A BUCKET FOR AN EARTH-WORKING OR MATERIALS-HANDLING MACHINE

Abstract

Disclosed is a bucket for an earth-working or materials-handling machine having a top portion, a first and a second bucket side wall, a bucket floor extending from a front cutting edge up to the top portion, wherein the front cutting edge, the first and second side walls and the top portion form a bucket opening, seen from a front view of the bucket, the bucket floor has an inside facing towards the bucket opening and an outside facing away from the bucket opening, characterized in that the bucket floor has at least one floor section being attached to the bucket floor, optionally by at least one weld interface between the at least one floor section and the bucket floor provided in the proximity of the front cutting edge; and at least one protection element for protecting at least a part of the floor section, and/or at least a part of the optional at least one weld interface, which at least one protection element is mounted on the inside of the bucket floor in the proximity of the front cutting edge.

Claims

1. A bucket for an earth-working or materials-handling machine, comprising, a top portion, a first and a second bucket side wall, a bucket floor extending from a front cutting edge up to the top portion, wherein the front cutting edge, the first and second side walls and the top portion form a bucket opening, seen from a front view of the bucket, the bucket floor has an inside facing towards the bucket opening and an outside facing away from the bucket opening, characterized in that the bucket floor comprises at least one floor section being attached to the bucket floor, optionally by at least one weld interface between the at least one floor section and the bucket floor provided in the proximity of the front cutting edge; and at least one protection element for protecting at least a part of the floor section, and/or at least a part of the optional at least one weld interface, which at least one protection element is mounted on the inside of the bucket floor in the proximity of the front cutting edge.

2. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the floor section is an inverted keel section with a trough portion on the outside and a ridge portion on the inside.

3. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protection element is attached to the bucket floor by at least one weld interface between the at least one protection element and the bucket floor.

4. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protection element is detachably attached to the bucket floor by at least one mechanical fastening means.

5. The bucket according to claim 4, wherein the at least one protection element is at least detachably attached to the floor section.

6. The bucket according to claim 4, wherein the at least one mechanical fastening means is a bolt and/or a screw and/or a quick-lock-mechanism and/or a quick-release-mechanism.

7. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protection element extends from the proximity of the front cutting edge and over at least a portion of the floor section, and/or at least a portion of the optional at least one weld interface between the at least one floor section and the bucket floor.

8. The bucket according to claim 2, wherein the protection element further extends over at least a portion of the ridge portion.

9. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protection element has a tapered end in the proximity of the front cutting edge.

10. The bucket according to claim 9, wherein the at least one protection element has a substantially triangular form with one vertex in the direction towards the front cutting edge.

11. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protection element consists of one single piece of material.

12. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the bucket floor comprises a first and a second rail section.

13. The bucket according to claim 12, wherein each one of the rail sections comprises at least one detachable wear component connected to the bucket floor.

14. The bucket according to claim 12, wherein the at least one floor section, preferably the at least one inverted keel section according to claim 2, is provided in-between the first and second rail sections, as seen in a width direction of the bucket.

15. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the floor section has a width which tapers in a direction towards the front cutting edge, forming a tapering floor portion in the proximity of the front cutting edge, and wherein the optional at least one weld interface between the at least one floor section and the bucket floor is provided along an edge of the tapering floor portion.

16. The bucket according to claim 2, wherein the inverted keel section is made of sheet metal, which single piece of sheet metal or attached sheet metal parts has/have two opposing main surfaces, whereby one of the main surfaces forms the trough portion on the outside and the other one of the main surfaces forms the ridge portion on the inside.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure cited as examples.

[0032] In the drawings:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a bucket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a bucket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a bucket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 4a shows a cross-sectional view of one inverted keel section according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 4b shows a cross-sectional view of one inverted keel section according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 4c shows a cross-sectional view of one inverted keel section according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 4d shows a cross-sectional view of one inverted keel section according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] The drawings show diagrammatic exemplifying embodiments of the present disclosure and are thus not necessarily drawn to scale. It shall be understood that the embodiments shown and described are exemplifying and that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. It shall also be noted that some details in the drawings may be exaggerated in order to better describe and illustrate the particular embodiment. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout the description, unless expressed otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] A bucket according to embodiments described herein is suitable for use with any earthmoving or materials-handling machine, such as a compact excavator, a dragline excavator, amphibious excavator, power shovel, steam shovel, suction excavator, walking excavator, bucket wheel excavator, a bulldozer, a loader, mining equipment, a tractor, a skid steer loader etc. The earth-moving or materials-handling machine may be a ground engaging machine, or may have a bucket that is arranged to engage some other surface, such as a pit wall in open pit mining.

[0042] The earth-moving or materials-handling machine may for example be used for digging a trench, hole or foundations, in forestry work, construction, landscaping, mining, river dredging or snow removal.

[0043] The bucket 1 comprises a top portion 2, a first 5 and a second 6 bucket side wall, a bucket floor 7 extending from a front cutting edge 8 up to the top portion 2, wherein the front cutting edge 8, the first 5 and second 6 side walls and the top portion 2 form a bucket opening 9, seen from a front view of the bucket 1. FIG. 1 is a front view of a bucket 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Preferably the bucket floor 7 and each of the side walls 5, 6 are connected at an angle of 90° (FIGS. 2 and 3). But there is no vertex from which an angle can be measured in the region where the floor and side wall of the bucket are connected. Such a lack of a 90° corner inside the bucket may facilitate the loading and unloading of the bucket since it may prevent material or objects from getting stuck in the inside corners of the bucket.

[0045] The bucket floor 7 has an inside facing towards the bucket opening 9 and an outside facing away from the bucket opening 9. Preferably, the bucket floor has a rounded/curved shape when extending from a front cutting edge 8 of the bucket up to the top portion (FIGS. 2 and 3). The curved and/or continuous inside of the bucket floor may result in improved flow characteristics of material across the inner surface of the bucket when loading and unloading the bucket leading to less material becoming trapped in the inside corners of the bucket and/or less “hang up” of material in the bucket. The curved and/or continuous outside of the bucket floor 7 may have reduced friction due to reduced normal force the bucket floor 7 is subjected to.

[0046] The bucket floor 7 comprises at least one floor section 11 being attached to the bucket floor 7, optionally by at least one weld interface between the at least one floor section 11 and the bucket floor 7 provided in the proximity of the front cutting edge 8; and at least one protection element 15 for protecting at least a part of the floor section 11, and/or at least a part of the optional at least one weld interface, which at least one protection element 15 is mounted on the inside of the bucket floor 7 in the proximity of the front cutting edge 8.

[0047] The floor section 11 may be an integral part of the bucket floor 7. Optionally, the bucket floor 7 with the at least one floor section 11 is made from one and the same piece of sheet metal, preferably by bending and/or forming the sheet metal. This configuration provides enhanced strength of the bucket floor and enables cost-efficient manufacturing process. Further, it provides a light-weight configuration with reduced number of separate components.

[0048] The protection element 15 increases the abrasion resistance of the bucket floor 7 and the at least one floor section 11 in the direction of flow of material into or outwards of the bucket 1 when the bucket is in use. The protection element 15 serves to protect at least a part of the floor section 11, and/or at least a part of the optional at least one weld interface (FIGS. 2 and 3) between the at least one floor section 11 and the bucket floor 7 provided in the proximity of the front cutting edge 8. The protection element 15 may also protect the heat-affected zone (HAZ) around the optional weld interface. Typically, the at least one protection element 15 may comprise wear and abrasion-resistant steel, hardened steel or case-hardened steel. The steel may have a Brinell hardness of at least 500, preferably a Brinell hardness of 525-575 or 25 more. According to an embodiment of the bucket, the at least one wear component comprises Hardox® wear plate.

[0049] Optionally, the at least one floor section 11 extends along at least a part of the bucket floor 7 in a direction from the front cutting edge 8 up to the top portion 2.

[0050] Optionally, the at least one floor section 11 consists of one single piece of sheet material. This improves strength of the floor section 11, thereby resulting in reduced risk of cracks when the bucket 1 is in use.

[0051] Optionally, the at least one floor section 11 consists of at least two pieces of sheet material which are attached to each other, preferably by at least one weld interface between the at least two pieces of sheet material. This is beneficial to forming a specific shape of the floor section, such as an inverted keel section, which also enables cost reduction of manufacturing, repair and/or maintenance of the bucket.

[0052] Optionally, the floor section 11 is an inverted keel section with a trough portion 11T on the outside and a ridge portion 11R on the inside (FIGS. 2 and 3). The inverted keel section 11 may preferably be made of one or more pieces of sheet metal. The inverted keel section 11 may for example be formed by bending and/or forming the sheet metal, or by any other manufacturing operation known to the skilled person. In view of the above, a robust and light-weight inverted keel section can be provided.

[0053] The at least one inverted keel section 11 makes it possible that the average thickness and weight of the bucket floor 7 may be reduced without compromising abrasion resistance.

[0054] The trough portion 11T of the at least one inverted keel section 11 may be subjected to less normal force, thereby reducing the friction generated between the trough portion 11T and the material to be loaded or unloaded. The reduction in friction leads to improved working speed and efficiency of an earth-working or materials-handling machine using the bucket 1.

[0055] The ridge portion 11R of the at least one inverted keel section 11 may control the flow characteristics of material within the bucket 1 such that the material flows in the direction towards the region where the bucket floor 7 and side wall are connected.

[0056] Optionally, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the at least one protection element 15 is attached to the bucket floor 7 by at least one weld interface between the at least one protection element 15 and the bucket floor 7.

[0057] Optionally, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the at least one protection element 15 is detachably attached to the bucket floor 7 by at least one mechanical fastening means 22. The at least one mechanical fastening means 22 may be a bolt and/or a screw and/or a stud and/or a quick-lock-mechanism and/or a quick-release-mechanism. This may facilitate cost reduction of manufacturing the bucket 1 and replacement protection elements.

[0058] Optionally, the at least one protection element 15 is at least detachably attached to the floor section 11 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Thus, the at least one protection element 15 may provide an extra fastening means connecting the at least one floor section 11 with the bucket floor 7.

[0059] Optionally, the at least one protection element 15 extends from the proximity of the front cutting edge 8 and over at least a portion of the floor section 11, and/or at least a portion of the optional at least one weld interface between the at least one floor section 11 and the bucket floor 7 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Still further, the protection element may also extend over at least a portion of the ridge portion 11R. The ridge portion 11R in the proximity of the front cutting edge 8 is thereby protected from material entering the inside of the bucket during use.

[0060] Optionally, the at least one protection element 15 has a tapered end in the proximity of the front cutting edge 8. The tapered end may improve the flow characteristics of material into or outwards of the bucket when the bucket is in use. This provides better protection of at least a part of the floor section 11, and/or at least a part of the optional at least one weld interface between the at least one floor section 11 and the bucket floor 7, and/or the heat-affected zone (HAZ) around the optional weld interface.

[0061] Optionally, in the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the at least one protection element 15 has a substantially triangular form with one vertex in the direction towards the front cutting edge 8. The substantially triangular formed protection element protects at least a part of the floor section 11, the optional weld interface between the inverted keel section and the bucket floor, and/or the heat-affected zone (HAZ) around the optional weld interface. Furthermore, the substantially triangular form may improve the flow characteristics of material into or outwards of the bucket when the bucket is in use.

[0062] Optionally, the at least one protection element 15 consists of one single piece of material. This improves strength of the protection element 15, thereby resulting in reduced risk of cracks when the bucket 1 is in use.

[0063] Optionally, in the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bucket floor 7 comprises a first 3 and a second 4 rail section. The rail sections 3, 4 function as supporting means on the outside of the bucket floor 7 when the bucket 1 stands still (FIGS. 2 and 3). When the bucket 1 is in use, the rail sections 3, 4 are intended to be subjected to a greater abrasion than other parts of the outside of the bucket floor 7. The presence of rail sections 3, 4 makes it possible to reduce the average thickness and weight of the bucket floor 7 without compromising abrasion resistance, which is further beneficial to improving the ratio of actual load weight and lifting capacity of the bucket 1.

[0064] When the bucket 1 is in use, the greatest abrasion arises upon contact of the bucket floor 7 with a ground surface, which likely comprises packed material. During digging, the front cutting edge 8 will cut through the packed material and thereby loosen up packed material which mainly will be filled into the bucket. The trough portion 11T of the at least one inverted keel section 11 creates a space between the harder ground surface and the bucket floor 7 such that mainly the rail sections 3, 4 of the bucket floor 7 will come into contact with the harder ground surface. The space on the other hand may accommodate excessive more loose material which may cause relatively less abrasion to the trough portion 11T compared to the harder ground surface. As a consequence of this configuration, the abrasion on the bucket floor 7 will mainly be provided onto the rail sections 3, 4. Thus, a bucket floor 7 can be designed such that the rail sections 3, 4 equipped with abrasion resistant and detachable wear components are more resistant to abrasion than other parts of the bucket floor 7 while the overall abrasion resistance of the bucket floor is at least not compromised compared to a prior art bucket floor with all parts in contact with the packed ground surface. This enables reduction in the average thickness and weight of the bucket floor 7 without compromising abrasion resistance.

[0065] Optionally, in one embodiment shown in e.g. FIG. 1, the front cutting edge 8 may further be formed such that the opening 9 at the front cutting edge 8 forms a concave-shaped profile facing the top portion 2, when seen from the front view of the bucket 1. This may further reduce abrasion to the trough portion 11T since the concavely shaped front cutting edge 8 may provide a cutting interface between the edge and the packed material which is located further below the trough portion 11T. Thereby, the concavely shaped front cutting edge may provide an even larger space between the harder ground surface and the bucket floor 7, when the bucket is in use.

[0066] The ridge portion 11R of the at least one inverted keel section 11 may control the flow characteristics of material within the bucket 1 such that the material flows in the direction towards the rail sections 3, 4, thereby disposing a majority of pressure from the loading weight to the rail sections 3, 4 which are equipped with abrasion resistant wear components. The expression “pressure” as used herein means the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed.

[0067] Thus, the combination of the prima facie unrelated structures, i.e. the at least one inverted keel section 11 and the rail section 3, 4, may unexpectedly provide enhanced abrasion resistance of the bucket floor 7. This enables further reduction in the average thickness and weight of the bucket floor 7 without compromising abrasion resistance, which is beneficial to improving the ratio of actual load weight and lifting capacity of the bucket 1.

[0068] Optionally, in the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each one of the rail sections 3, 4 comprises at least one detachable wear component 10 connected to the bucket floor 7. The at least one detachable wear component 10 of each one of the rail sections enhances abrasion resistance of the rail sections, which also makes it possible to manufacture, repair and/or maintain the bucket 1 in a more cost-effective manner.

[0069] Optionally, in the embodiments as shown in FIG. 1-3, the at least one floor section 11, preferably the at least one inverted keel section, is provided in-between the first 3 and second 4 rail sections, as seen in a width w′ direction of the bucket (FIG. 4).

[0070] FIG. 4 shows cross-sectional views of the inverted keel section 11 according to four embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein w is the width of the inverted keel section 11, w′ is the width of the bucket floor 7, w″ is the width of the rail sections 3, 4, and h is the height of the ridge portion 11R. Typically, the width (w″) of the rail section is in the range of 60 mm to 200 mm.

[0071] The height h of the ridge portion 11R may be the same along at least a part of the longitudinal direction of the inverted keel section 11. Alternatively, the height h of the ridge portion 11R may vary along at least a part of the longitudinal direction of the inverted keel section 11. This may improve the flow characteristics of material into or outwards of the bucket when the bucket is in use.

[0072] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4a the inverted keel section 11 has a substantially triangular formed cross section. This embodiment may comprise the rail sections 3, 4, as shown, even though it also could be without such rail sections.

[0073] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4b the inverted keel section 11 has a curved shape, seen from a cross-sectional view. The inverted keel section 11 with a curved shape may be subjected to reduced normal force, thereby alleviating friction between the bucket floor 7 and the material to be loaded or unloaded. This embodiment may comprise the rail sections 3, 4, as shown, even though it also could be without such rail sections.

[0074] The width w of the floor section 11 may be the same along at least a part of the longitudinal direction of the inverted keel section (FIG. 3). Alternatively, the width w of the inverted keel section 11 may vary along at least a part of the longitudinal direction of the inverted keel section.

[0075] Optionally, as exemplified in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4c, the inverted keel section 11 may be U-shaped, seen from a cross-sectional view. For example, the U-shaped cross-section of the inverted keel section 11 may be formed by a first and a second side wall 112, 113 and a top wall 114 interconnecting the first and second side walls. The U-shaped cross-section may be formed by e.g. bending a sheet metal element, and/or by connecting one or more separate sheet metal elements. The separate sheet metal elements may be connected by welds at the interfaces between the top portion 114 and the respective first and second side wall 112, 113. This embodiment may comprise the rail sections 3, 4, as shown, even though it also could be without such rail sections. Providing a U-shaped cross section as exemplified herein may provide a robust inverted keel section 11 which also may facilitate manufacturing.

[0076] Optionally, as exemplified in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4d, the inverted keel section 11 may further comprise at least one protection member 111 for protecting the inverted keel element from impacts during use, wherein the protection member extends from the trough portion 11T away from the inside of the bucket, i.e. in a downward direction as seen when the bucket is placed on a ground surface. The protection member 111 may as shown be attached to the inverted keel section 11 at the trough portion 11T and it may further extend over at least a portion of the inverted keel section 11 in the longitudinal direction thereof. In an example embodiment, the protection member 111 extends over at least 50% of a length of the inverted keel section 11 in the longitudinal direction from the front cutting edge 8 up to the top portion 2. The protection member 111 may be a sheet metal element, or a number of separate sheet metal elements, which may be connected. By use of the protection member 111, the inverted keel section 11 can be protected from coming into direct contact with external elements, such as large stones. Thereby the protection member 111 may reduce the risk of damaging the inverted keel element 11 during use.

[0077] Optionally, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the floor section 11 has a width w which tapers in a direction towards the front cutting edge 8, forming a tapering floor portion in the proximity of the front cutting edge 8. This may improve the flow characteristics of material into or outwards of the bucket when the bucket is in use.

[0078] Optionally, the inverted keel section 11 may be made of sheet metal, such as by one single piece of sheet metal or by more than one piece of attached sheet metal parts. The single piece sheet metal or the attached sheet metal parts has/have two opposing main surfaces, whereby one of the main surfaces forms the trough portion 11T on the outside and the other one of the main surfaces forms the ridge portion 11R on the inside.

[0079] The optional at least one weld interface between the at least one floor section 11 and the bucket floor 7 is preferably provided along an edge of the tapering floor portion (FIG. 1).