EA044154B1 - TRACKING GROUND-WINGED PRODUCTS FOR EARTHING EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The invention relates to a device and system for tracking ground contact products such as ground contact tools and the like used in various types of earthmoving equipment.

Prerequisites for creating an invention

In earthmoving activities (such as mining and construction), ground contact products are typically provided on all types of earthmoving equipment to protect essential equipment from excessive wear and also, in some cases, to perform other functions, such as splitting the soil in front of the cutting edge. Products that interact with the soil include, for example, teeth and guards that are attached to the bucket blade.

High loads and abrasive conditions can cause ground contact products to separate from excavation equipment. Excavation equipment operators may not always be able to see that a product in contact with the soil has become detached. A separated product that interacts with the soil can cause damage to downstream process equipment. For example, if a loose product in contact with the ground enters a crusher, the product may be ejected, creating a safety hazard for workers, or may cause jamming, resulting in costly crusher downtime. A jammed crusher requires the machine to be shut down and the operator to remove the part, which can sometimes be a difficult, time-consuming and/or dangerous process. Additionally, continuing to operate earthmoving equipment without ground-interacting products present may reduce overall productivity, and the base on which the product was attached may experience premature wear.

In the prior art, there are systems that have been proposed for detecting wear part loss. For example, a tooth missing detection system sold by Motion Metrics uses an optical camera mounted on an earthmoving equipment boom to detect the loss of wear parts. Similarly, US Pat. No. 8,411,930 describes a system that relies on a video camera mounted on the boom of an earthmoving machine to detect damaged or missing wear parts. US Pat. No. 6,870,485 provides a spring-loaded switch between the components of the wear part so that when the components are separated, the switch activates a radio transmitter to notify the operator that the wear part has separated. In US Pat. No. 5,743,031, an actuator is attached to a wear part component that produces a smoke signal or radio signal when the wear part falls off.

The essence of the invention

The invention relates to devices and systems for tracking products interacting with the ground for excavation equipment. This system can be used to track parameters of ground interacting products (such as presence, part identification, condition, performance and/or frequency of use of soil interacting products) used in earthmoving equipment in mining, construction and other earthmoving industries. work operations.

In one embodiment, a wear assembly for excavation equipment includes a base that is configured to be attached to the excavation equipment and includes a mounting portion including an opening. The wear part has a cavity for receiving a base mounting portion and a cutout at least partially aligned with the hole in the base. To attach the wear part to the base, a lock is placed in the cutout in the wear part and the hole in the base. A tracking device is located in an opening in the base adjacent to the closure when the closure is received in the opening to detect the presence and/or absence of the closure and wirelessly transmit a signal indicating the absence of the closure in the base.

In another embodiment, a wear assembly for excavation equipment includes a base that is configured to be attached to the excavation equipment and includes a mounting portion having an outer surface, a wear piece that includes a cavity for receiving the base mounting portion, a closure for attaching the wear piece to the base, an opening in the base which opens onto the outer surface of the base to be positioned opposite the wear part or closure when the base, wear part and closure are assembled, and a tracking device which is located in the opening and faces outward from the outer surface in close proximity to wear part or closure, wherein the tracking device does not include movable components for detecting the presence and/or absence of the wear part or closure and transmitting a wireless signal when the absence of the wear part or closure is detected.

In another embodiment, a wear assembly for excavation equipment includes a base that is configured to be attached to the excavation equipment and includes a mounting portion and an opening opening onto the mounting portion. The wear part contains a cavity to accommodate the mounting part of the base. The shutter secures the wear part to the base. A non-contact device is located on the wear part or closure.

A tracking device is located in a hole in the base for the purpose of detecting the presence and/or absence of a proximity device and sending a wireless signal if the proximity device is missing.

In another embodiment, a wear assembly for excavation equipment includes a base that is configured to be attached to the excavation equipment and includes an opening, a wear piece that includes a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the base, a closure for attaching the wear piece to the base, and a tracking device in the base for detecting a parameter of the wear part and/or base, wherein the parameter includes at least one of a condition, frequency of use, performance and/or part identification for the wear part and/or base.

In another embodiment, a wear assembly for excavation equipment includes a base that is configured to be attached to the excavation equipment and includes an opening, a wear piece that includes a cavity receiving at least a portion of the base, a closure for attaching the wear piece to the base, and a tracking device in the hole to detect temperature changes and transmit a signal when the temperature change reaches a threshold level.

In another embodiment, a tracking system for tracking a ground interacting article attached to an excavation equipment includes a base that is configured to be attached to the excavation equipment and includes a front end and an opening opening to the front end, a wear part that comprises an outer surface subject to wear during use, and an installation cavity for receiving the front end of the base, a shutter for attaching the wear part to the base, a tracking device in an opening of the base, wherein the tracking device contains a first sensor, a second sensor, a communication device for wirelessly transmitting information from the first and second sensors and a battery, and a programmable logic device for using information from the first sensor to identify separation of the wear part from the base and information from the second sensor to identify separation of the base from the excavation equipment.

In another embodiment, a ground interface product component for excavation equipment, the component comprising a mounting portion that is configured to be attached to the excavation equipment, an outer surface with an opening, and a tracking device in the opening that includes a temperature sensor and the device communication for wireless transmission of information from the temperature sensor.

In another embodiment, a wear assembly for excavation equipment includes a base that includes a rear end for attachment to the excavation equipment, a front mounting portion, and an opening opening onto the mounting portion. The wear part is positioned above the mounting portion and includes a cutout at least partially aligned with the hole in the base. The shutter secures the wear part to the base. A tracking device is located in the hole in the base to detect whether the wear part has separated from the base and transmit a wireless signal when the wear part is separated.

In another embodiment, a wear assembly for earthmoving equipment includes a cutting edge with a tracking device. The wear part contains a cavity for accommodating a cutting edge and a cutout. To attach the guard to the cutting edge, a shutter is placed in the cutout. A tracking device is attached to the cutting edge to detect separation of the wear part from the cutting edge and transmit a wireless signal when the wear part is separated.

In another embodiment, a tracking system for tracking a ground interacting article attached to an excavation equipment comprises a base configured to be attached to the excavation equipment and including a front end, and a wear part that includes an outer surface subject to wear at during use, and an installation cavity for receiving the front end of the base. The bolt secures the wear part to the base. The tracking device is attached to the base and contains an electronic device for identifying a wear part parameter and a communication device for wirelessly transmitting information about the parameter. A remote device, which is remote from the tracking device, is provided to establish wireless communication with the communication device for the purpose of receiving parameter information.

In another embodiment, a tracking system for tracking a ground interacting article attached to an excavation equipment comprises a base adapted to be attached to the excavation equipment and comprising a front end, a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces, and a first opening. in by

- 2 044154 at least one of the top, bottom and/or side surfaces. The wear part includes an outer surface that is subject to wear during use, a mounting cavity defining an inner surface for receiving a front end of the base, and a second hole, the second hole being in a position different from the first hole. In the second hole there is a shutter for attaching the product interacting with the ground to the base. The tracking device is located in the first hole, attached to the base and contains an electronic device for identifying a wear part parameter and a communication device for wirelessly transmitting information about the parameter. The remote device is remote from the tracking device to establish wireless communication with the communication device to receive parameter information.

In another embodiment, a tracking system for tracking a ground interacting article attached to excavation equipment, the system comprising a base with a front end, a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces, and a first opening in at least one of the top, bottom and /or side surfaces. The wear part includes an outer surface that is subject to wear during use, a mounting cavity defining an inner surface for receiving the front end of the base, and a second hole, the second hole being generally aligned with the first hole. The gate is secured in the first and second holes for attaching the wear part to the base. The gate contains a magnet attached to the driving end. The tracking device is attached to the base and contains a Hall sensor for identifying whether the wear part has separated from the base based on the absence or presence of a magnet and a communication device for wirelessly transmitting parameter information.

In another example of the present invention, the system may include a tracking device associated with the wear part, a base, at least one remote device for interacting with the tracking device, and a programmable logic device for processing information transmitted between the devices. The product that interacts with the ground can be a tip, nozzle, cutter, protective casing or adapter. The base may be an excavation equipment blade, an intermediate adapter, or a main adapter. The programmable logic device uses the information to determine the characteristics of the wear part, including, for example, the part identification, presence, performance, and/or frequency of use of the ground contact article attached to the excavation equipment. In one alternative example, the programmable logic device may be in communication with the display. In another example, the tracking system may provide an alert. The alert signal may be transmitted after the ground interacting product is removed, leaving an open external channel so that the tracking device's communications device has a clear communication channel.

In another example of the present invention, the tracking device is provided with a slot to receive a gate in a base that supports the wear part. In one example, the tracking device includes at least one sensor, a wireless communication device, and/or a battery that is contained within the gate receiving cutout. The tracking device may comprise a non-metallic housing to which the components of the device are securely attached and which facilitates the height control required for some sensors. The tracking device is located adjacent to the leading end or side wall of the valve. In one example, a remote device that is remote from the tracking device establishes wireless communication with the communication device for the purpose of receiving parameter information. In one example, a cutout for receiving a bolt extends inwardly from one of the top, bottom, or side of the base and the tracking device is located in the hole.

In an alternative implementation, the tracking system may further comprise a contactless device. In one example, the non-contact device may be located at the drive end of the gate. The leading end of the valve is located opposite the leading outer or top surface of the valve. In an alternative example, the contactless device may be placed in the opening and secured in a resin-based material. In one example, the contactless device is an RFID tag and the electronic device is an RFID receiver. Alternatively, the electronic device is an RFID tag, thereby monitoring the signal intensity of the RFID tag in the base. In another example, the contactless device is a magnet and the at least one sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

In another example of the present invention, to detect a wear part parameter such as the presence and/or loss of a gate, a tracking device is attached to a base close to, but separate from, the gate securing the wear part to the excavation equipment.

In another example, the tracking system comprises a base comprising a first opening in at least one of the top, bottom and/or side surfaces; a wear part comprising an outer surface that is subject to wear during use, a mounting cavity that defines an inner surface for receiving a front end of the base, and a second hole

- 3 044154 stie, and the second hole is in a position different from the position of the first hole; a shutter secured in the second hole for attaching the product interacting with the ground to the base; and a tracking device. The tracking device may be located in the first hole and attached to the base. In one example, the tracking device includes an electronic device for identifying a parameter of an article interacting with the ground, and a communication device for wirelessly transmitting information about the parameter, wherein the communication device is located proximate to at least one of the top, bottom and/or side surfaces of the base. In one example, the system further comprises a remote device that is remote from the tracking device for establishing wireless communication with the communication device for the purpose of receiving parameter information.

In an alternative implementation, the tracking system includes a base comprising a front end, a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces, and a first opening in at least one of the top, bottom, and/or side surfaces; a wear part comprising an outer surface that is subject to wear during use, a mounting cavity that defines an inner surface for receiving a front end of the base, and a second hole, the second hole being aligned with the first hole; a shutter secured in the first and second openings for attaching the ground interacting article to the base, the shutter comprising a magnet attached to the leading end of the shutter; and a tracking device attached to the base. In one example, the tracking device includes a Hall effect sensor for identifying a parameter of the article interacting with the ground based on the absence or presence of a magnet, and a communication device for wirelessly transmitting information about the parameter, the communication device being located adjacent to and below the leading end of the gate. The Hall effect sensor may be configured to detect a shear event and a total loss event.

Brief description of drawings

In fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of a mining excavator.

In fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a backhoe bucket.

In fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a ladle knife with teeth and protective guards.

In fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the tooth assemblies shown in FIG. 3.

In fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the tooth assembly shown in FIG. 4, with an adapter attached to the knife.

In fig. 6 is a perspective view of the tooth assembly shutter.

In fig. 7A is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 4, which shows a first example of a tracking system according to the present invention.

In fig. 7B is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 4, which shows a second example of a tracking system according to the present invention.

In fig. 8 is a perspective view of the tracking device.

In fig. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative tooth assembly.

In fig. 10 is a sectional view along line 10-10 in FIG. 9, which shows a third example of a tracking system according to the present invention.

In fig. 11 is a perspective view of the second tracking device.

In fig. 12 is a partial exploded perspective view of the protective housing assembly shown in FIG. 3.

In fig. 13 is a partial sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12, which shows a fourth example of a tracking system according to the present invention.

In fig. 14 shows a side view of the technical assistance vehicle and the bucket.

In fig. 15 is a perspective view of the bucket and handheld remote device.

Detailed Description of Preferred Examples

The present invention relates to devices and systems for monitoring the parameters of wear parts interacting with the soil for use in earthmoving equipment. Parameters monitored may include, for example, presence, part identification, condition, performance, and/or frequency of use of soil interacting products in excavation equipment. For example, devices and systems can be used to track ground interacting products attached to bulldozers, loaders, rope scrapers, rope shovels, front shovels, hydraulic shovels, dredgers, buckets, knives, rippers, mining drum tools, combine harvesters continuous action, crushers, etc. Examples of wear parts for such ground contact products include tips, main adapters, intermediate adapters, guards, upper and lower side guards, guides, cutters, wear plates, attachments, etc. Some of the illustrative wear parts (eg, main adapters or intermediate adapters) can also be considered as a base, since they in turn support other components.

Relative terms such as anterior, posterior, superior, inferior and similar are used

- 4 044154 are included for ease of description. The terms front or forward are used primarily to refer to the normal direction of movement of a ground contact product relative to the soil material during use (e.g., during excavation), and the terms top or top are primarily used to refer to the surface over which the material is normally passes when, for example, it is collected in a ladle. However, with a variety of earthmoving equipment, products that interact with the soil may be oriented in a variety of ways and move in a variety of directions during use.

For ease of discussion, this document generally addresses the tracking of ground interacting products attached to an earthmoving bucket, and in particular the tracking of specific types of teeth and guards. However, the tracking systems of the present invention can be used to track other types of teeth, other types of ground interacting products, and products in various types of excavation equipment. As examples only, a tracking system may track a tip on an adapter (intermediate or main), an intermediate adapter on a main adapter or integral casting, a guard on a blade or base, a wear guide on a bucket, teeth on excavator cutter heads, cutters on drum mining tools, lining plates on a chute or truck bed, attachments in a roller crusher, etc. Products interacting with the ground can be attached to various equipment and secured using various mechanical fasteners, including various closures, etc.

With reference to FIG. 1-2, the mining excavator 1 is equipped with a boom 2, a handle 20 and a bucket 3 for collecting soil material during excavation. The bucket 3 includes a frame or bottom 4 defining a cavity 16 for collecting material during the excavation operation (Fig. 2). The bottom 4 contains an upper wall 6 containing connecting supports 8 for connecting the bucket 3 to the excavator 1, a lower wall 10 opposite the upper wall 6, a rear wall 12 and two opposite side walls 14. Numerous bucket configurations are known, both for earthmoving buckets and, of course, , other earthmoving machines there are changes in the geometry of the bucket. For example, the bucket may not include a top wall, as in a rope scraper bucket, the bottom wall may be hinged, as in a grab bucket, or a portion of the side walls may be hinged, as in a hydraulic shovel excavator. The specific geometry of the bucket is not intended to be limiting as the present system can be used with various types of buckets and various types of soil contact products used on buckets or other excavation equipment.

In the illustrated example, the ladle 3 includes a cutting edge 5 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5). The cutting edge 5 is a piece of equipment that comes into contact with the ground, and in an excavator bucket it is usually formed by a knife. The side walls 14 of the bucket 3 usually also form part of the cutting edge and sometimes contain wear parts. Teeth and/or guards are often attached to the cutting edge to protect the edge, break up soil in front of the bucket 3, and/or draw material into the bucket. Attached to the blade 5 of the bucket 3 may be a plurality of teeth 7 and/or guards 9, such as those described in US Pat. No. 9,222,243 and US Pat. No. 1,0612,214, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

With reference to FIG. 3-5, the illustrated tooth 7, which is shown as an example only, includes a main adapter 11 welded to the blade 5, an intermediate adapter 13 mounted on the adapter 11, and a tip 15 (also called a nozzle) mounted on the intermediate adapter. The tip 15 includes a rearwardly opening cavity 18 for receiving a front portion 17 and a front end or crown portion 19 for penetrating the soil (FIG. 5). A closure cutout 48 is formed in the tip 15 and an opening 49 is formed in the base 13 to receive a closure 21 that retains the tip 15 in the base 13. For example, closures 21 (also called stoppers) are used to secure the tip 15 to the intermediate adapter 13 and the intermediate adapter 13 - to the front 23 of the adapter 11. In this example, all closures 21 are the same, however this is not necessary. When the ground contact article is unexpectedly separated from the base, the ground contact article is preferably replaced soon so that productivity is not reduced and the base to which the ground contact article is attached does not experience premature wear.

With reference to FIG. 6, the closure 21 may include a pin 150 that is screwed into a ring 122. In one example, the ring 122 is secured in a cutout 48 in the attachment 15, and the pin 150 is screwed through the ring 122 to move in and out between the hold and release positions, respectively, i.e. the pin 150 includes a drive end 22 movable in and out of a hole 49 in the base 13 for attaching and releasing a wear part, respectively. In this example, shoulders 124, 125 secure the ring in the cutout 48 in a bayonet fashion, and a clamp 123 is used to prevent the ring from rotating and releasing from the cutout; the ring can be secured in the cutout in 48 other ways. The 150 pin can also be attached without a ring; for example, the cutout may contain threads. In the 150 pin to secure the pin in the hold and release positions

- 5 044154 a latch 126 is provided, but other fastening devices may be used, or the pin may be made infinitely adjustable between positions in which the tip is secured and the tip can be released. In the holding position, the leading end 22 of the pin 150 fits into a hole 49 in the front portion 17 to secure the tip 15 to the front portion 17. In the illustrated example, the pin 150 includes a head 152 and a threaded shank 154, but other arrangements are possible. The recess 50 opens onto the outer surface 158 of the head 152 to receive a tool (not shown) to rotate the pin 150 to attach and release the tip 15. This is presented merely as an example; Other locking devices (threaded or non-threaded) may be used to secure the tip (or other wear part) to the adapter (or other base).

With reference to FIG. 7A-7B, the tracking system 27 includes a tracking device 25 located in the base opening 49 adjacent to the gate 21. The tooth 7 is shown to contain a ground engaging article located on top of the base (for example, the illustrated tip 15 is located on top of the adapter 13), and the gate 21 for attaching the wear part to the base. As can be seen, to attach the wear part to the base, the shutter 21 is located both in the cutout 48 for the shutter of the product interacting with the ground, and in the hole 49 of the base. Alternatively, the wear part mounting portion may be mounted adjacent to or otherwise complementary to the recess in the base.

In some examples, the tracking system 27 includes sensor(s) in the base and optionally tag(s) or the like. in and/or on the shutter. Wear parts usually become separated from the machine due to factors such as impact, high loads, fatigue, wear, etc. When separated, the wear part will typically pull the bolt out of the base. If the gate 21 fails, the wear parts will typically not remain in the base during use of the excavation equipment.

Accordingly, regardless of the reason for separation, the valve typically remains in the wear part (eg, in the case of valves integrally attached to the wear part) or falls completely out of the wear part due to force applied to the wear part, damage to the wear part, etc. when separating a wear part from an excavation machine. Since the gate is not typically retained in the gate receiving hole in the base, when the wear part is separated from the machine, a sensor in the base can detect the absence of the gate and identify separation of the wear part from the base. The tracking device can also be used to determine whether the base has separated from the excavation equipment and thus also from the wear part and closure associated with that base. In such circumstances, separation of the foundation from the excavation equipment can be identified by loss of signal from the sensor(s).

Excavation equipment is typically used in harsh environments where the longevity of the sensors is compromised. Locating the tracker in an opening in the base supporting the wear part advantageously provides better protection for the components in the tracker (e.g., sensor(s) and communication device) than when installed in the wear part or gate, since they can be protected by an integrated assembly. consisting, for example, of a wear part, a valve and a base. In some designs, the hole in the base provides more space for the use of shock-absorbing fillers for better protection compared to systems where the tracking device is provided in the wear part or closure. Securing the tracker to the base rather than to the wear part or closure provides greater assurance that the remote device for receiving a signal from the tracker (i.e. indicating wear part separation) will receive the signal, i.e. Since when a wear part is lost, the base usually remains in the machine, whereas the wear part or gate (if containing a sensor) may remain in the ground or otherwise become separated further from the remote device when the wear part is separated, there is a good chance that the signal may not be received.

In the illustrated examples (FIGS. 1-8), tip 15 includes an outer surface 40 that has a top surface 42, a bottom surface 44, and side surfaces 46. A tracking device 25 is located in an opening 49 in the base 13 so that it is adjacent to the leading end 22 pins 150 of the shutter 21 when the components of the tooth 7 are assembled (FIGS. 7A and 7B). In one example, the tracking device 25 is placed in the hole 49 in the base 13 before installing the shutter 21, i.e. into the portion of the hole 49 not occupied by the pin 150 when the pin secures the tip 15 to the adapter 13. In this position (i.e., in the hole 49), the tracking device 25 can be protected during excavation work operations, which can provide reliable detection of wear parameters parts and/or bases, can be used to track successive wear parts attached to the base, and/or can eliminate the need for batteries in faster wearing wear parts. That is, by locating the sensor(s) in the base, more frequently replaced wear parts may not contain batteries and may be more easily removed and/or recycled. Due to the placement of the tracking device 25 in the base

- 6 044154 components are more likely to be more durable since they are not in direct contact with the environment. The tracking device 25 can be installed in the hole 49 as part of the manufacturing process, in a workshop and/or on site. When the tracking device 25 is installed in the opening 49 during production, it may optionally be used to track transport progress, inventory levels of soil contact products (eg, adapters 13), and/or when removing soil contact products from inventory for use. . Additionally, the monitoring device 25 may optionally be configured to detect whether the ground contact article is in a condition (eg, severe impact) in which the ground contact article could potentially be damaged during transportation and/or use. Alternatively, the tracking device 25 may be installed after the manufacturing process and may, for example, be installed in the opening 49 during storage or during installation of a new soil contact product onto excavation equipment.

Once installed, the tracking device 25 can detect the presence or absence of a gate 21 (eg, in the illustrated embodiment, a gate pin) positioned in the hole 49 when attaching the wear part to the base. Tracking device 25 may also optionally track other parameters of the wear part and/or base, such as frequency of use, condition and/or performance of the wear part and/or base, and/or part identification, as, for example, described in US Pat. No. 10011975. incorporated by reference herein. The tracking device may also detect one or more other parameters in lieu of the presence and/or absence of the gate and/or wear part. Tracking the separation as well as other parameters can be done in many different ways. When a missing gate is detected, the sensor can send a wireless alert signal to a remote device to alert the operator, maintenance technicians, administrator, implementing agency, etc. about separating the wear part from the machine.

In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the tracking system 27B includes a proximity device 51B attached to (i.e., in and/or on) the gate 21B, and a sensor 35B at the base that can detect the presence of the proximity device 51B. In the illustrated example, the contactless device may be attached to or near the drive end 22 of the pin 150B and the tracking device 25 is positioned in the hole 49B so that it is adjacent to the drive end 22 of the pin 150 when the shutter secures the wear part to the base. Alternatively, the contactless device may be located in the ring 122 (eg, in the housing or shoulders 124, 125 of the ring 122). Alternatively, the tracker 25 may also be positioned in a hole offset but in communication with the hole 49B to position the tracker 25 adjacent to the side of the pin 150B and/or adjacent to the ring 122. This position may have the advantage of utilizing the space between the wear member and the base to establish a message. Other options for the shutter shown are possible, and other types of shutters can be used.

In one example, the contactless device 51B is a magnet, and the sensor 35 is a Hall effect sensor for detecting the presence and/or absence of a magnet (eg, gate pin 150 with magnet 51B). A 35V Hall effect sensor generates current and measures the change in electrical potential due to the introduction of a static magnetic field. The static magnetic field may be generated by magnet 51B or may be generated by other means. The Hall sensor 35V acts as a switch when detecting changes in the Hall voltage caused by the presence and/or absence of a magnet (eg, changes in electric field gradient, direction of electric field, etc.). If the magnet 51B is no longer in position to be detected by the sensor 35B, this indicates that the shutter 21B has become dislodged or lost and that the wear part has become separated from the machine. The sensor 35V may have a predetermined electric field (V/m) and/or magnetic field (mT) setpoint. The predetermined set point determines how sensitive (eg, loss versus pre-loss or displacement) sensor 35B is relative to the distance D that magnet 51B is removed from sensor 35B. The predetermined set point may be static or dynamic (eg, set in the range of 3.9 mT to 63 mT). The 35V sensor is not subject to vibration or contact chatter like a mechanical contact sensor would be. The 35V sensor can generally be used in harsh environments without exposure to environmental contaminants and at a lower cost than a mechanical switch. The 35V sensor can measure a wide range of magnetic fields.

In another example, the contactless device 51B is an RFID tag, and/or another element capable of short range detection may be attached to the gate 21 (eg, to and/or in the drive end 22 of the pin 150). The RFID tag 51B is then detected by a sensor 35B as an RFID receiver (i.e., as part of the tracking device 25) in the hole 49 of the base 13. When the wear part and closure are separated from the base, the sensor 35 loses the signal associated with RFID tag 51B. Loss of signal identifies separation of the wear part from the base. In another example, the RFID receiver sensor 35 may monitor each new RFID tag inserted to track inventory and calculate replacement times for wear parts.

Other types of sensors can be used to detect the presence and/or absence of pin 150 in hole 49 and/or detect other parameters of the product interacting with the ground. For example, the sensors may include a temperature sensor, a digital inclinometer unit, a digital compass, an accelerometer, a time sensor, a proximity sensor, a position sensor, a Hall sensor, a magnetic flux meter, a magnetometer, a magnetoresistive sensor, an inductive sensor, an RFID tag, and/or an RFID reader. , an IR receiver, an ultrasonic sensor, and/or other sensors that can detect the presence and/or absence of a gate securing the ground interacting article to the substrate, and/or other parameters of the wear part and/or the substrate. Some sensors include the use of a non-contact device in the gate and/or wear part (eg, RFID tag, magnet, etc.), and some do not include such application of a tag or other contactless device in the gate and/or wear part. Although the above describes the use of a proximity sensor to detect a proximity device in a gate, other types of sensors can be used instead of or in addition to the proximity sensor. While tracking devices are disclosed in various embodiments that do not include moving parts (e.g., Hall effect sensors), the tracking device may include a sensor with a contact switch that is in contact with the gate or wear part and moves upon release of the gate or wear part for identification the presence and/or absence of a valve and/or a wear part. Tracking devices that do not contain such moving parts are less likely to fail due to particle accumulation, damage caused by impacts, etc. Tracking devices that do not contain such moving parts can also be enclosed and more effectively protected by a housing or filler material.

To improve the reliability of detecting the presence and/or absence of the gate, and thus the presence and/or absence of a wear part mounted on the base, the tracking device 25 may optionally include more than one sensor. By way of example only, tracking device 25 may include a first sensor for sensing a contactless device (eg, a magnet, RFID tag, etc.) on the gate, as discussed above, and a second sensor for detecting temperature changes. Continuing to excavate, for example with a tooth, after the tip has been separated, will usually result in the temperature sensor at the base detecting an increase in temperature. The tracking device 25 may transmit a signal when the compartment detects one of the two sensors, or when the compartment is detected by both sensors (or all sensors if more than two sensors are used), or when the compartment is detected by some of the sensors (if more than two sensors are provided). For example, the communication device may send a signal when a first sensor detects that a wear part or seal is missing and/or when a second sensor detects a temperature reaching a threshold level or an increase in temperature. In addition, the programmable logic device receiving the transmitted signals may evaluate information received from the sensors (eg, the amount of temperature change, the amount of time that has passed since the signal was received with respect to the contactless device, etc.) and make a determination as to whether whether the wear part has separated from the base.

By inserting the tracking device 25 into the base 13, it is also not necessarily possible to detect whether the base is separated from the excavation equipment. For example, the tracking device may contain an accelerometer and transmit signals about the movement of the base. Then, if the base is separated from the equipment, it may not move (for example, when in or on the ground) or move differently (for example, if collected with a load). In either case, an alert may be provided to indicate separation of the base. Separating the base can, of course, also mean separating the wear part and the closure securing the wear part to the base.

With reference to FIG. 8, the depicted tracking system 27 includes a tracking device 25, a support 30, a housing 31, and a non-contact device 51 (eg, attached to a shutter). The tracking device 25 includes a sensor 35 for detecting at least one parameter of the wear node (for example, the presence and/or absence of the contactless device 51), a communication device 36 (for example, a transmitter and/or receiver) for wirelessly transmitting information (for example, a signal indicating to separate the wear part from the machine) to and/or from remote device 38 (FIG. 1) for receiving a signal, and battery 37. These may be different components acting together, or may be combined (for example, sensor 35 and device 36 connections may be a single component). The tracking devices 25 may also have other designs and/or contain other components. For example, tracking devices 25 may include a plurality of sensors for duplicating and/or measuring other parameters (e.g., impact events, excavation cycles, etc.), storage media (e.g., part ID, software software, firmware, etc.), GPS device and/or microprocessor for processing data or other information.

In one example, the electronic devices or components of the tracking device 25 are located in the housing 29 (FIG. 8). The housing 29 is shown as a bowl with an open top 47, but may have other shapes. The housing 29 may help support the tracking devices, position the sensor 35 relative to the bolt, and/or provide protection to the tracking device 25. The housing 29 may be positioned to fit into the opening 49 without clearance such that the outer surface of the housing 29 engages the internal surfaces of the hole 49. In one example, the hole 49 converges towards one end, and the housing 29 converges generally parallel to the inner surfaces of the hole 49 (eg, with a convergence of 5° ± 0.5°). The housing 29, however, may be secured to the opening 49 in other ways; for example, the hole may be attached by adhesive, fasteners, friction, supports, etc. The tracking device 25 can also fit into the hole 49 without coming into contact with the walls of the hole; for example, a housing or filler material 31 may be enclosed within and/or around the housing 29. Additionally, the housing 29 may be omitted.

In another example, the tracking system 27 may include a support 30 in the opening 49 for mounting the tracking device 25 in a specific position. The support 30 is shown (Fig. 8) in a lattice configuration, however other types of supports can be used. The support 30 may provide tolerance in examples in which complementary tapering of the housing 29 and the walls of the hole 49 is used to provide the desired location of the tracker. The support 30 can also position the tracker in the hole 49 without the tapered walls. In the illustrated example, support 30 may include a plurality of crossbars 45. The height of a particular plurality of crossbars 45 may facilitate better positioning of sensor 35 in opening 49. Support 30 may extend into the interior walls of opening 40 to provide gripping functions and/or may be secured in other ways, e.g. using glue, fasteners, etc. Alternatively, the housing 29, housing 31, or other component of the tracking device 25 may be attached to the walls of the opening 49 without separate support, such as by friction, adhesive, fasteners, etc.

In the illustrated example, housing 31 is the material enclosing sensor 35, housing 29, and void space of opening 49, but may be used to cover and/or fill less than these components and/or spaces. The housing 31 may protect the sensor 35 from water, fine particles, corrosive materials, and the like. and/or from impacts, deformations, etc. that may occur during use. The housing 31 may be a filler material in the form of a resin, polymer, polyurethane, or other suitable material to seal the opening 49. The housing 31 may be a dielectric material to improve transmission of wireless signals. Housing 31 may be composed of elastomers, thermoplastic materials, thermoset materials, and/or other non-conductive materials.

The housing 31 may optionally be made from two (or more) different materials. In one example, body 31 may be composed of materials with different measured durometer hardnesses and comprise, for example, a first portion 32 and a second portion 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 32 is located further away from the bolt. In one example, such as the example shown in FIG. 7A and 7B, the first portion 32 may engage the inner walls of the tip cavity 18 (ie, opposite the hole 48). Contact with the inner walls of the tip cavity may, for example, cause shock loads applied to the tip 15 during use to be transferred to the tracking device 25. In such an arrangement, the first portion 32 may be made of a softer material than the second portion 34 for better absorption impact loads and provide enhanced protection to the tracker 25. Although the first softer portion 32 is shown in FIG. 8 as being on one side of the tracking device opposite the shutter 21, the softer portion 32 may have other configurations. For example, a softer part of the body may surround the entire harder part of the body. The second portion 34 may be made of a harder material that better holds and supports the tracking device; for example, a harder second portion 34 may reduce the risk of the housing 29 being pressed into the softer first portion 32 and being undesirably positioned at a distance from the proximity device 51 and/or shutter 21. Based on more than one housing material, other arrangements may be used in addition to the harder and softer. For example, the second section 34 may be a dielectric material to improve transmission of signals from and/or to the communication device 36, and the first section is a non-dielectric material (eg, chosen for another purpose, such as improved security). When selecting the material(s) for housing 31, a variety of purposes may, of course, be considered.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first portion 32 has a height H that can support the housing 29 to abut and be positioned in the opening 49 (with or without the support 30). By positioning the sensors 35 at a specific location in the hole 49, i.e. mounting the sensor at the required distance D from the gate and/or the contactless device 51B attached to the gate 21 by means of the first part 32, support 30, housing 29 and/or other means

- 9 044154 performance of the sensor 35 may be improved. By positioning the tracking device 25 at a desired location in the opening 49, potential unwanted interaction between the tracking device 25 and the shutter 21 may also be reduced. The support 30 may optionally act as a barrier to prevent the sensor 35 from penetrating the lower level 32.

As noted above, the second portion 34 may be made of a dielectric material and may be a stiffer or harder material than the first portion 32 (eg, 85A). In the illustrated example, the first part 34 fills the area above the second part 32, but other arrangements are possible. The first portion may fill the space between the support 30 (if included) and be inserted into the open top portion 47 of the housing 29.

The tracking device 25 may be secured to the hole 49 by any suitable means, including, for example, bolts, adhesive, brackets, tapered fit, friction, etc. The tracking device components may optionally be enclosed in a housing 29, and/or the opening 49 may be filled with a filler or housing 31, as will be further described below. Alternatively, the tracking device 25 may not include a housing 29 or housing 31, and/or the hole 49 may not be filled. By securing the components of the tracking device 25 to the casing and/or housing and/or filling the opening 49 with a suitable material (i.e., outside the position in which the closure receives when it attaches the wear part to the base), greater protection from water can be provided to the device 25, small particles, vibration, shock, etc., when a product interacting with the ground engages with material to be removed or otherwise processed. By using a suitable material, the housing 31 may optionally have the function of securing the tracker to the hole 49. The tracker 25 may be removably secured to the hole 49 in the base, although it may be permanently secured. The removable attachment of the tracking device 25 allows the device 25 to be temporarily installed in a product interacting with the ground, replaced in the event of failure and/or when the battery is depleted, and/or removed at the end of the life of the adapter 11. Removal of the device 25 along with its battery 37 can be simplified transportation and/or traditional recycling of bases after they have been removed from the equipment. The extraction can also ensure its subsequent use in other wear parts.

In one example of installation of the tracking system 27, the housing 31 enclosing the tracking device 25 may be molded in the shape of the hole 49 such that the tracking device 33 can be mounted in the hole 49 as one piece. Although the housing is sometimes referred to as a member in addition to the tracking device, in this arrangement the housing may be considered part of the tracking device 25. In another example of installing the tracking system 27, material from a first portion may be injected into an injection mold to form a first portion 32 of the housing 31. A support 30 may be inserted. into the injection mold adjacent the first housing portion 32. The housing 29 with the sensor 35 may be inserted against the support 30. In this example, the housing 29 does not engage the first housing portion. The second body portion 34 may be injected into the injection mold to completely surround and enclose the area above the first body portion 32. The injection mold may be placed in an oven to cure the material(s) of the first and second portions 32, 34. The co-molded housing portions 32, 34 support 30 and the tracking device 25 are installed in the hole 49 as one piece. In this arrangement, the housing 31 and the support 30 can be considered part of the tracking device. When the tracking system 27 is installed in the hole, if the first portion 32 extends through the lower cutout of the hole 49, when placing the ground engaging part on top of the front portion of the underlying ground engaging part, the lower level 32 will move up into the opening 49 and be positioned correctly. As another example, instead of initially being molded into an injection mold, the body 31, support 30, and/or tracking device 25 may be installed directly into the hole 49. These methods are intended as examples; the tracking device can be installed in the base using a wide variety of methods and using a variety of different materials.

In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the tracking system 27 includes a tracking device 25 that includes a sensor for detecting the presence and/or absence of a bolt hole 49, which in this case is the leading end of the pin 150, without the use of a non-contact device on the bolt. In other words, this tracking system may include the modifications described above with respect to the example of FIG. 7B.

With reference to FIG. 9-10, an alternative tooth 7' is shown as another example. The alternative tooth 7' includes an adapter 11' welded to the blade 5' and a tip 15' mounted on the adapter 11'. The tip 15' includes a rearwardly opening cavity 18' to receive a front portion 17' and a front end 19' to penetrate the ground. The shutter 21 is located in a cutout 48' formed on one side of the tip 15' and at least one hole 49' in the adapter 11'. The hole 49' is aligned with the shutter cutout 48' to receive the leading end 22 of the shutter 21 for attaching the tip 15' to the adapter 11'. Although not shown, a tracking device 25 may be located adjacent to the leading end 22 of the shutter 21 to detect the presence and/or absence of the gate 21, as shown in FIG. 7A and 7B.

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In this example, as shown in FIG. 9-10, the tracking system 25' is located in an opening 49'' separate from the bolt receiving opening 49'. In the illustrated example, the opening 49'' is located in the side of the base opposite the side receiving the shutter 21. However, the opening 49'' may be provided in other surfaces and other locations. A plug or insert 55' may be received in the mounting hole 48a adjacent to the tracking device 25'. In this example, the plug 55' is installed opposite the closure 21. The opening 48'' is shown in FIG. 10 as having an individual shape, however, it may have other shapes, such as a shape corresponding to the shape of the hole 48' so that the shutter and plug can be inverted to allow the wear part to be inverted, a simple cylindrical shape, etc. The plug 55' may optionally contain a contactless device (eg, RFID tag, magnet 51', etc.). The plug 55' may be made from materials similar to or different from those described for housing 31. For example, a dielectric material may be used to facilitate signal transmission. Alternatively, the tracking device 25' may detect the presence and/or absence of a part of the wear part without a plug and/or a proximity device. In this arrangement, the housing 31 may fill the opening 49 to the height of the inner walls and completely plug the opening, but may have other arrangements. In addition, openings 48a and/or 49'' may optionally have other additional purposes; for example, openings 48a and/or 49'' may be provided to alternatively accommodate a lifting eye or other attachment. As another alternative, multiple tracking devices may be provided to duplicate wear part separation detection and/or other wear part parameters to improve system reliability.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the tracking device 25' includes a sensor 35', a transceiver and a battery. The sensor 35' may be a Hall effect sensor that operates in conjunction with the magnet 51'. The tracking device 25' may be located in an opening 49 in the base, which may or may not be intended to receive a bolt, but is described with reference to the opening 49''. The housing 29' of the tracking device 25' may include one or more stops 69' to frictionally retain the housing 31' in the opening 49', although other arrangements are possible. The stops 69' may be configured as ribs that extend generally around the sides of the outer edges to engage the surfaces of the hole 49''. The housing 31' may be secured in the complementary recess of the hole by an interference fit such that the ribs of the stops 69' engage the sides of the recess to secure the housing 31' in the hole 49'. Other stops are possible, and ribs are just one example of a stop that can be used to secure a housing in a recess. Other ways to secure the housing in the 49'' hole are possible. For example, the stopper may be a series of helical ridges corresponding to grooves in the recess. The housing may be screwed or otherwise rotated so that the stopper engages the corresponding slots in the 49'' hole. Alternatively, by way of example, one or more latches may be used to secure the housing in place. In addition, instead of or in addition to stoppers on the body, stoppers may be formed in the opening. Other means such as adhesive, fasteners, friction, etc. may be used to secure the tracking device 25' in the hole 49''. One or both ends of the tracking device may include a retrieval element (eg, an ear or a head) for removing the tracking device from the opening. When the hole housing the tracking device is a through hole, the tracking device can be removed by extruding upward from the bottom of the hole.

With reference to FIG. 12-13, the illustrated guard assembly includes a guard 9 configured to be mounted on a blade 5. In this example, the guard fits onto a projection 56 of the blade 5, but other arrangements are possible.

The guard 9 includes a cutout 48'' to receive a bolt 21'' holding the guard 9 to the blade 5. The guard and bolt may be constructed such as those described in US Pat. No. 7,536,811 or US Pat. No. 1,0612,214, each of which is included by links to this document. Alternatively, the guard may be mounted on the side wall of the bucket as an upper and/or lower side guard segment (not shown). The tracking device 25'' is located in a hole 49'' formed in the protrusion 56 so that it is adjacent to a portion of the protective casing 9 (see FIG. 13). Alternatively, the opening 49'' and the tracking device 25'' may be placed in the side wall of the projection 56, for example, perpendicular to the knife. Alternatively, the orientation of the hole 49'' can be changed to 90°, whereby the tracking device detects the presence and/or absence of the shutter 21'' when the protective housing is installed on the projection 56 and the shutter 21'' is inserted into the hole 48''. In another embodiment, the tracking device 25 may be located in an abutment block, which may, for example, abut the rear and/or side portion of the side protective segment. The tracking device 25'' will then detect the presence and/or absence of the shutter, as discussed previously with respect to other examples. Alternatively, an opening 49'' and a tracking device 25'' may be provided in the knife such that they lie beneath the bolt or other portion of the guard 9 to detect the presence and/or absence of the bolt or guard, respectively. The gate 21'' may or may not contain a contactless device (eg, magnet, RFID tag, etc.) for operation in conjunction with the tracking device 25''. The tracking device may also monitor the presence and/or absence of the protective housing 9, with or without a plug and/or a contactless device in the protective housing.

Tracking device 25 (or any of the other examples) may communicate with remote device 38, which simply means a device remote from tracking device 25. Remote device 38 may be attached, for example, to one or more of bucket 3 (FIG. 2). 11 and 12), boom 2 (Fig. 1), handle 20 (Fig. 1), cabin 24 of earth-moving machine 1 (Fig. 1), technical assistance vehicle (Fig. 14), unmanned aerial vehicle, handheld device 39 (Fig. 15), stations, etc. The remote device 38 may be a single component or a collection of components operating together or separately. For example, remote device 38 may include one or more of a processor 198 (PC, microprocessor, etc.), a storage device 200, a database 194, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver 60, etc. (Fig. 1). The remote device 38 may include one or more receivers (e.g., antennas) for receiving wireless signals 62 from the tracker(s) 25, a transmitter(s) for transmitting the signals or transceiver 60, and a processor(s) for processing information received from the tracker(s). devices (tracking devices), database(s) for storing information, human-machine interface(s), etc. The remote device 38 may communicate with additional sensors on the ground interacting product, other ground interacting products, multiple soil interacting products, excavation equipment 1, and/or database(s) and/or computer(s). ). Remote device 38, for example, may be a wireless device or a wired device. The term remote device 38 as used herein covers all such embodiments. In various examples, one or more components of the remote device 38 may be located at predetermined locations on the earthmoving machine 1 and/or other vehicles 26 and pieces of equipment, and/or in a service area. Various examples may include mobile and handheld devices 39 as remote device components (FIG. 15). Examples may include collecting electronic information from sensors and/or communication devices to inventory the collected data. This data may be combined with previously known data and/or data collected from other locations. One or more programmable logic devices may be used to convert data into various formats suitable for machine and human use and/or to perform various evaluations.

Tracking device 25 and/or remote device 38 may include, for example, a transceiver 60, such as a radio communication device, an electromagnetic wave receiver and/or transmitter, a mechanical wave receiver and/or transmitter, and/or a global positioning system (GPS). Electromagnetic waves can have wavelengths outside the visible spectrum (for example, in the infrared, microwave, or radio frequency [RF] region) and can be in the ultrasonic spectrum. For example, a communication device may transmit a Bluetooth signal on the 2.4 GHz frequency, but other means and other frequencies may also be used.

Tracking device 25 sends a wireless signal 62 associated with the detected parameter(s) to remote device 38 (FIG. 1). The signal 62 may be, for example, continuous, intermittent, burst, event driven, etc. In the illustrated example, signal 62 is received by a transceiver 60 (eg, an antenna) of a remote device 38 mounted on the boom 2 of the excavator 1 (FIG. 1). The antenna 60 may be provided in other positions and/or mounted on other supports (eg, on the bucket 3, adjacent to the cabin 24, etc.) instead of or in addition to the antenna on the boom. The antenna 60 on the booth 24 is shown in this example as being connected by wires 197 to the processor 198 containing the storage device 200 in the booth 24, but may have another connection or location. For example, the antenna 60 or other receiver may be mounted near the cab, on a service vehicle, in a handheld device 39, etc. Antenna 60 may be coupled to a wireless transceiver such that information received from tracking device 25 and sent to remote device 38 in the cockpit can be delivered to data from handheld device 39, cloud database 194, other data sources, etc. and/or combined with them to provide useful information and/or analysis. To increase the reliability of signal reception, if desired or necessary for operation, multiple antennas 60 can be used.

In cases where signals can only be received at certain times, tracking device 25 and/or remote device 38 may transmit only at certain times (e.g., when the bucket is oriented in a certain way, when a trigger signal is received, etc.) or may continue transmission continuously. The tracking device 25 may optionally transmit only when the sensor detects separation of the gate and/or wear part from the base. In addition, to receive information from the tracking device continuously or over long periods of time, even if the signal can only be assessed by the antenna on boom 2 during certain intervals, multiple remote devices and/or antennas can be used. The remote device component 38 may receive a signal 62 from the tracking device 25 and relay the signal 62 to a second or third remote device component (FIG. 1). Any number of remote device components can be used to relay signals as needed. As the earthmoving machine 1, including its individual articulated components, and/or other vehicles are moved around the work site, sensors and communication devices may typically be interconnected or re-established. Thus, despite the large number of potentially shielding surfaces at the work site, various and numerous communication channels can be established.

In separation detection examples, the loss of gate 21 and/or wear part thereon will generally reduce the signal blocking effects, resulting in an increased likelihood of remote device 38 receiving signals from tracker 25, which may thus improve system reliability. The tracking device 25 may operate only when the wear part is separated, or may operate continuously. Continuous operation provides the additional benefit of allowing the tracking device to continue to operate and/or measure other parameters. The tracking device may optionally increase the amplitude and/or repetition rate of the signal it transmits when it detects a missing closure and/or wear part, thereby increasing the likelihood of remote device 38 receiving a signal indicating separation of the wear part from the base. Increasing the likelihood of a signal being received by a remote device can improve the reliability of the tracking system. Since a lost wear part may not contain a tracking device, the location of the wear part after separation may not be known. In such situations, the advantage of receiving the identification signal at the time of separation increases the likelihood of locating the lost wear part. Tracking device 25 may optionally include additional sensors (e.g., one or more of GPS, accelerometer, inclinometer, etc.) located in the base that may determine the trajectory of the last excavation cycle or bucket payload to determine the area where there is a missing wear part. In tooth 7 shown in FIG. 3-5, the first tracking device 25 may be located in an opening 49 of the main adapter 11 adjacent to the closure 21 attaching the intermediate adapter 13 to the main adapter 11, and the second tracking device 25 in the opening 49 of the intermediate adapter 13 adjacent to the closure 21 attaching the tip. 15 to the intermediate adapter 13. In such an implementation, if the tip 15 is lost along with the intermediate adapter 13, the intermediate adapter may include a sensor that transmits a signal of the location of the intermediate adapter 13. Other marks, sensors, etc. may also optionally be included in the wear part. (eg, as disclosed in US Pat. No. 10011975).

The remote device 38 and/or the tracking device 25 may be individually, collectively, and/or together with other devices and/or software applications, and the like. (e.g., data 200 from a database 194, such as a cloud database, other processors, etc.) store, process, and/or transmit information or data 200 associated with a wear part parameter. Tracking device 25 may, in addition to separation detection, also optionally (or in lieu of separation detection) include one or more sensors to identify other wear assembly parameters besides wear part separation, including, for example, part ID, frequency of use, strain, temperature, acceleration, tilt, etc. a product interacting with the ground, such as a tooth 7, a protective casing 9 or other wear unit for excavation equipment (Fig. 1). Information associated with a part ID may include items such as ground contact type, part number, customer, trade name, trademark, manufacturer, bill of materials, etc. The part ID can be used as a search criterion to extract additional information regarding a specific ground interacting product. These search criteria can be used to query one or more relational databases and/or broader data structures. Information related to frequency of use may include items such as the type of machine to which the ground-interacting product is attached, the time the ground-interacting product was put into service, the number of excavation cycles that the soil-interacting product completed, the average time excavation cycles, location of the soil-interacting product in the machine, impact events, etc. These monitored parameters are provided as examples only and are not intended to be limiting. Information can be shared, i.e. sent to and/or received from various other machines, including programmable logic, other networks, and used in various software applications and procedures.

Tracking device 25 and/or remote device 38 may use programmable logic to process information generated, for example, by tracking device(s) 25 and/or remote device(s) 38 to track parameters such as part ID, presence, condition, performance

- 13 044154 and/or frequency of use of the monitored product interacting with the ground and/or provision of alerts to the operator. Processors (e.g., microprocessors) that use programmable logic may be part of tracker 25 and/or remote device 38. Programmable logic included in remote device 38 may, for example, use information received from tracker 25 for identification purposes. that the product interacting with the ground is still attached to the base. If the ground contact article suddenly detaches from the base, the tracking device 25 may send an alert signal indicating a change in the condition of the ground contact article. In another example, the processor may use information about the geology of the mining site in combination with information about the frequency of use from the tracking device 25 to determine, for example, the estimated remaining wear life for a ground contact product. For example, programmable logic may use information about the number of excavation cycles and/or the length of time the soil-interacting product has been in service to determine the expected remaining wear life. Programmable logic can be programmed to generate a warning alert when a specific ground contact product needs to be replaced soon. The notification may be, for example, a visual notification, haptic feedback and/or an audio notification. Devices 25 and/or 38 may provide device alerts for access by an operator or other persons such as maintenance technicians, site managers, and the like. Additionally, programmable logic can be programmed to generate an alert if a condition indicates, for example, that a ground interacting product has unexpectedly separated from the substrate.

In one implementation, results and alerts from the process may be sent to at least one human machine interface (HMI) 41. The HMI may be, for example, a handheld device 39, as shown in FIG. 12 installed in the cab of a vehicle, such as an earthmoving machine or mining truck, or in an on-site or off-site location. Signs, events, data, etc. detected by the monitoring device can be processed in conjunction with other collected or stored data using programmable logic to determine a wide range of factors that may affect the machine operator. The system can make determinations using external factors, such as the hardness and abrasiveness of the soil material being processed, the composition of the material of the monitored product interacting with the soil, etc. Additionally, as discussed previously, the system can be coordinated with ground contact product inventories and the feed system. The system can also coordinate with other types of information, such as scheduled maintenance, to determine the most appropriate time to replace or maintain a monitored ground-facing product. In turn, the HMI 41 can, based on detected symptoms and/or processed information, provide alerts, data, expected wear life, etc. for more efficient use of excavation equipment.

The HMI 41 may be a wired or wireless device, may be integrated with a display system already installed in the earthmoving equipment (eg, an OEM display), integrated with a new display system in the earthmoving equipment, and/or may be located in a remote location. HMI 41 may be configured to provide a graphical display of the current state of the product interacting with the ground. HMI 41 may, for example, provide visual alerts (eg, text and/or graphics), haptic feedback (eg, vibrations), and/or audio alerts for each product interacting with the ground. The visual notification may be, for example, the display of graphical images of each ground contact product and the status of each ground contact product (ie, missing/present, maintenance required, etc.). HMI 41 may be configured to display a timeline so that an operator can determine when an alert has occurred, and thus the operator can take necessary action if a ground contact product suddenly separates. The HMT 41 may include a display 43. The display 43 may include various visual indicators, including, but not limited to: photographs or real-time images, for example, of similar products interacting with the ground from a database; photographs taken on site with a camera such as camera 190 on boom 2 (FIG. 1); remaining service life until complete wear; bucket configuration; etc.

In one example, to provide visual dual control to the operator, a camera may be attached to, for example, bucket 3, boom 2, arm 20, vehicle 1, unmanned aerial vehicle, service vehicle 26, or other support. In the illustrated example, a camera 190 is attached to the boom 2 to capture (at least part of the time) a visual image of the ground interacting products attached to the bucket 3. When the machine (or other) display receives an alert that, for example, the soil interacting product with the ground, separated in order to

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Claims (5)

To ensure that the marked ground contact product is not actually in the bucket, you can check the visual display in the cab. The inspection can be done using machine vision programmed to observe products interacting with the ground at a specific location. This redundant system can reduce the number of false alarms that cause the operator to stop working the machine. In another example, camera-based systems such as those used in the prior art or described in US Patent Application No. 2016/0237640, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, may be used in combination with the tracking systems described herein. . The information received from these camera-based systems can be used as a backup dual control to reduce the number of false alerts. Alternatively, the tracking devices 25 described herein may provide redundant dual monitoring for camera-based tracking systems. In addition, data collected by both a camera-based tracking system and a non-camera-based tracking system (such as the system disclosed herein) may be processed together to determine, for example, part ID, presence, frequency of use, condition, and /or performance qualities of a product interacting with the ground. Complete data accepted by both systems can provide more reliable conclusions and estimates. The performance of a soil contact product may be related to the number of excavation cycles and/or the duration of said excavation cycles. Excavation cycles can be measured from the moment of a ground impact to the next ground impact. Excavation cycles can also be measured as duty cycles, which represent the amount of time required to fill the load container. Tracking device 25 may also transmit information wirelessly or via cable to other computer systems about a specific ground contact product(s) requiring maintenance, either due to separation of the ground contact product(s) or due to an indication that the ground contact product(s) , may require maintenance. The tracking device can store all the results of the process. The above description describes specific examples of soil interacting products and systems for identifying parameters such as part ID, frequency of use, and/or presence of soil interacting products used in earthmoving equipment. Features from one example can be used with features from another example. The examples presented and the combination of features disclosed are not intended to be limiting in the sense that they should be used together. CLAIM 1. A wear assembly for earthmoving equipment, wherein the wear assembly comprises: a base that is configured to be attached to the excavation equipment and includes a front portion comprising an outer surface; a wear part that includes a cavity for receiving a front part of the base; a gate for attaching the wear part to the base; an opening in the front portion that opens onto an outer surface of the front portion to be positioned opposite the wear part or the closure when the base, the wear part, and the closure are assembled; and a tracking device that is located in the hole and faces outward so that it is located at a distance from and in close proximity to the wear part or gate for detecting the presence and/or absence of the wear part or gate when the wear part is on the front part and transmitting a wireless signal when a missing wear part or valve is detected. 2. The wear assembly according to claim 1, wherein, when the wear part is attached to the base, the gate extends through the wear part into an opening in the base, and to determine whether the wear part is separated from the base, a tracking device detects the presence and/or absence of the gate . 3. The wear assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure includes a leading end and the front portion includes a second opening that opens to an outer surface separate from the first opening to receive the driving end of the closure when the wear part is attached to the base. 4. A wear assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in order to determine whether a wear part and/or a closure is present and/or absent, the wear part or closure comprises a non-contact device detectable by a tracking device. 5. A wear unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the contactless device is a magnet or an RFID tag. -