Patent Application
20230257970
The present disclosure relates generally to the manufacturing process for producing a ground engaging tool. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an improved geometric profile that enhances the manufacturability of a ground engaging tool.
Ground engaging tools, edge protectors, and shrouds, etc. (collectively may be referred to as wear members) are routinely used by machines in the earthmoving, mining, agricultural, and construction industries, etc. These components are typically manufactured from iron using a casting process as depicted in
U.S. Pat. No. 10,294,638B2 discloses a shroud that is configured to be attached to a work implement. The shroud may comprise a body defining a closed end, an open end, a first side surface and a second side surface. The first side surface and the second side surface span from the closed end to the open end. A working portion is disposed proximate the closed end, a first leg extends rearward from the working portion to the open end, and a second leg extends rearward from the working portion to the open end. The side surfaces also form the side surfaces of the legs. A throat portion connects the legs and working portion together. The first and second legs define a slot, the slot defining a direction of assembly onto a work implement and the body defines a Cartesian coordinate system wherein the X-axis is parallel with the direction of assembly. The working portion defines a ground engaging surface at the closed end that may comprise a convex arcuate portion intersecting with the X-axis, a first concave arcuate portion extending from the convex arcuate portion toward the first side surface, and a second concave arcuate portion extending from the convex arcuate portion toward the second side surface when the ground engaging surface is projected onto a X-Y plane along the Z-axis.
However, the ‘638 patent does not address the manufacturing process for making the shroud. Accordingly, a manufacturing process that increases productivity and yield rate is needed.
A wear member that is configured to be attached to a work implement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a first leg, a second leg, and a throat portion connecting the first leg to the second leg. The first leg may define a first leg thickness, and the throat portion may define a throat portion thickness disposed adjacent to the first leg thickness. A ratio of the throat portion thickness to the first leg thickness may range from 1.1 to 1.2.
A shroud that is configured to be attached to an edge of a work implement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a top leg with a rear surface having a rear gate blemish, a bottom leg with a bottom surface having a bottom gate blemish, and a throat portion including a first beveled portion extending from the top leg, and a second beveled portion extending from the first beveled portion to the bottom leg. The top leg may define a first top leg thickness, and the first beveled portion may define a first beveled portion thickness that is greater than the top leg thickness.
A mold for casting a shroud according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a plurality of cavities, a sprue, and a feeder system connecting the sprue to the plurality of cavities. The feeder system includes a plurality of rear gates that are in fluid communication with the plurality of cavities, and the sprue.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some cases, a reference number will be indicated in this specification and the drawings will show the reference number followed by a letter for example, 100a, 100b or a prime indicator such as 100′, 100″ etc. It is to be understood that the use of letters or primes immediately after a reference number indicates that these features are similarly shaped and have similar function as is often the case when geometry is mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification, letters or primes will often not be included herein but may be shown in the drawings to indicate duplications of features discussed within this written specification.
Various embodiments of a wear member or a shroud are disclosed that may improve the manufacturing process and increase the yield rate without adversely affecting the strength of the wear member or the shroud. More specifically, the profile geometry of the wear member or the shroud may allow such an improvement in the manufacturing process.
Looking now at
Consequently as depicted in
Again, the wear member may be a shroud 200, but not necessarily so. As best seen in
Referring to
As alluded to earlier herein with reference to
As best seen in
The shroud that is shown is a center shroud as evidenced by its symmetry about its lateral midplane (or cross-sectioned plane of
Still referring to
The configuration, ratios and dimensional ranges of any of the features of any of the embodiments discussed herein may be altered to be different than what has been explicitly discussed or shown depending on the application.
In practice, a wear member, or a shroud according to any embodiment described herein may be provided, sold, manufactured, and bought etc. as needed or desired in an aftermarket or OEM (original equipment manufacturer) context. For example, a wear member or a shroud may be used to retrofit a work implement already in the field or may be sold with a piece of equipment (e.g., a machine such as an excavator, a wheel loader, etc.) using that work implement at the first point of sale of the piece of equipment.
The wear member or shroud may be fabricated from iron, cast-iron, steel, or gray-cast iron or other suitable material that is durable, and that can be used in the casting process. The geometry of the wear member or shroud may be formed during the casting, and then may be rough machined and/or finish machined if necessary. Suitable machining processes may include milling, turning, electrical discharge machining, etc. The wear member may be separated from the top risers and the rear gates, forming a gate blemish that may be proud, recessed, or some combination of proud and recessed relative to the exterior surface of the wear member or shroud. The gate blemish may be removed by machining, etc.
More specifically
In some embodiments, each of the plurality of cavities is connected to the feeder system by a single rear gate of the plurality of rear gates, and each of the plurality of cavities is in fluid communication with a top riser. This may not be the case for other embodiments of the present disclosure.
It is to be understood that the mold would actually be the negative image of the cast components (may also be referred to as a “shot”) shown in
It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed assembly and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has”, “have”, “having”, “with” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of assembly as discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention(s). Other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some of the equipment may be constructed and function differently than what has been described herein and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in an order that is different than what has been specifically mentioned or in some cases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps. Furthermore, variations or modifications to certain aspects or features of various embodiments may be made to create further embodiments and features and aspects of various embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments in order to provide still further embodiments.
Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
