Patent Application
20150345210
The present disclosure relates to a panel assembly, and more particularly to the panel assembly associated with a door member of a machine.
Machines operating at worksites in forest areas or mine sites generally include protective structures associated therewith. These protective structures are generally associated with an operator cabin of the machine so that an operator seated within the operator cabin is provided with additional protection. The protective structures include screens provided in association with windows of the operator cabin. The protective structures provide protection to the operator, but yet permit the operator to see through the protective structures. The screens of the protective structures generally include wire meshes that are coupled by welding to a frame member of the respective window. The welding of such wire meshes add to an overall cost of the protective structures.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,325, hereinafter referred as the '325 patent, describes a side screen for a cab of a work vehicle, such as a skid steer loader. The side screen includes a panel having a number of strips defining openings there between. At least one reinforcing member, such as a rib, is formed in the screen, such as on a strip or on a panel section. An intermediate panel may also provide a section of relatively heightened rigidity. However, the '325 patent is specific to the side screen design and does not describe a solution that can be retrofitted onto existing machines.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a panel assembly associated with a door member of a machine is provided. The panel assembly includes a frame assembly having a first section and a second section. A frame element is provided between the first and second sections of the frame assembly. The first section of the frame assembly includes a window defined thereon. The second section includes a plurality of holes provided thereon. The plurality of holes is arranged in a side by side relationship with each other. Further, a plurality of flange members extends from an outer periphery of the frame assembly. The frame assembly has a single piece stamped design, such that one edge of the frame assembly is hingedly coupled with respect to the door member. The panel assembly also includes a screen assembly removably coupled to the window of the first section of the frame assembly. The screen assembly includes a screen member having a plurality of holes provided thereon. The screen assembly has a single piece stamped design. The panel assembly further includes a plurality of isolation members coupled to an interior surface of the frame assembly. The plurality of isolation members is configured to isolate a transfer of mechanical vibrations through the panel assembly. The panel assembly includes a gripping element coupled to the frame assembly. The gripping element is adapted to assist the operator to swing the frame assembly about a hinged connection.
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 includes a frame 102. A power source (not shown) is provided on the frame 102 of the machine 100. The power source is provided within an enclosure 104. The power source may be any power source known in the art, such as, an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, power storage device like batteries, and a hybrid engine. The power source provides power to the machine 100 for operational and mobility requirements. The machine 100 includes a set of ground engaging members 106, herein embodied as tracks. Alternatively, the ground engaging members 106 may include wheels. The ground engaging members 106 provide mobility to the machine 100. The machine 100 also includes a drivetrain (not shown) coupled to the power source and the ground engaging members 106. 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 transmits motive power from the power source to the ground engaging members 106.
The machine 100 includes an implement 114 coupled to the frame 102. An implement arrangement 108 is provided at a front section 110 of the machine 100. The implement arrangement 108 includes a linkage member 112. The linkage member 112 is coupled to the frame 102. The implement 114 is pivotally coupled to the linkage member 112. The implement 114 may be configured to collect, hold, and convey material and/or heavy objects on the ground. The implement arrangement 108 also includes hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 116 for providing a required spatial movement to the linkage member 112 and the implement 114.
The implement 114 is embodied as a blade. Alternatively, the implement 114 may include any one of a bucket, an auger, a blade, a fork, a hammer, a ripper, or any other known work implement. The implement arrangement 108 is configured to perform tasks such as, earth moving, excavation, digging, demolition, and the like. Further, the implement arrangement 108 may be controlled electrically, mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or by a combination thereof. Although a single implement arrangement 108 is shown in the accompanying figures, the machine 100 may include an additional implement arrangement provided at a rear section 118 of the machine 100.
The machine 100 also includes an operator cabin 120 provided on the frame 102 of the machine 100. The operator cabin 120 includes an operator interface (not shown). The operator interface includes one or more input devices like pedals, steering, joystick, knobs, levers, switches, display devices and so on.
The operator cabin 120 also includes a first door member 122 and a first side screen 124 provided adjacent to the first door member 122. The first door member 122 and the first side screen 124 are provided on a first side 126 of the machine 100. Further, the machine 100 also includes a second door member (not shown) and a second side screen (not shown) provided on a second side 128 of the machine 100. It should be noted that the design and construction of the second door member and the second side screen is similar to the design and construction of the first door member 122 and the first side screen 124.
The machine 100 includes a screen arrangement 200. The screen arrangement 200 includes a first panel assembly 202 and a second panel assembly (not shown). The first panel assembly 202 and the second panel assembly are coupled with the first door member 122 and the second door member of the operator cabin 120 respectively.
For illustrative purposes, the first panel assembly 202, hereinafter interchangeably referred to as panel assembly 202, associated with the first door member 122 will now be explained in detail. However, it should be noted that the description of the panel assembly 202 given below is equally applicable to the second panel assembly associated with the second door member, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
The panel assembly 202 is hingedly coupled to a portion of the machine 100. Referring to
An interior side 252 of the panel assembly 202 is illustrated in
As shown in the accompanying figures, the frame assembly 206 includes a frame element 224. The frame element 224 is provided between the first and second sections 208, 210 of the frame assembly 206. The frame element 224 separates the first section 208 from the second section 210. The first section 208 of the frame element 224 includes a window 226 provided therein.
Referring to
The screen assembly 228 includes a screen member 232. The screen member 232 is embodied as a unitary component and has a single stamped design. The screen member 232 includes a number of vertical ribs 234 provided in a spaced apart relationship along an axis X-X′. Further, the screen member 232 also includes a number of horizontal ribs 236. The horizontal ribs 236 are provided in a spaced apart relationship along an axis Y-Y′. The screen member 232 includes a number of holes 238 defined thereon with respect to the vertical and horizontal ribs 234, 236. The holes 238 are formed by punching the screen member 232.
Referring to
The second section 210 of the frame assembly 206 includes a number of holes 244 provided thereon. Each of the holes 244 are formed at an intersection of a pair of adjacently disposed horizontal ribs 242 and a pair of adjacently disposed vertical ribs 240. The holes 244 are arranged in a side by side relationship with each other, such that each adjacent hole 244 is separated by a single vertical rib 240 along the axis X-X′. Whereas the adjacent holes 244 provided along the axis Y-Y′ are separated by a single horizontal rib 242. The holes 244 are formed by punching the second section 210 of the frame assembly 206.
The panel assembly 202 includes a number of isolation members 246. The isolation members 246 are coupled to the inner surface 230 of the frame assembly 206. The isolation members 246 isolate a transfer of mechanical vibrations through the panel assembly 202. In one example, the isolation members 246 may reduce or eliminate a rattling noise that occurs due to a contact between the first door member 122 and the frame assembly 206 during an operation of the machine 100. The panel assembly 202 depicted
As shown in the
The screen arrangement 200 also includes a third panel assembly 302 and a fourth panel assembly (not shown) respectively associated with the first side screen 124 and the second side screen (not shown) of the operator cabin 120.
Referring to
The third panel assembly 302 is removably coupled with the first side screen 124. Further, the third panel assembly 302 includes mounting bores 306 for receiving mechanical fasteners 308 in order to fixedly couple the third panel assembly 302 with the first side screen 124. Further, the third panel assembly 302 includes a number of holes 310 provided thereon. In one example, the third panel assembly 302 may include isolation members (not shown) to isolate mechanical vibrations to and from the first side screen 124. The isolation members may be provided on an inner surface 312 of the third panel assembly 302.
The third panel assembly 302 includes a pair of support members 314, 316. The support members 314, 316 are provided on the inner surface 312 of the third panel assembly 302. The support members 314, 316 are provided perpendicular to each other. The support members 314, 316 maintain structural integrity and sturdiness of the third panel assembly 302.
Referring to
The machine 100 shown in
Referring to
Further, the panel assembly 202 includes the flange members 212, 214. A majority of the flange members 212 are integrally formed with the panel assembly 202. Some portions of the flange members 214 are welded to the adjacent flange members 212. Therefore, overall the panel assembly 202 includes welded portions only at the flange members 214, thereby further reducing the welding cost associated with the panel assembly 202.
The screen arrangement 200 also includes the third panel assembly 302 shown in
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by one 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.
