TORQUE ELEMENT FOR ABSORBING SHEAR FORCES IN A BOLT CONNECTION IN A BUCKET ELEMENT IN A LOADING MACHINE BUCKET

Abstract

A bucket portion is for a loading-machine bucket and has at least two bucket elements. One of the bucket elements has a cut-out. The bucket portion also has a torque element for absorbing shear forces in a screw connection, the torque element having a first side and an elevation protruding from the first side. The elevation has a base contour and a smaller top contour. A sloping face is between the base contour and the top contour. The elevation has a height axis which is perpendicular to the base contour. The elevation is positioned in a cut-out in the bucket element and receives the screw connection for the torque element to be attached to the bucket element. The torque element or the bucket element has an internally threaded portion for the screw connection, and connects a first respective bucket element with a second respective bucket element.

Claims

1.-11. (canceled)

12. A bucket portion for a loading-machine bucket, wherein the bucket portion comprises at least two bucket elements, wherein at least one of the bucket elements comprises a cut-out, and wherein the bucket portion further comprises at least one torque element for absorbing shear forces in a screw connection, wherein each torque element has a first side and an elevation, wherein the elevation protrudes from the first side, wherein the elevation has a base contour and a smaller top contour so that between the base contour and the top contour, at least one sloping face is provided, wherein the elevation has a height axis at a center of the elevation, the height axis being perpendicular to the base contour, wherein the elevation is arranged for positioning in a corresponding cut-out in the bucket element to engage with the bucket element, wherein the elevation is arranged to receive the screw connection along the height axis for the torque element to be attached to the bucket element, and wherein either the torque element or the bucket element has an internally threaded portion for the screw connection, the torque element connecting a first respective bucket element with a second respective bucket element.

13. The bucket portion in accordance with claim 12, wherein the height axis is a center axis.

14. The bucket portion in accordance with claim 12, wherein at least one of the bucket elements is a bucket body.

15. The bucket portion in accordance with claim 12, wherein the bucket element is a wearing part.

16. The bucket portion in accordance with claim 12, wherein the torque element comprises at least two elevations, the at least two elevations being arranged to engage with corresponding cut-outs in the first bucket element and the second bucket element, respectively.

17. The bucket portion in accordance with claim 12, wherein the at least one sloping face comprises at least a first sloping face and at least a second sloping face in the corresponding cut-out in the bucket element, wherein the at least a second sloping face is formed between a base contour and a bottom contour of the cut-out, wherein the at least a first sloping face has a gentler angle than the at least a second sloping face, so that a defined contact surface, and thereby locking contact surface, is provided between the elevation and the cut-out.

18. The bucket portion in accordance with claim 12, wherein a clearance is formed between the top face of the elevation and the bottom contour of the cut-out when the elevation is positioned in the cut-out.

19. The bucket portion in accordance with claim 12, wherein the torque element is plate-shaped.

20. The bucket portion in accordance with claim 12, wherein the torque element is a wearing part.

21. The bucket portion according to claim 12, wherein the bucket body further comprises at least one coupling element for connecting a bucket element and a side element, wherein: the side element is arranged to abut against a top side belonging to the bucket element; the bucket element has a bottom side with an elongated recess with a center axis, wherein the elongated recess surrounds a through cut-out extending to the top side of the bucket element; and the coupling element comprises an elongated body arranged to lie pivotably supporting against the recess so that the bucket element can pivot around a portion of the elongated body, and a neck for attachment to the side element, the neck projecting from the elongated body.

22. The bucket portion according to claim 12, wherein the torque element is mounted to the bucket portion via a plurality of screw connections.

23. The bucket portion according to claim 12, wherein the torque element embodies the internally threaded portion.

24. The torque element as part of the bucket portion according to claim 23.

25. The bucket portion in accordance with claim 13, wherein at least one of the bucket elements is a bucket body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] In what follows, examples of preferred embodiments are described, which are visualized in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0051] FIG. 1a shows, in perspective and from above, one embodiment of a torque element;

[0052] FIG. 1b shows the torque element of FIG. 1a from underneath;

[0053] FIG. 1c shows a section through the torque element of FIGS. 1a and 1b;

[0054] FIG. 2a shows, in perspective and from above, a second embodiment of the torque element;

[0055] FIG. 2b shows a section through the torque element of FIG. 2a;

[0056] FIG. 3a shows a coupling element in perspective;

[0057] FIG. 3b shows a section of the coupling element of FIG. 3a;

[0058] FIG. 4 shows, in perspective and on a smaller scale, a simplified drawing of a bucket portion for a loading-machine bucket, with a torque element and a coupling element;

[0059] FIG. 5 shows the bucket portion of FIG. 4 with several bucket elements;

[0060] FIG. 6 shows FIG. 5, viewed from above;

[0061] FIG. 7 shows, in perspective, a bucket portion comprising the first and second embodiments of the torque element;

[0062] FIG. 8a shows, on a larger scale, a section of the first embodiment of the torque element installed in the bucket portion;

[0063] FIG. 8b shows, on a larger scale, a section of the second embodiment of the torque element installed in the bucket portion;

[0064] FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section of the coupling element installed in the bucket portion;

[0065] FIG. 10a shows a cross section of the coupling element in an unloaded loading-machine bucket;

[0066] FIG. 10b shows a cross section of the coupling element in a loaded loading-machine bucket; and

[0067] FIG. 11 shows a section of FIG. 8a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c show a first embodiment of a torque element 2a for absorbing shear forces in a screw connection 9 (FIGS. 5, 8a, 8b) arranged to attach a bucket element 40, 50 in a bucket portion 1 for a loading machine bucket. The torque element 2a comprises a first face 220, a second face 210, and a side face 214. Protruding from the first face 220, there is an elevation 21 with a height h, a base contour 202 and a smaller top contour 204 so that, between the base contour 202 and the top contour 204, a sloping face 24 is provided. The elevation 21 has a height axis S at a centre of the elevation 21, the height axis S being perpendicular to the base contour 202 and the first face 220. In the embodiment shown, the height axis S coincides with a centre axis of the elevation 21. The elevation 21 in FIGS. 1a-1c 21 is shown as a truncated cone, the contours 202, 204 being circular. The top contour 204 surrounds a top face 206 which is parallel to the first face 220. A through cut-out 29 is arranged to house a screw connection 9, shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b. The cut-out 29 includes a conical portion 291.

[0069] The torque element 2a is shown with a square plate shape and four elevations 21 which are positioned symmetrically relative to each other. The torque element 2a is further shown with sloping side faces 214.

[0070] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a second embodiment of the torque element 2b. The torque element 2b is shown here as an elongated body with a sloping portion 212 which is arranged to slide on a firm surface, for example during loading by the use of a wheel-loader. The torque element 2b further comprises an abutment face 213 arranged to abut supporting against a bucket body or a wearing part. The torque element 2b shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b is often positioned on the bottom side of a bucket, as shown in FIG. 7. The torque element 2b may be longer than, and include more elevations 21 than, what is shown in FIG. 2a.

[0071] The second embodiment 2b is shown with an internally threaded portion 211 which is arranged to receive a screw.

[0072] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a coupling element 3 between a bucket element 50 and a side element 60 in a bucket portion 1 (FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 10a and 10b) for a loading machine bucket. The coupling element is not part of the invention described herein but has been included to illustrate the components of the system according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0073] The coupling element 3 comprises an elongated body 30 with a longitudinal axis 30a, and a neck 32 projecting up from the elongated body 30. The elongated body 30 is shown with a semicircular surface 33. The neck 32 is positioned at a centre of the elongated body 30 and is shown with a cross section which is smaller than the cross section of the elongated body 30. The neck 32 includes a through cut-out 34 arranged to receive a fastening element 650, shown as a bolt in FIG. 9.

[0074] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show the torque element 2a and the coupling element 3 installed in the bucket portion 1, the bucket portion 1 comprising a first bucket element 40 shown as a bucket bottom 40, and a second bucket element 50 shown as a wearing part, and a side element 60 with a front protection 65 and an outer wear face 66. In what follows, the first bucket element 40 will be referred to as a bucket bottom. In what follows, the second bucket element 50 will be referred to as a wearing part. Some elements have been removed from FIGS. 4 and 5 for easier illustration of the invention.

[0075] The bucket portion 1 has a centre axis S3 which coincides with a working direction A. By a working direction may be understood a direction of motion of the bucket portion 1 when the loading machine bucket is to be filled. During loading, the bucket portion 1 is moved into a mass in the working direction A and the bucket portion 1 is subjected to a force component along the centre axis S3. During loading, the bucket portion 1 may be in a plane position or in a slanted position.

[0076] The bucket bottom 40 has a top side 410, a bottom side 411 and a front abutment face 412. The top side 410 of the bucket bottom 40 includes cut-outs 41 arranged to receive elevations 21 belonging to a torque element 2a.

[0077] The wearing part 50 has a top side 510 and a rear abutment face 512 abutting against the front abutment face 412 of the bucket body. The top side 510 of the wearing part 50 includes cut-outs 41 arranged to receive elevations 21 belonging to the torque element 2a.

[0078] The wearing part 50 has a bottom side 511 with an elongated recess 520 (FIG. 9) with a centre axis which is parallel to the side element 60. The elongated recess 520 surrounds a through cut-out 530 which extends to the top side 510 of the wearing part 50.

[0079] The wearing part 50 and the bucket bottom 40 are releasably connected to each other by two torque elements 2a, each torque element comprising four screw connections 9. The torque elements 2a are shown as plate elements with a square base contour and four symmetrically positioned elevations 21 which engage with the corresponding cutouts 41 in the wearing part 50 and in the bucket bottom 40. The symmetrical design makes it possible to turn the torque elements 2a 90 or 180 degrees when worn.

[0080] The side element 60 abuts against the top side 510 of the wearing part 50 and the top side 410 of the bucket bottom 40. The elongated body 30 of the coupling element 3 is positioned in the elongated recess 520 of the wearing part 50, and the neck 32 extends through the through cut-out 530 in the wearing part 50 to the cut-out 610 of the side element 60. The coupling element 3 is releasably attached to the side element 60 via a fastening element 650, shown as a bolt in FIG. 9. The fastening element 650 is inserted into the side element via a cut-out 640 in the longitudinal direction of the side element.

[0081] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the bucket portion 1, in which the bucket portion 1 is provided with a front bucket element 50′, shown in the figure as a front wearing part 50′. The front wearing part 50′ is connected to the bucket portion 1 with an underlying bucket body 49 and an elongated torque element 2b, shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. A section of the connection is shown in FIG. 8b.

[0082] FIG. 8a shows a section D-D of the torque element 2a which is in engagement with the wearing part 50 and the bucket bottom 40. The torque element 2a is attached to the wearing part 50 and the bucket bottom 40 via two screw connections 9. The wearing part 50 and the bucket bottom 40 are provided with threaded portions 211 for the screw connections 9. An underlying bucket body 49 is welded to the bucket bottom 40 and is arranged to support the wearing part 50.

[0083] When the wearing part 50 is subjected to a force component along the working direction A, an axial tensioning of the screw connections 9 will be created as the wearing part 50 will push the torque element 2a along the sloping face 24. FIG. 11 shows a section of the connection shown in FIG. 8a.

[0084] FIG. 8b shows a section of the torque element 2b which is in engagement with the wearing part 50 and the bucket bottom 40, shown in FIG. 7. The torque element 2b is attached to the wearing part 50 and the bucket bottom 40 via a plurality of screw connections 9. The torque element 2b is provided with an internally threaded portion 211 for the screw connection 9. Further, the torque element 2a is arranged to abut supporting against a firm surface 99. The technical effect of the coupling between the elevation 21 and the cut-out 41 is the same as in FIG. 8a.

[0085] FIG. 9 shows the coupling element 3 (FIG. 3) in a section C-C (FIG. 6). The coupling element 3 is arranged to reduce or remove a torque which may arise between the wearing part 50 and the side element 60 in a bucket portion 1 for a loading-machine bucket. The side element 60 abuts against a top side 510 belonging to the wearing part 50. The wearing part 50 has a bottom side with an elongated recess 520 housing a portion of the coupling element 3. The coupling element 3 is shown with an elongated body 30 and a neck 32 which is positioned at the centre on the elongated body 30. The neck 32 projects through a through cut-out 530 (FIG. 4) in the wearing part 50 and into a cut-out 610 in the side element 60.

[0086] The side element 60 has a cut-out 640 for receiving a fastening element 650 for the coupling element 3. In FIG. 9, two fastening elements 650 are shown, shown as bolts. The fastening elements 650 comprise internally threaded portions 651 arranged to receive an installation tool (not shown). The two fastening elements 650 are held in position by means of a coupling ball 620 (FIG. 4) and an end piece 65 (FIGS. 5-7).

[0087] FIGS. 10a and 10b show the coupling element 3 in a section E-E (FIG. 9). The wearing part 50 abuts against the coupling element 3. In FIG. 10a, the wearing part 50 is unloaded, and the wearing part 50 is positioned perpendicularly to the side element 60.

[0088] In FIG. 10b, the wearing part 50 is loaded by a force F so that the wearing part is subjected to a deflection. When the wearing part 50 is being deflected, the wearing part 50 will pivot around a centre axis of the semicircular surface 33 on the coupling element 3. By the wearing part 50 being able to pivot around the coupling element 3, a moment and the shear forces that arise in a prior-art rigid coupling may be reduced or eliminated.

[0089] FIG. 11 shows the elevation 21 positioned in the cut-out 41, the sloping face 24 of the elevation being shown with a gentler angle than the corresponding sloping face 440 of the cut-out. A different angle as shown in FIG. 11 provides a defined contact surface, and thereby a locking contact surface, 408 with great surface pressure between the elevation 21 and the cut-out 41. When the elevation 21 and the cut-out 41 have the same shape, the contact surface 408 will be a surrounding one. In FIG. 11, an angular difference of two degrees is shown in order to illustrate the invention more easily.

[0090] Between the top face 206 of the elevation and the bottom contour 404 of the cut-out, a free space with a height f is created to ensure that the torque element 2a, 2b will be lying in a supporting abutment against the cut-out 41 along the contact surface 408.

[0091] It should be noted that all the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate the invention, but do not limit it, and persons skilled in the art may construct many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the attached claims. In the claims, reference numbers in brackets are not to be regarded as restrictive.

[0092] The use of the verb “to comprise” and its different forms does not exclude the presence of elements or steps that are not mentioned in the claims. The indefinite article “a” or “an” before an element does not exclude the presence of several such elements.

[0093] The fact that some features are indicated in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used with advantage.