ROCKER ARM SUPPORT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A support rocker configured for rotatable coupling to a rocker arm attachment interface of a space frame comprises a rocker body having a pivot hole configured to receive a pivot pin for rotatably coupling the rocker body to the rocker arm attachment interface; and a rocker support insert provided in an upper portion of the rocker body. The rocker support insert is detachably coupled to the upper portion of the rocker body, and the rocker support insert defines an upward-facing contact surface.

Description

ROCKER ARM SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FIELD OF INVENTION This description relates to haul trucks and, more particularly, to haul truck rocker arm support assemblies, and systems, components and methods thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typically, rear-loading trucks have a dump box pivotally connected to a truck frame adjacent to one rear end of the dump box. A problem can arise regarding the connection between the dump box and the truck frame. This connection can provide load-bearing points. These load-bearing points can be sensitive to constraints such as manufacturing variations, poor maintenance practices, and / or unreliable support design. This can lead to additional reinforcement of multiple load paths. Additionally, conventional space frames for haul trucks can be configured for static applications. However, vehicular applications are, at least in Ref. 333547 part, of a dynamic nature, and haul trucks can represent a particularly difficult application due to the loads applied to the space frame, as well as the bending, torsion and / or flexing that can occur when the haul truck moves on various types of terrain, such as construction site terrain. U.S. Patent No. 4,789,118 (the '118' patent) describes a pad apparatus for supporting a payload in a spacecraft cradle apparatus. Patent '118 describes that a plurality of pad assemblies are mounted at intervals along the inner surface of the cradle and can be adjusted in the radial direction by means of an adjusting screw. Patent '118 further describes that each pad assembly comprises a pad cover, a rocker pad, and an alignment and adjustment apparatus. According to Patent '118, the pad cover is composed of a plurality of elastomeric pads interleaved with metal sheets, is attached to the rocker pad, and provides a bearing connection to the payload. Patent '118 further describes that the outer surface of the pad cover is shaped to accommodate a cylindrical payload. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, a support rocker arm is described. The support rocker arm can be configured to rotatably couple to a rocker arm attachment interface of a space frame. The support rocker arm may comprise a rocker arm body having a pivot hole configured to receive a pivot pin through it for rotatably coupling the rocker arm body to the rocker arm attachment interface; and a rocker arm support insert provided in an upper portion of the rocker arm body. The rocker arm support insert is detachably coupled to the upper portion of the rocker arm body, and the rocker arm support insert defines an upward-facing contact surface configured to have a downward-facing contact surface of a vertical support structure of a rear-haul truck bed provided in the space seated thereon. In another aspect, a space frame for a rear-haul truck is described. The space frame may comprise a rocker arm attachment interface provided on an upper surface of a space frame support structure; and a support rocker arm rotatably coupled to the rocker arm attachment interface. The support rocker arm can rotate in the direction of the space frame's width about a pivot axis of the space frame and may include a rocker arm body having a pivot hole, the pivot hole having through it a pivot pin for rotatably coupling the rocker arm body to the rocker arm attachment interface, and a rocker arm support insert provided on an upper portion of the rocker arm body.The rocker arm support insert attaches detachably to the upper portion of the rocker arm body, and the rocker arm support insert defines an upward-facing contact surface configured to have a downward-facing contact surface of a vertical support structure provided in a rear haul truck dump box seated upon it. In another aspect, a rear-mounted construction haul truck is described. The rear-mounted construction haul truck may consist of a first support rocker arm rotatably coupled to a first rocker arm attachment interface of a space frame of the rear-mounted construction haul truck; and a second support rocker arm rotatably coupled to a second rocker arm attachment interface of the space frame. The first and second support rockers are separated from each other in the width direction of the space frame and configured to rotate in the width direction of the space frame at the first and second rocker arm attachment interfaces about their respective pivot axes extending in the longitudinal direction of the space frame. Each of the first and second support rockers may include a rocker body having a pivot hole, the pivot hole having through it a pivot pin for rotatably coupling the rocker body to the first or second rocker attachment interface, and a rocker support insert provided in an upper portion of the rocker body. The rocker support insert is detachably coupled to the upper portion of the rocker body, and the rocker support insert defines an upward-facing contact surface configured to have a downward-facing contact surface of a vertical support structure provided on a front wall of a rear-mounted construction haul truck dump box seated thereon. Other features and aspects of this description will become evident from the following description and the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a side view of a machine according to the modalities of the object being described. Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the machine in Figure 1 with an operator's cab removed to show a space frame and discharge box according to the modalities of the object being described. Figure 3 is a partial perspective front view of the machine in Figure 1 with the operator's cab removed from it. Figure 4 is a front view of the machine in Figure 1 with the operator's cab removed from it. Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the top of a rocker support assembly according to the modalities of the object being described. Figure 6 is a side perspective view of the underside of the rocker arm support assembly of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a side perspective view of the top of a rocker arm support insert for the rocker arm support assembly of Figure 5, according to the modalities of the object being described. Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the rocker arm support insert of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a side perspective view of the top of a support plate for the rocker arm support insert of Figure 7, according to the modalities of the object being described. Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the support plate in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a side perspective view of the top of the support pad for the support plate in Figure 9. Figure 12 is a side elevation view of the support pad in Figure 11. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a rocker arm support insert according to the modalities of the object being described. Figures 14A-14C show illustrative operational states of a rocker arm support assembly according to the modalities of the object being described. Figure 15 is an exploded view of the space frame and the discharge box to show the contact points defined according to the modalities of the object being described. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference now to the figures, and specifically to Figure 1, this illustrates one illustrative modality of a machine 10. Machine 10 can be a mobile machine that performs some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining, construction, or any other industry known in the art. For example, as shown in Figure 1, machine 10 can be an earthmoving machine, particularly a construction haul truck 10. Machine 10 may have a space frame 20 supported by front wheels 14 and rear wheels 16 (including their respective tires). The front and rear wheels 14 and 16 may be connected to the space frame 20 by means of front suspension members and rear suspension systems, respectively. Machine 10 may further include a bed or body 30 supported by the space frame 20. Such a bed or body 30 may be referred to herein as a discharge box 30. The discharge box 30 may be configured as a receptacle for receiving the conveyed material. A rear portion 34 of the discharge box 30 can be rotatably coupled or joined to a portion (including portions) on the rear 24 of the space frame 20. As discussed in more detail below, the portions of the discharge box 30 between the rear portion 34 and a front portion 36 of the discharge box 30 can be movably positioned relative to the respective portions of the space frame 20 to support the discharge box 30 on the space frame 20 in a rest position of the discharge box 30. The rest position of the discharge box 30 can be considered as positioning the discharge box 30 such that the front portion 36 of the discharge box 30 is in the lowest (i.e., not raised) position.The discharge box 30 can be rotated at its rear portion 34 around the rear portion 24 of the space frame 20 to raise or lower the portion of the discharge box 30 in front of the pivot axis (and thus move the portion of the discharge box 30 behind the pivot axis in the opposite direction). Rotating the discharge box 30 to raise its front portion 36 can be used to discharge contents from within the discharge box 30. Similarly, rotating the discharge box 30 to lower its front portion 36 to the rest position can be used to receive contents into the discharge box 30. Machine 10 may have an operator's cab 18 supported by the space frame 20. Machine 10 may also be equipped with a steering mechanism and controls for moving the machine 10 and controls for raising and lowering the dump box 30. The steering mechanism and controls may be located inside the operator's cab 18 of machine 10. Machine 10 may have a main engine (not expressly shown) supported by the space frame 20. Generally, the main engine may be provided in a space 21 of the space frame 20. The main engine may be configured to drive the front and rear wheels 14, 16 in a forward or reverse direction. The main engine may be aligned longitudinally in the space frame 20 along the direction of travel of Machine 10. A person skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the main engine may be aligned transversely. In an illustrative embodiment, the main engine may be an internal combustion engine, which may be a two-stroke or four-stroke diesel engine, for example. A person skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the main engine may be any other type of internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline engine or a gaseous fuel-driven engine.The main motor can be connected to the front and / or rear wheels 14, 16 through other components, such as a drive train (not shown) to transfer motive power to move the front and / or rear wheels 14, 16 forward or backward. The exhaust from the main engine may exit through one or more exhaust outlets (not explicitly shown). Optionally, one or more exhaust outlets may be provided, generally between the operator's cab 18 and a front wall 37 of the discharge box 30, such that the exhaust is directed towards at least a predetermined portion of the front wall 37. A coupling (e.g., bellows) may be provided to connect one or more exhaust outlets to the front wall 37 of the discharge box 30, for example, to a heating channel provided in or on the front wall 37 of the discharge box 30 for heating the material conveyed in the discharge box 30. In general, a space frame, according to the modalities of the object being described, such as space frame 20, can be a frame that includes structural members connected to each other at nodes and / or joints. The structural members may include hollow and / or solid tubes and, in some cases, may be connected according to a triangulated structure. The structural members may be made of metal, metal alloys, or reinforced composite materials, for example. The space frame 20 may include a pair of rear frame connections 210 at the rear 24 of the space frame 20 and a front top frame connection 270. Although the rear frame connections 210 are described as pairs, these paired connections may not be identical. For example, the connections may be symmetrical, generally, but not necessarily identical. The connections mentioned above may be castings or fabrications. In general, a casting may refer to a connection that is not welded to another support component of the space frame 20, and a fabrication may refer to a connection that is welded to another support component of the space frame 20. The space frame 20 may further include a plurality of elongated support members, such as the elongated support members 201 (see Figure 15). The elongated support members, according to the embodiments of the described object, may be in the form of rods and / or tubes, circular, for example, where some or all of the rods and / or tubes may be solid or hollow. Each elongated support member 201 can be provided between the rear frame connections 210 and the front top frame connection 270 in a top plan view of the space frame 20. Furthermore, each elongated support member 201 can generally extend horizontally. Since the elongated support members 201 are provided on an outer portion of the space frame 20 in the width direction of the space frame 20, the elongated support members 201 can be considered outer elongated support members 201. As an example, the outer elongated support members 201 could be outer frame tubes. Each rear frame connection 210, which may be cast, may have a rear support 211 and a rear suspension node 215. As discussed in more detail below, the rear support 211 may directly support the dump box 30, and the rear suspension node 215 may be coupled to a rear suspension member 115 of the rear suspension system. The rear frame connections 210 may further be coupled to a plurality of elongated support members, including the elongated support members 201. According to one or more embodiments of the described object, each of the rear frame connections 210 may be a seven-point connection. For example, according to the embodiments of the described object, the rear frame connections 210 and the corresponding connections may be as set forth in U.S. Application No.16 / 663,815, which is incorporated in the present description as a reference in its entirety. The rear support 211 can be configured as a pivot pin projection with a pivot pin opening or hole 212. According to one or more embodiments, an outer surface of the rear support 211 (i.e., the pivot pin projection) and the pivot pin hole 212 can be cylindrical. An axis of the pivot pin hole 212 can extend in the direction of the width of the space frame 20. Furthermore, the axes of the pivot pin holes 212 of the rear supports 211 of the rear frame connection pair 210 can be aligned with each other. That is, the axes of the pivot pin holes 212 can be coaxial or common.The pivot pin hole 212 can be configured to receive a pivot pin from a pivot pin interface 213 such that the pivot pin interface 213 is rotatably coupled to the rear support 211 through the pivot pin hole 212 and the pivot pin interface 213 can pivot or rotate about the axes of the pivot pin hole 212 and the pivot pin of the pivot pin interface 213. As discussed in more detail below, the pivot pin interface 213 can also be coupled to the bottom 35 of the discharge box 30. Returning to Figures 2 and 3, the front upper frame connection 270 may have a body with a pair of rocker arm attachment interfaces 272 on its upper surface. According to one or more embodiments, the front upper frame connection 270 and the corresponding connections may be as set forth in U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,849, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The rocker arm 272 joining interfaces can be separated from each other in the width direction of the space frame 20, for example, provided on opposite outer side edges of the front top frame connection body 270, as shown in Figure 3. Each rocker arm 272 joining interface can have a pivot pin hole configured to receive a pivot pin 273. For example, two aligned pivot pin holes can be provided on separate supports extending from the top surface of the front top frame connection 270. Optionally, the pivot pin 273 can be considered part of the rocker arm 272 joining interface. A pivot axis for the pivot pin hole and the pivot pin 273 can run horizontally or substantially horizontally in a longitudinal direction of the space frame 20.Furthermore, the axes of rotation defined by the rocker arm 272 connection interfaces can be parallel to each other. As discussed in more detail below, the axes of rotation can be offset laterally away from a vertical centerline passing through the respective vertical support structures 370, as shown in Figure 4. Each rocker arm 272 connection interface may have a support rocker arm 274 rotatably attached via the pivot pin 273. Alternatively, in one or more embodiments, the pivot pin 273 may be considered part of the support rocker arm 274, rather than the rocker arm 272 connection interface. Since the rocker arm 272 connection interfaces may be separated from each other in the direction of the space frame width 20, the support rocker arms 274 may also be separated. Furthermore, the support rocker arms 274 may rotate or pivot laterally or in the direction of the space frame width 20 about the respective axes of rotation defined by the rocker arm 272 connection interfaces and the pivot pins 273. Returning to Figures 5 and 6, each support rocker arm 274 can have an upward-facing contact surface 275. As discussed in more detail below, the support rockers 274, particularly their upward-facing contact surfaces 275, can receive a portion of the corresponding vertical support structures 370 of the discharge box 30. The support rocker arm 274 may have a rocker body 2740, which may define a pivot pin bore 2741, and a rocker support insert 2750. The pivot pin bore 2741 may receive the pivot pin 273 to rotatably engage the rocker body 2740 with a corresponding of the rocker arm joining interfaces 272. Optionally, an orientation key 2742 may be provided on the rocker body 2740 to orient the pivot pin 273 relative to the rocker body 2740. An end cap 2730 (for example, an end plate) may also be provided on one or both ends of the pivot pin 273. 2730, which can be considered part of the pivot pin 273, can be provided to secure the pivot pin 273 in the pivot pin bore 2741. Optionally, the end cap 2730 can be detachably attached to the orientation key 2742 via one or more fasteners. The rocker arm body 2740 may include an upper portion that detachably receives the rocker arm support insert 2750. The upper portion may be U-shaped in a side view of the support rocker arm 274. According to one or more embodiments, the upper portion may include one or more arms 2743. Figures 5 and 6, for example, show four arms, or two pairs of arms 2743 at opposite ends of the rocker arm body 2740. A gap 2744 may be provided between each pair of arms 2743. Such a gap 2744 may also be between the arms 2743 and the rocker arm support insert 2750. Therefore, each pair of arms 2743 may form a U-shape in the side view of the support rocker arm 274. A gap 2745 may also exist between the pairs of arms 2743 on opposite sides of the rocker arm body 2740. rocker arm body 2740. The coupling extensions 2746 may be provided at the ends of the arms 2743 and may extend through the arms 2743 at opposite ends of the rocker body 2740. According to one or more embodiments of the described object, the coupling extensions 2746 may extend, in a longitudinal or end-to-end direction of the rocker body 2740, beyond the corresponding arms 2743. That is, the opposite ends of each coupling extension 2746 may extend or project outward from the arms 2743 at opposite ends of the rocker body 2740, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The coupling extensions 2746 can form the coupling interfaces for detachably coupling the rocker arm support insert 2750 to the rocker arm body 2740. According to one or more embodiments, the coupling extensions 2746 can be configured to accommodate one or more fasteners 2747 for detachably coupling the rocker arm support insert 2750 to the rocker arm body 2740. For example, the coupling extensions 2746 can have one or more holes or openings to receive respective screws, where the respective nuts are fastened to the screws to secure the rocker arm support insert 2750 to the rocker arm body 2740, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Incidentally, the rocker arm body 2740, which can be cast, can have the arms 2743 and coupling extensions formed as a single piece or integrated therein. 2746. The rocker body 2740 may have an integrated rotation limiting mechanism or a range-of-motion stop configured to limit clockwise and / or counterclockwise rotation of the rocker body 2740. For example, according to one or more embodiments, a stop may be constructed on one or more internal surfaces of the rocker body 2740 adjacent to or in the pivot pin bore 2741. Alternatively, the rotation limiting mechanism or range-of-motion stop may be in the form of one or more legs 2748 of the rocker body 2740. Figures 5 and 6, for example, show four legs 2748, or two pairs of legs 2748 at opposite ends of the rocker body 2740. Generally, the legs 2748 may extend outward and downward beyond the pivot pin bore. 2741 and pivot pin 273.Incidentally, the body of the rocker arm 2740 may have been formed in one piece or integrated into it the one or more legs 2748. The legs 2748 can rotate with the rocker arm body 2740 to limit the rotation range of the support rocker arm 274 to a predetermined range. For example, rotation of the rocker arm body 2740 in a particular direction can cause a set of legs 2748 on one longitudinal side of the rocker arm body 2740 to contact a top surface of the space frame 20, for example, a top surface of the front top frame connection 270. Such contact can prevent the support rocker arm 274 from further rotation in the same direction, thus defining one end of the rotation range for the support rocker arm 274. Similarly, contact of the legs 2748 on the opposite longitudinal side of the rocker arm body 2740 with the top surface of the front top frame connection 270 can define the other end of the rotation range of the support rocker arm 274. The rotation range of the support rocker arm 274 can be determined based on the configuration of the legs 2748. For example, if all the legs 2748 have the same configuration (i.e., length), then the range of motion can be symmetrical for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation around a central reference position. However, if the legs 2748 on one longitudinal side of the rocker arm body 2740 are longer than the legs 2748 on the other side, then the support rocker arm 274 may be more restricted in rotation toward the side with the longer legs 2748. The rocker arm support insert 2750, which may include a support plate 2752 and a support pad 2756 provided on the support plate 2752, can generally be adapted to the shape of the upper portion of the rocker arm body 2740, at least in terms of the profile of the outer portion. For example, the support plate 2752 may have coupling extensions of plate 2753 provided in general correspondence with the coupling extensions 2746. In addition to supporting a portion of the support pad 2756 on its upper side, the coupling extensions of plate 2753 can form the mating interfaces for detachably attaching the rocker arm support insert 2750 to the rocker arm body 2740.According to one or more modalities, the coupling extensions of plate 2753 can be configured to accommodate one or more fasteners 2747 to detachably couple the rocker arm support insert 2750 to the rocker arm body 2740. For example, the coupling extensions of plate 2753 can have one or more holes or openings to receive the respective screws, where the respective nuts are fastened to the screws to secure the rocker arm support insert 2750 to the rocker arm body 2740, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The rocker arm support insert 2750 can define an upward-facing contact surface 275. According to one or more modalities, the upward-facing contact surface 275 can be concave. For example, according to one or more modalities, the contact surface The upward-facing contact surface 275 can be semicylindrical, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Alternatively, the upward-facing contact surface 275 can be elliptical or multiplanar. The upward-facing contact surface 275 can be configured to rest on a downward-facing contact surface, such as the downward-facing contact surface 371 of the vertical support structure 370. According to one or more of these configurations, the geometries of the downward-facing contact surface 275 and the upward-facing contact surface 371 can match or substantially match (e.g., both semicylindrical) in an uncompressed and / or compressed state of the support pad 2756. Returning to Figures 7 and 8, the rocker arm support insert 2750 can be curved, as shown, for example, where a top surface of the support plate 2752 may have provided a support pad 2756 with a corresponding curvature. The support pad 2756, which may be a single pad, can be permanently attached to the top surface of the support plate 2752. For example, the support pad 2756 can be bonded to the top surface of the support 2752 using an adhesive. A gap may exist between the support pad 2756 and the edge of the support plate 2752 and may extend around all or part of the perimeter of the support pad 2756.This separation, which is discussed in more detail below, may allow portions of the support pad 2756 to bulge in response to the load placed upon it, so that the edges do not extend beyond the edges of the support plate 2752. Additionally, as shown particularly in Figure 8, the support pad 2756 may have a thickness, at least in a central support portion 2757, greater than the thickness of the support plate 2752. For example, the thickness of the support pad 2756 in the central support portion 2757 may be twice or more the thickness of the support plate 2752. Returning now to Figures 9 and 10, the support plate 2752 may be flat on its top and bottom sides. Additionally, according to one or more embodiments of the described object, the support plate 2752 may have a length greater than its width, where the length may be defined in the direction of the pivot pin hole 2741. Of course, the embodiments of the described object are not limited to support plates that are longer than they are wide. The support plate 2752 may be made of a metal or a metallic material, such as steel. With reference to Figures 11 and 12, the support pad 2756 may have the central support portion 2757 and the peripheral portions 2758. The central support portion 2757 may form part or all of the upward-facing contact surface 275. Optionally, the peripheral portions 2758 may taper from thick to thin outward from the central support portion 2757 toward the edges of the support plate 2752. Such tapering may allow the portions of the support pad 2756 to bulge in response to the load placed upon it, such that the edges do not extend beyond the edges of the support plate 2752. The support pad 2756 may be made of or composed of an elastomer configured to exhibit suitable fatigue and load-versus-deflection characteristics.According to one or more of the specifications, the elastomer can be short natural rubber A having a hardness based on L = A * d⁴ - B * d³ + C * d² - D * d + E, where A, B, C, D & E are constants, L is the load, and d is the displacement. For example, the support pad 2756 can be made of 75 Shore A natural rubber. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the 2750 rocker arm support insert according to the specifications of the object being described. The dimensions shown are non-limiting examples. According to one or more embodiments, the support pad 2756 may be symmetrical in sectional view such that L1 is equal to L2. Alternatively, L1 may be greater than L2 or vice versa, depending on compliance with the space requirement, load capacity, and / or serviceability. The above dimensions may also apply to the support plate 2752. The angle α may be 90° or greater, for example, from 90° to 135°. Such an angle may be based on a diameter or arc of curvature of the discharge box support structure 30 to be provided thereon (for example, the downward-facing contact surface 371 of the vertical support structure 370), particularly the difference in contact area between the support pad 2756 and the discharge box support structure 30. The above dimension may also apply to the support plate 2752.The radius of curvature of the support pad 2756 may be interdependent with the angle α. That is, a change in angle may lead to a change in radius and vice versa. The above dimensions may also be applicable to the support plate 2752. The thickness ti of the 2756 support pad can depend on the stiffness requirement, i.e., the load per unit length and / or the Shore hardness of the particular type of elastomer used for the 2756 support pad. The relationship between load and deflection / displacement can be governed by L = A*d⁴-B*d³ + C*d²-D*d + E, where A, B, C, D, and E are constants, L is the load, and d is the displacement. For example, depending on one or more specifications, the thickness ti can be from 1 to 2 inches. The thickness t² of the 2752 support plate can also depend on the stiffness requirement, i.e., the load per unit length. For example, the thickness t² can be from 5 mm to 25 mm. The angle β can define the slope (i.e., the taper) of the peripheral portions 2758 of the support pad 2756. As a non-limiting example, the angle β can be from 30° to 75°, depending on the diameter or arc of curvature of the support structure of the discharge box 30 to be provided upon it (e.g., the downward-facing contact surface 371 of the vertical support structure 370), particularly the difference in the contact area between the support pad 2756 and the support structure of the discharge box 30. In particular, as the support pad 2756 is compressed, the sides may bulge. The angle β can be adjusted to prevent the sides of the support pad 2756 from folding when they bulge due to compression. It is worth noting here that the support rockers 274, according to the described object's configurations, can support a variety of discharge box 30 support structures having different diameters or arcs of curvature. For example, the described object's configurations can support discharge box 30 support structures (e.g., the downward-facing contact surface 371 of the vertical support structure 370) having peripheral portions that are on or within the peripheral portions 2758 of the support pad 2756, at least for an uncompressed state of the support pad 2756. Figures 14A-14C show illustrative operational states of the support rockers 274 according to the described object's configuration. Figure 14A shows an example in the uncompressed state, i.e., the load, in this case the vertical support structure 370, simply rests on the support pad 2756, which forms the upward-facing contact surface 275 of the support rocker 274. Figure 14B shows a semi-compressed state, such that the vertical support structure 370 exerts a greater load on the support rocker 274. In particular, in the semi-compressed state, there is more contact area between the support pad 2756 and the downward-facing contact surface 371 of the vertical support structure 370. Figure 14C shows a highly compressed state, such that the vertical support structure 370 exerts an even greater load on the support rocker 274.In particular, the sides of the support pad 2756 may bulge. However, due to the gap between the edge of the support plate 2752 and the edges of the support pad 2756 and / or the angle β of the peripheral portions 2758, the bulge does not extend or protrude beyond the edges of the support plate 2752. Returning now to Figure 15, the discharge box 30 may have, at the bottom 35 thereof, a rear pivot support 310 and a pair of flat contact surfaces 301, and on the front wall 37 thereof, a pair of vertical support structures 370. The rear pivot support 310 may be provided on the rear portion 34 of the discharge box 30, as shown in Figures 1 and 15. The rear pivot support 310 may have a pair of rear pivot shafts 311. The rear pivot shafts 311 may be spaced apart from each other across or laterally from the discharge box 30, as shown in Figure 15. The rear pivot support 310 may further include a crossmember 314, which may be provided between the rear pivot shafts 311, fixedly connected to or part of the rear pivot shafts 311 (i.e., integral and / or one-piece). The rear pivot support 310 can be permanently attached to the lower portion 35 of the discharge box 30. For example, the rear pivot support 310 can be welded to the lower portion 35 of the discharge box 30. More specifically, according to one or more embodiments of the described object, each rear pivot shaft 311 can be welded to a corresponding longitudinal body support member 377 on the lower portion of the discharge box 30. As shown in Figure 15, for example, each rear pivot shaft 311 can be welded in line with the corresponding longitudinal body support member 377. Therefore, the rear pivot shaft 311 can be considered as part of the longitudinal body support member 377 (i.e., integral and / or one-piece). Additionally, each rear pivot shaft 311 can receive or accept a plurality of transverse body support members 378 via cutouts. Each rear pivot shaft 311 may have a pivot hole 315. Figure 15, for example, shows each rear pivot shaft 311 having pivot hole 315 with two separate, aligned portions of the pivot hole. The pivot hole 315 of one rear pivot shaft 311 may be aligned with the pivot hole 315 of the other rear pivot shaft 311 in the direction of the discharge box width 30. Therefore, the pivot holes 315 may have a common axis. Since the pivot holes 315 may be circular openings, the portion (or portions) of the rear pivot shaft 311 that forms the pivot hole 315 may be considered cylindrical. According to one or more embodiments of the described object, the rear pivot axles 311 may further include a joining interface 312 on an outer side surface thereof, as shown in Figure 15. By way of non-limiting example, the joining interface 312 may include a pair of projections configured to engage with corresponding notches on the pivot pin interface 213. The rear pivot support 310 and corresponding connections may be as set forth in U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,627, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The rear pivot axles 311 can be rotatably coupled to the rear supports 211 of the space frame 20 via the pivot pin interface 213. More specifically, for each rear pivot axle 311 / rear support 211, the rear support 211 may be provided in the pivot hole 315 of the rear pivot shaft 311 (for example, between the two pivot hole portions of a single rear pivot shaft 311) such that the pivot hole 212 of the rear support 211 aligns with the pivot hole 315 and such that a pivot pin interface pin 213 extends through the pivot hole 212 of the rear support 211 and the pivot hole 315 of the rear pivot shaft 311. A pivot pin interface arm 214 of the pivot pin 213 may have one or more notches configured to engage with one or more corresponding projections of the joining interface 312. The pivot pin interface 213 can be held in place by means of the interconnection between the notches of the pivot pin interface 213 and the projections of the joining interface 312. Furthermore, the arm 214 can be permanently attached to the joining interface 312 by means of a bracket or the like, for example, fixed to the projections by means of screws, rivets or welding, as non-limiting examples. The lower portion 35 of the discharge box 30 may include a plurality of flat contact surfaces 301, as shown in Figure 15. The flat contact surfaces 301 may be plate-shaped, such as rectangular or square, although the embodiments of the described object are not limited to the above geometries. Optionally, the flat contact surfaces 301 may have a chamfered portion on a lower edge. The flat contact surfaces 301 may generally be provided in a mid-portion of the discharge box 30. In a top plan view of the discharge box 30, the pair of flat contact surfaces 301 may be located between the rear pivot support 310 and the pair of vertical support structures 370 in the longitudinal direction of the discharge box 30.Additionally, flat contact surfaces 301 may be provided on the corresponding longitudinal support body members 377. For example, flat contact surfaces 301 may be provided on the inwardly facing surfaces of the longitudinal support body members 377. Therefore, in the embodiments of the described object, the flat contact surfaces 301 may be oriented vertically, as shown in Figure 15. Furthermore, the flat contact surface 301 on one longitudinal support body member 377 may be separated from the flat contact surface 301 on the opposite longitudinal support body member 377 in the direction of the width of the discharge box 30. The flat contact surfaces 301 may be attached to the longitudinal support body members 377, for example, by welding, rivets, or bolts, as non-limiting examples. According to one or more embodiments, each flat contact surface 301 may consist of a first portion of the flat contact surface and a second portion of the flat contact surface separated from the first portion of the flat contact surface in the longitudinal direction of the discharge box 30, as shown in Figure 15. Optionally, the first and second portions of the flat contact surface 301 may have the same configuration. Of course, each flat contact surface 301, according to one or more embodiments of the described object, may be represented by a single flat contact surface (e.g., a single plate). For example, only one of the portions of the first or second flat contact surface shown in Figure 15 may constitute the flat contact surface 301. As discussed in more detail below, when the discharge box 30 is in a lower position (i.e., rest position), the flat contact surfaces 301 attached to the discharge box 30 can be positioned as shown in Figure 15. That is, the flat contact surfaces 301 can be provided adjacent to the outer or lateral sides of the elongated outer support members 201. According to one or more embodiments, the flat contact surfaces 301 can be parallel to the elongated outer support members 201. The vertical support structures 370 of the discharge box 30 may extend from a front face of the front wall 37 of the discharge box 30. The vertical support structures 370 may be attached to the front face of the front wall 37, for example, by welding. The vertical support structures 370 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of the width of the discharge box 30. According to one or more embodiments, the vertical support structures 370 may be centered on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the discharge box 30 in a front view of the machine 10, as shown in Figure 4. The vertical support structures 370 may be as set forth in U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,825, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The vertical support structures 370 may be vertical in at least the front view of the discharge box 30. Depending on the configuration of the front wall 37 of the discharge box 30, in a side view of the discharge box 30, the vertical support structures 370 may generally be vertical, for example, at an angle of 20 degrees or less from the vertical. According to one or more modalities, in the side view of the discharge box 30, some surfaces may be at one vertical angle and other surfaces may be at a different vertical angle. For example, a portion of the upper front surface of the vertical support structure 370 may be at an angle of 20 degrees to the vertical, and a portion of the lower front surface, which may include the lower portion forming the downward-facing contact surfaces 317, may be at or around the vertical. According to one or more embodiments, the vertical support structures 370 may extend through a horizontal support structure 375, which may further be fixed (e.g., welded) to the front face of the front wall 37. The intersection surfaces of the horizontal support structure 375 and each vertical support structure 370 may be permanently joined by welding, for example. The horizontal support structure 375 may be as set forth in U.S. Application No. 16 / 663,825, which, as noted above, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Each vertical support structure 370 may have a downward-facing contact surface 371. According to one or more modalities, the downward-facing contact surface 371 may be convex, for example, semicylindrical, elliptical, or multiplanar. The downward-facing contact surfaces 371 may be configured to receive or rest on the upward-facing contact surfaces 275 of the support rockers 274. Unlike the support rockers 274, the vertical support structures 370 themselves do not rotate. Industrial applicability As previously stated, the embodiments described herein relate to rocker arm support assemblies for haul trucks and systems, components, and methods thereof. The embodiments described can provide a durable, lightweight machine configuration with reliable support definition of the load points between the dump box 30 and the space frame 20, for example, in light of dimensional variations due to tolerances and / or component deviation. According to the embodiments of the described object, the discharge box 30 can be operationally contacted with the space frame 20 according to a predetermined contact arrangement. For example, the embodiments of the described object can provide a six-point contact arrangement between the discharge box 30 and the space frame 20. According to the embodiments of the described object, such a contact arrangement can be provided when the discharge box 30 is in a rest position. The rest position, as used herein, can mean that the discharge box 30 is in its lowest position or fully lowered and not raised by the lifting cylinders. 125. With reference again to Figure 15, which shows an exploded view of the space frame 20 and the discharge box 30 of machine 10, a first pair of contact points can be provided by the rear supports 211 of the space frame 20 and the rear pivot axes 311 of the rear pivot supports 310 of the discharge box 30. Each rear support 211 can be rotatably connected to the discharge box 30 via the rear pivot axis 311. Such a connection can allow the front portion 36 of the discharge box 30 to be raised and lowered between the highest and lowest positions by rotation about the common pivot axis created by the connection between the rear supports 211 and the rear pivot axes 311. A second pair of contact points can be provided by positioning the flat contact surfaces 301 relative to the elongated support members 201. In particular, the flat contact surfaces 301, which may be on or part of the discharge box 30 and not the space frame 20, can be provided adjacent to the outer or lateral sides of the elongated support members 201, as shown in Figure 15. As previously stated, the flat contact surfaces 301 can be positioned parallel to the elongated support members 201. Additionally, according to one or more embodiments of the described object, the flat contact surfaces 301 can come into contact with the elongated support members 201. Such positioning of the flat contact surfaces 301 can occur when the discharge box 30 is in its lowest or rest position.Furthermore, this positioning of the flat contact surfaces 301 can accommodate the lateral or horizontal forces of the corresponding elongated support members 201 of the space frame 20. Additionally, as mentioned above, the flat contact surfaces 301 can have a chamfered portion on their lower edge. This chamfered portion can aid in centering the discharge box 30 when it is in its rest or fully lowered position. A third pair of contact points can be provided by positioning the vertical support structures 370, particularly their downward-facing contact surfaces 371, detachably on the support rockers 274, particularly their upward-facing contact surfaces 275. According to the embodiment of the described object, the downward-facing contact surface 371 can be detachably mounted on the upward-facing contact surface 275. Additionally, in a front view of the machine 10, an axis of the vertical centerline of the downward-facing contact surface 371 of each of the vertical support structures 370 can be offset from the axis of rotation (i.e., pivot axis) of one of the corresponding support rockers 274.For example, as shown in Figure 4, the axis of the vertical centerline of the downward-facing contact surface 371 may be offset inwards in the direction of the machine width 10 relative to the axis of rotation of the support rocker arm 274. The vertical support structures 370, particularly the downward-facing contact surfaces 371 when they make contact with the upward-facing contact surfaces 275 of the support rockers 274, can transfer load through the space frame 20 to the front suspension system and the front wheels 14. In fact, the entire vertical load can pass through or be shared by the pivot pins 273 and the support rockers 274.To a certain extent, the vertical support structures 370 can provide support for the horizontal components of the force vectors with respect to the load of the dump box 30 that is transferred through the space frame 20 and the front suspension system to the front wheels 14 based on the tilt or displacement of the pivot axis of the support rocker arm 274 with respect to the vertical centerline of the vertical support structure 370, although the second pair of contact points analyzed above can assume the horizontal load. Additionally, because the support rockers 274 can rotate laterally and independently of each other, and because both the support rockers 274 and the vertical support structures 370 have cooperating contact surfaces (i.e., upward-facing contact surfaces 275 and downward-facing contact surfaces 371, respectively), proper seating can be maintained between the vertical support structures 370 and the support rockers 274, along with a uniform load on each support pad 2756, particularly when the discharge box 30 is in the rest position, even when the machine 10 is in motion, for example. Such an arrangement, as shown schematically in Figure 4, can therefore provide a uniform distribution of the load LD with respect to each side of the support arrangement (i.e., side-to-side or laterally).The rotation of the support rockers 274 can further allow the support rocker 274 to take into account any tolerance build-up in the discharge box 30 and the space frame 20. Additionally, the uniform radius of curvature of the support rocker 274 can ensure that the load transfer is directed back to the center of the pivot pin 273 in an effort to reduce or eliminate bending moments. Additionally, Figure 4 shows, in a front view, the combinations of support rocker arm 274 / vertical support structure 370 that can be located along the longitudinal axes of the respective front struts 121 connected to the respective front suspension members 120 on the same sides of the space frame 20. For example, the pivot axis of the support rocker arm 274 can be aligned with a longitudinal axis of a corresponding front strut 121. The longitudinal axes can intersect at a point CL1 on a vertical centerline at the top of the discharge box 30. Of course, the configurations of the described object are not so limited, and the longitudinal axis of the front strut 121 may not be aligned with the combination of support rocker arm 271 / vertical support structure 370, just as the pivot axis of the support rocker arm 274 may not be.As shown in Figure 4, the longitudinal axes of the additional suspension members on opposite sides of the space frame 20 can intersect at point CL2 on the same vertical centerline of machine 10 as point CL1. The arrangement of the third pair of contact points can therefore transfer the load evenly from the unloading box 30 through the support rockers 274 and the space frame 20 to the front suspension system. Although aspects of the present description have been shown and described particularly with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that several additional embodiments may be contemplated by modifying the machines, assemblies, systems, and methods described without departing from the spirit and scope of what is described. Such embodiments are to be understood to fall within the scope of the present description as determined by the claims and any equivalents thereof. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A rear-loading construction haul truck, characterized in that it comprises: a first support rocker arm rotatably coupled to a first rocker arm attachment interface of a space frame of the rear-loading construction haul truck; and a second support rocker arm rotatably coupled to a second rocker arm attachment interface of the space frame, wherein the first and second support rockers are separated from each other in the width direction of the space frame and configured to rotate in the width direction of the space frame at the first and second rocker arm attachment interfaces about respective pivot axes extending in a longitudinal direction of the space frame, wherein each of the first and second support rockers includes: a rocker arm body having a pivot hole,the pivot hole having through it a pivot pin for rotatably coupling the rocker body to the first or second rocker attachment interface, and a rocker support insert provided in the upper portion of the rocker body, wherein the rocker support insert is detachably coupled to the upper portion of the rocker body, and wherein the rocker support insert defines an upward-facing contact surface configured to have a downward-facing contact surface of a vertical support structure provided on a front wall of a rear-loading construction haul truck discharge box seated thereon.

2. The rear-loading construction haul truck according to claim 1, characterized in that the upward-facing contact surface of each of the first and second support rockers is concave.

3. The rear construction haul truck according to claim 1, characterized in that the rocker arm body of each of the first and second support rockers has a rotation limit mechanism configured to limit the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the first or second support rocker to a predetermined interval.

4. The rear construction haul truck according to claim 1, characterized in that the rocker arm support insert of each of the first and second support rockers is detachably coupled to the upper portion of the rocker arm body by means of a plurality of screw-shaped fasteners.

5. The rear construction haul truck according to claim 1, characterized in that the rocker arm support insert of each of the first and second support rockers has a support plate and a support pad.

6. A support rocker configured to be rotatably coupled to a rocker arm attachment interface of a space frame, characterized in that it comprises: a rocker body having a pivot hole configured to receive through it a pivot pin for rotatably coupling the rocker body to the rocker arm attachment interface; and a rocker support insert provided in the upper portion of the rocker body, wherein the rocker support insert is detachably coupled to the upper portion of the rocker body, and wherein the rocker support insert defines an upwardly oriented contact surface configured to have a downwardly oriented contact surface 4 6 of a vertical support structure of a rear-haul truck dump box provided in the space frame seated thereon.

7. The support rocker according to claim 6, characterized in that the upward-facing contact surface is concave.

8. The support rocker according to claim 6, characterized in that the rocker body has a rotation limit mechanism configured to limit the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the support rocker to a predetermined interval.

9. The support rocker according to claim 8, characterized in that the rotation limiting mechanism includes, in a lower portion of the rocker body, a first set of legs extending downwards and outwards on a first side of the rocker body, and a second set of legs different from the first set of legs extending downwards and outwards on a second side of the rocker body opposite the first side.

10. The support rocker according to claim 6, characterized in that the rocker support insert has a support plate and a support pad fixedly coupled to the support plate.

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