Patent Application
20170050648
The present disclosure relates to a mount assembly for a machine, and more particularly to the mount assembly provided between a cab and an underframe of the machine.
A machine, such as a locomotive, is subjected to significant structure borne noise and vibrations. During machine operation, the noise and vibrations are transferred to an operator cab of the machine. The noise and vibrations may cause discomfort to an operator seated within the operator cab. In order to isolate the operator cab of the machine, the operator cab structure is often mounted on rubber blocks called resilient mounts. One common arrangement has mounts that are V-shaped with a pair of inclined rubber pads associated therewith. The existing mounts have a snubber plate that is bolted up underneath the mount to prevent the mount from separating when placed under tension. The snubber plate is attached to a surface of the mount by a pair of bolts.
In operation, the operator cab withstands significant loads to provide collision and rollover protection for the operator seated within the operator cab. These loads can cause the mounts to fail and the operator cab to disconnect from the underframe. Due to the V-shape of the mounts, it may be difficult to produce a mount having a snubber plate of sufficient strength to withstand heavy loads during machine operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,320 describes a sprung wear plate particularly useful for reliable secure application to the side frame columns of a railway truck is made from a single metal strip having a concave surface facing the flat mounting surface on the side frame column. The plate has holes for attachment by bolts through aligned holes in the column. High strength bolts are used such that tightening of the bolts flattens out the concave surface of plate into full contact with the column locking the bolts therein. The bolts preferably have tapered heads received in tapered holes in the plates to prevent accidental application of the plates with the concave surface facing outwardly.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a mount assembly for a machine is provided. The machine includes a cab mounted on an underframe. The mount assembly includes a first member coupled to the underframe. The mount assembly also includes a second member coupled to the cab and at least partly received within the first member. The second member includes an extension projecting from the first member. The mount assembly further includes an isolation member disposed between the first member and the second member. The mount assembly includes a pair of snubber members coupled to the extension of the second member. Each of the pair of snubber members is spaced apart from the first member.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a locomotive is provided. The locomotive includes an underframe. The locomotive also includes a cab mounted on the underframe. The locomotive further includes a mount assembly disposed between the cab and the underframe. The mount assembly includes a first member coupled to the underframe. The mount assembly also includes a second member coupled to the cab and at least partly received within the first member. The second member includes an extension projecting from the first member. The mount assembly further includes an isolation member disposed between the first member and the second member. The mount assembly includes at least one snubber member coupled to the extension of the second member. Each of the pair of snubber member is spaced apart from the first member.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a mount assembly for a machine is provided. The machine includes a cab mounted on an underframe. The mount assembly includes a first member coupled to the underframe. The first member includes a lower surface. The mount assembly also includes a second member coupled to the cab and at least partly received within the first member. The second member includes an extension projecting from the first member. The extension includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Each of the first surface and the second surface is spaced apart from the lower surface of the first member. The mount assembly further includes a pair of isolation members disposed between the first member and the second member. The mount assembly includes a pair of snubber members coupled to the extension of the second member. Each of the pair of snubber member is spaced apart from the lower surface of the first member. One of the pair of snubber members is coupled to the first surface, whereas another of the pair of snubber members is coupled to the second surface.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts.
Referring to
The machine 100 may also include a drivetrain (not shown) coupled to the power source and the ground engaging members. The drivetrain may include a transmission system having one or more gears, shafts, differentials, torque convertor, hydraulic pump or motor, and so on. The drivetrain may be configured to transmit motive power from the power source to the ground engaging members.
The machine 100 includes an operator cab 104, hereinafter referred to as the cab 104, mounted on the underframe 102 of the machine 100. The cab 104 is coupled with the underframe 102. The cab 104 includes an operator interface (not shown). The operator interface may include one or more input devices such as pedals, steering, joystick, knobs, levers, switches, display devices, and so on. The input device may assist an operator seated within the cab 104 to operate the machine 100.
During operation of the machine 100, the underframe 102 may vibrate due to rotating components present thereon and also due to vibrations transmitted from the ground engaging members during motion of the machine 100. The noise and vibrations may transfer to the cab 104 and may cause discomfort to the operator seated inside the cab 104. In order to isolate the cab 104 from vibrations, a number of mount assemblies 400 are provided between the cab 104 and the underframe 102.
The mount assembly 400 will now be explained in detail with reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Due to significant loads experienced by the cab 104, there is a possibility of the second member 416 being separated and disconnected from the rest of the mount assembly 400. The mount assembly 400 therefore includes at least one snubber member. The mount assembly 400 disclosed herein includes a pair of snubber members, namely a first snubber member 434 and a second snubber member 436. The first and second snubber members 434, 436 are configured to restrict the disconnection of the second member 416 from the mount assembly 400. The first and second snubber members 434, 436 are vertically spaced apart from the lower surface 412 of the first member 402.
The first and second snubber members 434, 436 have a rectangular cross section. However, the cross section of the snubber members 434, 436 may vary without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Further, each of the first and second snubber members 434, 436 are substantially square in shape. Alternatively, the snubber members 434, 436 may have a different shape. For example, the snubber members 434, 436 may be rectangular shaped, circular shape, trapezoidal shape, and the like. The first and second snubber members 434, 436 are coupled to the extension 424 of the second member 416. Each of the first and second snubber members 434, 436 are horizontally spaced apart from each other. The first snubber member 434 is coupled to the first surface 426, whereas the second snubber member 436 is coupled to the second surface 428 of the extension 424.
Referring to
Referring now to
The first and second snubber members 434, 436 may be coupled at any location along the length of the extension 424. Referring to
Alternatively, the first and second snubber members 434, 436 may be coupled to the respective first and second surfaces 426, 428 of the extension 424 using a different joining process. For example, the snubber members 434, 436 may be welded to the respective first and second surfaces 426, 428 of the extension 424. In another example, the snubber members 434, 436 may be bonded with the respective first and second surfaces 426, 428 using an adhesive.
In yet another example, the snubber members 434, 436 may be integral with the extension 424 of the second member 416. In such examples, the distance “D” (see
The design of the mount assembly 400, 600 disclosed herein provides a reliable and higher strength connection between the snubber members 434, 436, 634, 636 and the rest of the mount assembly 400, 600. The extension 424, 624 of the mount assembly 400, 600 allows the pair of snubber members 434, 436, 634, 636 to be fixed to the respective extension 424, 624 with a number of mechanical fasteners 438, 440, 638, 640. Further, as per strength requirements, the design of the mount assembly 400, 600 allows the number of mechanical fasteners 438, 440, 638, 640 to be increased without any limitations.
The increased connection strength between the snubber members 434, 436, 634, 636 and the extension 424, 624 reduces the possibility of the second member 416, 616 to separate from the mount assembly 400, 600, thereby restricting the disconnection of the cab 104 from the underframe 102. Further, the mount assembly 600 includes the pair of steps 606, 608 provided on the extension 424, 624. Hence, the strength of the mount assembly 600 is no longer dependent on the shear strength of the mechanical fasteners 638, 640 as the pair of steps 606, 608 forms a mechanical locking connection.
The mount assembly 400, 600 disclosed herein provides isolation of the machine structure from vibrating and noise producing components of the machine. Further, the mount assembly 400, 600 also provides isolation of vibration sensitive components of the machine 100, thereby preventing damage of the vibration sensitive components due to shock and vibration.
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, 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.
