200  taken from generally a distal end  202  of the power system  200 . The power system  200  is coupled to a frame  204 , which corresponds to the frame  12  discussed in  FIG. 1 . The power system  200  includes an engine  206  and a transmission system  208 . The orientation of the power system  200  with respect to the frame  204  is such that the transmission system  208  is positioned towards a proximal end  203  and the engine  206  is positioned towards the distal end  202 . A second side  210 , which opposes a first side  212  of the power system  200  is shown in the side elevation view. It should be appreciated that the description of the orientation of power system  200  herein describes how the power system  200  is intended to be positioned within a power machine such as power machine  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    The power system  200  has a center of gravity  220 . The center of gravity  220  is illustratively the center point of the mass of the power system  200 , including the engine  206  and the transmission system  208 . 
         [0024]    The power system  200  is illustratively attached to the frame  204  at first, second, and third connection points,  222 ,  224 , and  226 , respectively. The first connection point  222  includes a bracket  228  extending from, and attached to, the engine  206  and a bracket  230  extending from, and attached to, the frame  204  on the first side  212  of the frame  204 . An engine isolation mount  232  is positioned between and attached to each of brackets  228  and  230 . Any suitable isolation mount may be used between the two brackets  228  and  230 . The second connection point  224  includes a bracket  234  extending from, and attached to, the engine  206  and a bracket  236  extending from, and attached to, the frame  204  on the second side  210  of the frame  204 . An engine isolation mount  238  is positioned between and attached to each of brackets  232  and  234 . Isolation mount  238  is illustratively similar to the isolation mount  232 . 
         [0025]    The first connection point  222  and the second connection point  224  are illustratively positioned on opposing sides of the center of gravity  220 . In addition, each of the first connection points  222  and  224  are positioned nearly directly beneath the center of gravity  220 , but just slightly proximal of the center of gravity  220 . In one illustrative embodiment, the first and second connection points  222  and  224  are located so that they are each substantially the same distance proximal from the center of gravity  220 . Thus, the majority of the weight of the power system  200  is distributed onto the first and second connection points  222  and  224 . The connection points  222  and  224  are also positioned lower than the center of gravity  220 . By lower than the center of gravity, it is to be understood that the first and second connection points  222  and  224  are positioned closer to the bottom  48  of a power machine  10  as the term bottom is discussed above. 
         [0026]    The third connection point  226  is illustratively located toward a distal end  202  of the power system  200 . The third connection point  226  includes a bracket  242  extending from, and attached to, the engine  206  at a distal end  202  of the power system  200 . In addition, a connection interface  244  is located on the frame  204 . The third connection point  226  further includes an isolation mount  246  located between the bracket  242  and the connection interface  244 . The third connection point  226  is located distally from and below the center of gravity  220 . A relatively small amount of the weight of the power system  200  is borne by the third connection point  226 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method  300  of securing a power system to the frame of a power machine. The method includes positioning the power system (such as power system  200 ) in a desired location. This is illustrated at block  302 . As discussed above, the desired location is one where the power system is capable of being secured to the frame of the power machine at two connection points that are nearly directly in line with, but slightly proximal to, the center of gravity of the power system. Once the power system is properly positioned, the power system is secured to the frame. This is illustrated at block  304 . In one illustrative embodiment, securing the power system to the frame includes attaching the power system to the frame at the two connection points that are slightly proximal to the center of gravity and at a third connection point distal to the center of gravity of the power system. Further, attaching the power system to the frame at each of three connection points includes attaching at three connection points located below the center of gravity. Further still, attaching the power system to the frame at each of three connection points includes attaching the power system at locations on the engine. By attaching the power system to the frame at these three connection points, the transmission system is attached to the frame only through its direct attachment to the engine. 
         [0028]    The embodiments discussed above provide important advantages. By providing attachment arrangements and methods as discussed above, the power package will be more isolated from the frame and therefore less susceptible to the effects of shock from any impacts that might power machine might undergo. Conversely, the vibrations created by the operation of the power system will be more thoroughly isolated from other components on the power machine. Although specific embodiments are disclosed above, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative in nature. Other embodiments that are within the spirit and similar to those presented here will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Technology Category: y