Patent Grant
8695240
This disclosure relates generally to machine bucket assemblies, and more particularly, to performance enhancing machine bucket assemblies.
A machine, such as a wheel loader, may be equipped with a bucket assembly to perform operations at a work site. Such operations may include, for example, penetrating material in the ground or in a pile, scooping material, moving material, and depositing the material in a desired location. The level of performance achieved by a wheel loader operator using the wheel loader may depend, at least partially, on one or more parameters of the bucket assembly. Using one bucket assembly may provide a level of performance that significantly differs from the level achieved while performing similar operations using another bucket assembly that has one or more different parameters.
In accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a machine bucket assembly. The machine bucket assembly may include a kinematic reaction point. The machine bucket assembly may also include a bottom section. A distance between the kinematic reaction point and a tip of the bottom section may have a first length. The machine bucket assembly may also include a top section. A distance between the kinematic reaction point and a tip of the top section may have a second length. A ratio of the first length to the second length may be equal to a value between approximately 0.95 and 1.05. The machine bucket assembly may further include a middle section coupled to the bottom section and the top section. At least a portion of the middle section may be curved.
In accordance with another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a machine bucket assembly. The machine bucket assembly may include a kinematic reaction point. The machine bucket assembly may also include a bottom section. A distance between the kinematic reaction point and a tip of the bottom section may have a first length. A bottom surface of at least a portion of the bottom section may define a cutting edge plane. The machine bucket assembly may further include a top section. A distance between the kinematic reaction point and a tip of the top section may have a second length. A ratio of the first length to the second length may be equal to a value between approximately 0.95 and 1.05. A first angle between a plane perpendicular to the cutting edge plane and a plane extending between the tip of the bottom section and the tip of the top section may be equal to a value (α) between approximately 17.8° and 23.8°. A second angle between a plane formed by the top section and the cutting edge plane may be equal to a value (β) between approximately 23.0° and 29.0°.
In accordance with another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a machine bucket assembly. The machine bucket assembly may include a kinematic reaction point. The machine bucket assembly may also include a bottom section. A distance between the kinematic reaction point and a tip of the bottom section may have a first length. A bottom surface of at least a portion of the bottom section may define a cutting edge plane. The machine bucket assembly may also include a top section. A distance between the kinematic reaction point and a tip of the top section may have a second length. A ratio of the first length to the second length may be equal to a value between approximately 0.95 and 1.05, A first angle between a plane perpendicular to the cutting edge plane and a plane extending between the tip of the bottom section and the tip of the top section may be equal to a value (α) between approximately 18.5° and 24.5°. A second angle between a plane formed by the top section and the cutting edge plane may be equal to a value (β) between approximately 44.0° and 50.0°.
Referring to
Coupling components 118, which may include one or more plates and supporting members, may be coupled to a convex side of curved portion 116, and may be used to couple bucket assembly 100 to linkage assembly 12. Coupling components 11.8 may include an upper pin hole or bore 121 and a kinematic reaction point 120. Upper pin hole or bore 121 may be configured to receive a pin 18 of upper linkage 13 of linkage assembly 12. Kinematic reaction point 120 may include a lower pin hole or bore 122 configured to receive a pin 16 (
Top section 102 of bucket assembly 100 may extend from an upper end of curved portion 116. Top section 102 may include a spill guard 112. Spill guard 112 may be formed by a portion of top section 102, or may be welded to another portion of top section 102. Spill guard 112 may have a width covering at least a portion of a width of bucket assembly 100, with the width of bucket assembly 100 extending from first side section 108 to second side section 110. Spill guard 112 may include a spill guard tip 114.
At least a portion of top section 102 may be substantially straight. Top section 102 may include a tip defined by a portion of top section 102 furthest from kinematic reaction point 120. The tip of top section 102 may include, for example, spill guard tip 114. Top section 102 may also include an extension (not shown), which may be at least partially mounted on a portion of top section 102, such as, for example, on spill guard 112. The extension may have a width less than the width of spill guard 112. For example, the extension may extend across a central portion of spill guard 112. The extension may include a tip portion extending laterally beyond spill guard tip 114. It should be understood that the tip of top section 102 may be spill guard tip 114 even when such an extension is present, and even when a tip of such an extension extends laterally beyond spill guard tip 114.
Bottom section 106 of bucket assembly 100 may extend from a lower end of curved portion 116. At least a portion of bottom section 106 may be substantially straight. Bottom section 106 may include a floor plate 124. A base edge 125 may be welded to an edge portion of floor plate 124. A cutting edge 126 may be bolted to base edge 125. A bottom surface 127 of cutting edge 126 may lie substantially flat on the ground when bucket assembly 100 is in a ground level position. Bottom surface 127 may be substantially parallel to a bottom surface of base edge 125.
Bottom section 106 may include a tip, such as a bucket tip 128, corresponding to the point on the bottom section 106 of the bucket furthest away from kinematic reaction point 120. The tip of bottom section 106 may include, for example, a point on base edge 125, but the tip of bottom section 106 does not include any teeth that may be coupled to bottom section 106.
First side section 108 may include a side plate 134, a side cutter 138, and a corner cutter 144 (removed for clarity in
A number of bucket parameters are identified in simplified bucket diagram 200, including an angle α, an angle β, a length A, a length B, a floor angle F, a length L, and a bucket radius Angle α may be equal to the angle of departure between a line 240 and strikeplane 238. Line 240 may include a line substantially perpendicular to a line 246 extending in a plane formed by the bottom surface of base edge 125 (
A bucket's loadability index A/B may provide an indication of the loadability of the bucket. Values for length A and length B may be selected to achieve a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05, to provide a bucket, such as bucket assembly 100, with a performance enhancing geometry. Examples of bucket assembly 100 are provided below.
Bucket assembly 100 may have a value for angle α of approximately 20.8°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 26.0°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1571 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1630 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 4.75°, a value for length L of approximately 1654 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 490 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 100 may have a value for angle α of approximately 20.8°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 26.0°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1654 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1703 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 4.28°, a value for length L of approximately 1738 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 490 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 100 may have a value for angle α of approximately 25°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 50°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1451 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1478 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 4°, a value for length L of approximately 1524 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 440 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 100 may have a value for angle α of approximately 21.5°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 47°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1364 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1343 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 4°, a value for length L of approximately 1337 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 420 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 100 may have a value for angle α of approximately 21.5°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 47°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1412 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1387 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 4°, a value for length L of approximately 1386 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 420 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 100 may have a value for angle α of approximately 20.8°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 37°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 2058 mm, a value for length B of approximately 2031 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 4°, a value for length L of approximately 2042 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 470 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 100 may have a value for angle α of approximately 20.8°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 37°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1921 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1895 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 4.6°, a value for length L of approximately 1904 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 470 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 100 may have a value for angle α of approximately 20.8°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 37°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1836 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1822 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 5°, a value for length L of approximately 1674 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 470 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Examples of bucket assembly 100 described above possess performance enhancing geometries. Differences between the examples demonstrate that some variability of the values for bucket parameters is contemplated. For example, values may vary depending on the desired overall size of bucket assembly 100. The overall size of bucket assembly 100 may be established by selecting a first value for length L. Based on the first value for length L, first values for lengths A and B may be selected that provide the desired value for the loadability index A/B. The selection of the first values for lengths L, A, and B may dictate values for floor angle F. For example, floor angle F may be set to achieve the desired value for the loadability index A/B. Similarly, bucket radius R may be adjusted to achieve the desired value for the loadability index A/B.
If, for example, it is desired for the overall size of bucket assembly 100 to be increased, such an increase may be achieved by increasing the value for length L from the first value to a second value greater than the first value. Based on the second value for length L, lengths A and B may be set to second values that are greater than the first values, while ensuring that the desired value for the loadability index A/B is substantially maintained. Values for floor angle F and/or bucket radius R may be adjusted to ensure the desired value for the loadability index A/B is substantially maintained. A similar process may be used to decrease the overall size of bucket assembly 100. As lengths A, B, and L change to adjust the overall size of bucket assembly 100, so does the location of strikeplane 238. It is contemplated that the strikeplane associated with the first values for lengths L, A, and B may be substantially parallel to the strikeplane associated with the second values for lengths L, A, and B.
A bucket assembly 300 is shown in
Coupling components 318, which may include at least one hook member 347 and at least one abutment 348, may be coupled to a convex side of curved portion 316. It is contemplated that multiple hook members and/or multiple abutments may be positioned along the width of bucket assembly 300. Coupling components 318 may engage a coupling assembly 345 (shown in dashed lines in
Coupling assembly 345 may include an upper pin hole or bore 354 and a kinematic reaction point 320. Upper pin hole or bore 354 may be configured to receive pin 18 of upper linkage 13 of machine 10. Kinematic reaction point 320 may include a lower pin hole or bore 356 configured to receive pin 16 (see
Decoupling bucket assembly 300 may include separating wedge portion 352 from abutment 348 (for example by unlatching wedge portion 352 from abutment 348), moving wedge portion 352 away from abutment 348, and then withdrawing rod 350 from hook member 347. Coupling assembly 345 may remain coupled to linkage assembly 12 of machine 10 after decoupling.
Top section 302 of bucket assembly 300 may extend from an upper end of curved portion 316. Top section 302 may include a spill guard 312. Spill guard 312 may be formed by a portion of top section 302, or may be welded to another portion of top section 302. Spill guard 312 may have a width covering at least a portion of a width of bucket assembly 300, with the width of bucket assembly 300 extending from first side section 308 to second side section 310. Spill guard 312 may include a spill guard tip 314.
At least a portion of top section 302 may be substantially straight. Top section 302 may include a tip defined by a portion of top section 302 furthest from kinematic reaction point 320. The tip of top section 302 may include, for example, spill guard tip 314. An extension (not shown) may be coupled to top section 302, and may, for example, be at least partially mounted on a portion of top section 302, such as, for example, on spill guard 312. The extension may have a width less than the width of spill guard 312. For example, the extension may extend across a central portion of spill guard 312. The extension may include a tip portion extending laterally beyond spill guard tip 314. It should be understood that the tip of top section 302 may be spill guard tip 314 even when such an extension is present, and even when a tip of such an extension extends laterally beyond spill guard tip 314.
Bottom section 306 of bucket assembly 300 may extend from a lower end of curved portion 316. At least a portion of bottom section 306 may be substantially straight. Bottom section 306 may include a floor plate 324. A base edge 325 may be welded to an edge portion of floor plate 324. A cutting edge 326 may be bolted to base edge 325. A bottom surface 327 of cutting edge 326 may lie substantially flat on the ground when bucket assembly 300 is in a ground level position. Bottom surface 327 may be substantially parallel to a bottom surface of base edge 325.
Bottom section 306 may include a tip, such as a bucket tip 328, corresponding to the point on the bottom section 306 of the bucket furthest away from kinematic reaction point 320. The tip of bottom section 306 may include, for example, a point on base edge 325. The tip of bottom section 306 does not include any teeth that may be coupled to bottom section 306.
The first side section of bucket assembly 300, removed from
A number of bucket parameters are identified in simplified bucket diagram 400, including an angle α, an angle β, a length A, a length B, a floor angle F, a length L, and a bucket radius R. Angle α may be equal to the angle of departure between a line 440 and strikeplane 438. Line 440 may include a line substantially perpendicular to a line 446 extending in a plane formed by the bottom surface of base edge 325 (
A bucket's loadability index A/B may provide an indication of the loadability of the bucket. Values for length A and length B may be selected to achieve a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05, to provide a bucket, such as bucket assembly 300, with a performance enhancing geometry. Examples of bucket assembly 300 are provided below.
Bucket assembly 300 may have a value for angle α of approximately 25°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 50°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1597 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1503 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 4.0°, a value for length L of approximately 1568 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 440 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 300 may have a value for angle α of approximately 25°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 50°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1644 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1572 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 3.5°, a value for length L of approximately 1616 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 440 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 300 may have a value for angle α of approximately 25.0°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 50.0°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1680 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1592 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 3.5°, a value for length L of approximately 1652 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 440 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 300 may have a value for angle α of approximately 21.5°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 47°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1366 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1336 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 4°, a value for length L of approximately 1337 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 420 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Bucket assembly 300 may have a value for angle α of approximately 21.5°±3°, a value for angle β of approximately 47°±3°, a value for length A of approximately 1412 mm, a value for length B of approximately 1387 mm, a value for floor angle F of approximately 3.65°, a value for length L of approximately 1386 mm, a value for bucket radius R of approximately 420 mm, and a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05.
Examples of bucket assembly 300 described above possess performance enhancing geometries. Differences between the examples demonstrate that some variability of the values for bucket parameters is contemplated. For example, values may vary depending on the desired overall size of bucket assembly 300. The overall size of bucket assembly 300 may be established in a manner similar to how the overall size of bucket assembly 100 may be established.
Industrial Applicability
The foregoing embodiments of bucket assembly 100 and bucket assembly 300 may be coupled to machine 10, such as the wheel loader shown in
The performance enhancing characteristics of buckets 100 and 300 may come as a result of the values of their parameters. For example, bucket assembly 100 may include bucket parameter values that provide bucket assembly 100 with a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05. By maintaining the loadability index A/B of bucket assembly 100 in that range, a floor plate 124 of bucket assembly 100 may be sized and oriented to penetrate into and withdraw from a pile of material quickly, while simultaneously ensuring that the center of mass of material resting on floor plate 124 after penetration is well positioned. The center of mass of material is well positioned if it is close enough to linkage assembly 112 to allow machine 10 to stay balanced, and to allow machine 10 to move the material without expending an excessive amount of fuel. The center of mass of material is not well positioned if it is so far away from linkage assembly 112 that machine 10 may become unbalanced (e.g., tip forward), or have to expend an excessive amount of fuel to generate enough force to move the material. If, for example, the length of floor plate 124 is made so long that the loadability index A/B is not maintained in the desired range, bucket assembly 100 may penetrate and withdraw from the pile quickly, but the center of mass of the material may not be well positioned in that it may be positioned so far away from linkage assembly 112 that the above-noted issues of machine imbalance and fuel waste arise. Thus, by maintaining the loadability index A/B in the desired range, the length of floor plate 124 is kept proportional to the length of a spill guard 112, and will not be so long that the center of mass of material on floor plate 124 is not well positioned.
Further, the desired loadability index A/B of bucket assembly 100 may allow the machine operator to have better line of sight to a pile of material, since the length of spill guard 112 is kept proportional to the length of floor plate 124. If the length of spill guard 112 is increased to a point where the loadability index A/B of bucket assembly 100 falls outside the desired range, the machine operator may have difficulty seeing over spill guard 112. By maintaining the loadability index A/B in the desired range, the length of spill guard 112 is kept proportional to the length of floor plate 124, and will not be so long that the machine operator's line of sight to the pile is obstructed. As such, the machine operator may accurately position and use bucket assembly 100, thus reducing time spent chewing at the pile, and the overall time required to load material into bucket assembly 100. Additionally, the desired loadability index A/B of bucket assembly 100 helps to ensure that, when bucket assembly 100 is racked or tilted back toward linkage assembly 12, the machine operator's line of sight to a pile of material in bucket assembly 100 is not obstructed by an excessively long spill guard 112. This may make it easier for the machine operator to visually identify when bucket assembly 100 is full, so that time and fuel is not wasted trying to pile additional material into a fully loaded bucket.
Furthermore, the desired loadability index A/B of bucket assembly 100 may keep material in bucket assembly 100 positioned such that less material spills out as the material is transported. For example, when the loadability index A/B of bucket assembly 100 is kept at approximately 1.0±0.05, this ensures that when bucket assembly 100 is racked, the pile of material in and above a receptacle 136 of bucket assembly 100 is substantially centered with respect to spill guard 112 and floor plate 124. This centering assists with keeping the material from spilling out over spill guard 112 and floor plate 124. All of the advantages associated with the desired loadability index A/B may help improve cycle times, reduce operator effort, and allow more material to be moved per unit of fuel.
Bucket assembly 300 may include bucket parameter values that provide bucket assembly 300 with a loadability index A/B of approximately 1.0±0.05. By maintaining the loadability index A/B of bucket assembly 300 in that range, floor plate 324 of bucket assembly 300 may be sized and oriented to penetrate into and withdraw from a pile of material quickly, while simultaneously ensuring that the center of mass of material resting on floor plate 324 after penetration is well positioned, in the same way such benefits are achieved for bucket assembly 100 with the desired loadability index A/B of bucket assembly 100. Further, the desired loadability index A/B of bucket assembly 300 may allow the machine operator to have better line of sight to a pile of material by keeping the length of spill guard 312 proportional to the length of floor plate 324, and may keep material in bucket assembly 300 in a centered position with respect to spill guard 312 and floor plate 324 when bucket assembly 300 is racked, to reduce spillage, in the same ways that these advantages are achieved with bucket assembly 100 by using the desired loadability index A/B of bucket assembly 100.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed buckets without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, other embodiments of the disclosed buckets will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2011/036947, filed on May 18, 2011, which is currently pending and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/783,401, filed on May 19, 2010, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,015,734 on Sep. 13, 2011.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1653905 | Harrison | Dec 1927 | A |
| 2916135 | Likens, Jr. | Dec 1959 | A |
| 2924345 | Bodin | Feb 1960 | A |
| 2972425 | Anderson et al | Feb 1961 | A |
| 3243906 | Washbond | Apr 1966 | A |
| 3398472 | Leijon | Aug 1968 | A |
| 3648391 | Kabay et al. | Mar 1972 | A |
| 3775879 | Quick | Dec 1973 | A |
| 3807587 | Mauer | Apr 1974 | A |
| RE29603 | Oke et al. | Apr 1978 | E |
| 4086712 | McReynolds | May 1978 | A |
| 4279085 | Arnold | Jul 1981 | A |
| 4395193 | Christensen et al. | Jul 1983 | A |
| 4457085 | Arnold | Jul 1984 | A |
| 4459768 | Albrecht | Jul 1984 | A |
| 4523397 | Lucas | Jun 1985 | A |
| 5815959 | Bahner et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 6374520 | Westendorf et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6581308 | Woerman et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 8015734 | Mills et al. | Sep 2011 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 59041533 | Mar 1984 | JP |
| 01214623 | Aug 1989 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Diagram and table of prior art bucket parameters. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130067779 A1 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US2011/036947 | May 2011 | US |
| Child | 13677846 | US | |
| Parent | 12783401 | May 2010 | US |
| Child | PCT/US2011/036947 | US |
