WORK MACHINE HAVING A RADIAL AND VERTICAL LIFT PATH WITH AN INTERCHANGEABLE BOOM ASSEMBLY PIVOT

Abstract

A work machine including a mainframe, an operator cab coupled to the mainframe and a boom assembly. The mainframe extends in a fore-aft direction. The operator cab may be coupled to the mainframe. The boom assembly is movably coupled to the mainframe at a boom assembly pivot wherein the boom assembly may move between a retracted position and an extended position. The boom assembly pivot is located aft of the operator cab and is commonly positioned for both a vertical lift boom assembly and a radial lift boom assembly. In another embodiment, the boom assembly pivot interchangeably accommodates a vertical lift boom assembly and a radial lift boom assembly.

Claims

1. A work machine comprising: a mainframe extending in a fore-aft direction; an operator cab coupled to the mainframe; a boom assembly movably coupled to the mainframe at a boom assembly pivot, the boom assembly movable between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein the boom assembly pivot is located aft of the operator cab, the boom assembly pivot interchangeably accommodating a vertical lift boom assembly and a radial lift boom assembly.

2. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the vertical boom assembly comprises: a pair of boom arms extending in a fore-aft direction positioned on each side of the mainframe, each boom arm including a fore portion and a rear portion; a pair of first vertical lift links positioned on each side, each first vertical link coupled to the rear portion of boom arm on one end and the boom assembly pivot on the other end; a pair of second vertical lift links positioned on each side, each second vertical lift link coupled to the rear portion of the boom arm on one end and an upward portion of the main frame and below a line of sight of an operator seated in the operator cab on the other end; and a pair of actuators positioned one each side of the mainframe coupled to the boom arm and the main frame, wherein the extension of the actuator lifts the fore portion of the boom arm.

3. The work machine of claim 1, wherein coupling of the actuator, boom arm, and second vertical lift link creates a visibility window.

4. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the first vertical lift link, the second vertical lift link, and the actuator are positioned below the boom arm when moving between the retracted state and the extended state.

5. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the boom assembly pivot comprises a double shear joint.

6. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the radial lift boom assembly comprises: a pair of upward extending supports positioned on each side of the mainframe and aft of the operator cab, each upward extending support fixedly coupled to the mainframe at the boom assembly pivot wherein the upper portion of each support terminates below a line of sight of an operator seated in the operator cab; a pair of boom arms extending in the fore-aft direction positioned on each side of the mainframe, each boom arm including a fore portion and a rear portion, the rear portion coupled pivotably coupled to the upper portion of the support, and the fore portion for coupling to an attachment, the fore portion following a radial lift path when the boom assembly moves between a retracted position and an extended position; and a pair of actuators extending in the fore-aft direction positioned on each side of the mainframe, each actuator coupled to a lower portion of the support and the fore portion of the boom arm wherein extension of the actuator lifts the fore portion of the boom arm.

7. The work machine of claim 6, wherein the pair of actuators and the upward extending supports are positioned below the boom arm when moving between the retracted position and the extended position.

8. The work machine of claim 6, wherein the pair of actuators and the upward extending supports are positioned fore of an air intake access when moving between the retracted position and the extended position.

9. The work machine of claim 6, wherein the boom assembly is absent a row bar, the row bar coupling the boom arms in a direction perpendicular to the fore-aft direction.

10. A vertical lift boom assembly for a work machine, the work machine having a mainframe, the vertical lift boom assembly comprising: a pair of boom arms extending in a fore-aft direction positioned on each side of the mainframe, each boom arm including a fore portion and a rear portion, the fore portion for coupling to an attachment; a pair of first vertical lift links positioned on each side, each first vertical link coupled to the rear portion of boom arm on one end and the boom assembly pivot on the other end, wherein the boom assembly is located aft of the operator cab; a pair of second vertical lift links positioned on each side, each second vertical lift link coupled to the rear portion of the boom arm on one end and an upward portion of the main frame and below a line of sight of an operator seated in the operator cab on the other end; and a pair of actuators positioned one each side of the mainframe coupled to the boom arm and the main frame, wherein extension of the actuator lifts the fore portion of the boom arm.

11. The vertical lift boom assembly of claim 10, wherein coupling of the actuator, boom arm, and second vertical lift link creates a visibility window.

12. The vertical lift boom assembly of claim 10, wherein the first vertical lift link, the second vertical lift link, and the actuator are positioned below the boom arm when moving between the retracted state and the extended state.

13. The vertical lift boom assembly of claim 10, wherein the boom assembly pivot comprises a double shear joint.

14. The vertical lift boom assembly of claim 10, wherein the boom assembly pivot is commonly positioned with a radial lift boom assembly.

15. A radial lift boom assembly for a work machine, the radial lift boom assembly comprising: a pair of upward extending supports positioned on each side of the main frame and aft of the operator cab, each upward extending support fixedly coupled to the mainframe at the boom assembly pivot wherein the upper portion of each support terminates below a line of sight of an operator seated in the operator cab; a pair of boom arms extending the fore-aft direction positioned on each side of the main frame, each boom arm including a fore portion and a rear portion, the rear portion coupled pivotably to the upper portion of the upward extending support, and the fore portion for coupling to an attachment, the fore portion following a radial lift path when the boom assembly moves between a retracted position and an extended position; and a pair of actuators extending in the fore-aft direction positioned on each side of the main frame, each actuator coupled to a lower portion of the support and the fore portion of the boom arm wherein extension of the actuator lift the fore portion of the boom arm.

16. The radial lift boom assembly of claim 15, wherein the pair of actuators and the upward extending supports are positioned below the boom arm when moving between the retracted position and the extended position.

17. The radial lift boom assembly of claim 15, wherein the pair of actuators and the upward extending supports are positioned fore of an air intake access when moving between the retracted position and the extended position.

18. The radial lift boom assembly of claim 15, wherein the boom assembly is absent a row bar, the row bar coupling the boom arms in a direction perpendicular to the fore-aft direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a work machine with a vertical lift boom assembly;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the first embodiment from FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective back view of the first embodiment in FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of a first embodiment of a work machine with a radial lift boom assembly;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of the first embodiment from FIG. 7;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective back view of the first embodiment in FIG. 7;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of a work machine with a vertical lift boom assembly;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective front view of the second embodiment from FIG. 4;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective back view of the second embodiment from FIG. 4;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a side view of a second embodiment of a work machine with a radial lift boom assembly;

[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective front view of the second embodiment from FIG. 10;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective back view of the second embodiment from FIG. 10;

[0026] FIG. 13 is graph demonstrating the normalized lift force as compared to current Deere compact track loaders.

[0027] Like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout the several figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The embodiments disclosed in the above drawings and the following detailed description are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0029] As used herein, unless otherwise limited or modified, lists with elements that are separated by conjunctive terms (e.g., “and”) and that are also preceded by the phrase “one or more of” or “at least one of” indicate configurations or arrangements that potentially include individual elements of the list, or any combination thereof. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C” or “one or more of A, B, and C” indicates the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or any combination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A and C; or A, B, and C).

[0030] FIGS. 1 through 12 illustrate a work machine 100 (100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d) depicted as a compact track loader with an attachment 105 operatively coupled to the work machine 100. It should be understood, however, that the work machine could be one of many types of work machines, including a skid steer, and other similar construction or agricultural work machines. The work machine 100 as shown, has a mainframe 110 extending in a fore-aft direction 115, having a front-end section 120, or portion, and a rear-end section, or portion 125. The work machine 100 includes a ground-engaging mechanism 155 that supports the mainframe 110 and an operator cab 160 supported on the mainframe 110 wherein the ground-engaging mechanism 155 is configured to support the mainframe 110 on a surface 135.

[0031] Work machine 100 may be operated to engage the surface 135 and cut, move, lift, and carry material to achieve simple or complex features on the surface, or harvesting resources.

[0032] The work machine 100 comprises a boom assembly 170 movably coupled to the mainframe 110. An attachment 105, or work tool, may be pivotally coupled at a fore portion 175 of the boom assembly 170, while a rear portion 180 of the boom assembly 170 is pivotally coupled to the mainframe 110 at a boom assembly pivot 197. The boom assembly of the exemplary embodiments, comprises a pair of boom arms 190 (one each on a left side and a right side) and is movable between a retracted position 193 and an extended position 195 (as shown in the dotted lines) including positions therebetween (again as shown in the dotted line). The boom assembly pivot 197 is located aft of the operator cab 160 and is commonly positioned for both a vertical lift boom assembly 203 (shown in FIGS. 1-3, 7-9) and a radial lift boom assembly 205 (FIGS. 4-6, 10-12). That is, as the boom arms 190 are raised through actuation of the actuators 207, an attachment (shown here as a bucket) coupled to the fore portion 175 of the boom assembly 170 will move along either a mostly vertical lift path 210 or a radial lift path 212. allowing for a common mainframe 110 for both types of work machines. In some embodiments, the boom assembly pivot 197 may interchangeably accommodate the vertical lift boom assembly 203 and the radial lift boom assembly 205. In other embodiments, the mainframe 110 (which includes the boom assembly pivot 195) may interchangeably accommodate the vertical lift boom assembly 203 and the radial lift boom assembly 205.

[0033] The attachment 105 may be coupled to the boom assembly 170 through an attachment coupler (not identified). One exemplary attachment coupler, often referred to as Deere and Company's Quik-Tatch, is an industry standard configuration and a coupler universally applicable to many Deere attachments and several after-market attachments. The attachment coupler is coupled to the fore portion 175 of the boom assembly 170.

[0034] FIGS. 1 through 3 exhibit a first embodiment of a work machine 100a with a vertical lift boom assembly 203. This embodiment 100a shares a common boom assembly pivot 197 with FIGS. 4 through 6 exhibiting a first embodiment of a work machine 100b with a radial lift boom assembly. FIGS. 7 through 9 exhibit a second embodiment 100c with a vertical lift boom assembly 203 which shares a common boom assembly pivot 197 with FIGS. 10 through 12 exhibiting the second embodiment 100d with a radial lift boom assembly 205.

[0035] Now turning to FIGS. 1 through 6, the mainframe 110 of the work machine includes a pair of supports 215 supporting the boom assembly 170. The pair of supports 215 (located on each a left side and right side) are positioned on each side of the mainframe 110 and aft of the operator cab 160. The pair of supports 215 extend upwardly from and terminate at an upper end located substantially above a support surface 220 of the mainframe 110 and below a line of sight of the operator seated in the operator cab 160. The boom assembly pivot 197 is positioned on an upper portion 222 of the support 215. The pair of supports 215 are located fore of the air intake access 225 wherein the air intake access is positioned on each side of the mainframe 110, thereby improving ease of access and reducing maintenance time. In conventional configurations, the air intake access may be restrictive and limit accessibility for maintenance and repair wherein access is limited to only a rear surface 230 of the work machine. Enabling air intake access on the sides in addition to the rear of the work machine (as shown), advantageously improves cooling and serviceability.

[0036] As shown in the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 through 3, the vertical lift boom assembly 203 (i.e. the lift path 210 is substantially vertical when the boom assembly 170 moves between a retracted position 193 and an extended position 195 wherein the extended position 195 is shown in the dotted lines) includes a pair of boom arms 190 extending in a fore-aft direction 115 on each side of the mainframe 110. Each boom arm 190 includes a fore portion 175 and a rear portion 180. The rear portion 180 includes a prong 235 with a first portion 240 and a second portion 245. The fore portion 175 of the boom arms 190 is for coupling to an attachment 105. A pair of first links 250 are positioned on each side of the mainframe 110. The first link 250 is coupled to the first portion 240 of the prong 235, and the mainframe 110, or more specifically the portion of the mainframe 110 located below the operator cab 160. A pair of second links 255 extend in an upright direction 117 on each side of the mainframe 110. The second link 255 is coupled to the second portion 245 of the prong 235, and the mainframe 110, or more specifically the support 215 at or near the boom assembly pivot 197. A pair of actuators 207 are positioned on each side of the mainframe 110 coupled to each respective boom arm 190 at or near the prong 235 of the boom arm 190 and the area of the mainframe 110 below the operator cab 160. This configuration results in lifting the fore portion 175 of the boom arm 190 as the actuator 207 is extended. The first link 250, advantageously, remains below the boom arm 190 when moving between the retracted position 193 and the extended position 195, thereby optimizing visibility for the operator. Additionally, the prong 235 of the boom arm 190, or more specifically the first portion 240 and the second portion 245 of the prong 235, coupled to a first end 260 and second end 265 of the second link 255 create a visibility window 270. That is the visibility window 270 improves the visibility clearance for the operator, which has generally partially or completely been obstructed by linkage, hydraulics, joints and row bars in conventional work machines. Absence of the row bar 275 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3) clears the visual path when moving in reverse. A row bar 275 is a structural coupling of the boom arms 190 in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the fore-aft direction 115. In conventional configurations, the row bar 275 provides support in various linkage configurations with taller heights. That is, the attachment 105 may be lifted higher when the actuators 207 extend when the linkage configuration is taller (generally obstructing an operator's view). FIG. 13 demonstrates improved lift path heights and lift capacities for the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-3, even though a row bar 275 remains absent.

[0037] Furthermore, the boom assembly pivot comprises a double shear joint. Additionally, all rear joints are double shear joints thereby improving the robustness of the work machine by reducing side deflection. Conventional designs use a cantilever type joint which requires relatively larger pins and heavier structure to achieve a similar side deflection.

[0038] Now turning to FIGS. 4-6, a first embodiment of a work machine 100b comprising a radial lift boom assembly 205 is shown. The radial lift boom assembly 205 comprises of a pair of boom arms 190 extending in the fore-aft direction 115 positioned on each side of the mainframe 110. Each boom arm 190 includes a fore portion 175 and a rear portion 180. The rear portion 180 is coupled to the mainframe 110 at the boom assembly pivot 197. The fore portion 175, for coupling to an attachment 105, follows a radial lift path 212 when the boom assembly 170 moves between a retracted position 193 and an extended position 195 (as shown by the dotted lines). A pair of actuators 207 extend in the fore-aft direction 115 (or substantially in the fore-aft direction) and are positioned on each side of the mainframe 110. The actuator 207 is coupled to the support 215 and the fore portion 175 of the boom arm 190 wherein extension of the actuator 207 lifts the fore portion 175 of the boom arm 190. In the embodiment shown, the pair of actuators 207 are positioned below the boom arm 190 when moving between the retracted position 193 and the extended position 195. Similar to the work machine embodiment 100a in FIGS. 1-3, the work machine embodiment 100b also does not require row bar 275.

[0039] FIGS. 7 through 9 and FIGS. 10 through 12 show a second embodiment (100c, 100d) of a work machine. The work machine 100c comprises of a mainframe 110 extending in fore-aft direction 115, an operator cab 160 coupled to the mainframe 110, a boom assembly 170, and a boom assembly pivot 197. The boom assembly 170, pivotably coupled to the mainframe 110, is movable between a retracted position 193 (shown in the solid lines) and an extended position 195 (shown in the dotted lines). The boom assembly pivot 197 in the second embodiment is located aft of the operator cab 160 wherein the boom assembly pivot 197 is commonly positioned for both a vertical lift boom assembly 203 and a radial lift boom assembly 205, allowing for a common mainframe 110 for both types of work machines. In some embodiments, the boom assembly pivot may interchangeably accommodate the vertical lift boom assembly 203 and the radial lift boom assembly 205. In other embodiments, the mainframe 110 may interchangeably accommodate the accommodate the vertical lift boom assembly 203 and the radial lift boom assembly 205.

[0040] FIGS. 7-9 show a work machine 100c with a vertical lift boom assembly 203. The vertical lift boom assembly 203 comprises of a pair of boom arms 190 extending in a fore-aft direction 115 positioned on each side of the mainframe 110, a pair of first vertical lift links 750 positioned on each side, a pair of second vertical lift links 755 positioned on each side, and a pair of actuators 207 positioned on each side. Each first vertical lift link 750 is coupled to the rear portion 180 of the boom arm 190 on one end, and the boom assembly pivot 197 on the other end. Each second vertical lift link 755 (shown in hidden dotted lines) is coupled to the rear portion 180 of the boom arm 190 on one end and an upward portion of the mainframe 110 while remaining below a line of sight 185 of an operator seated in the operator cab 160 on the other end. Extension of the actuators 207 lift the fore portion 175 of the boom arm 190.

[0041] Coupling of the actuator 207, boom arm 190, and the second vertical lift link 755 creates a visibility window 270.

[0042] In this second embodiment, the first vertical lift link 750, the second vertical lift link 755, and the actuator 207 are positioned below the boom arm 190 when moving between the retracted position 193 and the extended position 195. The boom assembly pivot 197 may comprise of a double shear joint 232. Additionally, all rear joints are double shear joints thereby improving the robustness of the work machine by reducing side deflection. Conventional designs use a cantilever type joint which requires relatively larger pins and heavier structure to achieve a similar side deflection.

[0043] FIGS. 10-12 show the second embodiment for a work machine 100d with a radial lift boom assembly 205, wherein the boom assembly pivot 197 is commonly positioned with the boom assembly pivot 197 of the second embodiment with the vertical lift boom assembly 203. The radial lift boom assembly 205 comprises a pair of upward extending supports 215 positioned on each side of the mainframe 110 and aft of the operator cab 160. Each support 215 is fixedly coupled to the mainframe 110 at the boom assembly pivot 197. Note the supports 215 may be considered as either a portion of the mainframe 110 or the boom assembly 170. The upper portion of each support 222 terminates below a line of sight 185 of an operator seated in the operator cab 160.

[0044] In this embodiment, the pair of boom arms 190 extend in the fore-aft direction 115 positioned on each side of the mainframe 110 wherein each boom arm 190 includes a fore portion 175 and a rear portion 180. The rear portion 180 is pivotably coupled to the upper portion 222 of the support 215. The fore portion 175 of the boom arm 190 is for coupling to an attachment 105. The fore portion 175 follows a radial lift path 212 when the boom assembly 170 moves between a retracted position 193 and an extended position 195. A pair of actuators 207, extending in the fore-aft direction 115, and positioned on each side the mainframe 110. Each actuator 207 is coupled to the lower portion of the support and the fore portion 175 of the boom arm wherein extension of the actuator 207 lifts the fore portion 207 of the boom arm 190. The pair of actuators 207 and supports 215 remain below the boom arm 190 when moving between the retracted position and the extended position, advantageously improving visibility for the operator.

[0045] The pair of actuators 207 and the upward extending supports 215 are positioned fore of an air intake access when moving between the retracted position 193 and the extended position 195 (shown by the dotted lines). Enabling air intake access on the sides in addition to the rear of the work machine (as shown), advantageously improves cooling and serviceability.

[0046] The boom assembly 170 is absent a row bar 275. A row bar 275 conventionally couples the boom arms in a direction perpendicular to the fore-aft direction to provide support.

[0047] Now turning to FIG. 13, a graph demonstrating the normalized lift force as compared to current configurations, or more specifically current Deere compact track loaders, is shown. The normalized lift force curve detail results from the first embodiment in comparison to current Deere compact track loaders. The first embodiment allows maintenance of the initial break out force till 75% of the light height and continues to maintain more than the 75% breakout force till more than 90% of lift height, thereby advantageously improving productivity in high lift applications.

[0048] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments or implementations and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the any use of the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” “include,” “includes,” “including,” “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or the like, in this specification, identifies the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0049] The references “A” and “B” used with reference numerals herein are merely for clarification when describing multiple implementations of an apparatus.

[0050] One or more of the steps or operations in any of the methods, processes, or systems discussed herein may be omitted, repeated, or re-ordered and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] While the above describes example embodiments of the present disclosure, these descriptions should not be viewed in a restrictive or limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.