Patent Application
20210221660
The present disclosure relates generally to line retention and, for example, to a retention system for a line on a spool.
A machine can be used to remove overburden and/or ore during a mining operation. For example, such a machine may include a power shovel with a boom, a dipper handle pivotally connected to a mid-point of the boom, and a shovel bucket (also known as a dipper) pivotally connected to one end of the dipper handle. Cables extend from a hoist drum over a pulley at a distal end of the boom to an end of the dipper handle supporting the dipper. The cables are reeled in or spooled out by electric, hydraulic, and/or mechanical motors connected to the hoist drum to selectively raise and lower the dipper.
Frequently, the cables used with power shovels are steel that have a relatively limited useful lifespan. For example, the cables must be replaced frequently because of limited bending fatigue resistance, due to corrosion (e.g., during use or storage prior to use), and/or the like. Because the cables are heavy and stiff, replacement can be difficult, time consuming, and expensive. In addition, as the cables abrade, strands of the ropes can break and create snag hazards. Further, the cables have a very large bending radius that require large drums and sheaves on the machine.
One approach for a synthetic rope arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2017/0096793 that published on Apr. 6, 2017 (“the '793 reference”). In particular, the '793 reference describes a mounting feature that may be a forged or cast component that is connected at a location of a body (e.g., within a corresponding hole or recess in the body) of a drum. The mounting feature may have a pocket configured to internally receive an end of one or more synthetic rope arrangements for controlling a position of a boom or dipper.
While the synthetic rope arrangement of the '793 reference achieves certain benefits, other benefits are achieved by a line retention system of the present disclosure.
According to some implementations, a line termination coupling may include a base component having a longitudinal axis and including a retention receiving element within a line-side surface of the base component; a line engagement component that includes an engagement surface, wherein the engagement surface includes a portion that is perpendicular to the base component to engage a line, wherein the engagement surface abuts the line-side surface; and a removable retention component that is configured to retain the line between the engagement surface and the removable retention component when the removable retention component is installed within the retention receiving element.
According to some implementations, a trip spool, for a door of a dipper, may include a drum for coiling or uncoiling a trip line; an end plate attached to an axial end of the drum, wherein the end plate includes: an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, and a through hole to enable the trip line to pass through the end plate; and a line termination coupling that includes a hook mechanism to engage an end loop of the trip line, wherein the hook mechanism is attached to the outer surface of the end plate; and a removable retention mechanism to enable the end loop to be installed and retained between the hook mechanism and the retention mechanism.
According to some implementations, a line retention system may include a line connection plate for a spool; a first line retention configuration that is configured to receive a first configuration of a line end; a second line retention configuration that is configured to receive a second configuration of a line end that is different from the first configuration, wherein the first line retention configuration and the second line retention configuration are attached to an outer surface of the line connection plate.
The machine 100 includes a frame 110. The frame 110 is configured to mount and/or support various components of the machine 100. The machine 100 includes ground engaging members, such as the tracks 112 coupled to the frame 110. The tracks 112 are configured to propel the machine 100 forward or backward on ground. The tracks 112 are also configured to turn the machine 100 by varying a speed and/or a direction of each of the tracks 112 relative to each other. The frame 110 may also be configured to swing about an axis relative to the tracks 112 to move the machine 100 from a loading position to an unloading position, or vice versa.
The machine 100 includes a boom 114 extending from and coupled to the frame 110, a hoist system 116, and a handle 118 extending from and coupled to a mid-point of the boom 114. The boom 114, hoist system 116, and handle 118 are configured to support a dipper 120 and/or control a position of the dipper 120.
The dipper 120 of the machine 100 includes a body 122 and a door 124 pivotally coupled to the body 122. The dipper 120 is configured to receive material and dump the material based on an operation of the door 124. The machine 100 includes a dipper trip system 126 coupled to the door 124 of the dipper 120. The dipper trip system 126 is configured to operate the door 124. The dipper trip system 126 includes a dipper trip spool 128 and a trip line 130 extending between the dipper trip spool 128 and the door 124. More specifically, the trip line 130 is coupled to a locking mechanism 132 of the door 124. The locking mechanism 132 is configured to selectively lock the door 124 to the body 122 of the dipper 120. The locking mechanism 132 may be any suitable locking mechanism, such as a latch bar, a lever arrangement, and/or the like. Based on an operation of the dipper trip spool 128 (which may be rotatably powered by a motor, such as an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, and/or the like), the trip line 130 retracts and/or actuates the locking mechanism 132. Based on an actuation of the locking mechanism 132, the door 124 is unlocked to dump the material. The dipper trip system 126 may include one or more dipper sensors (not shown) configured to generate a signal indicative of unlocking of the door 124 and/or locking of the door 124.
The dipper trip spool 128 may include a line termination coupling (not shown in
As indicated above,
As shown, the line retention system 202 includes a line connection plate 210 and a line termination coupling 212 to retain the line 208 (e.g., a line corresponding to trip line 130 of
As shown, the line connection plate 210 is attached (e.g., press fit, welded, glued, and/or the like) toward a line termination side 218 of the drum 204. In some instances, the line termination side 218 is opposite an axial end of the spool that is adjacent or toward a motor that is configured to drive the trip spool 200. Further, the line termination side 218 may be an axial end of the drum 204 that is accessible when the trip spool 200 is installed and/or mounted to a machine (e.g., machine 100 of
In
As shown in
The hook mechanism 222, as described herein, includes a base component 230 and a line engagement component 232. The base component 230 is attached (e.g., welded, fastened, and/or the like) to the outer surface 216. The line engagement component 232 is to engage end loop 226 of the line 208 to hold the line 208 on the trip spool 200.
The retention mechanism 224 may include a removable retention component 234. For example, the removable retention component 234 may include a removable post, such as a bolt, a dowel, a rivet, a screw, a peg, and/or the like. Correspondingly, the retention mechanism 224 may include a receiving hole (not shown in
According to some implementations, the line connection plate 210 may include a receiving element, such as a threaded hole, to receive one or more fasteners to fasten the line termination coupling 212 to the line connection plate 210. In some instances, the removable retention component 234 may be one of the fasteners. In such a case, the receiving element may include a through hole that enables the removable retention component 234 to pass through the base component 230 so that the removable retention component 234 can be installed within a receiving element of the line connection plate 210, thereby fastening the line termination coupling 212 to the line connection plate 210.
One or more components (e.g., the base component 230, the line engagement component 232, the removable retention component 234, and/or the like) of the line termination coupling 212 may be covered with a coating to prevent corrosion of the component, improve wear resistance (e.g., of the component and/or the line 208), and/or the like.
In examples described herein, the line 208 may include a synthetic rope formed from any suitable synthetic material (e.g., polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, aramid, and/or the like). The line 208 may have certain specifications for certain applications. For example, as a trip line (similar to the trip line 130), the line 208 may have particular stretch characteristics to reduce or prevent stretch (and improve responsiveness with respect to unlocking the door 124), durability characteristics to improve a lifespan of the line 208, and/or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, the line 208 may be any other suitable material (e.g., a steel cable) that is configured with a loop to permit engagement with line termination coupling 212.
As indicated above,
As shown in
The beveled base surfaces 242 abut the plate-side surface 238 and the lateral side surfaces 240. The beveled base surfaces 242 may be any suitable size and/or shape to improve and/or facilitate attaching the line termination coupling 212 to the line connection plate 210 via welding so that the plate-side surface 238 abuts the line connection plate 210 (e.g., the outer surface 216 of the line connection plate). The lateral side surfaces 240 are shown as relatively flat and perpendicular (e.g., within a threshold angle of being perpendicular corresponding to a manufacturing tolerance or machining tolerance) to the line-side surface 236 and the plate-side surface 238. The lateral side surfaces 240 may extend to and/or correspond to side surfaces of the line engagement component 232.
The line engagement component 232 corresponds to the portion of the hook mechanism 222 that extends from the base component 230 and/or that is to primarily engage with the line 208 (e.g., when the line 208 is within the line retention space 228 and pulled tightly through the through hole 220). The line engagement component 232 has the lateral side surfaces 240, an engagement surface 246, rounded edge surfaces 248, a hook end surface 250, and a top surface 252. As shown, the engagement surface 246 has a semicircular surface that abuts the line-side surface 236 to extend from the base component 230 and form a hook structure (e.g., a J-shaped hook). As shown, the rounded edge surfaces 248 abut the engagement surface 246 (and/or the line-side surface) and the lateral side surfaces 240. The rounded edge surfaces 248 may be formed to prevent fraying and/or abrasion of the line 208 (e.g., due to being pulled tightly around the drum 204) when installed within the line retention space 228. Correspondingly, a portion of the engagement surface 246 (e.g., corresponding to a tangent of the semicircular surface) may be perpendicular to the line-side surface 236. The radius of the semicircular surface of the engagement surface 246 may correspond to a radius (e.g., may be the same as and/or within a threshold percentage) of the line 208 so that the line 208 fits within the line retention space 228.
The hook mechanism 222 of
In
In
As indicated above,
A first line retention configuration of line retention system 400 (e.g., which may correspond to line termination coupling 212) includes a hook mechanism 410 (e.g., corresponding to the hook mechanism 222), and a second line retention configuration includes a crimped end receiver 420. As shown, the hook mechanism 410 is situated near a first through hole 430 and the crimped end receiver 420 is situated near a second through hole 440, through which a line may pass to engage with either the hook mechanism 410 or the crimped end receiver 420. As shown, the hook mechanism 410 is situated opposite the crimped end receiver 420 relative to a rotational axis 450 of the spool (e.g., to equally distribute the first through hole 430 and the second through hole 440 to facilitate structural integrity of line connection plate 402). For other example implementations including more than two line retention configurations, the corresponding line retention configurations may correspondingly be equally distributed around the rotational axis 450.
Accordingly, the line retention system 400 is configured to receive and/or be compatible with two different types of configurations of a line. As indicated above,
As shown in
Accordingly, as shown, the line retention system 400 is capable of receiving and retaining two different configurations of line. As indicated above,
The disclosed line retention system may be used in any construction machine application where component longevity, reliability, cost, and ease of use are desired. The disclosed line retention system allows for use with synthetic rope, which may have a relatively longer useful life than other types of line, such as a steel cable with a crimped end component. The line retention system, as described herein, may extend a life span of a synthetic rope by reducing friction on the synthetic rope (e.g., via rounded engagement surfaces on a hook mechanism, rounded edges of through holes in a line connection plate, positioning of through holes relative to the hook mechanism, coatings, and/or the like). Further, the life span of the synthetic rope can be extended by preventing damage to the rope during installation because the line retention system eases installation of the synthetic rope (e.g., the line simply needs to be fed through the through hole and placed into a line retention space of the hook mechanism).
More specifically, the line retention system is configured to enable a synthetic rope to have a life span that corresponds to a period of a maintenance cycle for a machine that includes the line retention system, as described herein. Accordingly, scheduled replacement of a line utilizing the line retention system, described herein, can be aligned with a maintenance schedule for other components of the machine (e.g., the engine, the ground engaging elements, an operator station, and/or the like) to prevent unexpected downtime due to failure of the line. Such failures can result in damage to the machine and/or an implement of the machine, can cause safety concerns, and/or the like. Further, unexpected downtime can incur relatively high costs that depend on the length of the downtime. Moreover, to facilitate maintenance associated with the line retention system (e.g., to replace the line, to repair the spool, to install or replace the line retention system, and/or the like), the line retention system may be positioned on an axial end of a spool that is accessible when the spool is installed and/or mounted to a machine (e.g., machine 100 of
A hook mechanism of a line retention system, described herein, is configured to withstand relatively high amounts of force applied by an installed line (e.g., using relatively flat outer surfaces) while maintaining durability of the installed line (e.g., via rounded surfaces on an inner portion of the hook). Further, as described herein, the line retention system is configured to be formed from and/or utilize readily available materials (e.g., pieces of metal or metal alloys that can be used to form the hook mechanism) and components (e.g., fasteners, spacers, and/or the like to form the retention mechanism). In this way, the hook mechanism can be formed and/or produced with relatively low amounts of design resources (only material types and/or sizes of components need to be determined according to line dimensions and/or expected applied force) and relatively low manufacturing complexity (line retention mechanism can be assembled from independently created parts when ready to be installed for use), thereby reducing costs and hardware resource consumption.
Further, the line retention system, as described herein, can be universally added to existing components (e.g. spools, pulleys, and/or the like) of a machine. For example, an end plate of an existing trip spool of a dipper can be replaced by a line retention system described herein (e.g., a line connection plate with a hook mechanism and retention mechanism), thereby enabling an existing dipper that was previously configured to utilize a steel cable to be able to easily use a line with an end loop. Additionally, or alternatively, a hook mechanism and retention mechanism described herein can relatively easily be attached (e.g., through welding, fastening, and/or the like) to an existing end plate of the trip spool to enable the dipper to utilize a line with an end loop.
According to some implementations described herein, an example implementation of a line retention system, may be configured to utilize multiple, different configurations of a line. For example, a line retention system, as described herein, may be compatible with a line that includes an end loop or a crimped end component. Accordingly, a single part can be used with multiple different types of line. Correspondingly, the line retention system described herein can be utilized with more varieties of readily available line, including synthetic rope, steel cable, and/or the like.
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.” Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” 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.”
Some implementations are described herein to include a parallel relationship or a perpendicular relationship. As used herein, parallel is meant to cover substantially parallel and perpendicular is meant to cover substantially perpendicular. Further, as used herein, “substantially” refers to a described measurement, element, or relationship being within a tolerance (e.g., a design tolerance, a manufacturing tolerance, an industry standard tolerance, and/or the like).
The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. It is intended that the specification be considered as an example only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents. Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.
