Patent Application
20160332511
The present disclosure relates to a mounting assembly for mounting an engine of a machine.
Machines such as, but not limited to, track-type tractors, are used for performing various operations. Typically, the machines include a number of engine mounting brackets which are coupled to a frame of the machine. The engine mounting brackets are structured to provide mounting support for an engine.
The engine mounting brackets are generally manufactured using various fabrication methods. Typically, a current mounting structure includes a number of steel plates that are joined together through a welding process. For example, the current mounting structure is formed using three plates, which are welded together, and a cup shaped structure that is tilted. As a result, the current mounting structure requires at least three plates which are welded together and the cup shaped structure, to form the engine mounting bracket. Such a structure however, may be difficult to manufacture, may increase the cost of production, may have more weight, and may have durability issues. Therefore, there is a need for an improved mounting structure which has improved durability, cost effective, and easy to manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,462 hereinafter referred to as '462 reference, describes a vehicle main frame which is incorporated in a track-type earthmoving vehicle or tractor. The '462 reference describes an engine which is removably secured to the vehicle main frame by a number of resilient mounts in a conventional manner. However, such type of resilient mounts may not be cost effective and may have a durability issues. Therefore, there is a need for an improved mounting structure which is cost effective and has improved durability.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a mounting assembly for mounting an engine of a machine is provided. The mounting assembly includes a bracket having a first portion. The first portion is adapted to attach to a frame of the machine. A second portion is coupled to the first portion. The second portion includes a first member having a first end. The first end includes a first annular opening. A second member having a second end. The second end includes a second annular opening. A third member is sandwiched between the first member and the second member. The third member having a third end, and a first surface. The first surface is indicative of a curved surface. The first end, the second end, and the third end are being coplanar with each other. The bracket is manufactured as a single component, and is disposed on the frame of the machine at a predetermined angle to mount the engine.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The machine 10 further includes a blade 24 which is disposed at the second end 22 of the machine 10. The blade 24 is utilized for various operations such as, but not limited to, pushing materials such as sand, dirt, and rubble. Further, the machine 10 includes a frame assembly (not shown). The detailed description of the frame assembly (not shown) is described later in conjunction with
Referring to
The mounting assembly 36 having a pair of brackets 38 (shown in
Referring to
Further, the third member 50 is sandwiched between the first member 46 and the second member 48. The third member 50 having a third end 60 and a first surface 62. The first surface 62 is indicative of a curved surface. Further, the first end 52, the second end 56, and the third end 60 are being coplanar with each other. It should be noted that a design of the second portion 44 of the bracket 38 is such that the second portion 44 has a part 64 which is protruding outwards i.e., each one of the first member 46, the second member 48, and the third member 50, having the part 64 which is protruding outwards. It should be noted that the bracket 38 is fillet welded to the frame 28, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that a shape of the first surface 62 mentioned above has been provided only for explanation purposes, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. It should be noted that coupling of one of the pair of brackets 38 on to the frame 28 is explained above, however, it will be apparent to one skilled in art that another one of the pair of brackets 38 is coupled with respect to the frame 30 in a similar manner, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
It should be noted that the bracket 38 of the machine 10 is manufactured by a casting process which is a steel casting. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the bracket 38 respectively mentioned above has been provided only for illustration purposes. Other designs, construction materials of the bracket 38, may also be utilized, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
The present disclosure provides the mounting assembly 36 for mounting the engine 40 of the machine 10. The mounting assembly 36 includes the bracket 38 which is manufactured as a single component. The bracket 38 is a single piece design which integrates the first portion 42 and the second portion 44, for mounting the engine 40. Further, the bracket 38 is manufactured by the casting process that is cost effective. Also, the bracket 38 manufactured by casting offers better structural strength and is lighter in weight as compared to conventional brackets fabricated using multiple pieces by welding. Further, the casting process reduces time and labor effort during manufacturing of the bracket 38.
Further, the design of the second portion 44 of the bracket 38 is such that the second portion 44 has the part 64 which is protruding outwards to provide structural strength to the bracket 38. Thus, the bracket 38 has improved durability, cost effective, eliminates need of welding different parts to make a single bracket, smaller in size, lighter in weight, and easy to manufacture.
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.
