Front wall support for the trough body of a tipper truck

Abstract

Support structure arrangement, including: a first vertical support structure (370) extending from a front surface of a front wall (37) of a trough body (30), wherein the first vertical support structure (370) has a bottom section forming a first downwardly directed contact surface (371); a second vertical support structure (370) extending from the front surface of the front wall (37), wherein the second vertical support structure (370) has a bottom section forming a second downward-facing contact surface (371); and a horizontal support structure (375) extending from the front surface of the front wall (37), wherein the horizontal support structure (375) extends through the first and second vertical support structure (370), wherein the first and the second vertical support structure (370) are elongated structural elements spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction of the trough body (30), wherein each of the first and second downward-facing contact surfaces (371) is convex, wherein the trough body (30) is configured to be provided on a lattice frame (20) of an all-terrain rear tipper (10).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to dump trucks and in particular to front wall support arrangements for a dump body for dump trucks and systems, components and methods thereof. State of the art

[0002] Typically, rear-mounted dump trucks have a body that is rotatably connected to a dump frame adjacent to the rear end of the body. A problem can arise with regard to the connection between the body and the dump frame. This connection can provide load support points. These load support points can be sensitive to constraints such as manufacturing variations, poor maintenance practices, and / or unreliable support definitions. This can lead to additional reinforcement of multiple load paths.

[0003] Furthermore, it may be necessary for rear-mounted dump trucks to transport as much material as possible with the lowest possible machine weight, while still meeting service life expectations. An effective and efficient implementation of dump body support structures can reduce the weight of the dump body and thus the overall machine weight, without compromising payload capacity.

[0004] U.S. Patent US 9,649,966 B2 (“the '966 Patent”) describes a truck body for a machine comprising a bottom wall defining a front and rear end, a pair of side walls extending from the bottom wall, and a front wall extending between the pair of side walls at the front end. According to the '966 Patent, a pair of support segment plates 136 are arranged adjacent to the front wall to support the front end of the truck body on the machine's frame. The '966 Patent further states that the pair of support segment plates 136 are vertically supported by the front support, and a second intermediate support is arranged adjacent to the front wall and parallel to the front support.

[0005] US 2012 / 0169109A1 discloses a system and method for heating a trough body.

[0006] CN 1 09 353 259 A reveals a large loading area for an electric dump truck.

[0007] CN 2 09 833 455 U discloses a prestressed U-shaped dump truck compartment consisting of a front wall component, a side wall component, a rear door, a reinforced protective component and a floor plate component.

[0008] JP 2007 - 176 251 A discloses a hopper body for a dump truck.

[0009] NL 6 606 576 A discloses a tipping skip, in particular for a road vehicle, wherein the tipping skip, when loaded, can move itself into the tipping position after the locking mechanism has been removed and can move itself back into the locking position after the load has been unloaded.

[0010] US 3 923 337 A discloses a modular truck body comprising two upright side modules, each with an L-shaped cross-section, a floor module whose outer edges are attached to the inner edges of the side modules, and an upright front module that is attached between the side modules and whose lower edge is attached to the floor module.

[0011] US 2013 / 0187435A1 discloses a tipper body comprising a front plate, a bottom plate integral to a lower part of the front plate, and a pair of right and left side plates provided on the sides of the front plate and the bottom plate.

[0012] US 2013 / 0234468A1 discloses a transport surface of a vehicle, wherein the transport surface comprises a loading area with a support surface for receiving a load, wherein the loading surface comprises at least one plate that defines at least a part of the support surface, wherein the at least one plate comprises a reinforced section.

[0013] US 2014 / 0 015 279 A1 reveals a truck body for use with a mine dump truck.

[0014] US 2018 / 0 312 097 A1 reveals a dump truck.

[0015] US 2019 / 0389272A1 discloses a vehicle comprising a frame and a truck body connected to the chassis.

[0016] US 2020 / 0 039 413 A1 reveals a front turret for a truck body of a machine. Brief description of the Revelation

[0017] The present invention is characterized by the claims.

[0018] In a further aspect, a support structure arrangement is disclosed. The support structure arrangement can consist of a first vertical support structure extending from a front face of a front wall of a trough body, wherein the first vertical support structure has a bottom section forming a first downward-facing contact surface; a second vertical support structure extending from the front face of the front wall, wherein the second vertical support structure has a bottom section forming a second downward-facing contact surface; and a horizontal support structure extending from the front face of the front wall, the horizontal support structure extending through the first and second vertical support structures. The first and second vertical support structures are elongated structural elements spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the trough body.Each of the first and second downward-facing contact surfaces is convex. The trough body is configured to be mounted on a lattice frame of an all-terrain rear dump truck.

[0019] And in yet another aspect, a dump body of an all-terrain rear dump truck is disclosed, configured to be provided on a lattice frame of the rear dump truck. The dump body comprises a bottom wall; a pair of opposing side walls; and a front wall extending from the bottom wall between the opposing side walls, with a support structure assembly fixed to a front face of the front wall. The support structure assembly includes a first vertical support structure extending from the front face of the front wall, the first vertical support structure having a first downward-facing contact surface on a lower section thereof, and a second vertical support structure extending from the front face of the front wall, the second vertical support structure having a second downward-facing contact surface on a lower section thereof.The first and second vertical support structures are elongated structural elements spaced apart along the width of the trough body, such that both are equidistant from the vertical centerline of the trough body. Each of the first and second downward-facing contact surfaces is convex.

[0020] Further features and aspects of this revelation will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of a machine according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine from Fig. 1, wherein an operator cabin is set apart to show a lattice frame and a trough body thereof according to embodiments of the disclosed object. Fig. Figure 3 is a front side view of a trough body according to embodiments of the disclosed object. Fig. Figure 4 is a front side view of a front section of the trough body made of Fig. 3, whereby a front wall of the trough body was removed. Fig. Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of the front section of the trough body made of Fig. 3, whereby the front wall of the trough body was removed. Fig. Figure 6 shows a front wall of the trough body according to embodiments of the disclosed object. Detailed description

[0021] Now, with reference to the drawings and with specific reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a machine 10. The machine 10 can be a mobile machine that performs any type of operation associated with an industry, such as mining, construction, or any other industry known in the prior art. For example, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the machine 10 can be an earthmoving machine, in particular an all-terrain rear dump truck 10.

[0022] The machine 10 can have a lattice frame 20 supported by front wheels 14 and rear wheels 16 (including their respective tires). The front and rear wheels 14 and 16 can be connected to the lattice frame 20 by front suspension elements and rear suspension systems, respectively. The machine 10 can also include a bed or body 30 supported by the lattice frame 20. Such a bed or body 30 may herein be referred to as a trough body 30. The trough body 30 can be configured as a receptacle for receiving conveyed material.

[0023] A rear section 34 of the trough body 30 can be rotatably mounted to or coupled to a section (including sections) on a rear face 24 of the lattice frame 20. As discussed in more detail below, sections of the trough body 30 between the rear section 34 and a front section 36 of the trough body 30 can be movably positioned relative to respective sections of the lattice frame 20 to support the trough body 30 against the lattice frame 20 in a rest position. The rest position of the trough body 30 can be considered to be the position of the trough body 30 such that the front section 36 of the trough body 30 is in its lowest position (i.e., not raised).The trough body 30 can be rotatably mounted at its rear section 34 about the rear 24 of the grid frame 20 in order to raise or lower the section of the trough body 30 in front of the pivot pin (and thus move the section of the trough body 30 behind the pivot pin in the opposite direction). Such rotatable mounting of the trough body 30 to raise the front section 36 of the trough body 30 can cause contents to be unloaded from the trough body 30. Likewise, rotatable mounting of the trough body 30 to lower the front section 36 of the trough body 30 into its rest position can be used to receive contents into the trough body 30.

[0024] The machine 10 can have an operator's cab 18, which is supported by the lattice frame 20. The machine 10 can also be equipped with a steering mechanism and controls for moving the machine 10 and controls for raising and lowering the skip body 30. The steering mechanism and controls can be located inside the operator's cab 18 of the machine 10.

[0025] The machine 10 may have a drive motor (not expressly shown) supported by the lattice frame 20. Generally, the drive motor may be provided in a grid 21 of the lattice frame 20. The drive motor may be configured to drive the front and rear wheels 14, 16 in the forward or reverse direction. The drive motor may be oriented longitudinally on the lattice frame 20 along a direction of travel of the machine 10. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the drive motor may also be oriented transversely. In one exemplary embodiment, the drive motor may be an internal combustion engine, which may be, for example, a two-stroke or four-stroke diesel engine. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the drive motor may be any other type of internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline engine or an engine powered by gaseous fuel.The drive unit can be connected to the front and / or rear wheels 14, 16 via other components, such as a drive train (not shown), to transmit drive power to move the front and / or rear wheels 14, 16 in a forward or reverse direction.

[0026] Exhaust gas from the drive motor can be discharged through one or more exhaust outlets (not expressly shown). Optionally, the one or more exhaust outlets can generally be provided between the operator's cabin 18 and a front wall 37 of the hopper body 30, such that exhaust gas is supplied to at least one predetermined section of the front wall 37. A coupling (e.g., a bellows) can be provided to connect the one or more exhaust outlets to the front wall 37 of the hopper body 30, for example, to a heating duct provided in or on the front wall 37 of the hopper body 30 to heat the material transported in the hopper body 30. Such a heating configuration can be as set forth in U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,692, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0027] In general, a lattice frame according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, such as the lattice frame 20, can be a frame comprising structural elements connected to one another at nodes and / or joints. The structural elements can include hollow tubes and / or solid tubes and, in some cases, be connected according to a triangulated structure. The structural elements can be made, for example, of metal, metal alloys, or reinforced composite materials. For example, the lattice frame 20 can include a pair of rear frame joints 210 at the rear 24 of the lattice frame 20, a front upper frame joint 270, and a plurality of elongated support elements. According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, elongated support elements can, for example, be in the form of rods and / or tubes, arranged in a circular shape, with some or all of the rods and / or tubes being solid or hollow.The grid frame 20 and the corresponding connections may be as described in US application 16 / 664,009, to which reference is hereby made in full.

[0028] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The front upper frame connection 270, which may be a fabrication, can have a body with a pair of rocker mounting interfaces 272 on an upper surface thereof. The rocker mounting interfaces 272 can be spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the lattice frame 20, for example, provided on opposite outer side edges of the body of the front upper frame connection 270. Each rocker mounting interface 272 can have a pivot pin bore configured to receive a pivot pin. Optionally, the pivot pin can be considered part of the rocker mounting interface 272. An axis of rotation for the pivot pin bore and the pivot pin can be horizontal or substantially horizontal in a longitudinal direction of the lattice frame 20. Furthermore, the axes of rotation for the rocker mounting interfaces 272 can be parallel to each other.

[0029] Each rocker mounting interface 272 can have a support rocker 274 rotatably attached to it via the pivot pin. Since the rocker mounting interfaces 272 can be spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction of the grid frame 20, the support rockers 274 can also be spaced apart from one another. Furthermore, the support rockers 274 can rotate laterally or in a lateral direction of the grid frame 20 about the respective axes of rotation defined by the rocker mounting interfaces 272, or be rotatably mounted.

[0030] According to embodiments of the disclosed object, each support rocker 274 can have an upwardly directed contact surface 275 (see Fig. 2) The upward-facing contact surface 275 can be concave, for example, semi-cylindrical, elliptical, or multi-plane. Additionally, the upward-facing contact surface 275 can be or include padding. According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the support rocker 274 and / or components thereof can be those described in U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,512 and / or U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,551, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As discussed in more detail below, the support rockers 274, and in particular the upward-facing contact surfaces 275 thereof, can accommodate a section of corresponding vertical support structures 370 of the trough body 30.

[0031] Now, with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The trough body 30 can have on the bottom 35 a rear rotary support 310 and a pair of flat contact surfaces 301 and on the front wall 37 a pair of vertical support structures 370 of a support structure arrangement.

[0032] The rear swivel support 310 can be provided on the rear section 34 of the trough body 30, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 3 shows that the rear pivot support 310 can have a pair of rear pivot pins 311. The rear pivot pins 311 can be spaced apart from each other in a width or lateral direction of the trough body 30, as shown in Figure 3. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown. The rear pivot support 310 can also include a transverse element which can be provided between the rear pivot pins 311, fixedly connected to the rear pivot pins 311, or be part of them (i.e., one piece and / or one piece with them).

[0033] The rear pivot support 310 can be fixedly coupled to the base 35 of the trough body 30. For example, the rear pivot support 310 can be welded to the base 35 of the trough body 30. More precisely, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed object, each rear pivot pin 311 can be welded to the base of the trough body 30 with a corresponding longitudinal support element 377. As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, for example, each rear pivot pin 311 can be welded in line with the corresponding longitudinal support element 377. Thus, the rear pivot pin 311 can be considered part of the longitudinal support element 377 (i.e., as a single piece and / or one piece with it). Additionally, transverse support elements 378 can be accommodated in cutouts in the rear pivot pins 311.

[0034] The base 35 of the trough body 30 can include the majority of flat contact surfaces 301, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that the flat contact surfaces 301 can have the shape of a plate, such as a rectangular or square plate, although embodiments of the disclosed object are not limited to the geometries described above. Optionally, the flat contact surfaces 301 can have a chamfered section on one of their lower edges.

[0035] The flat contact surfaces 301 can generally be provided on a central section of the trough body 30. In a top view of the trough body 30, the pair of flat contact surfaces 301 can be located in the longitudinal direction of the trough body 30 between the rear rotary support 310 and the pair of vertical support structures 370. Additionally, the flat contact surfaces 301 can be provided on corresponding longitudinal support body elements 377. For example, the flat contact surfaces 301 can be provided on inwardly facing surfaces of the longitudinal support body elements 377. Thus, in embodiments of the disclosed product, the flat contact surfaces 301 can be vertically oriented, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that the flat contact surface 301 on one longitudinal support element 377 can be spaced apart from the flat contact surface 301 on the opposite longitudinal support element 377 in the width direction of the trough body 30. Therefore, Figure 4 shows that the flat contact surface 301 on one longitudinal support element 377 can be spaced apart from the flat contact surface 301 on the opposite longitudinal support element 377 in the width direction of the trough body 30. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows only one flat contact surface 301 (although this surface may include several flat contact surface sections, as discussed below), the other being provided on the inwardly facing surface of the nearby longitudinal support body element 377. The flat contact surfaces 301 may, for example, be coupled to the longitudinal support body elements 377 by welding, riveting, or bolting, as non-limiting examples.

[0036] According to one or more embodiments, each flat contact surface 301 can consist of a first flat contact surface section and a second flat contact surface section spaced apart from the first flat contact surface section in the longitudinal direction of the trough body 30, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown. Optionally, the first and second flat contact surface sections of the flat contact surface 301 can have the same configuration. Of course, each flat contact surface 301 can be represented by a single flat contact surface (e.g., a single plate) according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. For example, only one of the first or the second flat contact surface section shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows the flat contact surface 301.

[0037] When the trough body 30 is in a lowered position (i.e., rest position), the flat contact surfaces 301 attached to the trough body 30 can be positioned adjacent to outer or lateral sides of outer elongated support elements of the lattice frame 20 to accommodate horizontal or lateral loads.

[0038] A support structure arrangement can be fixedly mounted to the front surface of the front wall 37 of the hopper body 30, the front wall 37 being located between opposing side walls 38 of the hopper body 30 and extending from one end of a bottom wall 39 to the bottom 35 of the hopper body 30. The support structure arrangement can consist of a pair of vertical support structures 370 fixed to the front surface of the front wall 37, for example by welding. The vertical support structures 370 can be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction of the hopper body 30. According to one or more embodiments, the vertical support structures 370 can be centered on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the hopper body 30 in a front view of the machine 10, as shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0039] Optional, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the vertical support structures 370 can be hollow, elongated support elements. According to one or more embodiments, each of the vertical support structures 370 can be formed from formed sheet metal, for example, from several pieces of formed sheet metal. Thus, according to one or more embodiments, the vertical support structures 370 can consist of a plurality of vertical support structure sections. Optionally, a loading plate 372 can be provided between sections of the vertical support structures 370, for example, for manufacturing purposes (i.e., placing the lower sections of the vertical support structures 370, which form the downward-facing contact surfaces 371).

[0040] The vertical support structures 370 can be vertical at least in the front view of the trough body 30. Depending on the configuration of the front wall 37 of the trough body 30, the vertical support structures 370 can generally be vertical in a side view of the trough body 30, for example at an angle of 20 degrees or less from the vertical.

[0041] According to one or more embodiments, the support structure arrangement can also include a horizontal support structure 375, which can also be fixed (e.g., welded) to the front surface of the front wall 37. The horizontal support structure 375 can extend through the vertical support structures 370. For example, the horizontal support structure 375 can extend through the vertical support structures 370 such that a first section of the horizontal support structure 375 is located between the vertical support structures 370, a second section of the horizontal support structure 375 is located between one of the vertical support structures 370 and one of the side walls 38, and a third section of the horizontal support structure 375 is located between the other vertical support structure 370 and the other of the side walls 38.

[0042] Opposite ends of the horizontal support structure 375 can be offset inwards from the corresponding side walls 38. That is, the opposite ends of the horizontal support structure 375 must not touch the side walls 38. The cut surfaces of the horizontal support structure 375 and each vertical support structure 370 can be fixed, for example, by welding. Optionally, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the horizontal support structure 375 can be a hollow, elongated support element. According to one or more embodiments, the horizontal support structure 375 can be made of formed sheet metal.

[0043] The vertical support structure 370 can be thicker (i.e., extend further from the front wall 37) than the horizontal support structure 375. For example, the vertical support structure 370 can be thicker than the horizontal support structure 375 at least where the horizontal support structure 375 intersects the vertical support structures 370. Additionally, the vertical support structures 370 can be thicker at a lower section compared to an upper section (i.e., extend further from the front wall 37). That is, the vertical support structure 370 can taper from thick to thin from the lower section to the upper section, which, according to one or more embodiments, can result in an upper transverse support element 379.

[0044] The lower sections of the vertical support structures 370 can form downward-facing contact surfaces 371. According to one or more embodiments, the downward-facing contact surface 371 can be convex, for example semi-cylindrical, as shown in Fig. Figures 2-4 and 6 show that the support structures 370 can be elliptical or multi-plane. The downward-facing contact surfaces 371 of the vertical support structures 370 can have the same configuration. The downward-facing contact surfaces 371 can be configured to be received or supported in the upward-facing contact surfaces 275 of the support rockers 274. Unlike the support rockers 274, the vertical support structures 370 themselves are not rotatably mounted.

[0045] According to one or more embodiments, one or more longitudinal body support elements 377 can extend from the bottom wall 39 to the front wall 37 (i.e., transition from horizontal to vertical). As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, for example, two longitudinal support elements 377 can extend along the front wall 37, such that their ends are provided between the vertical support structures 370. Optionally, a loading platform 373 can be provided between sections of the vertical support structures 370, for example, for manufacturing purposes.

[0046] With reference to Fig. 5. An internal support 40 can be provided at the corners between the side walls 38 and the front wall 37. In general, the internal supports 40 can provide protective interfaces between the side walls 38 and the front wall 37 to transfer stresses from an actual interface between the side walls 38 and the front wall 37. The internal supports 40 can also prevent the corners at the interface surface between the side walls 38 and the front wall 37 from being relatively sharp, which could otherwise allow material being conveyed into the trough body 30 to collapse at the relatively sharp corners. Commercial applicability

[0047] As noted above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to front wall support arrangements for a dump body for dump trucks and systems, components and methods thereof.

[0048] Embodiments of the disclosed object can provide a lightweight, durable machine configuration with a reliable support definition of load points between the trough body 30 and the lattice frame 20, for example with regard to dimensional variations due to tolerances and / or component deflections.

[0049] According to embodiments of the disclosed object, the trough body 30 can operationally contact the grid frame 20 according to a predetermined contact arrangement. For example, embodiments of the disclosed object can provide a six-point contact arrangement between the trough body 30 and the grid frame 20. According to embodiments of the disclosed object, such a contact arrangement can be provided when the trough body 30 is in a rest position. The rest position, as used herein, can mean that the trough body 30 is in a lowest or fully lowered position and is not being raised by the lifting cylinders.

[0050] A first pair of contact points can be provided by the rear frame connection 210 of the lattice frame 20 and the rear pivot pins 311 of the rear pivot supports 310 of the trough body 30. The rear frame connection 210 can be rotatably mounted to the trough body 30 via the rear pivot pin 311. Such a connection allows the front section 36 of the trough body 30 to be raised and lowered between its uppermost and lowermost positions by rotation about the common axis of rotation created by the connection between the rear frame connection 210 and the rear pivot pins 311.

[0051] A second pair of contact points can be provided by positioning the flat contact surfaces 301 relative to outer elongated support elements. In particular, the flat contact surfaces 301, which may be located on the trough body 30 or a part thereof and not on the grid frame 20, can be positioned adjacent to the outer or lateral sides of the outer elongated support elements of the grid frame 20. Additionally, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the flat contact surfaces 301 can contact the outer elongated support elements. Such positioning of the flat contact surfaces 301 can occur when the trough body 30 is in its lowest or rest position. Furthermore, such positioning of the flat contact surfaces 301 can absorb lateral or horizontal forces from the corresponding outer elongated support elements of the grid frame 20.Additionally, as noted above, the flat contact surfaces 301 can have a chamfered section on one of their lower edges. Such a chamfered section can aid in centering the recess body 30 when the recess body 30 is moved into the rest or fully lowered position.

[0052] A third pair of contact points can be provided by the removable positioning of the vertical support structures 370, in particular their downward-facing contact surfaces 371, on the support rockers 274, in particular their upward-facing contact surfaces 275. According to embodiments of the disclosed object, the downward-facing contact surface 371 can be removablely mounted on the upward-facing contact surface 275. Additionally, in a front view of the machine 10, a vertical centerline axis of the downward-facing contact surface 371 of each of the vertical support structures 370 can be offset from the axis of rotation (i.e., pivot axis) of a corresponding support rocker 274. For example, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the vertical centerline axis of the downward-facing contact surface 371 can be offset inwards in a width direction of the machine 10 relative to the axis of rotation for the support rocker 274.

[0053] Support structure arrangements on the front wall 37 of the trough body 30 according to embodiments of the disclosed object can transfer the load through the lattice frame 20 to the front suspension system and the front wheels 14. In particular, the vertical support structures 370, especially the downward-facing contact surfaces 371, can, when they contact the upward-facing contact surfaces 275 of the support rockers 274, transfer load through the lattice frame 20 to the front suspension system and the front wheels 14. In fact, as an example, the entire vertical load (e.g., F1, F2 and the vertical component of F3) can be transferred through the lattice frame 20 to the front suspension system and the front wheels 14. Fig. 6) pass through or are shared by the pivot pins of the rocker mounting interfaces 272 and the support rockers 274 via the vertical support structures 370, in particular the downward-facing contact surfaces 371. To a certain extent, a support for horizontal components of force vectors (e.g., F4, F5 and horizontal component F3 of Fig. 6) with respect to the load of the trough body 30, which is transferred to the front wheels 14 by the lattice frame 20 and the front suspension system, can be controlled on the basis of the inclination or offset of the pivot axis of the support rocker 274 relative to the vertical centerline of the vertical support structure 370. However, support structure arrangements on the front wall 37 of the trough body 30 can, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, also provide support for the horizontal components of force vectors.

[0054] Furthermore, since the support rockers 274 can be mounted to rotate laterally and independently of one another, and since both the support rockers 274 and the vertical support structures 370 can have interacting contact surfaces (i.e., upward-facing contact surfaces 275 and downward-facing contact surfaces 371, respectively), a proper fit between the vertical support structures 370 and the support rockers 274 can be maintained, especially when the trough body 30 is in the rest position, even if the machine 10 is moving, for example. Such an arrangement, as shown schematically in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, this can provide a uniform load distribution LD with respect to each side of the support arrangement (i.e., side to side or laterally).

[0055] Additionally in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, in a front view, the combinations of support rocker 274 / vertical support structure 370 can be located along the longitudinal axes of respective front struts 121, which are connected to respective front suspension elements 120 on the same sides of the lattice frame 20. For example, the axis of rotation of the support rocker 274 can be aligned with a longitudinal axis of a corresponding front strut 121. The longitudinal axes can intersect at a point CL1 on a vertical centerline on a top surface of the trough body 30. Of course, embodiments of the disclosed object are not so restricted, and the longitudinal axis of the front strut 121 can be aligned with the combination of support rocker 274 / vertical support structure 370 in a different way than the axis of rotation of the support rocker 274. Likewise, in Fig.As shown in Figure 2, the longitudinal axes of additional suspension elements on opposite sides of the lattice frame 20 can intersect at point CL2 on the same vertical centerline of the machine 10 as point CL1. The arrangement of the third pair of contact points can therefore transfer the load evenly from the trough body 30, via the support rockers 274 and the lattice frame 20, to the front suspension system.

[0056] While aspects of the present disclosure have been shown and described in particular with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art understand that various additional embodiments may be considered by modifying the disclosed machines, assemblies, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood as falling within the scope of the present disclosure as determined on the basis of the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

[1] Support structure arrangement, comprising: a first vertical support structure (370) extending from a front surface of a front wall (37) of a trough body (30), wherein the first vertical support structure (370) has a bottom section forming a first downwardly directed contact surface (371); a second vertical support structure (370) extending from the front surface of the front wall (37), wherein the second vertical support structure (370) has a bottom section forming a second downward-facing contact surface (371); and a horizontal support structure (375) extending from the front surface of the front wall (37), wherein the horizontal support structure (375) extends through the first and second vertical support structure (370), wherein the first and the second vertical support structure (370) are elongated structural elements spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction of the trough body (30), wherein each of the first and second downward-facing contact surfaces (371) is convex, wherein the trough body (30) is configured to be provided on a lattice frame (20) of an all-terrain rear tipper (10). [2] Support structure arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second downward-facing contact surface (371) are semi-cylindrical, elliptical or with multiple planes. [3] Support structure arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal support structure (375) extends from both sides of each of the first and the second vertical support structure (370). [4] Support structure arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the interface surfaces of the horizontal support structure (375) and the first and second vertical support structures (370) are welded together. [5] Support structure arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first and second vertical support structure (370) and the horizontal support structure (375) are hollow, and wherein the first and second vertical support structure (370) are thicker than the horizontal support structure (375) at least where the horizontal support structure (375) intersects the first and second vertical support structure (370). [6] Support structure arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second vertical support structure (370) is thicker at the bottom section in a side view of the support structure arrangement. [7] Dump body (30) of an all-terrain rear dump truck (10) configured to be provided on a lattice frame (20) of the all-terrain rear dump truck (10), wherein the dump body (30) comprises: a floor wall (39); a pair of opposite side walls (38); and a front wall (37) between the opposite side walls (38) and extending from the bottom wall (39), wherein a support structure arrangement is fixed to a front surface of the front wall (37), the support structure arrangement includes: a first vertical support structure (370) extending from the front surface of the front wall (37), wherein the first vertical support structure (370) has a first downwardly directed contact surface (371) on a lower section thereof, and a second vertical support structure (370) extending from the front surface of the front wall (37), wherein the second vertical support structure (370) has a second downwardly directed contact surface (371) on a lower section thereof, wherein the first and the second vertical support structure (370) are elongated structural elements spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the trough body (30) such that the first and the second vertical support structure (370) are spaced evenly from a vertical center line of the trough body (30), and wherein each of the first and the second downward-facing contact surfaces (371) is convex. [8] Trough body according to claim 7, wherein the support structure arrangement further includes a horizontal support structure (375) extending from the front surface of the front wall (37), wherein the horizontal support structure (375) extends through the first and the second vertical support structure (370), such that a first section of the horizontal support structure (375) is located between the first and the second vertical support structure (370), a second section of the horizontal support structure (375) is located between the first vertical support structure (370) and a first of the side walls (38), and a third section of the horizontal support structure (375) is located between the second vertical support structure (370) and a second of the side walls (38), and wherein outer ends of the second and third sections of the horizontal support structure (375) are offset inwards and do not touch the respective side walls (38). [9] Trough body according to claim 7, further comprising a first and a second longitudinal body support element (377) which extend in a longitudinal direction of the trough body (30) from the bottom wall (39) to the front wall (37) between the first and the second vertical support structure (370).

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