Protective capsule for earthmoving machines

Abstract

A pod for protecting electronic devices of earth moving machines, the pod comprising one or more walls arranged to form an inner cavity configured to house electronic devices and an opening therethrough to access the cavity, the opening being at least partially capped by a cover, one or more of the walls causing the pod to have a geometry that is convex and adapted to be extracted from a cavity of the earth moving machine by rotating the pod. Also a device for earth moving machines comprising a cavity and a pod.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of earthmoving machinery. More specifically, this invention relates to a housing for earthmoving machinery, which may be incorporated, for example, into its wear elements or excavating instruments to enumerate individual devices of the machine. Background Technology

[0002] In earthmoving machinery, such as excavators or loaders (e.g., those including excavating tools like buckets, shovels, and diggers), material is pushed, pulled, and / or collected. Excavating tools (e.g., buckets) primarily experience high stress and significant wear in the area known as the blades. For this reason, blades typically have multiple protective elements mounted thereon to protect the blades and the excavating tool from wear. These protective elements also increase the penetrating power of the excavating tool against the ground and its scraping force on the surface.

[0003] All these components are subjected to high mechanical demands, strain, and severe wear. For this reason, they must typically be replaced at certain frequencies when wear becomes necessary. As a whole, these protective components are often referred to as wear elements or ground work tools, or GETs.

[0004] To monitor the wear or any condition of wear components, the condition or other measurements of other parts of the earthmoving machinery (such as the traction mechanism, boom, or stick) may affect ground operations or the machine itself. Different parts of the earthmoving machinery may include sensing devices that measure these measurements, such as the strain they experience or any other parameters. However, the measurement results and the information obtained from processing those results (if any) remain at the location of the sensing device (e.g., wear components, traction mechanism, boom, stick, hydraulic cylinders, excavating tools, etc.), because that is the location of the electronics used for sensing. To extract the data, a wireless communication link is typically required to transmit the data to a remote device, such as the earthmoving machinery's cabin, control center, or cloud computing.

[0005] Therefore, in addition to electronic devices for measurement, as seen in patent documents WO-2017017289-A1, WO-2012107848-A1, US-20150284935-A1, and WO-2012116408-A1, when machine devices such as wear elements include sensing devices, they typically also include tools for radiating and capturing electromagnetic waves, such as RFID tags, antennas for near-field communication, or, for example, monopole antennas, in this way, wirelessly transmitting data from the sensing device. With the former two, the coverage of the electromagnetic waves is usually limited. With the latter, the mechanical reliability of the antenna is not high enough to withstand the stresses experienced by the wear element; furthermore, the required size of the antenna may preclude its integration into certain devices (such as wear elements), especially where the operating frequency must be lower.

[0006] Furthermore, the maintenance and disassembly of the chambers used in earthmoving machinery also presents a problem. During the operation of earthmoving machinery, the cavities leading to the chambers typically deform due to the stress they bear. This, in turn, causes the cavities or their openings to narrow, through which the chambers are initially introduced into their first position. In addition, soil and various solids or liquids often enter the parts of the machine through which the chambers are housed. Soil and other solid particles, in particular, are compacted during machine operation and exert pressure on the chambers, causing them to deform. The solids and liquids entering the chambers affect their mechanical properties; this deterioration can eventually damage or even break the chambers, potentially damaging and halting the operation of the equipment or devices they protect. These problems hinder the removal of the chambers, as they are difficult to remove whenever the cavities and chambers are contaminated with dirt, fine powder, and subjected to high pressure.

[0007] Therefore, efforts are being made to provide a housing for earthmoving machinery, in which the antenna can better withstand the stresses of the equipment inside the earthmoving machinery and also has better radio performance. This protective housing is preferably attachable to the equipment of the earthmoving machinery or can be incorporated into a device within the earthmoving machinery. Furthermore, efforts are also being made to provide a compact antenna, in some embodiments, which can operate at frequencies below 1000 MHz. Alternatively or additionally, it is convenient that the protective housing can be easily removed whenever it becomes the target of a maintenance task or is to be removed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a housing for protecting electronic devices used in earthmoving machinery, the housing comprising: a wall surrounding an inner cavity and a slotted antenna disposed in at least one of the walls, the inner cavity being configured to accommodate the electronic devices or at least one or more components thereof.

[0009] The enclosure can both protect the electronic device or one or more components thereof, and wirelessly transmit data from the electronic device to an electronic device located remotely from the enclosure, and / or wirelessly receive data from a remote electronic device and provide it to that electronic device. As an example, the electronic device and / or one or more components thereof are, for example, but not limited to, one or more sensors, one or more batteries, one or more storage units, etc. As an example, the electronic device can be a controller for monitoring and / or operating earthmoving machinery, and can be located, for example, in a control center or within the earthmoving machinery (e.g., its nacelle).

[0010] The enclosure does not require antennas such as monopole antennas, dipole antennas, patch antennas, or microchip antennas, which would occupy space within the cavity or must be connected to another part of the enclosure or earthmoving machinery located away from it. Nevertheless, in addition to the slot antenna, one or more antennas can be arranged for wireless transmission and / or reception at frequencies other than the slot antenna's operating frequency, or for redundancy purposes.

[0011] The housing advantageously utilizes one or more of its walls to radiate and / or capture electromagnetic waves for wireless data transmission and / or reception. This, in turn, allows for a smaller overall volume required for protection and wireless transmission / reception, higher communication reliability due to the antenna's resistance to damage, and / or simpler and more reliable integration of the antenna into earthmoving machinery, particularly when the housing is introduced into or attached to abrasive elements such as teeth, couplings, casting lips, or excavating tools (e.g., buckets). Therefore, the housing is preferably suited for introduction into the cavity of earthmoving machinery or attachment to abrasive elements, excavating devices, booms, sticks, hydraulic cylinders (e.g., bucket cylinders), traction mechanisms (e.g., continuous tracks), or the bottom of the earthmoving machinery's cab.

[0012] In some embodiments, the housing further includes a dielectric material that fills the slotted antenna slot.

[0013] The dielectric material can be part of one or more walls forming the slot antenna, or part of one or more components suitable for removably filling the slot antenna slot, such as a removable cover or cap, or part of a filling material that fills the slot and cavity together with the electronic devices therein by, for example, potting. Regarding the latter, since the material also fills the cavity, it similarly protects the electronic devices within the cavity. The dielectric material preferably fills the slot as completely as possible to hermetically seal the cavity, thereby reducing or completely preventing the ingress of, for example, soil particles or other particles that could short-circuit or affect the radio performance of the slot antenna. The dielectric material can be, for example, epoxy resin, silicone, plastic, etc.

[0014] In some embodiments, the slot antenna is adapted to operate at frequencies below 3000 MHz. In some embodiments, this frequency is between 2400 MHz and 2500 MHz.

[0015] Slot antennas are capable of radiating and / or capturing electromagnetic waves in the ISM band, for example, from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz.

[0016] In some embodiments, the slot antenna is adapted or further adapted to operate at frequencies below 1000 MHz.

[0017] In some embodiments, the frequency is between 430 MHz and 440 MHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is between 433.0 MHz and 435.0 MHz.

[0018] In some embodiments, the frequency is between 865.0 MHz and 870.0 MHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is between 900 MHz and 930 MHz.

[0019] Slot antennas are capable of radiating and / or capturing electromagnetic waves at frequencies below 1.0 GHz, while being compact in size and more mechanically durable than antennas such as monopole antennas or patch antennas.

[0020] Slot antennas can radiate and / or capture electromagnetic waves in the ISM band with a frequency range of 430 MHz to 440 MHz, which is characterized by low propagation loss compared to other frequency bands at higher frequencies, and / or radiate and / or capture electromagnetic waves in one or more ISM bands with frequency ranges of 865 MHz and 870 MHz and 900 MHz and 930 MHz.

[0021] In some embodiments, at least one wall has a maximum length, i.e., the maximum dimension of at least one wall on which the slot antenna is disposed along a particular longitudinal direction, has a maximum width in a particular first transverse direction and a thickness in a second transverse direction, the maximum length is greater than or equal to the maximum width and the slot antenna has a maximum length, i.e., the maximum dimension of the slot antenna located on at least one of the walls along the longitudinal direction is at least 60% and less than or equal to 100% of the maximum length of at least one of the walls.

[0022] A slot antenna can occupy most or all of the length of at least one wall to establish a following path for current when radiating or capturing electromagnetic waves, thereby enabling the slot antenna to operate at a lower frequency.

[0023] In some embodiments, the slot antenna is not a straight slot.

[0024] A slot antenna can comprise multiple segments, each connected along its length to one or more other segments such that the longitudinal directions of the segments form an angle between them. In other words, two directly adjacent segments are connected so that they are not parallel. This increases the effective length of the slot antenna, which determines one or more operating frequencies.

[0025] In some embodiments, one or more segments of the slot antenna are straight. In some embodiments, one or more segments of the slot antenna are curved.

[0026] In some embodiments, at least one wall on which the antenna is disposed is a cover, and the cover may be detachably attached to one or more walls of the housing.

[0027] The cover allows personnel to inspect, retrieve, and / or replace any devices within the cavity after decoupling or detaching the cover. For example, the electronic device may have one or more storage units that store data generated by the electronic device's circuitry, sensing devices, and / or processor for subsequent processing.

[0028] When a housing is arranged within a wear element, one or more of the aforementioned operations can be performed, whether when the wear element is to be replaced by another wear element due to wear and damage it has endured, as part of a maintenance task, or when the wear element in question or another wear element connected to it fails. Workers can also replace, for example, an electronic device's battery when it runs out, instead of replacing the entire electronic device, although typically the lifespan of a wear element is shorter than that of a battery.

[0029] When the housing is located in, for example, an excavator, boom, stick, hydraulic cylinder, nacelle bottom, or traction mechanism, one or more of the above operations may be performed from time to time during maintenance of the earthmoving machinery or its components, or, for example, as part of preventative maintenance tasks.

[0030] In some embodiments, the slot antenna is disposed on one wall of the housing, which is located at the rear end of the housing.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the housing will be arranged in the wear element of the earthmoving machinery with its front end facing the opposite front end of the earthmoving machinery, and thus towards the ground that the earthmoving machinery will engage during mechanical operation.

[0032] In some embodiments, the capsule includes two walls, and a slotted antenna is disposed in the first and second walls of the capsule, which are shaped according to the container. In some embodiments, the capsule includes three or more walls, with the second, third, and other walls mechanically connected to form the container.

[0033] The chamber is characterized by its internal cavity protecting the electronics only through two walls that are mechanically joined together (i.e., using more walls is also feasible). From a mechanical perspective, reducing the number of walls is advantageous because the mechanical joints of the walls are often the weakest points of the chamber. During earthmoving operations, the strain or stress applied to the chamber can cause it to crack at its weakest point. In some cases, the joints between the walls may have some space after each pair of walls joins, through which soil (whether dry or wet) can enter the cavity and damage the protected electronics.

[0034] In some embodiments, the compartment further includes an electronic device including a power source; the electronic device is at least configured for wireless data transmission and electrically connected to a slotted antenna; the cavity partially or completely houses the electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device is further configured for wireless data reception.

[0035] An electronic device or its components, while protected by a housing, can transmit data it generates or processes to other devices located away from the housing. The electronic device is configured to transmit and / or receive data at one or more operating frequencies of the slot antenna. For this purpose, the electronic device includes a wireless communication module, such as a modem, for transmitting data via a communication protocol or standard operating over one or more frequency bandwidths; the housing also protects the wireless communication module. The communication protocol or standard uses an operating bandwidth with one or more frequencies that make the slot antenna suitable for radiating and capturing electromagnetic waves.

[0036] In addition, in some cases, electronic devices can also receive data from devices located far from the housing, such as commands to change the operating mode of the electronic device, for example, entering a sleep state, waking up from a sleep state, changing the frequency at which the electronic device generates, processes and / or transmits data, or changing the type of processing applied to the data.

[0037] When only one or some components of the electronic device are inside the cavity, the cavity partially accommodates the electronic device, while when the entire device is inside the cavity, the cavity completely accommodates the electronic device.

[0038] In some embodiments, the electronic device further includes at least one sensor configured to sense changes in the earthmoving machinery to which the housing is to be installed. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor is configured to sense one or more of the following: strain, wear, stress, temperature, acceleration, location (e.g., GPS), material / terrain (for its identification), and detachment of wear elements.

[0039] The electronic device can process measurements from at least one sensor and transmit them via a slotted antenna to inform the ground engagement operation and / or even the status and / or operation of machine-related parts; for example, when the housing is inside a wear element, the measurements can indicate how the wear element is penetrating and / or scratching the ground, and / or the degree of wear of the wear element. Therefore, measurements from at least one sensor can be used to estimate the degree of wear of a part or component of the machine in which the housing is located, the characteristics of the engaged ground, the angle of attack of the wear element when it receives the housing, etc. Thus, the measurements and / or any estimates derived therefrom can be used to monitor machine parts or components, predict their maintenance needs, notify the operator of the earthmoving machinery or the operator in the control center of the ground engagement operation, and control the earthmoving machinery by providing data to a controller that automatically adjusts the operation of the earthmoving machinery (e.g., adjusting the angle of attack, adjusting the trajectory of the excavator when in contact with the ground, adjusting the forces applied by the earthmoving machinery, etc.).

[0040] In some embodiments, at least one sensor includes one or more of the following: strain gauge, pressure gauge, relative displacement gauge, fiber optic strip, piezoelectric strip, stress sensor, and accelerometer.

[0041] In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a PCB. In some embodiments, the PCB is inside the cavity. In other embodiments, the PCB is outside the cavity.

[0042] To protect the PCB, it can be inside the enclosure, but also outside to reduce the size of the enclosure, or to protect other components of the electronic device, such as one or more batteries, sensors, etc. When the PCB is outside and includes a modem, the modem and slot antenna can be connected, for example, via an SMA cable or similar means.

[0043] In some embodiments, the PCB is flexible, i.e., a flexible thin-film PCB.

[0044] In some embodiments, the housing has a central axis defining an axial direction, a front end, and a rear end axially opposite the front end, and includes a container formed by one or more walls, in which a slot antenna is not disposed, the container extending axially from the front end and having an internal cavity; and a cover can be detachably engaged to the container and adapted to cover the rear portion of the container. In some embodiments, when the cover is engaged with the container, the cover is adapted to form a flange.

[0045] The cover forming the slotted antenna is sized to provide a flange for the housing. The flanged cover simplifies removal, allowing access to the interior cavity. The cover can be detachably attached to the container via an attachment mechanism, such as one or more threaded through-holes and corresponding screws(s) or similar objects inserted into said one or more holes. It should be noted that a corresponding attachment mechanism in the form of one or more threaded holes or threaded through-holes is also provided at the rear end of the container; screws(s) are inserted into the holes(s) of both the cover and the container to connect them.

[0046] In some cases, the rear of the container is shaped to also provide a flange for the compartment; that is, both the rear of the container and the lid are shaped to form flanges. Providing a flange on the rear of the container can further simplify the attachment and disengagement process, as the attachment mechanism can be arranged in a simpler manner due to the shape matching of the two flanges.

[0047] In some embodiments, one or more walls of the housing (including or excluding, or not including at least one wall on which a slot antenna is disposed) include one or more holes adapted to receive one or more cables. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes one or more cables.

[0048] Electronic devices within the enclosure can be electrically connected to their components (such as one or more sensors, batteries, etc.) or to another electronic device located outside the enclosure via wired physical connections in the form of one or more cables. For this purpose, the enclosure walls may have through-holes through which the cables pass, allowing one end of the cables to connect to one or more components of the electronic device within the internal cavity, while the other end of the cables connects to external components or another electronic device outside the enclosure.

[0049] In some embodiments, the wall without the slotted antenna disposed thereon provides the pod with a protruding geometry that is convex, adapted to allow the pod to be removed from the cavity of the earthmoving machinery by rotating the pod.

[0050] As explained in more detail later, the protruding geometry simplifies the removal of the compartment from the cavity. By applying torque to the compartment to make it rotate, the protruding geometry of the compartment avoids or reduces collisions with the geometry of the cavity.

[0051] In some embodiments, at least one wall is located at the first end of the compartment, and the protruding geometry protrudes toward the second end of the compartment, which is opposite to the first end.

[0052] Electromagnetic waves radiated and captured by the slot antenna experience less propagation loss because the geometry of the first end is opposite to that of the protrusion extending into the cavity.

[0053] In some embodiments, at least one wall includes one or more protruding surfaces for allowing a removal tool to apply torque on a corresponding protrusion to remove the compartment from the cavity, the one or more protruding surfaces extending parallel to the maximum surface of at least one wall.

[0054] In some embodiments, the compartment further includes a cap that engages with a cover, the cap including one or more protrusions for contacting the walls of the cavity. In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions include a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from and parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the cap is made of a material such as ethylene-propylene-monomer rubber (EPDM rubber), Hypalon, fluororubber, polyurethane, etc.; the material preferably has a certain degree of flexibility.

[0055] Due to the material of the cover, if it does introduce any propagation loss, it is negligible. Because the cover covers the slot antenna, it prevents particles from entering the cavity through the slot antenna and increases the friction between the compartment and the cavity with protrusions, thus ensuring the compartment remains reliably attached to the cavity.

[0056] In some embodiments, the cap is detachably engaged with the cover.

[0057] In some embodiments, the cap includes a groove that mates with one or more protruding surfaces of the cap.

[0058] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the protruding geometry is chamfered. In some embodiments, the compartment has a cuboid shape, and at least two opposite edges of one or more walls are chamfered.

[0059] In some embodiments, the prominent geometry allows the compartment to be removed from the cavity by rotating the compartment about only one axis of rotation.

[0060] In some embodiments, the protruding geometry has one or two planes of symmetry.

[0061] In some embodiments, the cover includes one or more recesses, each recess adapted to receive a sensor. In some embodiments, the housing further includes one or more sensors, which are Hall effect sensors.

[0062] In some embodiments, the compartment further includes a misconnection prevention (foolproof) connection member.

[0063] The error-proofing connection member can be integrally formed on one or more walls of the housing, preferably on one or more walls excluding the slot antenna, or it can be a separate member mechanically connected to it. The error-proofing connection member can be a protruding member designed to mate with an error-proofing connection member of the cavity of the receiving housing; in this case, the latter error-proofing connection member is a recess. The shapes of the two members are adapted so that the housing can only be introduced into the cavity in a specific orientation.

[0064] The second aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for earthmoving machinery, the apparatus comprising a chamber according to the first or seventh aspect of the invention and a cavity having the chamber disposed therein.

[0065] The electronic device protected by the enclosure generates and preferably processes measurements taken at the device, such as strain applied to the device. The enclosure can be secured to the cavity using attachment mechanisms known in the art, such as, but not limited to, adhesives, or materials that fill the space between the enclosure and the cavity, preferably flexible materials like epoxy resins or foam plastics.

[0066] In some embodiments, the device is a mating system or a coupling system for wear elements.

[0067] The mating or engagement system is a mechanical attachment between the recess or cavity of a tooth and the protrusion or nose of an engagement device. In some embodiments, the cavity is in the engagement device, while the nose is in the tooth; this type of connection is referred to as a reverse engagement system.

[0068] In some embodiments, the device is a wear element.

[0069] The arrangement of the chamber within one wear element or another affects both the measurements taken and the propagation of electromagnetic waves, as the size and material of other wear elements, soil, and / or the wear elements themselves interfere with the propagation of electromagnetic waves.

[0070] In some embodiments, the wear element is a connector, intermediate connector, or a casting / welded part on the nose. Hereinafter, the term connector includes connectors in two-piece systems, intermediate connectors in three-piece systems, and also connectors welded or cast onto the nose of the blade, and it will be understood that the invention includes all alternative embodiments with wear element systems.

[0071] The connector has a first attachment end designed to engage the connector with teeth, and a second attachment end designed to engage the connector with a shovel or another connector (usually in the case of an intermediate connector).

[0072] The arrangement of the housing within the connector or in the casting / welded part of the nose may result in lower housing costs when the housing is placed inside the gear. Replacing the connector or the casting / welded part on the nose is less frequent than replacing the gear, thus requiring a lower frequency of new housings to be supplied when the housing is placed on the gear. This, in turn, reduces the handling of the housing and / or its components, even if they are recycled, as fewer housings and electronics need to be produced in the first place.

[0073] In some embodiments, the wear element is a tooth. The tooth has a wear end designed for wear with use and an attachment end for engaging the tooth with a connector.

[0074] In this case, the attachment end has a cavity portion adapted to receive a connecting protrusion that is cast or welded onto the nose (depending on whether the wear element system is one of a two-piece system, such as a tooth and a connector, or one of a three-piece system, such as a tooth, an intermediate connector, a connector, or a casting / welded part on the nose). The recess has a cavity for receiving a protrusion of another wear element of the system; the protrusion is also referred to as the nose.

[0075] In some embodiments, the cavity is disposed within a recess at the second attachment end of the tooth or connector. In some embodiments, the cavity is formed in the wall of the nose portion of the connector.

[0076] In addition to the attachment mechanism used to secure the chamber to the cavity, the protrusion received in the recess also prevents the chamber from moving or falling off from the wear element. When the cavity is formed on the wall closest to the wear end, strain measurements are closer to the wear end, which may result in more accurate sensing in certain types of sensing, such as strain.

[0077] In some embodiments, a cavity is arranged on the outer surface of the wear element.

[0078] In some embodiments, the cavity is arranged on the surface of the tooth at the end opposite the wear end.

[0079] Whenever the tooth engages with the connector, the surface having the cavity formed therein preferably contacts the connector. The connector protects the housing from detaching from the tooth. Furthermore, this arrangement reduces interfering elements or materials that negatively impact the propagation of electromagnetic waves.

[0080] In some embodiments, a cavity is arranged in the protrusion. In some embodiments, the cavity is on the surface of the front end of the protrusion (that is, the end that is introduced more inward in the recess for receiving the wear element). In other embodiments, the cavity is adjacent to a through-hole of the connector or tooth for receiving a pin for mechanically securing the connector to the tooth; in these cases, the cavity is preferably parallel to the through-hole.

[0081] In some embodiments, the cavity is disposed in the rear portion of the connector. In some embodiments, the cavity is located on the surface of the protrusion extending from the first attachment end. In other embodiments, the cavity is on the outer surface of the rear portion.

[0082] In some embodiments, the outermost surface of at least one wall in which a slot antenna is arranged is flush with the surface of an opening in which a wear element (i.e., a tooth or a connector) forms a cavity.

[0083] The arrangement of the slot antenna flush with the surface at the beginning of the cavity opening advantageously reduces the propagation loss of electromagnetic waves radiated and / or captured by the slot antenna compared to when the slot antenna is inside the cavity. Therefore, the transmitted power can be lower than in the latter case, or remain unchanged, but the received wave power will be greater.

[0084] In some embodiments, the device is one of the following: boom, stick, hydraulic cylinder (such as stick cylinder), traction mechanism (such as continuous track, or cabin).

[0085] The enclosure protects the electronic devices or components housed within the equipment. Therefore, in addition to protecting the equipment and / or its components, the enclosure also enables wireless transmission and / or reception of data.

[0086] Preferably, but not necessarily, the device includes a cavity for receiving and accommodating the compartment, at least when the compartment's position on the equipment would expose it to soil for wear; the cavity reduces the compartment's exposure. For example, when the device is a towing tool, the towing tool preferably has a cavity suitable for the compartment.

[0087] When the device is an engine compartment, the compartment is preferably located at the bottom of the engine compartment.

[0088] In some embodiments, the cavity suitable for receiving the compartment has an L-shaped opening, that is, the opening is formed at the location of two non-parallel walls.

[0089] In some embodiments, a portion of the cavity geometry and the geometry of the walls of the cassette without the slotted antenna disposed thereon are adapted to allow the cassette to be removed from the cavity by rotating the cassette.

[0090] In some embodiments, a portion of the cavity geometry has one or two planes of symmetry.

[0091] In some embodiments, the cavity further includes a misconnection prevention connection member.

[0092] The anti-misconnection connection member can be a groove designed to mate with the anti-misconnection connection member of the compartment it receives, which is a protruding member.

[0093] The third aspect of the invention relates to an earthmoving machine comprising one or more compartments according to the first aspect or the seventh aspect of the invention, and / or one or more devices according to the second aspect or the eighth aspect of the invention, and / or one or more components according to the eleventh aspect of the invention.

[0094] Earthmoving machinery may incorporate one or more chambers within its components to allow for the processing of data by electronic devices(s) therein and their transmission to one or more electronic devices located remotely from the chamber, and / or to allow for the processing of data by electronic devices(s), and to facilitate the easier and more reliable removal of one or more chambers. When the components are wear elements, the machine may have chambers incorporated into one, several, or all of the same type of wear element, such as teeth, couplings, or cast lips. Alternatively, chambers may be incorporated into different types of wear elements; for example, chambers may be incorporated into one, some, or each tooth, or into one, some, or each coupling.

[0095] In some embodiments, the earthmoving machinery further includes a wireless data receiver and at least one processing unit, which are located remotely from each of one or more compartments or from each of one or more devices (e.g., wear elements).

[0096] Earthmoving machinery can monitor the wear level of wear components based on wireless data signals emitted from each compartment. At least one processing unit is configured to digitally process the wireless data signals and determine the wear level of the wear components associated with the wireless data signals.

[0097] In some embodiments, at least one processing unit is configured to digitally process the wireless data signal in order to perform one or more of the following actions: predicting maintenance of devices (e.g., wear elements) associated with the wireless data signal, notifying the earthmoving machinery operator or an operator in a control center of the earthmoving machinery's ground engagement operation, and controlling the earthmoving machinery (e.g., adjusting the angle of attack, adjusting the trajectory of the excavator when engaging the ground, adjusting the force applied by the earthmoving machinery, etc.).

[0098] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cabin according to a first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the step of forming or adding a slot antenna in at least one or more walls of the cabin.

[0099] A slot antenna can be shaped to have one or more features described with reference to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. When at least one wall is conductive, such as when comprising, for example, a conductive metallic material, the slot antenna is formed by removing a portion of the material from at least one wall or by fabricating at least one wall in which a slot has been formed. When at least one wall is non-conductive, such as comprising plastic, resin, etc., the slot antenna is formed by adding conductive material to at least one wall to include a slot.

[0100] In some embodiments, the method further includes manufacturing the cabin using a potting method, wherein potting is performed in a mold formed according to the cabin. In some embodiments, the mold is a cavity of the device according to the second aspect of the invention, that is, the mold is a cavity formed in one of the following: wear elements, boom, stick, hydraulic cylinder, traction mechanism, or nacelle. Further, in some embodiments, the method also includes installing the manufactured cabin in the cavity of the device and installing the device in earthmoving machinery.

[0101] The housing can be prepared by a potting method using a resin such as epoxy resin, which provides the walls of the housing. Then, a slot antenna is formed by adding conductive components, i.e., components made of conductive material, to at least one wall of the housing (which includes a groove).

[0102] The filling can be carried out in a mold suitable for this purpose, or the device for introducing the chamber can also be used as a mold when using earthmoving machinery.

[0103] In some embodiments, the potting method is performed while the electronic device or its components are being introduced into a mold. Thus, during its manufacturing process, the electronic device or said components are included in a housing.

[0104] In some embodiments, the method further includes performing a potting process on the manufactured housing to fill the slot of the slotted antenna with at least a dielectric material. In some embodiments, the potting process further fills the cavity of the housing with electronic devices that are partially or completely introduced into the housing.

[0105] The chambers are manufactured using various methods, and once completed, they are partially or completely filled with dielectric material through a potting process. The dielectric material prevents particles from entering the cavity and further protects the contents once the cavity is filled.

[0106] The fifth aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing an apparatus (e.g., a wear element) according to the second aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of: forming a cavity on the apparatus for receiving a compartment according to the first aspect of the invention or the seventh aspect of the invention; and placing the compartment into the formed cavity.

[0107] The cavity of the device can be formed to have one or more features described with reference to embodiments of the first, second and / or seventh aspects of the present invention.

[0108] A sixth aspect of the invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring the wear of a device (e.g., a wear element) according to a second aspect of the invention, the monitoring system comprising: one or more compartments according to a first aspect of the invention, each of the one or more compartments being installed in a different device; a wireless data receiver for receiving wireless data signals from each of the one or more compartments; and at least one processing unit configured to digitally process the wireless data signals to determine the wear of the device associated with the wireless data signals.

[0109] In some embodiments, the monitoring system further includes a control center located remotely from one or more compartments and includes a wireless data receiver and at least one processing unit.

[0110] In some embodiments, the monitoring system further includes earthmoving machinery and one or more compartments installed in different parts of the earthmoving machinery; the earthmoving machinery includes a wireless data receiver and at least one processing unit, both of which are located remotely from each of the one or more compartments.

[0111] In some embodiments, at least one processing unit is further configured to digitally process the wireless data signal in order to perform one or more of the following: predicting maintenance of devices associated with the wireless data signal, notifying the earthmoving machinery operator or an operator in a control center of the earthmoving machinery's ground engagement operation, and controlling the earthmoving machinery (e.g., adjusting the angle of attack, adjusting the trajectory of the excavator when engaging the ground, adjusting the force applied by the earthmoving machinery, etc.).

[0112] The seventh aspect of the invention relates to a housing for protecting electronic devices of earthmoving machinery, the housing comprising one or more walls arranged to form an interior cavity configured to accommodate the electronic devices, and an opening through which the opening enters the interior cavity, the opening being at least partially covered by a cover, the one or more walls preferably providing a projecting geometry at at least a portion of the housing, the projecting geometry being convex and adapted to allow the housing to be removed from the cavity of the earthmoving machinery by rotating the housing.

[0113] When the compartments in earthmoving machinery are to undergo maintenance tasks, such as replacing electronics or their components, or to be disassembled or removed, such as for retrieval, they first need to be removed from the cavity in which they were introduced. This compartment is easier to remove than others due to the geometry of one or more of its walls. In this sense, one or more walls are, for example, cubic or prismatic shapes forming a protruding geometry; the cavity is also protruding because it is defined by one or more walls.

[0114] The compartment rotates about its axis of rotation in such a way that by applying torque to the compartment to cause it to rotate, the protruding geometry of the compartment does not collide with or reduces the amount of collision with the geometry of the cavity. In this sense, the compartment rotates by a certain degree so that at least a portion of the protruding part of the compartment is not flat against the cavity, but preferably protrudes beyond the cavity, at which point the compartment can be pulled out manually or by a pull-out mechanism, such as claws or clamps.

[0115] The axis of rotation may be defined, for example, by the axis of a cross-section of the compartment at the beginning of at least a portion of the structure. The cross-section of the compartment extends above a plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the compartment and an axis transverse to it. In cases where the exemplary definition of the axis is satisfied, the axis of rotation is parallel to the axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. It is evident that the same axis of rotation can be defined by other axes of the compartment, particularly parallel to other axes of the compartment used.

[0116] The eighth aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for earthmoving machinery, including a cavity; and a compartment for protecting electronic devices of the earthmoving machinery, the compartment including one or more walls arranged to form an interior cavity configured to receive the electronic devices, and an opening through which the compartment can be introduced into the cavity, the opening being at least partially covered by a cover, the one or more walls providing a protruding geometry to the compartment that adapts to at least a portion of the geometry of the cavity, and both the protruding geometry and a portion of the geometry of the cavity are adapted to allow the compartment to be removed from the cavity by rotating the compartment.

[0117] The geometry of the cavity and the compartment allows the compartment to be rotated by applying torque, thus simplifying its removal. Rotation changes the compartment's angle relative to the cavity, making more of the compartment's surface available for pulling and removing it. Preferably, one or more walls have a convex geometry, i.e., the protruding geometry is convex.

[0118] In some embodiments, the device is one of the following: abrasive elements (such as teeth, couplings, etc.), excavating machinery, boom, stick, hydraulic cylinder, traction mechanism, or nacelle.

[0119] In some embodiments of the apparatus according to the seventh aspect and / or the eighth aspect, the cover completely seals the opening.

[0120] In some embodiments of the apparatus according to the seventh aspect and / or the eighth aspect, the cover is detachably engaged with one or more walls to at least partially cover the opening.

[0121] Therefore, depending on whether the cover engages with one or more walls, the cover selectively allows or prohibits entry into the cavity.

[0122] In some embodiments of the compartment according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, the cover is located at a first end of the compartment and the protruding geometry protrudes toward a second end of the compartment, the second end being opposite to the first end.

[0123] This arrangement allows the housing to rotate while simultaneously allowing it to enter the inner cavity while still being introduced into the cavity. Similarly, when the slot antenna is arranged on the cover as in some embodiments, this arrangement improves the transmission and reception of wireless signals while allowing the housing to rotate. For this purpose, the first end can face the outside of the cavity, and the second end can face the inside.

[0124] In some embodiments of the compartment according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, the cover includes one or more protruding surfaces for allowing a removal tool to apply torque at its respective protrusions to remove the compartment from the cavity, the one or more protruding surfaces extending parallel to the maximum surface of the cover.

[0125] The cover also simplifies the removal of the compartment through (multiple) protruding surfaces, which provide a support surface for the removal tool to press against it and apply force, which generates torque for rotating the compartment.

[0126] In some embodiments of the compartment according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, the compartment further includes a cap engageable with a cover, the cap including one or more protrusions for contacting the cavity wall. In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions include a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from and parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the cap is a material such as ethylene-propylene-monomer rubber (EPDM rubber), Hypalon, fluororubber, polyurethane, etc.; the material preferably has a certain degree of flexibility.

[0127] The protrusions of the cap are designed to generate friction between the cap (and thus the compartment) and the cavity, thereby reliably keeping the compartment inside the cavity; the more protrusions the cap has, the greater the friction. Similarly, as long as the cover has an opening formed therein, such as a slotted antenna, the cover can also prevent particles from entering the inner cavity.

[0128] In some embodiments of the compartment according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, the cover may be detachably connected to the cover.

[0129] In some embodiments of the compartment according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, the cap includes a groove fitted into one or more protruding surfaces of the cover.

[0130] The groove improves the fit between the cap and the cover, preventing the cap from falling off.

[0131] In some embodiments of the compartment according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, at least a portion of the protruding geometry is chamfered or rounded. In some embodiments, the compartment has a cuboid shape, and at least two opposite edges of one or more walls are chamfered or rounded, the opposite edges preferably being the shorter sides of the cuboid.

[0132] The chamfered or rounded geometry helps to distribute the load received by the chamber more evenly across its surface during earthmoving operations. In this way, the service life of both the chamber and the protected electronics (when inserted into the cavity) is extended.

[0133] In some embodiments according to the seventh aspect and / or the apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the prominent geometry allows the compartment to be removed from the cavity by rotating the compartment about only one axis of rotation. For this purpose, in some embodiments, one or more edges of the cover and / or portions of one or more walls are perpendicular to the cover. In some embodiments, the one or more edges comprise multiple edges, and all edges are parallel (i.e., they extend in one direction).

[0134] By allowing the compartment to rotate only about a single axis of rotation, the compartment is held more reliably within the cavity of the device, since only one rotation is possible. Consequently, the partial geometry of the cavity is preferably also adapted to allow the compartment to be removed by rotating only about a single axis of rotation. That is, only the tangential direction of the edges (preferably chamfered or rounded) allows the compartment to rotate for removal from the cavity.

[0135] In some embodiments of the housing according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, the cover includes a slotted antenna.

[0136] In this sense, the cover, at least in the portion forming the slot antenna, includes or is made of conductive material. The slot antenna is preferably the slot antenna described in the preceding aspects of the invention.

[0137] In some embodiments of the compartment according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, the protruding geometry has one or two planes of symmetry.

[0138] In some embodiments of the apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the partial geometry of the cavity has one or two planes of symmetry.

[0139] The presence of symmetrical planes in the compartment and / or cavity potentially simplifies the removal process and / or distributes the load applied to the compartment more evenly.

[0140] In some embodiments of the housing according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, the cover includes one or more recesses, each recess adapted to receive a sensor. In some of these embodiments, the housing further includes one or more sensors, which are Hall effect sensors.

[0141] The one or more grooves may be adjacent to the slot antenna and are preferably arranged on the outer surface of the cover, i.e., the side of the cover that does not face the inner cavity. Sensors (especially Hall effect sensors) can detect magnetic fields better when arranged in such grooves because there are fewer magnetic field variations compared to the inner surface of the cover, one or more walls of the compartment, or the inner cavity.

[0142] This sensor can be used to detect the detachment of an earthmoving machine's components from another component of the same machine, such as a wear element like a tooth from another wear element in a joint, welded joint, or mechanically attached joint. To this end, the sensor detects magnetic fields from one or more magnets arranged on other equipment, so that the magnetic field can be measured by the sensor when the housing is within the recess.

[0143] In some embodiments of the compartment according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, the compartment further includes a misalignment prevention coupling member, the joining portion being either integrally formed on the wall of the compartment or mechanically engaged thereon. In some embodiments, the misalignment prevention coupling member is a protruding member.

[0144] In some embodiments of the compartment according to the seventh aspect and / or the device according to the eighth aspect, the outer surface of one or more walls of the compartment does not include threads, i.e., helical threads.

[0145] In some embodiments of the apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the cavity includes a misalignment prevention coupling member adapted to mate with a misalignment prevention coupling member of the compartment. In some embodiments, the misalignment prevention coupling member of the cavity is a groove, i.e., a portion of the geometry of the cavity is designed to form a groove for misalignment prevention coupling.

[0146] A ninth aspect of the invention relates to a method comprising manufacturing a housing for protecting electronic devices of earthmoving machinery, the housing including one or more walls arranged to form a cavity configured to receive the electronic devices, and including an opening through which the cavity is accessible; forming a cover; engaging the cover to one or more walls to at least partially cover the opening; and forming one or more walls such that the housing includes a projecting geometry that is convex and adapted to allow the housing to be removed from the cavity of the earthmoving machinery by rotating the housing.

[0147] A tenth aspect of the invention relates to a method comprising: arranging means for earthmoving machinery; forming a cavity in the means; arranging a compartment for protecting an electronic device, the compartment including one or more walls arranged to form an interior cavity configured to receive the electronic device, and including an opening through which the compartment can be introduced into the cavity; forming a cover; engaging the cover to the one or more walls to at least partially cover the opening; forming the one or more walls such that the compartment includes a protruding geometry, and the cavity and the one or more walls are formed such that the protruding geometry is adapted to at least a portion of the geometry of the cavity, and both the protruding geometry and a portion of the geometry of the cavity are adapted to allow the compartment to be removed from the cavity by rotating the compartment.

[0148] The geometry of the compartment manufactured by the methods of the ninth and / or tenth aspects allows it to be removed from the cavity of the earthmoving machinery by rotational movement of the compartment.

[0149] In some embodiments, the device is one of the following: a wear element, excavator, boom, stick, hydraulic cylinder, traction mechanism, or nacelle.

[0150] In some embodiments of the method according to the ninth and / or tenth aspects, the method further includes rotating the compartment to remove it.

[0151] In some embodiments of the method according to the ninth and / or tenth aspects, the cover includes one or more protruding surfaces extending parallel to the maximum surface of the cover; and the method further includes: introducing a compartment into a cavity such that a first end of the compartment faces outward from the cavity; and, while the compartment is introduced into the cavity, arranging a removal tool on one of the one or more protruding surfaces of the cover and applying torque thereto to remove the compartment from the cavity; the cover at the first end of the compartment has a protruding geometry projecting toward a second end of the compartment opposite to the first end.

[0152] The removal tool forces the compartment to rotate, allowing it to be subsequently removed.

[0153] In some embodiments of the method according to the ninth and / or tenth aspects, the method further includes: placing the compartment into the cavity such that a first end of the compartment faces outward from the cavity; and when the compartment is placed into the cavity, applying a force at a point or region at the center of the offset maximum surface of the cover; the cover at the first end of the compartment having a protruding geometry that protrudes toward a second end of the compartment, the second end being opposite to the first end.

[0154] Due to the protruding geometry that allows the compartment to rotate, applying a force or pressure off-center to the cover will generate a torque designed to rotate the compartment.

[0155] In some embodiments of the method according to the ninth and / or tenth aspects, at least a portion of the protruding geometry is rounded.

[0156] In some embodiments of the method according to the ninth and / or tenth aspects, the compartment is a compartment according to the seventh aspect of the invention or the first aspect of the invention.

[0157] In some embodiments of the method according to the ninth and / or tenth aspects, the method further includes arranging a sensor in a recess in the cover, the recess being adapted to receive the sensor. In some embodiments, the sensor is a Hall effect sensor. In some embodiments, the device is a first device, and the method further includes: attaching the first device to a second device; and arranging one or more magnets on the second device such that, at least while the first device remains attached to the second device (e.g., the distance between the magnets and the sensor is less than 5 cm, and / or less than 3 cm, and / or less than 1.5 cm), its magnetic field can be measured by the sensors(s).

[0158] Multiple Hall effect sensors and multiple magnets provide the device (e.g., wear elements, teeth, and couplings) with one or more of the following capabilities: monitoring the attachment of one device to another, detecting the detachment of one device relative to another, monitoring wear of the device, etc.

[0159] In some embodiments of the method according to the ninth and / or tenth aspects, the second device is a wear element. In some embodiments, the wear element is a tooth. In some embodiments, the wear element is a coupling.

[0160] In some embodiments of the method according to the ninth and / or tenth aspects, the method further includes manufacturing the capsule by a casting method, wherein casting is performed in a mold according to the capsule molding process. In some embodiments, the mold is a cavity of the device according to the eighth or second aspect of the invention.

[0161] The eleventh aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising a first device according to the eighth aspect of the invention, and a second device for attaching or being attachable to earthmoving machinery, the first device having a housing comprising at least one Hall effect sensor located in a recess in a cover, and the second device comprising one or more magnets arranged such that each magnet is at a short distance from a Hall effect sensor when the second device is attached to the first device. Preferably, this distance is short if it is less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm and / or 1.5 cm.

[0162] In some embodiments, the second device is a wear element. In some embodiments, the wear element is a tooth. In some embodiments, the wear element is an engagement element. Attached Figure Description

[0163] To complete the specification and to better understand the invention, a set of accompanying drawings has been provided. These drawings form an integral part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the invention. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but rather as examples of how the invention can be practiced. The drawings include the following figures:

[0164] Figure 1 A perspective view of the compartment according to an embodiment is shown.

[0165] Figure 2 A perspective view of a wall of a compartment according to an embodiment is shown, the wall including a slot antenna.

[0166] Figure 3 A cross-section of the compartment according to an embodiment is shown.

[0167] Figure 4-6 A perspective view of the compartment according to an embodiment is shown.

[0168] Figure 7 A cross-section of the wear element according to an embodiment is shown, illustrating the possible locations where the cavity of the housing can be arranged.

[0169] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a compartment having teeth according to an embodiment is shown.

[0170] Figure 9-10 A perspective view of the worn element is shown.

[0171] Figure 11 Earthmoving machinery according to an embodiment is shown, which illustrates a device with a compartment arrangement.

[0172] Figures 12A-12E A cross-section of the compartment according to an embodiment is shown schematically.

[0173] Figures 13A-13E The geometry of the slot antenna for the compartment according to an embodiment is schematically shown.

[0174] Figures 14A-14C Different views of the capsule according to an embodiment are shown.

[0175] Figures 15A-15B The removal of the compartment according to an embodiment is shown.

[0176] Figure 16 A perspective view of the wall of a housing according to an embodiment is shown, the wall including a slot antenna and a cavity for mounting sensors.

[0177] Figure 17 A perspective view of a wear element according to an embodiment is shown, in which a compartment is arranged.

[0178] Figure 18 A perspective view of a wear element according to an embodiment is shown, having a magnet disposed therein for mating with a sensor in the housing.

[0179] Figures 19A-19B Different views of the capsule according to an embodiment are shown.

[0180] Figure 20 A hypothetical housing tangentially surrounds the compartment according to an embodiment is shown.

[0181] Figure 21 A cross-section of the wall forming the compartment according to an embodiment is shown, a portion of which is provided with a compartment having a convex geometry. Detailed Implementation

[0182] Figure 1 A perspective view of the compartment 10 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0183] The housing 10 is adapted to be placed into a wear element of earthmoving machinery, preferably into a cavity formed within the wear element. The housing 10 has two or more walls 15a, 15b, wherein at least one first wall 15a has a slot antenna 20 formed therein. At least one first wall 15a, integrally or at least a portion around the slot of the slot antenna, comprises or is made of a conductive material (such as a metal, e.g., an alloy), thereby allowing (multi-strand) current to flow to radiate and capture electromagnetic waves. When all its walls 15a, 15b are mechanically connected, the housing 10 has an internal cavity (in, for example...) Figure 3 The cavity (illustrated as inner cavity 16) is suitable for housing and protecting electronic devices (e.g., in...) Figure 3 (Illustrated as electronic device 30). In this embodiment, the slot of the slot antenna 20 is filled with a dielectric material 22, so that, for example, soil will not enter the cavity.

[0184] The first wall 15a (or multiple first walls 15a) has a maximum length along a specified longitudinal direction, in this case along the Y-axis shown, a maximum width along a specified first transverse direction, in this case along the X-axis shown, and a thickness along a second transverse direction, in this case along the Z-axis shown. The slot antenna 20 preferably has a maximum length, i.e., the length of the maximum dimension forming the slot antenna 20 measured along an axis, wherein the maximum length in the longitudinal direction is at least 60% and less than or equal to 100% of the maximum length of the wall 15a (or multiple walls 15a).

[0185] In this embodiment, the first wall 15a is a cover detachably connected to the second wall or wall 15b, which in this example is a single second wall 15b shaped to form a container. However, in some other embodiments, two or more second walls 15b are arranged and joined to form a container having an inner cavity 16 therein. The first wall 15a is mechanically connected to one or more second walls 15b by an attachment mechanism such as a screw 19. The attachment mechanism of the first wall 15a also includes a corresponding threaded through-hole, and the (multiple) second walls 15b include corresponding threaded holes or threaded through-holes (in... Figure 4 (Not seen in China) form of attachment mechanism.

[0186] The first wall 15a preferably includes one or more protruding surfaces 65 extending parallel to the largest surface of the first wall 15a; the one or more protruding surfaces 65 preferably comprise or are made of a metallic material (e.g., steel). The protruding surfaces 65 facilitate the removal process of the compartment 10 by supporting the torque applied thereto for rotating the compartment 10.

[0187] For clarity, Figure 1 The X, Y, and Z axes shown in the figure below are also represented with the same orientation relative to the illustrated elements. Obviously, other X, Y, and Z axes may be defined without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0188] Figure 2 A perspective view of a wall 15a of a compartment 10 according to an embodiment is shown, the wall 15a including a slotted antenna 20 disposed therein. The side of the wall 15a shown corresponds to the innermost side of the wall 15a, that is, it is the side of the wall 15a facing the interior cavity of the compartment. In some embodiments, the wall 15a shown is configured as follows: Figure 1 The wall 15a in the compartment 10.

[0189] In this exemplary embodiment, wall 15a includes a protruding surface 23 that projects toward the inner cavity when the compartment is assembled. The protruding surface 23 can be configured to improve the attachment of wall 15a to other walls or multiple walls of the compartment used for closing the compartment; thus, the protruding surface 23 can enable a hermetically sealed arrangement of the multiple walls. A slot antenna 20 is also formed in the protruding surface 23.

[0190] Wall 15a includes an attachment mechanism in the form of a threaded through-hole 18a for removably engaging with one or more other walls of the compartment, and an attachment mechanism in the form of a threaded hole 18b for attaching a printed circuit board 32, or PCB, of an electronic device. The electronic device also includes an attachment mechanism for a screw 39 that mates with the threaded hole 18b of wall 15a. The printed circuit board 32 is arranged parallel to and adjacent to wall 15a and also includes a hole for receiving the screw 39. Clearly, other attachment mechanisms can be used instead of these threaded holes 18a, 18b and the corresponding screws 39.

[0191] In this exemplary embodiment, the electronic device is connected to the slot antenna 20 via terminals 35, 36 of the PCB 32, more specifically, or via a wall 15a for supplying the slot antenna 20. Terminals 35, 36 may be, for example, spring contacts with connectors, such as... Figure 2 The solder terminals and crimped contact pads are shown. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more cables connect the electronic device to the slot antenna 20.

[0192] Figure 3 A cross-section of the compartment 10 according to an embodiment is shown. The plane intersecting the compartment 10 in the cross-sectional view is the XZ plane.

[0193] As described above and in this figure or Figure 4 As can be seen more clearly, the shape of the second wall 15b makes it form a container.

[0194] As shown in this figure, the cavity 16 houses and protects the electronic device 30, including the PCB 32 and the battery 40. The battery 40 is electrically connected to the PCB 32 to power its electronic components and the slot antenna 20. The battery 40 is connected via a clip (e.g., Figure 4 The device is fixed in the inner cavity 16 by means of clamps 48, screws 49, and threaded holes 18d formed in the second wall 15b.

[0195] Additionally, in other embodiments, the compartment 10 includes anti-misconnection connection members (e.g., see reference 10). Figures 19A-19B (As described in the embodiments), it is designed to mate with a corresponding component of the cavity into which the compartment 10 is to be introduced. Thanks to the anti-misalignment connecting component, it can be ensured that the compartment 10 is introduced into the cavity in a specific direction.

[0196] Figure 4 A perspective view of the compartment 10 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0197] The threaded attachment mechanism of wall 15b houses screws 19 that engage the first wall or cover 15a to the second wall or container 15b.

[0198] Although the illustrated battery 40 occupies a considerable volume within the cavity 16, it should be noted that other types of batteries or multiple batteries are also feasible within the scope of this invention. As an example only, one or more button batteries may be used.

[0199] The second wall or multiple walls 15b of the compartment 10 preferably have a protruding geometry to allow the compartment to perform rotational movement whenever it is removed from the cavity. Further, in some embodiments, at least part of the protruding geometry (and therefore at least part of the second wall or multiple walls 15b) is rounded or chamfered. In this embodiment, the two opposing edges 17g, 17h of the second wall or multiple walls 15b are rounded (e.g., arched) so that they can slide along the multiple walls of the cavity.

[0200] Figure 5 A perspective view of the compartment 10 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0201] The housing 10 includes a first wall, a second wall, and third walls 15a-15c. The first wall 15a is detachably connected to the second wall 15b of the housing 10, and the second wall 15b is preferably permanently joined to the third wall 15c. The third wall is shaped like a container for protectively housing electronic devices. The shape of the second wall 15b provides a flange for the third wall 15c, while the first wall 15a also has a similar shape for forming a flange.

[0202] When the compartment 10 is provided with a flange, the removal of the first wall 15a may become easier, so as to inspect the interior of the compartment 10, retrieve the interior or replace the interior, for example for maintenance purposes or for recycling.

[0203] and Figure 1-4 Compared to the embodiments illustrated in the figure, Figure 5 The slot antenna 20 of the compartment 10 is a linear slot antenna 20 with a single straight segment.

[0204] Figure 6 A perspective view of the compartment 10 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0205] and Figure 5 Compared to the previous embodiment, Figure 6 The slotted antenna 20 of the housing 10 is not straight, but comprises multiple segments. In this case, there are three straight segments arranged such that the longitudinal axis of each segment forms an angle of not 0° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the segment or segments to which it is connected.

[0206] even though Figure 1-6 In the embodiments described, the slot antenna 20 is arranged in the outer wall of the housing 10. However, it should be noted that the slot antenna 20 arranged in one or more inner walls of the housing 10, or between the inner and outer walls, is also within the scope of this invention. When the slot antenna is arranged in the inner wall, the walls(s) between the inner wall and the cavity opening of the housing are made of non-conductive material to avoid interfering with or blocking the propagation of electromagnetic waves.

[0207] Figure 7 Cross-sections of wear elements 100 and 200 are shown, illustrating portions 60a-60c and 61a-61e of cavities that can be arranged to accommodate the compartments according to embodiments; for illustrative purposes only, portions 60a-60c and 61a-61e of the cavities are shown as rectangular polygons to represent possible arrangements of the cavities according to embodiments. The plane intersecting wear elements 100 and 200 in the cross-sectional view is the XZ plane. For clarity only, this plane is shown in... Figure 9 The diagram uses an arrow line of 150 to illustrate this. Figure 10 The diagram is illustrated using an arrow line at 250.

[0208] The first wear element 100 is a tooth 100, and the second wear element 200 is an intermediate connector 200. However, in other embodiments, when the wear elements of a two-piece system are provided, the second wear element is a connector.

[0209] The tooth 100 includes a recess 110, which is adapted to receive the protrusion 205 of the intermediate connector 200 when the earthmoving machinery is to perform ground bonding operations.

[0210] The tooth 100 is used as a compartment for storing the box (in Figure 8 The first portion 60a of the cavity (illustrated as cavity 126) is located within the recess 110. Preferably, the cavity is formed on the wall 111 of the recess 110, which is closest to the wear end intended to wear down with use. The wear end is the foremost end of the tooth 100, the end intended to contact the ground during earthmoving machinery operations. The wear end is opposite to the rear end, through which the protrusion 205 of the intermediate connector 200 is received. The wear end and the rear end are... Figure 8 The middle section is shown as the worn end 101 and the rear end 102.

[0211] For cavity in tooth 100 (for illustrative purposes only, in) Figure 9 The second position 60b of the cavity (represented by dashed lines in the diagram) is the outer surface (in... Figure 9 The diagram shows an outer surface 106, which is intended to come into contact with the ground during earthmoving machinery operations; that is, the outer surface is designed to wear down with use.

[0212] The tooth 100 serves as a receiving cavity for the compartment (for illustrative purposes only). Figure 9 The other part 60c (shown as cavities 125a and 125b in the diagram, the latter shown in dashed lines) is the surface of the rear end of tooth 100; see reference. Figure 8 and 9 The surface is surface 121. The cavity (in) Figure 9 The cavity 125a or 125b is located on the rear end side that contacts the intermediate connector 200 during mechanical engagement.

[0213] To mechanically engage the tooth 100 and the intermediate connector 200, the protrusion 205 of the intermediate connector is inserted into the recess 110 of the tooth 100 for receiving the intermediate component. During insertion, an attachment mechanism, for example in the form of a pin, is inserted into the through-hole of the tooth 100 (in...). Figure 8 (shown by reference numeral 120 in the figure) and in the through hole 220 of the intermediate connector 200.

[0214] Intermediate connector 200 for cavity (in) Figure 10 The first and second portions 61a and 61b (shown as cavities 225 and 226, the latter shown in dashed lines for illustrative purposes only) are located within the protrusion 205. The cavities may be adjacent to, and preferably parallel to, the through-hole 220 for receiving the pin. The cavities may be arranged in the portion of the protrusion 205 closest to its front end (i.e., at one end of the recess 110 where the tooth 100 is to be introduced). Figure 10 The portion closest to its rear end is shown as either cavity 226 or protrusion 205. Preferably, the cavity is arranged according to the latter, i.e., as shown... Figure 10 The cavity 225 in the embodiment is designed to minimize the mechanical resistance at the front end of the protrusion 205, which typically experiences high stress during earthmoving machinery operations.

[0215] The third portion 61c of the intermediate connector 200 for the cavity (for illustrative purposes only) Figure 10 The cavity 227 (shown as a dotted line in the diagram) is the surface of the protrusion 206 located at the front end.

[0216] The cavity in the intermediate connector 200 (for illustrative purposes only) Figure 10 Another part 61d (illustrated as cavity 228 in the dashed diagram) is the surface 208 of the rear part 207. Typically, the surface 208 contacts the rear surface of the tooth 100, thereby blocking the opening of the cavity, so that even if the attachment mechanism for fixing the compartment inside the cavity fails, the compartment will not fall out of the cavity.

[0217] However, the intermediate connector 200 is used for cavities (for illustrative purposes only, in...) Figure 10 Another part 61e (illustrated by dashed lines as cavity 229) is the outer surface of the rear part 207 (in Figure 9 The outer surface (106) shown in the diagram may wear down with use because it is in contact with the ground.

[0218] It should be noted that even Figure 7This wear element system is illustrated, wherein the tooth 100 includes a recess 110 at its attachment end, and the intermediate connector 200 includes a protrusion 205 at its first attachment end (i.e., the end for attachment to the tooth 100). However, in another embodiment, the wear element system includes the same wear element (or connector instead of intermediate connector 200), wherein the tooth 100 includes a protrusion at its attachment end, and the intermediate connector 200 includes a recess at its first attachment end. In these cases, the portions 60a, 61a-61c used for the described cavity can be interchanged so that they correspond to the recess of the intermediate connector 200 and the protrusion of the tooth 100.

[0219] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a wear element 100, particularly a tooth 100, with a housing 10 according to an embodiment is shown. The plane intersecting the teeth 100 and 200 in the cross-sectional view is the XZ plane, as... Figure 9 The plane corresponding to arrow line 150 in the diagram.

[0220] Cavity 126 is formed within recess 110, located in the foremost wall 111 of recess 110, that is, in the wall 111 closest to the wear end 101; it should be noted that in other embodiments, cavity 126 is formed in other walls within recess 110. It can be observed that the shape and size of recess 110 are designed to receive the protrusion of the intermediate component, while the shape and size of cavity 126 are designed to receive the housing. When the intermediate connector is introduced into the teeth, the through-hole 120 of teeth 100 is aligned with the through-hole of the intermediate connector, thereby achieving a pin-mechanical engagement of the two wear elements.

[0221] Preferably, especially when the cover 15a provides a flange for the housing 10, the cavity 126 is shaped such that the cover 15a of the housing 10 is closest to the rear end 102. After removing the attachment mechanism of the cover 15a, the user can inspect the devices and components housed within the housing 10, whether the housing 10 is within the teeth 100 or once the housing 10 has been pulled out. It is also preferred that the dimensions of the cavity 126 and the housing 10 are set such that when the housing 10 is within the cavity 126 and the slot antenna is formed, for example, on the cover 15a, the slot antenna is flush with the wall 111. It is understood that the slot antenna is flush when its outermost surface is coplanar or nearly coplanar with at least a portion of the wall forming the opening of the housing receiving cavity 126; and nearly coplanar when the depth difference is less than 20 mm, preferably less than or equal to 10 mm and / or 5 mm. When not flush with the wall 111, the compartment and slotted antenna are preferably positioned further inward within the cavity to increase protection for both.

[0222] Figure 9 A perspective view of the wear element 100, specifically the tooth 100, is shown.

[0223] In this embodiment, tooth 100 does not include Figure 9 The embodiment includes a housing receiving cavity, but also includes a cavity 125a formed within a surface 121 located on the rear end 102 of the tooth 100. For example... Figure 7 As shown, whenever the intermediate connector 200 engages with the tooth 100, its surface adjacent to the protrusion 205 (or the recess when the intermediate connector or the first attachment end of the connector includes it) contacts the surface 121, thereby securing the compartment outside of its attachment mechanism.

[0224] exist Figure 9 Another possible cavity 125b is also shown in dashed lines, which is formed in surface 121, but the opening of this cavity is L-shaped. The first part of the opening is on surface 121, while the second part of the opening is on the surface within the recess 110. When the intermediate connector is attached to the tooth, both parts of the opening are blocked by the intermediate piece.

[0225] Additionally, another possible cavity 127, shown in dashed lines, is formed in the outer surface 106 of the tooth 100.

[0226] Figure 10 A perspective view of the wear element 200, particularly the intermediate connector 200, is shown, but when the wear element system is a two-piece system, it can also be a connector.

[0227] The intermediate connector 200 has a front end 201 with a protrusion 205 and a rear end 202 with a rear end 207, which provides a second attachment end for attachment to the blades of earthmoving machinery via the connector, welded nose or cast nose.

[0228] A cavity 225 is disposed within the protrusion 205 and immediately adjacent to the through-hole 220 for the pin. In this case, the cavity 225 is closer to the rear end 202 than the front end 201 relative to the through-hole 220. In contrast, in other embodiments, the cavity 226 is disposed closer to the front end 201 than the rear end 202 relative to the location of the through-hole 220. This portion of the protrusion 205, near or on the neutral plane, experiences less stress and deformation compared to other portions of the connector 200, and also experiences less lateral impact or lower strength compared to other portions of the connector 200. Furthermore, this portion of the protrusion 205 is less prone to material compaction, whereas material compaction normally occurs on the surfaces between the teeth and the connector, and in locations where material discharge is more difficult, such as the foremost portion of the connector 200. These features make it easy to arrange the cavities 225 and 226 next to the through-hole 220, which not only increases the service life of the cavities and the electronic devices they protect, but also reduces the loss of wireless signal transmission and reception, and provides data on the terrain during machine operation generated by the measurements of the electronic devices.

[0229] Another feasible cavity is shown in the same figure for illustrative purposes only. As an example, cavity 227 is shown formed on surface 206 located at the front end 201, i.e., the tooth attachment end. As another example, cavity 228 is formed in surface 208 of rear portion 207, from which protrusion 205 extends. And, as in the tooth, another feasible cavity 229 is formed in the outer surface 229 of rear portion 207; this surface 229 can contact the ground during grounding operations.

[0230] Figure 11 Earthmoving machinery 300 is shown, illustrating the location of its device with compartments that can be arranged according to an embodiment.

[0231] The machine 300 includes a boom 301, a hydraulic cylinder 302, a boom 303, a wear element 304, an excavating tool 305, a traction mechanism 306, and a cabin 307. The cabin according to the invention can be arranged in each of these devices 301-307 in different embodiments.

[0232] For example, the bulkhead can be positioned at location 311 of the stick 301, which is not frequently in contact with the ground during ground engagement operations, such as in the upper half of the stick 301, and at a similar location 312 along the length of the hydraulic cylinder 302. The bulkhead can be positioned at location 313 of the boom 303, preferably closest to the connection point with the stick 301. The bulkhead can be positioned at different locations 314 of the wear element 304 (e.g., see reference 314). Figure 7-10 (as described), and the side or interior 315 of the excavating device. The pod can be arranged in the track 316 of multiple consecutive tracks of the traction mechanism 306, or below the nacelle 307.

[0233] When the compartment is located in a position susceptible to wear, soil compaction, or impact, it is preferable to place the compartment in a cavity formed in these locations within the devices 301-307. Alternatively, the compartment may be placed directly on the surface of the devices 301-307 without being located in any cavity; in this case, the compartment is attached to the devices 301-307 using bolts, welding, or other attachment mechanisms.

[0234] Figures 12A-12E The cross-sections of the compartments 10a-10c according to an embodiment are schematically shown.

[0235] exist Figure 12A In the diagram, the slot antenna 20 of the housing 10a is positioned centrally relative to the X-axis. The PCB 32 of the electronic device 30 is oriented axially (along the Z-axis) and parallel to the slot antenna 20. More specifically, the length of the PCB 32 (along the Z-axis) is parallel to that of the slot antenna 20 (along the Z-axis). Nevertheless, the positions of the PCB 32 and the slot antenna 20 (along the X-axis) are offset. The electronic device 30 preferably also includes at least one sensor 45 soldered to the PCB 32. The at least one sensor 45 may also be as follows: Figure 12B-12D Away from PCB32, in Figure 12B-12D At least one sensor 45 is connected to the wall of the cavity 16, or even away from the compartment; in these cases, the electronics 30 includes an electrical connection and / or wireless communication link for transmitting measurement results between at least one sensor 45 and the printed circuit board 32, or, if it does not have its own battery, a battery 40 that powers at least one sensor 45 via the same electrical connection or another.

[0236] exist Figure 12B In the diagram, the slot antenna 20 of the housing 10b is offset from the center relative to the X-axis. In this embodiment, the PCB is also oriented axially, and it is not only parallel to the slot antenna 20, but also aligned with it.

[0237] exist Figure 12C In the middle, the slot antenna 20, as Figure 11 The arrangement of embodiment B. PCB 32 is perpendicular to the axial direction and attached to wall 15a, such that at least a portion of the slot antenna 20 is covered by PCB 32. This arrangement simplifies the electrical connection between PCB 32 and slot antenna 20.

[0238] Figures 12A-12CEach of the compartments 10 includes four walls 15a-15d: a first wall 15a providing the slot antenna 20, and second, third, and fourth walls 15b-15d mechanically joined to form the container (preferably permanently, e.g., welded together). The first wall 15a may be detachably joined to the second and fourth walls 15b, 15d. In these embodiments, the wall 15a containing the slot antenna 20 comprises a conductive material in the area surrounding the slot or throughout the entire wall, so that the slot antenna 20 can radiate and capture electromagnetic waves. When not the entire wall 15a comprises a conductive material, one or more portions thereof may comprise other materials, such as resin. The remaining walls (i.e., walls 15b-15d) may comprise conductive or non-conductive materials.

[0239] In this embodiment, a mountable cover or cap made of dielectric material 22 is arranged in the slot of the slot antenna 20. The cover or cap can be attached to the wall defining the slot using, for example, an adhesive or attachment mechanism.

[0240] exist Figure 12D In this embodiment, the housing 10c includes at least one wall 15a for arranging the slot antenna 20, the wall 15a being made of a conductive material, and the at least one wall 15a being joined to other walls 15b-15d made of different materials (which may be conductive or non-conductive). In this embodiment, a mountable cover or cap 22 made of a dielectric material is provided on the at least one wall 15a arranging the slot antenna 20. The cover or cap can be attached to the wall 15a of the housing using, for example, an adhesive or attachment mechanism.

[0241] exist Figure 12E In the case 10c, the same walls 15a-15d and slot antenna are included, but instead of a mating cover or cap, dielectric material 22 fills the entire cavity 16 outside the slot of the slot antenna 20.

[0242] In a similar embodiment, the dielectric material 22 forms walls (e.g., walls 15b-15d excluding the slot antenna 20, or all walls 15a-15d) and also fills the cavity 16, so that the walls and the filled cavity are fabricated as a single piece; in this sense, the outer surface of the filler is the wall of the housing. Such a housing can be fabricated, for example, by a potting method.

[0243] In other embodiments, the PCB 32, the sensor attached to or connected to the PCB 32, and / or the battery 40 may be located outside the cavity 16, for example in another cavity shaped to receive the components(s), or may be externally attached to one of the walls 15a-15d of the housing 10. In these embodiments, the electrical connection between the components(s) outside the cavity 16 and the components(s) inside the cavity 16 may be made, for example, by one or more cables, flexible printed circuit boards, etc.

[0244] It should be noted that, as referred to Figures 12A-12E The slot antenna 20 of the described embodiments can be formed in the space between two or more adjacent walls. As an example, Figures 12A-12E The top and bottom walls 15a shown can each be separate walls and arranged such that a slot exists between the two walls 15a, thereby forming a slot antenna 20 when at least the portion around the slot is conductive. This means that the slot antenna 20 benefits from two or more walls 15a and the way they are joined together.

[0245] Figures 13A-13E The geometry of the slotted antennas 20a-20e for the compartment according to an embodiment is schematically shown. The slotted antennas 20a-20e may be formed in one or more walls of the compartment.

[0246] The first slot antenna 20a is a straight slot antenna because its individual segment 21a is also straight in this example. Figure 5 The housing includes a slot antenna, such as the first slot antenna 20a.

[0247] The second slot antenna 20b comprises three segments 21a-21c, arranged such that the middle segment 21a connects to the second segment 21b at its first end and to the third segment 21c at its second end. For illustrative purposes only, the longitudinal axis is indicated by dashed lines with respect to the first and third segments 21a and 21c. Angle 22 formed between said longitudinal axes is similarly shown. A similar representation can also be used with respect to the first and second segments 21a and 21b. The minimum or maximum angle 22 can be measured, but it is clear that regardless of which angle 22 is measured, the longitudinal axis will form a non-0° angle.

[0248] The third slot antenna 20c includes three segments 21a-21c, which are arranged such that the middle first segment 21a is connected at its corresponding end to the second and third segments 21b and 21c, thereby forming a 90° angle. As shown in this embodiment, the segments 21a-21c do not necessarily have to be connected at both ends, but they can be connected at some point along the length of the segment. Figure 6 The housing includes a slot antenna, such as the third slot antenna 20c.

[0249] The fourth slot antenna 20d comprises five segments 21a-21e. The middle first segment 21a is connected to the second segment 21b at its first end, and the second segment 21b is connected to the third segment 21c, which is parallel to the first segment 21a. The middle first segment 21a is connected to the fourth segment 21d at its second end, and the fourth segment is connected to the fifth segment 21e, which is parallel to the first segment 21a.

[0250] Another slot antenna 20e includes multiple segments 21a-21e comprising five sections. The arrangement of segments 21a-21e is somewhat similar to that of the fourth slot antenna 20d, but in this embodiment, the third and fifth segments 21c, 21e extend inward. Thus, the length of one or more walls arranging the slot antenna 20e is reused to extend its radio length; that is, the extended current will follow the path of radiated and / or captured electromagnetic waves. In this case, the path is the connection of all segments 21a-21e, and therefore its length is the sum of the lengths of each segment 21a-21e.

[0251] The different arrangements of the second, third, fourth, and fifth slot antennas 20b-20e are intended to increase the effective length of the slot antenna 20, for example, based on the dimensions of the walls of the compartment in which the slot antenna is formed. In this way, the operating frequency of the slot antenna 20 can be reduced by using walls of shorter length.

[0252] although Figures 13A-13E The exemplary slot antennas 20a-20e have straight segments, but in other embodiments, similar or different slot antenna geometries may be arranged in cases where one, some, or all of the segments are curved. Similarly, slot antennas 20a-20e do not necessarily have symmetry and may even have irregular geometries. Slot antennas may also have meandering geometries designed to utilize a larger portion of the surface of one or more of their arranged walls to increase radio length.

[0253] In some embodiments, (e.g., but not limited to) Figures 1 to 6 The maximum size of the slot antenna 20 in any of the embodiments of 12A to 12E and 13A to 13E is at least 40 mm. In some embodiments, (such as but not limited to...) Figures 1 to 6 The maximum size of the slot antenna 20 in any of the embodiments 12A to 12E and 13A to 13E is equal to or less than 115 mm. The maximum size refers to the rectangular shape surrounding the slot 20 (e.g., ...). Figure 13D The rectangle 25 is shown in dashed lines, but it is obvious that a similar rectangle 25 can be drawn for any other slot antenna. The maximum edge of the rectangle is tangent to the slot 20 on both sides; see reference. Figure 13D The rectangle 25 has a maximum size corresponding to the length of the edge indicated by the letter L, where L is greater than the length of the edge indicated by the letter W.

[0254] The maximum size of a slot antenna affects its radio performance at different frequencies, thereby increasing or decreasing the gain at each frequency.

[0255] In some embodiments, a slot antenna 20 is arranged (such as, but not limited to, [missing information]). Figures 1 to 6 In embodiments of 12A to 12E and 13A to 13E, the maximum width of at least one of the walls is at least 20 mm. In some embodiments, the width is at most 60 mm. The rectangle surrounding at least one wall can be drawn like rectangle 25 for a slot antenna, but the sides of the rectangle are tangent to at least one wall; in these cases, the maximum width is the length of the shortest edge of the rectangle, that is, corresponding to... Figure 13D The length W is shown, but at least one wall is rectangular. Therefore, the rectangle is drawn relative to a specific longitudinal direction and a first transverse direction of at least one wall.

[0256] The width of one or more walls affects the gain of the slot antenna; the width is measured along the orientation of two perpendicular directions of the enclosed compartment, with the shortest length between the two perpendicular directions.

[0257] In some embodiments, (such as but not limited to) Figures 1 to 6 The thickness of at least one of the walls containing the slot antenna 20 in any of the embodiments in 12A to 12E and 13A to 13E is at least 1.0 mm, and preferably less than or equal to 20.0 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness is between 2.0 mm and 8.0 mm, with the endpoints included in this range. Thickness refers to a third dimension of the wall not included in the rectangle surrounding at least one wall, i.e., the thickness in the second lateral direction.

[0258] The thickness of one or more walls can be selected based on the anticipated strain or wear that the compartment will withstand during ground engagement operations based on its position on earthmoving machinery. The thickness is measured along the direction toward the interior of the cavity, and therefore not in either of the two perpendicular directions of the enclosed compartment (i.e., the directions of maximum length and maximum width). It has been found that thicknesses within the aforementioned range have little or no effect on the gain of the slot antenna.

[0259] Figure 14A A perspective view of the compartment 10 according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 14B and 14C Two different cross-sections of the compartment 10 are shown.

[0260] The compartment 10 includes one or more walls 15b that surround the interior cavity 16. A cover 15a (e.g., but not limited to) is located on the first end 11 of the compartment 10. Figure 1-6 The first wall 15a) of 12A-12E is to be mechanically engaged with one or more walls 15b to at least partially cover the opening through which access to the cavity 16 is possible. In some embodiments, the cover 15a includes a slot antenna, such as the slot antenna 20 described with reference to the previous figure.

[0261] One or more walls 15b on the second end 12 of the compartment 10 provide a protruding geometry for the compartment 10, that is, a geometry that provides additional space for the cavity 16. In this embodiment, this geometry protrudes along a protruding direction D (indicated by a dashed arrow for illustration purposes only), from the first end 11 to the second end 12, which corresponds to the negative portion of the illustrated Z-axis. In the context of the invention, the protruding geometry preferably refers to a geometry in which the cross-section of the compartment gradually decreases (the transverse cross-section taken is progressively farther away along the protruding direction D, in which case the transverse cross-section taken is closer to the arrow end), preferably having an arched or similar shape, such as... Figures 14A-14C Examples of implementations.

[0262] The prominent geometry (convex shape) is adapted to allow the compartment 10 to be removed by rotating the compartment 10 when it is placed into the cavity; at least around the first axis of rotation R1 (for clarity, in... Figure 14B (Seen in the middle with the rotating arrow) is rotated. The geometry further provides a recessed geometry for the cavity 16, thereby providing more volume for distributing the electronic devices to be protected by the housing. At least a portion of the protruding geometry (and therefore at least a portion of one or more walls 15b) is chamfered, as can be seen from different views; the two opposing edges 17g, 17h of the wall 15b sliding along the walls of the cavity are chamfered, for example, arched or substantially arched. The rounded geometry further simplifies the removal of the housing 10 by reducing friction or collision between the walls(s) 15b and the multiple walls of the cavity into which the housing 10 is placed.

[0263] Cover 15a preferably includes the largest surface of cover 15a (in Figure 16 The diagram shows one or more protruding surfaces 65 extending parallel to surface 80; the one or more protruding surfaces 65 preferably comprise or are made of a metallic material (e.g., steel). Figures 15A-15B As can be seen, the (multiple) protruding surfaces 65 assist in the removal process of the compartment 10 by supporting the torque applied thereto for rotating the compartment 10.

[0264] The housing 10 may further include a cap 70, which includes one or more protrusions 71 or flaps. The protrusions 71 or flaps generate additional friction between the housing 10 and the cavity, making the housing 10 more reliably held therein. Furthermore, in those embodiments, the cap 70 blocks particles from entering the inner cavity 16, where the cover 15a includes openings, such as slotted antennas, or includes one or more cavities 25 to receive sensors 90, such as Hall-effect sensors. To more reliably engage the cap 70 with the cover 15a, the cover includes one or more protruding surfaces 65, and the cap 70 may include recesses in which the protruding surfaces 65 are mounted.

[0265] Furthermore, one or more edges 17a-17d of the cover 15a and / or one or more edges 17e-17f of one or more walls 15b preferably extend perpendicularly to the largest surface of the cover 15a (i.e., the surface that at least partially covers the opening of the compartment 10). Figures 14A-14C As can be seen, edges 17a-17f extend along the (negative) Z-axis shown in the figure, while the maximum surface of cover 15a extends along the X and Y axes shown in the figure; that is, it extends along the plane defined by the X and Y axes shown in the figure. These edges 17c-17f prevent the compartment 10 from rotating about the second axis of rotation R2 (only for clarity, in...). Figure 14C (Shown together with the crossed rotating arrows) Rotate.

[0266] In this embodiment, one or more walls 15b are shaped to have two symmetrical planes extending between the first and second ends 11, 12. Figures 14A-14C The axes shown in the figure have a first symmetry plane of YZ and a second symmetry plane of XZ.

[0267] from Figures 14A-14C The representation of the compartment 10 is understood to show that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the Y-axis shown in the figure, while the width and depth axes of the compartment 10 are parallel to the X and Z axes shown in the figure. The width axis can be either the X-axis or the Z-axis, and the depth axis is either the X-axis or the Z-axis; preferably, but not necessarily, the depth axis corresponds to an axis of the compartment 10 that has the following characteristics: the maximum length measured along said axis is shorter than the maximum length measured along the longitudinal axis, but longer than the maximum length measured along the width axis. In this embodiment, this means that the depth axis is parallel to the Z-axis, while the width axis is parallel to the X-axis.

[0268] Figures 15A-15B The removal of the compartment 10 according to an embodiment is shown, for example. Figures 14A-14C The capsule 10. Figure 15AThe diagram illustrates how the removal tool 400, when located within the cavity 97 of the device 95 of the earthmoving machinery, forces the chamber 10 to perform a rotational motion. Figure 15B The diagram shows the state of the compartment 10 after undergoing rotational motion. The rotation of the removal tool 400 and the compartment 10 are indicated by arrows for illustrative purposes only, which are counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively.

[0269] exist Figure 15A As can be observed, the protruding geometry of one or more walls 15b of the compartment 10 is fitted into at least a portion of the geometry 98 of the cavity 97, that is, the protruding geometry and geometry 98 are complementary or have partially corresponding geometry, thereby enabling the compartment 10 to rotate within the cavity 97, as shown in Figure 15B As seen in the diagram. There may be some free volume between one or more walls 15b and the wall 99 of the cavity 97 having geometry 98, which may be reduced even when the respective geometries have a larger fitting correspondence.

[0270] When the housing 10 is located within the cavity 97, in embodiments where the housing 10 includes a cap 70 disposed thereon and the cap 70 includes protrusions 71 or flaps, these protrusions 71 or flaps can contact the wall 99 of the cavity 97 and generate additional friction to retain the housing within the cavity. This can be advantageous during earthmoving machinery operation, as the earthmoving machinery is subjected to strong impacts that could cause the housing 10 to detach, even when the earthmoving machinery is not in operation, such as when the device is to be engaged with another part of the earthmoving machinery. In some cases, the device is manufactured with the housing 10 located within the cavity before the device is engaged with the machine, or the housing 10 is introduced into the cavity before the device is engaged with the machine; in both cases, the housing 10 may detach if it is not properly attached to the cavity when the device is installed into the machine. Similarly, the additional friction provides a more robust engagement of the housing 10 within the cavity 97, which in turn enhances the measurement of strain or stress by sensors included within the housing 10.

[0271] The removal tool 400 is partially introduced into the cavity 97, contacting and covering the protruding surface 65 of the cover 15a or the cap 70 (if present). The removal tool 400 is then rotated toward the opening 96 of the cavity 97, or in other words, in the removal direction. Therefore, the removal tool 400 applies torque to the protruding surface 65, and thereby the compartment 10 tends to rotate within the cavity 97. After rotation, as... Figure 15B As shown, the surface of the first end 11 of the compartment 10 is not flush with the opening 96 of the cavity 97; when the dimensions of the compartment 10 and the cavity 97 are designed such that the surface of the compartment 10 is flush with the opening 96, as Figure 15AIn the embodiment shown, rotation causes the compartment 10 to no longer remain flat, which facilitates gripping a portion of the compartment 10 to pull it out of the cavity 97.

[0272] Alternatively, when the cover 15a does not have a protruding surface 65, the compartment 10 can be forced to rotate by applying a force to an offset position or region on the surface of the first end 11 of the compartment 10 (which is the largest surface of the cover 15a or the cap 70 (if provided and covering the cover 15a)), preferably at a position or region that can generate greater torque (such as the point or region P illustrated only for clarity). If a force is applied at position or region P, the compartment 10 rotates in the opposite direction. Figure 15A The direction of rotation shown in the diagram is such that it will rotate counterclockwise. The more free volume exists between the walls of compartment 10 and cavity 97, the easier it is to force rotation by applying the aforementioned force.

[0273] In this embodiment, the geometry 98 of the cavity 97 is such that it has two planes of symmetry. According to Figure 15A The axis shown in the diagram has its first symmetric plane as the YZ plane, although in Figures 15A-15B It is not seen in the text that the second symmetric plane is the XZ plane.

[0274] Figure 16 A perspective view of the cover 15a of the compartment 10 according to an embodiment is shown, the cover 15a including a slot antenna 20 and a recess 25 for mounting a sensor 90.

[0275] Sensor 90, for example, is a Hall effect sensor, which is arranged on the outside of the chamber to more accurately measure the magnetic field generated by a magnet located away from the chamber. Multiple grooves 25 can be formed on the maximum surface 80 to allow for the selective arrangement of sensors 90, providing flexibility in positioning them and thus enabling better adjustment of the magnet's position given the varying locations of the magnets in each case. These grooves may also be used to receive multiple sensors 90.

[0276] Since the groove 25 is outside the projection of the slot antenna 20, the electromagnetic waves radiated by the slot antenna 20 cause little or no interference to the measurement of the sensor 90. Similarly, any obstruction that the slot antenna 20 may cause to the magnetic field generated by the magnet will not affect the measurement, because the groove 25 is outside the maximum surface 80 of the wall 15a; the magnetic field reaches the outside of the compartment 10.

[0277] Figure 17 A perspective view of an intermediate connector 200 according to an embodiment is shown, having a compartment 10 disposed therein.

[0278] Although three cavities 225-227 containing the compartment 10 are shown in this embodiment, in other embodiments, only one or two cavities 225-227 containing the compartment 10 are provided, or one or more are provided as shown in the reference. Figure 10 The cavity is used to receive one or more corresponding compartments 10.

[0279] One of the cavities 225 is adjacent to the through hole 220 to receive a pin for engaging the connector 200 with the gear mechanism, and is located at the rear end of the through hole 220, that is, between the through hole 220 and the rear end 202 of the connector 200.

[0280] Another cavity 226 is also adjacent to the through hole 220, but at its front end, that is, between the through hole 220 and the tooth engagement end 201.

[0281] Another cavity 227 is arranged on the surface 206 of the protrusion 205 of the tooth engagement end 201.

[0282] Figure 18 A perspective view of a tooth 100 according to an embodiment is shown, having a magnet arranged therein for engaging with a sensor of the housing.

[0283] The housing receiving cavity 126 in the tooth 100 is located inside the recess 110. A magnet 91 is attached to the sidewall 112 of the housing receiving cavity 126, where a through hole 120 is formed to receive a pin that connects the connector to the tooth 100. The magnet 91 is preferably located at the rear end of the through hole 120, that is, between the through hole 120 and the tail end 102 of the tooth 100.

[0284] Alternatively or concurrently, magnet 91 is attached to wall 111 of the housing receiving cavity 126, which is closest to the wear end designed to wear down with use.

[0285] The positions of the (multiple) magnets 91 correspond to the positions of the (multiple) chambers, preferably to the positions of the (multiple) Hall effect sensors of the chambers, thereby enabling the detection of the detachment of wear components. In this embodiment, the positions of two magnets 91 correspond to the positions of the chambers 10. Figure 17 The arrangement positions in the connector 200 correspond to each other. When the cover of the (multiple) compartments 10 includes multiple recesses for receiving sensors, a recess can be selected instead of another recess based on the position of the corresponding magnet 91.

[0286] Components comprising two or more mating devices (such as wear elements) can be molded such that the component includes drop detection capability. For example, Figure 17-18The tooth 100 and the engagement 200 form an assembly with one or more compartments 10, the compartments including one or more Hall effect sensors located in one device and one or more corresponding magnets 91 located in another device.

[0287] Figure 19A This is a perspective view of the compartment 10 according to an embodiment. Figure 19B A side view of the compartment 10 is shown.

[0288] The compartment 10 includes a misalignment prevention coupling member 55 disposed on the edge 17 of the wall 15b of the compartment 10. In this embodiment, the misalignment prevention coupling member 55 is integrally formed on the wall 15b, which means that the geometry of the wall 15b is adapted not only to allow removal by rotational movement but also to include the misalignment prevention coupling member 55.

[0289] The anti-misconnection connecting member 55 is a protruding member that mates with the recessed anti-misconnection connecting member within the cavity of the receiving compartment 10. The cavity including the anti-misconnection connecting member can be any of the cavities described with reference to the previous figure.

[0290] In this embodiment, the anti-misalignment connection member 55 includes a flat surface 56 for casting feed and similarly a radial geometry 57, which enables disassembly of the chamber even in the presence of, for example, compacted fine particles. Therefore, in addition to preventing incorrect arrangement of the chamber 10 within the cavity, member 55 also improves the operation of the chamber 10.

[0291] Figure 20 A hypothetical box 500 surrounding the compartment 10 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0292] For illustrative purposes only, the hypothetical box 500 is represented by dashed lines. Box 500 is a cube or cuboid, each of its six faces being tangent to at least one point on the outer surface of at least one wall of the compartment 10. The hypothetical box 500 is the box 500 with the minimum possible volume, i.e., the box 500 that simultaneously has a face tangent to at least one point on the outer surface of at least one wall of the compartment 10 and is the smallest in size. When the compartment 10 includes as... Figure 20 In the embodiment of the cap 70, one or more sides of the box body 500 may pass through the cap 70 or even not touch it.

[0293] The compartment 10, and the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical axes (also referred to as width and depth axes, or depth-width axes) of the geometry preferably formed by its plurality of walls, can be defined, for example, by a hypothetical box 500. In this case, the longest edge of the box 500 corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the compartment 10 (in this embodiment, the longest edge is parallel to the Y-axis and has a length L). ASimilarly, the length L A (This is the maximum length measured along the longitudinal axis); the width axis of the compartment 10 preferably corresponds to an edge perpendicular to it, which preferably defines the edge of the plane (or parallel to the containing plane) of the end of the convex portion containing the geometry of the compartment 10 (in this embodiment, it defines the top surface 500a) and / or the opening of the compartment 10 (in this case, it defines the bottom 500b), which in this embodiment is parallel to the axis X and has a length W. A Similarly, the length W A It is the maximum length measured along the width axis; and the depth axis of the compartment 10 preferably corresponds to the edge perpendicular to the two edges corresponding to the longitudinal and width axes, in which case it is parallel to axis Z and has a length D. A The length D A This is also the maximum length measured along the depth axis. The length of the edge corresponding to the longitudinal axis is greater than the lengths of the other two edges.

[0294] In some preferred embodiments, the length of the edge corresponding to the width axis is shorter than the length of the edge corresponding to the depth axis. In some embodiments, the lengths of the edges corresponding to the width axis and the depth axis are equal. In some non-preferred embodiments, the length of the edge corresponding to the width axis is longer than the length of the edge corresponding to the depth axis.

[0295] Figure 21 A cross-section of the wall 15b forming the compartment according to an embodiment is shown, a portion of which provides a compartment having a convex geometry. In particular, the cross-section is relative to... Figure 14B and 14C The plane denoted as AA′ is in the middle. Figure 21 The view facing in Figure 14B and 14C The protruding direction D shown is towards the interior of the compartment.

[0296] Wall 15b encloses a two-dimensional region extending from the outermost side of wall 15b and including a protrusion of the inner cavity 16, thus covering the entire surface with the diagonal pattern. The region extends in a cross-section defined by two axes: as shown in, for example, reference... Figure 20 The longitudinal axis (corresponding to the Y-axis in the figure) and the width axis (corresponding to the X-axis in the figure) of the described compartment 10 are shown. The length of the region along the longitudinal axis is shown as Lc, and the length of the region along the width axis is shown as Wc.

[0297] from Figure 14B , 20 As can be understood from 21, the rotation axis R1 is parallel to the width axis.

[0298] In this document, the term “prominent geometry” is used for clarity only; without departing from the scope of the invention, the corresponding geometry of one or more walls may also be referred to as “geometry”, “shape” or “form”.

[0299] In this document, the term “including” and its derivatives (such as “including”, etc.) should not be understood as having an exclusionary meaning; that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding any possible further included elements, steps, etc., that are described and defined.

[0300] On the other hand, the present invention is obviously not limited to the specific embodiments(s) described herein, but also includes any variations that a person skilled in the art may consider (e.g., choices of materials, dimensions, components, configurations, etc.) within the general scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A housing (10) for protecting an electronic device (30) of an earthmoving machine (300), the housing (10) comprising one or more walls (15b-15d) arranged to form an interior cavity (16) configured to receive the electronic device (30) and an opening therethrough into the interior cavity, the opening being at least partially sealed by a cover (15a), characterized in that, One or more of the walls (15b-15d) give the compartment (10) at least a portion the following geometry: it is convex and adapted to allow removal of the compartment (10) from the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229) of the earthmoving machinery (300) by rotating the compartment (10) about a rotation axis (R1), wherein the cross section of the compartment (10) at the beginning of the at least portion extends above a plane defined by both the longitudinal axis (Y) of the compartment (10) and an axis (X) transverse to the longitudinal axis (Y), wherein the rotation axis (R1) is parallel to the axis (X) transverse to the longitudinal axis (Y).

2. The compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the opening and cover of the compartment (10) are defined with a maximum length along a specific longitudinal direction.

3. The compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (15a) is located at the first end (11) of the compartment (10) and the geometry protrudes toward the second end (12) of the compartment (10), the second end (12) being opposite to the first end (11).

4. The compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (15a) includes one or more protruding surfaces (65) for allowing a removal tool (400) to apply torque to it to remove the compartment (10) from the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229), the one or more of the protruding surfaces (65) extending parallel to the maximum surface of the cover (15a).

5. The compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the compartment (10) further comprises a cap (70) detachably coupled to a cover (15a), the cap (70) comprising one or more protrusions (71) that contact the wall (99) of the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229).

6. The compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the geometry of at least a portion of the compartment (10) is rounded or chamfered.

7. The compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the compartment (10) is cuboid in shape and two opposite edges of one or more of the walls (15b-15d) are rounded or chamfered.

8. The compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (15a) has one or more edges (17a-17d), and one or more edges (17a-17d) are perpendicular to the maximum surface of the cover (15a).

9. The housing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (15a) includes a slot antenna (20).

10. The housing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (15a) includes one or more recesses (25), each of the recesses being adapted to receive a sensor (90).

11. The compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the walls (15a-15d) are shaped such that the compartment (10) includes a longitudinal axis, a width axis, and a depth axis, wherein the width axis and the depth axis are perpendicular to each other and both perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; wherein, The maximum length (L) of the compartment (10) measured along the longitudinal axis A The length of the compartment (10) is greater than the maximum length (W) measured along the width axis. A ) and the maximum length (D) of the compartment (10) measured along the depth axis. A ).

12. The compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the walls (15a-15d) are shaped such that the three edges corresponding to the three vertical axes of the imaginary box body (500) surrounding the compartment (10) have different lengths, wherein the imaginary box body (500) surrounds the compartment (10) such that all its faces tangentially contact at least one point on the surface of the compartment (10), and the imaginary box body (500) has a feasible minimum volume.

13. The compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of one or more walls is not threaded.

14. An apparatus (95, 100, 200, 301-307) for earthmoving machinery (300), comprising: The cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229) and the compartment (10) according to any one of claims 1-13, the compartment being insertable into the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229), characterized in that the geometry of at least a portion of the compartment (10) is adapted to at least a portion of the cavity, the geometry (98) of at least a portion of the cavity being adapted to allow the compartment (10) to be removed from the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229) by rotating the compartment (10) about a rotation axis (R1).

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the geometry (98) of at least a portion of the compartment (10) and at least a portion of the cavity is adapted to allow the application of a force or pressure offset from the center of the cover (15a) to the cover (15) to generate a torque that causes the compartment (10) to be removed to rotate about the axis of rotation (R1), thereby removing the compartment (10) from the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229).

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus (100, 200, 301-307) is any one of the following: wear element (100, 200, 304), excavator (305), boom (303), stick (301), hydraulic cylinder (302), traction mechanism (306), or nacelle (307).

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus (100, 200, 301-307) is an abrasive element comprising a coupling or intermediate coupling (200), the coupling or intermediate coupling (200) having a recess (110) adapted for inserting teeth and a protrusion (205) defining a first end of the abrasive element, and a rear portion (207) defining a second end (202) of the abrasive element, wherein the cavity (97, 225-227) is arranged in the protrusion (205) at the following location: The surface (206) of the tooth engagement end (201); or A through hole (220) near the connector or the intermediate connector (200), which is used to receive a pin for mechanically connecting the connector or the intermediate connector (200) to the gear, and between the through hole (220) and the second end (202); or It is adjacent to the through hole (220) and between the through hole (220) and the tooth engagement end (201).

18. A component comprising: A first device and a second device for earthmoving machinery, the first device being the device (95, 100, 200, 301-307) according to claim 14, the second device being attached to or capable of being attached to the first device; the housing (10) of the first device includes at least one Hall effect sensor, each Hall effect sensor being located in one of one or more recesses (25), and the second device includes one or more magnets (91) arranged such that when the second device is attached to the first device, each magnet (91) is at a distance less than 5 cm from a Hall effect sensor.

19. The component of claim 18, wherein the second device is an abrasive element.

20. A method comprising: manufacturing a housing (10) for protecting an electronic device (30) of an earthmoving machine (300), the housing (10) comprising one or more walls (15b-15d) arranged to form an interior cavity configured to receive the electronic device (30) and an opening through which access to the interior cavity is possible; forming a cover (15a); engaging the cover (15a) with the one or more walls (15b-15d) to at least partially cover the opening; characterized in that, One or more of the walls (15b-15d) are formed such that the compartment (10) has at least a portion of its geometry that is convex and adapted to allow the compartment (10) to be removed from the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229) of the earthmoving machinery (300) by rotating the compartment (10) about a rotation axis (R1), wherein the cross section of the compartment (10) at the beginning of the at least portion extends above a plane defined by both a longitudinal axis (Y) and an axis (X) transverse to the longitudinal axis (Y), wherein the rotation axis (R1) is parallel to the axis (X) transverse to the longitudinal axis (Y).

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the compartment (10) is produced by a potting process, wherein the potting is performed in a mold formed to correspond to the compartment (10).

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: Arrangement of devices (95, 100, 200, 301-307) for earthmoving machinery (300); forming the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229) in the device (95), wherein the compartment (10) is insertable into the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229), wherein the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229) is shaped such that the geometry of at least a portion of the compartment (10) is adapted to at least a portion of the cavity, wherein the geometry (98) of at least a portion of the cavity is adapted to allow the compartment (10) to be removed from the cavity (97, 125-127, 225-229) by rotating the compartment (10) about the axis of rotation (R1).

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the device (100, 200, 301-307) is one of the following: wear element (100, 200, 304), excavator (305), boom (303), stick (301), hydraulic cylinder (302), traction mechanism (306), or nacelle (307).

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the device (100, 200, 301-307) is a wear element comprising a coupling or intermediate coupling (200), the coupling or intermediate coupling (200) having a recess (110) adapted for inserting teeth and a protrusion (205) defining a first end of the wear element, and a rear portion (207) defining a second end (202) of the wear element, wherein the cavity (97, 225-227) is arranged in the following portion of the protrusion (205): The surface (206) of the tooth engagement end (201); or A through hole (220) near the connector or the intermediate connector (200) is provided for receiving a pin that mechanically connects the connector or the intermediate connector (200) to the gear, and between the through hole (220) and the second end (202); It is adjacent to the through hole (220) and between the through hole (220) and the tooth engagement end (201).

Images