Front rail weldment

Abstract

The front rail weld may include a base frame including a pair of substantially uninterrupted viewing members extending from a first end to a second end and a cross member extending between the pair of substantially uninterrupted viewing members. The weldment may also include a pair of hanger bars each secured to a respective viewing member of the base frame at or near a midpoint of the respective viewing member and extending upwardly to a top end. The weldment may also include a pair of struts extending from respective first ends of the pair of viewing members to tops of respective hanger rods of the pair of hanger rods. The weldment may also include a pair of rear pull rods each configured to pull back a top end of a respective hanger bar of the pair of hanger bars.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application generally relates to support systems for vehicles, and in particular to work machines such as trucks, haul trucks, and articulated trucks. More particularly, the present application relates to support frames for supporting vehicle bodies, truck beds, cabs, platforms, and other structures relative to suspension systems on work machines. More particularly, the present application relates to particular aspects of support frames including a front portion of the support frame that can interact with a front suspension and / or support front aspects of a work machine. Background Art

[0002] Vehicle and / or work machine frames can be complex structures with multiple sections and parts arranged at various angles relative to each other to accommodate load points from the work machine body, truck bed, bumper rails, cab, hydraulic cylinders, suspension components including shock absorbers or struts, A-bars, and other features. Loads on a vehicle or work machine frame can be unpredictable and difficult to assess, leading to inefficient designs including overly thick or oversized plates, tubes, rods, or other structures. These overly thick or oversized structures can require correspondingly oversized welds, which can generate a lot of heat during the manufacturing process, leading to warping of the components, weldments, or frame.

[0003] U.S. Patent Application No. 2021 / 0122211 relates to a space frame front lower suspension connector. The front lower suspension connector for a space frame includes a U-shaped base and an upper suspension control arm support section on the U-shaped base. The U-shaped base may have a cross beam section and a suspension column support beam section positioned at opposite ends of the cross beam section. Each upper suspension control arm support section may have a first support column and a second support column spaced apart from the first support column. Typically, the prime mover may be disposed in the space 21 of the space frame 20 at the front 26 of the space frame 20. The front mounting surface 2940 may be adapted to have one or more elongated support members fixedly attached (e.g., weldably attached) thereto. For example, Figure 4-8 A front mounting surface 2940 is shown adapted to have six elongated support members extending therefrom, four elongated support members 203, and two elongated support members 202. Elongated support members 203 may extend horizontally or substantially horizontally (e.g., 1-2 degrees from horizontal). Elongated support members 202 may extend at an angle (e.g., an acute angle) relative to horizontal. Summary of the invention

[0004] In one or more examples, the front rail weldment may include a base frame including a pair of substantially uninterrupted viewing members extending from a first end to a second end and a cross member extending between the pair of substantially uninterrupted viewing members. The weldment may also include a pair of hanger bars, each of which is secured to the corresponding viewing member of the base frame at or near a midpoint and extends upward to a top end. The weldment may also include a pair of struts extending from the respective first ends of the pair of viewing members to the top of the corresponding ones of the pair of hanger bars. The weldment may also include a pair of pull rods, each of which is configured to pull back the top end of the corresponding ones of the pair of hanger bars.

[0005] In one or more examples, a work machine may include a frame, a prime mover disposed on the frame, and a tire assembly operably coupled to the prime mover and coupled to the frame via a suspension. The frame of the work machine may include a base frame including a pair of substantially uninterrupted viewing members extending from a first end to a second end and a cross member extending between the pair of substantially uninterrupted viewing members. The frame may also include a pair of hanger bars, each of which is fixed to the corresponding viewing member at or near the midpoint of the corresponding viewing member of the base frame and extends upward to a top end. The frame may also include a pair of struts, the pair of struts extending from the corresponding first ends of the pair of viewing members to the top of the corresponding hanger bars of the pair of hanger bars. The frame may also include a pair of rear tie rods, each of which is configured to pull back the top end of the corresponding hanger bar of the pair of hanger bars. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a work machine having a support frame with a front track weldment according to one or more embodiments.

[0007] Figure 2 is based on one or more instances of Figure 1 A perspective view of a working machine with its support frame detached.

[0008] Figure 3 Based on one or more instances Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of the front track weldment of the support frame.

[0009] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a cross member of a front rail weldment according to one or more embodiments.

[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 6A perspective view of the underside of a cross member.

[0011] Figure 6 yes Figure 6 A top side perspective view of a cross member.

[0012] Figure 7 is a close-up perspective view of the attachment of a front rail weldment to a suspension connection weldment and showing a buttress connection for a strut according to one or more examples.

[0013] Figure 8 is a close-up perspective view of a multi-tube connector according to one or more embodiments.

[0014] Fig. 9 is a top rear perspective view of a laterally extending strut of a front rail weldment according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Figure 1 1 is a front perspective view of a work machine 100 having a support frame 102 with a front track weldment 104 according to one or more examples. For example, the work machine 100 may include a haul truck, or another type of work machine may be provided. In addition to a cab or operator station 106 and a dump body or truck bed 108, the work machine 100 may include a prime mover disposed on the support frame 102. The dump body or truck bed 108 may be operably coupled to the support frame 102, such as by a pivot connection and an actuator for pivoting the dump body 108 about the pivot connection to dump material out of the dump body 108. The work machine 100 may also include a ground engaging traction system, such as one or more tire assemblies 110 (tires are shown in phantom to provide a frame view). The tire assembly 110 may be operably coupled to the support frame 102 via a suspension 112. For example, the prime mover may be operably coupled to the one or more tire assemblies 110, such as by a transmission, a drive train, a drive shaft, and / or other components.

[0016] Now go to Figure 2, a support frame 102 is shown. The support frame 102 can be configured to support the work machine 100 and all of its components relative to a suspension system 112 that couples the support frame 102 to a tire assembly 110. As shown, the support frame 102 can include a rear portion 114 for pivotally coupling and supporting the dump body 108 and coupling a rear suspension system for the rear tire assembly 110. The frame 102 can also include a center portion 116 for bridging between the front and rear tire assemblies 110 and supporting loads from the dump body 108. The frame 102 can also include a front portion 118 for coupling a front suspension system 112 for the front tire assembly 110, as well as for supporting the prime mover, cab, and other front aspects of the work machine 100. As shown, and particularly with respect to the front tire assembly 110 and the front suspension 112, a suspension connection weldment 120 can be disposed in the front portion 118 of the space frame 102. Additionally, a front rail weld 122 may be disposed on a front side of the suspension connection weld 120 .

[0017] The front rail weldment 122 may extend from the suspension connection weldment 120 and may be configured to support the prime mover, front rails 124, and other front aspects of the work machine 100, such as the cab or operator station 106, access steps, and other features of a particular work machine 100. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. , the front rail weldment 122 may include a base frame 126 extending forwardly to the front rail 124 , a pair of upright supports 128 , a pair of rear tie rods 130 , and one or more laterally extending support systems 132 .

[0018] Figure 3 1 and 2. The base frame 126 is shown in FIG. The base frame can be configured to extend forward from the suspension connection weldment 120 and form a bottom portion of the front track weldment 122. The base frame 126 can be configured, for example, for positioning a prime mover thereon, for attaching the front track 124 thereto, and can also include a towing lug 134 on a bottom side thereof. Thus, loads from the front of the work machine 100 can be directly applied to the base frame 126. In one or more examples, the base frame 126 can include a pair of viewing members 136 and a cross member 137.

[0019] The viewing member 136 can define the lateral sides and bottom of the base frame 126 and can be configured for supporting one or more portions of the prime mover, for connecting to and supporting the front rail 124, and for connecting one or more towing lugs 134. The viewing member 136 can extend generally longitudinally relative to the work machine 100 and from a front bottom portion of the outer side wall 138 of the suspension connection weldment 120. In one or more instances, the viewing member 136 can have a generally rectangular cross-section and can be constructed from one or more plates. For example, the viewing members can each include a bottom plate 140, a top plate 142, and two side plates 144. In one or more instances, the two side plates 144 can extend from a top side surface of the bottom plate 140 to a bottom side surface of the top plate 142, wherein the top plate 142 and the bottom plate 140 extend laterally slightly further than the outer surfaces of the two side plates 144. For example, as Figure 4 As shown in , the viewing member 136 can be substantially uninterrupted between the connection to the suspension connection weldment 120 and the rear side of the track 124. That is, in one or more instances, the side panels 144 of the viewing member 136 can be substantially continuous and uninterrupted along the length. In one or more other instances, the top and bottom panels 140 / 142 can additionally or alternatively be substantially uninterrupted. In one or more instances, uninterrupted can mean that there are no joints, holes, seams, and other interruptions in the panel material. In other instances, uninterrupted can mean that there is no alignment deviation from one panel to an adjacent panel, but seams can be provided.

[0020] In some locations, the inner or outer edges 146 / 148 of the top and / or bottom panels 140 / 142 may be shaped to smoothly transition to adjacent elements or to control stress concentrations at weld joints or ends. For example, where the top panel 142 abuts the front panel 150 of the outer sidewall 138, the inner and outer edges 146 / 148 of the top panel 142 may be flared inwardly and outwardly, respectively. Similar inward flares may be provided at the bottom panel 140. Figure 7 and 8 As shown in FIG, the outboard flared portion of the bottom plate 140 may be omitted to avoid interfering with the connection holes on the front side of the outer side wall 138. Similar inward and outward flared portions of both the top and bottom plates 142 / 140 may be provided where the viewing member 136 abuts or is secured to the front rail 124, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 Similarly, where the top plate 142 abuts the top plate 154 of the cross member 137, a curved or rounded transition may be provided between the longitudinally extending edge and the laterally extending edge. Figure 5As shown in the lower side view of , where the bottom plate 140 abuts the cross member 137, an inwardly extending tab 152 may be provided to align with the laterally extending sidewalls 156 of the cross member 137. A rounded or curved transition between the longitudinally extending edges of the bottom plate 140 may be provided to transition to the tab 152.

[0021] A support point 158 ​​for the viewing member 136 can be disposed approximately halfway along the viewing member 136 between the connection to the outer sidewall 138 of the suspension connection weldment 120 and the attachment to the front rail 124. That is, a vertically extending hanger 160 can be secured to the viewing member 136 at the support point 158. A mounting bracket 162 can also be disposed slightly forward of the support point 158. The mounting bracket 162 may include front and rear panels, inner side panels, and a cover panel having holes adapted to receive fasteners from a mounted device or item. On the bottom side of the viewing member 136, a towing lug 134 may be provided. As shown, the towing lug 134 may be secured to the bottom side surface of the base plate 140 of the viewing member 136. The towing lug 134 may include a relatively thick plate that is disposed on an edge relative to the base plate 140 and extends downward therefrom. The towing lug 134 may be machined to include a hole extending therethrough and a hook on a rear side thereof. In one or more instances, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in , the hook may include an upper angled or chamfered surface leading forwardly and downwardly toward the U-shaped slot to help prevent the rope or cable from hanging above the slot. Still other hook profiles may be provided.

[0022] The cross member 137 can extend laterally between a pair of viewing members 136 of the base frame 126 and can be configured as a primary support member for the prime mover. As shown, the cross member 137 can generally include a top plate, a pair of spaced-apart side plates, and an open bottom. In one or more examples, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in , the cross member 137 may include a center portion 164 and two outer portions 166, which allows modular construction of the cross member 137 or base frame 126 and machining of several parts. Figure 4-6 As shown in , the outer portion 166 may include a pair of spaced-apart side panels 156 on the underside of the laterally extending portion of the top panel 142 of the viewing member. The side panels 156 can be fixed to the inner side of the viewing member 136 and can extend inwardly away from the viewing member 136 to the wall joint 168. The laterally inwardly extending portion of the top panel 142 of the viewing member 136 can form a portion of the outer portion 166 of the cross member 137 and can extend laterally inwardly to a top panel joint 170 that is offset from the wall joint. In this case, the top panel joint can be arranged to be further inward than the wall joint 168. As shown in FIG. Figure 5As shown in FIG. 1 , the pad rod 172 can be disposed within the cross member 137 at the wall joint 168 and the top panel joint 170. Figure 5 The tab 152 shown in FIG. 1 may also form part of the outboard portion 166 of the cross member 137 .

[0023] The central portion 164 of the cross member 137 may include a pair of spaced-apart side panels 174 extending from a wall splice 168 on one end to another wall splice 168 on the other opposite end. The top of the central portion 164 may include a series of plates or members configured to establish a mount for the prime mover. For example, a relatively thick mounting plate 176 may be provided. The mounting plate 176 may have a width that extends beyond the side panels 174 and a length that extends over most of the length of the central portion 164. The mounting plate 176 may include one or more holes or threaded holes for receiving fasteners to secure the prime mover. The holes may be arranged at each end of the mounting plate 176. In addition, an access opening in the form of an elongated opening may be provided, the access opening having a width of approximately the middle third of the width of the mounting plate and extending along the length of the mounting plate between the holes arranged at each end. A pair of outer side panels 178 may be provided, extending downwardly from the mounting plate 176 and spaced a distance from each other to receive the side panels 174 therebetween. That is, as Figure 4-6 As shown in , the outer side plate 178 can be arranged immediately outside the side plate 174 and can be welded or otherwise secured to the side plate. The outer side plate 178 can be used to raise the mounting plate 176 above the top edge of the side plate 174, or the mounting plate 176 can rest on the top edge of the side plate 174. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , at each end of the mounting plate 176, on the underside thereof, a reinforcement 180 may be provided. The reinforcement 180 may be arranged to extend longitudinally along the work machine 100 between the side panels 174 of the central portion 164 of the cross member 137 (e.g., laterally across the cross member 137). In addition, an end panel 182 may be provided, which is arranged on each end of the mounting plate 176. The end panel 182 may extend across the end of the mounting plate 176 and beyond the side panels 174 and the outer side panels 178. The remaining portion of the central portion 164 (e.g., beyond the end of the mounting plate 176) may include a significantly thinner or lighter top panel 184 on each end thereof. As shown, the lighter top panel 184 may extend inwardly from the top panel splice 170 to the end panel 182 or the mounting plate 176. As the lighter top panel 184 approaches the mounting plate 176, the edges may be bent or tapered inwardly to match the width or spacing of the outer side panels 178.

[0024] Turning now to the upright support 128, again referring to Figure 2The upright support 128 may be configured to be used in conjunction with the rear tie rod 130 to provide vertical support to the viewing member 136 of the base frame 126. Figure 3 As shown in , the upright support 128 may include a diagonally extending strut 186 and the previously mentioned hanger bar 160. The upright support 128 including the strut 186 and the hanger bar 160 may be disposed on each side of the base frame 126. The diagonally extending strut 186 may extend diagonally forward, upward, and slightly outward from the connection of the base frame 126 to the suspension connection weldment 120 to the free end of the rear tie rod 130. In one or more examples, the strut 186 may be a generally circular or rectangular tube, or other cross-sections may be provided.

[0025] like Figure 7 As shown in detail in FIG. 1 , the bottom ends of the diagonally extending struts 186 can be framed into a buttress connection 188 between the top plate 142 of the viewing member 136 of the base frame 126 and the front plate 150 of the suspension connection weldment 120. The buttress connection 188 can include one or two generally triangular buttress plates 190 and a cover plate 192 disposed along the hypotenuse of the triangular buttress plates 190. The diagonally extending struts 186 can be welded or fixed to the surface of the cover plate 192. In one or more examples, the cover plate 192 can include side edges extending along the length of the cover plate 192, which can be slightly shaped (bent outward and around the struts 186) to provide a suitable edge distance around the diagonally extending struts 186. This connection (e.g., buttress-type connection 188) can provide easy weldability of the joints between the struts 186, the front plate 150 of the suspension connection weldment 120, and the top plate 142 of the viewing member 136. That is, this joint can avoid overlapping circular welds and can provide linear welds. Figure 2 , 3 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 , similar buttress connections may be provided at the top side of the buttress 186 where the buttress frames the bottom side of the backstay 130 and the rear side of the hanger bar 160 .

[0026] The hanger bar 160 can extend generally vertically and slightly outwardly from the viewing member 136 of the base frame 126 to the free end of the back tie rod 130. Similar to the struts 186, the hanger bar 160 can be a generally circular or rectangular tube, or a cross-sectional shape can be provided. The hanger bar 160 can be used to provide support for the viewing member 136 of the base frame by securing it to the free end of the back tie rod 130 supported by the diagonally extending struts 186. In one or more examples, the hanger bar 160 can be welded to the top plate 142 of the viewing member 136 and to the bottom plate of the back tie rod 130.

[0027] The back tie rods 130 may be configured to resist the forward thrust of the diagonally extending struts 186 caused by the downward force of the hanger rod 160 acting on the top ends of the struts. That is, the back tie rods 130 may be disposed on either side of the front rail weldment 122 and may be used to provide a tensile force to the top ends of the upright supports 128. Each back tie rod 130 may be a generally rectangular tube, or may be provided with a circular or other cross-section. The back tie rods 130 may extend generally longitudinally along the frame 102 and return to one or more support points near the junction of the center portion of the support frame 102 and the front portions 116 / 118.

[0028] The front rail weldment 122 may include one or more laterally extending support systems 132. That is, Fig. 9 As shown in , the laterally extending support system may include a laterally extending strut 194 extending from a free end of the front right rear tie rod 130. The strut 194 may include a generally circular rod or may provide a rectangular or other cross-sectional shape. The laterally extending support system 132 may include one or more mounting brackets 198 for securing features of the front portion of the work machine 100. In one or more examples, the strut 194 may be supported outside of the hanger bar 160 with a bracket 196 (such as a rounded bracket).

[0029] Return to reference Figure 2 , on the left front side of the front rail weldment 122, the laterally extending support system 132 may include a laterally extending rod 200 supported by a support post 202. The laterally extending rod 200 may include a rectangular rod or may provide a circular or other shaped rod. The rod 200 may extend laterally outward from the free end of the left rear tie rod 130 to its own free end. The support post 202 may extend upward from the viewing member 136 on the left side of the base frame 126 to support the rod 200. As shown in FIG. Figure 8, the post 202 may extend from the viewing member 136 at a laterally extending bracket 204. That is, the post 202 may engage the viewing member 136 at a location similar to the hanger bar 160 on the side of the weldment 122. At the side of the viewing member 136 to which the hanger bar 160 is attached, a laterally extending bracket 204 may be provided. The bracket 204 may include one or more gussets 206 disposed between a laterally extending portion of the bottom plate 140 of the viewing member 136 and a laterally extending portion of the top plate 142 of the viewing member 136. The laterally extending portion of the bottom plate 140 of the viewing member 136 may extend laterally generally straight from the bottom of the viewing member 136. In contrast, the laterally extending portion of the top plate 142 may bend or curve slightly downward across the top of the gusset 206, thereby providing a more square or orthogonal interface with the bottom of the post 202. That is, the support posts 202 can be framed into the top surface of the laterally extending portion of the top plate 142 at an angle that is closer to an orthogonal than if the top plate extended straight laterally. In some cases, the angle can be an orthogonal angle. Return to Reference Figure 2 , a longitudinally extending support element 208 may extend rearwardly from a free end of the laterally extending rod 200 to a fixture 210 that connects a plurality of diagonally extending struts and / or rods 212 .

[0030] Industrial Applicability

[0031] The front rail weldment design of the present invention facilitates a reduction in the number of components including seven fewer tubes and far fewer gussets than previous designs. The cross member 137 also has a smooth top and open bottom design which avoids the accumulation of debris and other matter. The contour of the top plate 142 of the viewing member 136, particularly at the connection with the suspension connection weldment 120, helps keep high stresses away from the weld joint and in the parent material. This also applies, for example, at the bottom plate 140 of the viewing member 136 where the bottom plate transitions to the cross member 137 and where the top plate 142 transitions to the cross member 137.

[0032] The above detailed description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting.The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A front rail welding part (104), comprising: a base frame (126) comprising a pair of substantially uninterrupted viewing members (136) extending from a first end to a second end and a cross member (137) extending between the pair of substantially uninterrupted viewing members; a pair of hanger bars (160) each secured to a respective viewing member (136) of the base frame (126) at or near a midpoint of the respective viewing member (136) and extending upwardly to a top end; a pair of struts (212) extending from respective first ends of the pair of viewing members (136) to tops of respective ones of the pair of hanger bars (160); and A pair of rear pull rods (130), each of the pair of rear pull rods being configured to rear pull the top end of a corresponding hanger rod (160) of the pair of hanger rods (160).

2. The front rail weldment of claim 1, wherein the front rail (124) is secured to each second end of the pair of viewing members (136).

3. A front rail weldment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a buttress-type connector (188) is arranged at the corresponding first ends of the pair of viewing members (136), and optionally, wherein the buttress-type connector (188) includes one or more triangular plates and a cover plate, wherein the corresponding support (212) of the pair of supports (212) is framed in the cover plate.

4. The front rail weldment of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pair of viewing members (136) comprises a pair of side panels (144), a top panel (142) and a bottom panel (140), and optionally wherein the top panel (142) comprises an inner edge and an outer edge, wherein the inner edge and the outer edge each flare inwardly and outwardly, respectively, at the first end.

5. The front rail weldment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cross member (137) includes a pair of outer portions (166) and a central portion (164) arranged between the pair of outer portions (166), and optionally, wherein the central portion (164) includes a pair of side panels, a mounting plate and an outer panel extending downwardly from the mounting plate beside the pair of side panels.

6. The front rail weldment of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a laterally extending support system (132), and optionally wherein the laterally extending support system comprises a laterally extending rod (200) extending from a free end of one of the pair of rear tie rods.

7. The front rail weldment of claim 6 further comprising a support post (202) supporting the laterally extending rod (200) and being secured at its bottom end to the corresponding viewing member (136) at a laterally extending bracket, and optionally wherein the laterally extending bracket comprises one or more gussets secured to the side panels of the corresponding viewing member and extending between the laterally extending portion of the bottom panel of the corresponding viewing member and the laterally extending portion of the top panel of the corresponding viewing member, and optionally wherein the laterally extending portion of the top panel is bent downwardly and the support post is secured to its top surface.

8. A working machine (100), comprising: Frame (102); a prime mover, the prime mover being arranged on the frame (102); as well as a tire assembly operably coupled to the prime mover and to the frame (102) via a suspension, Wherein the frame comprises a front rail weldment (104) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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