EP2652211B1

EP2652211B1 - Frame assembly and a method of manufacturing thereof

Info

Publication number: EP2652211B1
Application number: EP11793680.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Markus Gartenmaier; Bernhard Eckl; Antoniu Nopcea; Zdenko Savsek
Original assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Current assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Priority date: 2010-12-14
Filing date: 2011-12-09
Publication date: 2019-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-09
Also published as: CN103261529A; CN103261529B; EP2652211A1; WO2012079731A1; EP2466016A1

Description

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to an outrigger assembly arrangement for connecting to a base frame of a machine, e.g. an excavator, particularly e.g. a wheeled excavator.
Furthermore, the present disclosure generally refers to a machine base frame constructed to be provided with one ore more outrigger assemblies.
In addition, the present disclosure generally refers to a frame assembly comprising a base frame and at least one outrigger assembly.
Finally, the present disclosure also refers to a method of manufacturing a frame assembly.

Background

Construction machines like mobile excavators may benefit from outriggers to for example stabilize the machine during digging operations. One such arrangement is for example known from US 4,167,278 to Holmes. Although Holmes provides for a stabilization arrangement it may not necessarily be suited to other base frames. The current disclosure is aimed at providing an alternative frame assembly including one or more outrigger assemblies.
The document DE 38 34 603 A1 discloses a construction machine having an attachment to be coupled by coupling pairs..
US 2,855,111 A discloses improvements in outrigger mechanisms for use on heavy duty automotive wheel equipped machines that are designed for highway or road travel in moving from one location to another.
EP 1 580 331 A2 discloses an undercarriage of a mobile construction machine having outriggers attached thereon.
GB 1 337 062 discloses a wheeled excavator having support legs. The support legs are pivotally connected to a chassis. The legs pivot about bolts in welded-on connection plates. The connection plates have a L-shape and fit to an end face and an underside of the chassis.
US 3,164,261 A discloses a leg assemblage having a mounting structure which is fixedly mounted as by welding to a vehicle platform. The mounting structure in an embodiment has a pair of spaced parallel plates which are further braced by flange members and a cross brace. A rigid pivot post is fixedly secured to the cross brace at a centrally located position between the plates. The mounting structure is welded to the vehicle platform's end face. A triangular plate also welded to the bracket and the vehicle platform's underside provides support.
JP 6173297 A discloses a frame of a lower chassis of a travel device. The frame of the lower chassis is of integral structure made of thin sheet metal and formed of a side plate of a boat-shape cross section and a top face plate. An axle, a hydraulic motor, a transmission, a propeller shaft, and the like that are components of a travel device are disposed inside of the side plate. In the event of the vehicle stranding at the time of working on the uneven ground, the components are protected by the side plate of the frame so as to be prevented from being damaged.
DE 3834603 C2 discloses a construction machine with an attachment part.

Summary

In a first aspect there is disclosed an outrigger assembly arrangement constructed to be connected to a base frame of a machine. The base frame may have first and second ends. The arrangement may comprise an outrigger assembly and a rib. The outrigger assembly may have a work portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion including at least one flange section of a flange, the flange being adapted to embrace one of the first and second ends of the base frame. The rib may be adapted to be connected to the connecting portion of the outrigger assembly. Once the outrigger assembly and the rib are connected, the rib forms together with the at least one flange section the flange in which one of the first and second ends of the base frame fits in.
In a second aspect there is disclosed a base frame of a machine. The base frame may comprise a first end having a first height, and a second end having a second height unequal to the first height. At least one of the first and second ends is constructed to be provided with an outrigger assembly arrangement of the type disclosed herein. The base frame further comprises at least one internal brace extending obliquely towards one of the first and second ends of the base frame. The base frame further comprises an upper carriage mounting structure and the at least one internal brace extends from the upper carriage mounting structure to the first or the second end.
In a third aspect there is disclosed a frame assembly of a machine. The frame assembly may comprise a base frame of the type disclosed herein and at least one outrigger assembly arrangement of the type disclosed herein. The outrigger assembly may be connected to one of the first and second ends of the outrigger assembly of the outrigger assembly arrangement.
In a fourth aspect there is disclosed a method of manufacturing a frame assembly. The method may comprise the step of providing a base frame having first and second ends wherein said first end and said second end have unequal heights. The method may further include the step of providing an outrigger assembly compatible with each of said first and second ends. The outrigger assembly has a work portion and a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion includes at least one flange section of a flange, the flange being adapted to embrace one of the first and second ends. The method may further comprise selecting a set of ribs including one or more ribs wherein the selected set of ribs corresponds to either said first end or said second end and form together with the at least one flange section the flange. The method may further comprise connecting the base frame, the outrigger assembly and the set of ribs so as to form the frame assembly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a frame assembly in according to the present disclosure;
Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a base frame suitable for the frame assembly of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an outrigger assembly suitable for the frame assembly of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4a is a schematic illustrations of an embodiment of a first outrigger assembly arrangement using the outrigger assembly of Fig. 3;
Fig. 4b is a schematic illustration of a set of ribs suitable for the first outrigger assembly arrangement of Fig. 4a;
Fig 4c is a schematic illustration of the first outrigger assembly of Fig. 4a connected to the base frame of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5a is a schematic illustrations of an embodiment of a second outrigger assembly arrangement using the outrigger assembly of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5a is a schematic illustrations of an embodiment of a second outrigger assembly arrangement using the outrigger assembly of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5b is a schematic illustration of a set of ribs suitable for the second outrigger assembly arrangement of Fig. 5a;
Fig. 5c is a schematic illustration of the first outrigger assembly of Fig. 5a connected to the base frame of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration showing hidden detail regarding an outrigger assembly arrangement being connected to one end of the base frame of Fig. 2; and
Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration showing hidden detail regarding an outrigger assembly arrangement being connected to another end of the base frame of Fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a frame assembly 10 for a machine such as for example a wheeled excavator. The frame assembly 10 as depicted in Fig. 1 is for exemplary purposes only and may be adapted as desired. The frame assembly 10 is in for example shown as being provided with a upper carriage mounting structure 12 that enables the fitment of an upper carriage (not shown) which may be rotatable relative to the frame assembly 10. The frame assembly 10 may have a base frame 14 having a structure that includes non-parallel upper and lower surfaces 16 and 18 respectively. The base frame 14 may further be provided with external side plates 15 and 17 respectively. The external side plates 15, 17 may each be continuous or may each consist of multiple sections such as best shown in Fig. 2. If preferred, one of the external side plates 15, 17 may be continuous and the other one 15, 17 may consist of multiple sections. The upper and lower surfaces 16 and 18 together with the external side plates 15 and 17 may form a generally box shaped structure 19. If the frame assembly 10 is provided with for example an upper carriage mounting structure 12, the generally box shaped structure 19 may accommodate the upper carriage mounting structure 12 and extend at either side of that upper carriage mounting structure 12. The base frame 14 further has a first end 20 and a second end 22 and due the upper and lower surfaces 16 and 18 not being parallel, the first and second ends 20 and 22 may have unequal cross-sectional diameters D1 and D2. For example, in Fig. 2 it can be seen that the upper and lower surfaces 16 and 18 diverge from the first end 20 to the second end 22, resulting in the first end 20 having a cross-sectional diameter D1 that is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter D2 of the second end 22. The cross-sectional diameters D1 and D2 may also be referred to as "a height" of the first and second ends 20, 22. The wheel axles (not shown) attached perpendicular to a driving direction V may be attached to the base frame 14, wherein the dimensions of the wheel axles (not shown) may have unequal dimensions, e.g. the rear axle may be fixedly attached to the base frame 14, wherein the front axle may be pivotally attached to the base frame 14. Thus, it is possible to provide e.g. a transmission to the front axle due to diameter D1 being smaller than diameter D2. The frame assembly 10 may be provided with first and/or second outrigger assemblies 24 at the first end 20 and/or the second end 22 respectively. The first and second outrigger assemblies 24 may be substantially similar, in that they may both be connectable to, i.e. compatible with, both the first end 20 and the second end 22 of the base frame 14.
The outrigger assembly 24 may be provided with a work portion 27 and a connecting portion 28. The connecting portion 28 may include one or more flange sections 40.
Any outrigger assembly 24 will be mounted to the base frame 14 using a set of ribs 29 including one or more ribs 29a or a set of ribs 30 including one or more ribs 30a which together with the flange section 40 can form a flange 32 or a flange 34. The flanges 32, 34 may be shaped like a bracket or a clamped flange for fitting in one of the first and second ends 20, 22 of the base frame 14. In other words, the flanges 32, 34 may embrace one of the first and second ends 20, 22. A first outrigger assembly arrangement 25 may include an outrigger assembly 24 and a set of ribs 29 adapted to connect the outrigger assembly 24 to the first end 20 of the base frame 14. A second outrigger arrangement 26 may include an outrigger assembly 24 and a set of ribs 30 adapted to connect the outrigger assembly 24 to the second end 22 of the base frame 14. The outrigger assembly arrangements 25 and 26 may be mounted to one of the first and second ends 20, 22 of the base frame 24 by adapting the associated set of ribs 29, 30 such that the respective flanges 32, 34 may clamp or embrace the first or second end 20, 24 respectively. An outrigger assembly 24 and a set of ribs 29 together may form multiple first end flanges 32, whereas an outrigger assembly 24 and a set of ribs 30 together may form multiple second end flanges 34.
In the exemplary embodiments as shown in Figs. 1 to 10, two first flanges 32 and/or two second flanges 34 are shown, but an outrigger assembly 24 and a corresponding set of ribs 29, 30 may be adapted to form any suitable number of first or second flanges 32, 34. The first and second flanges 32, 34 may be generally channel shaped such as for example generally U, V, W, or rectangular shapes so as to correspond to a shape of the base frame 14. As the set of ribs 29 and 30 have different characteristics, the first end flanges 32 have a smaller cross-sectional diameter than the second end flanges 34. This enables an outrigger assembly 24 with first end flanges 32 to be adapted and securely mounted to the first end 20, whilst an outrigger assembly 24 with second end flanges 34 is adapted to be securely mountable to the second end 22. In other words, selecting the correct set of ribs 29, 30 to be fitted to an outrigger assembly 24 allows for the first end flanges 32 and second end flanges 34 formed by the outrigger assembly 24 and the selected set of ribs 29, 30 to correspond to the first end 20 and the second end 22 respectively.
The first end 20 and the second end 22 may have different widths. For example the embodiment as shown in Fig. 2 shows a width W1 of the first end 20 being less than a width W2 of the second end 22. As both the first end 20 and the second end 22 may receive a substantially similar outrigger assembly 24 (albeit with different sets of ribs 29, 30), any forces imposed on the base frame 14 by an outrigger assembly 24 may have a different impact on the base frame 14 because of the differences between the first end 20 and the second end 22. The base frame 14 may include one or more design features to accept the various forces imposed on the base frame 14 by one or more outrigger assemblies 24.
In one embodiment, as shown for example in Fig. 6, an outrigger assembly 24 is provided with a set of ribs 29 for the outrigger assembly 24 to be mounted onto the first end 20. The first end 20 is in this embodiment relatively narrow, and the base frame 14 may be designed such that at least one of the external side plates 15 and 17 terminates near or at the portions of the base frame 14 that engage a first end flange 32. For example, by aligning an end of the external side plate 15 with a first end flange 32, the first end flange 32 and the external side plate 15 are close coupled, albeit separated by a portion of the base frame 14, and forces exerted onto the base frame 14 by the first end flange 32 may be transferred towards other sections of the frame assembly 10 via the external side plate 15 to aid structural integrity. Any suitable combination of first end flanges 32 and/or second end flanges 34 with external side plate 15 and/or external side plate 17 may be provided with such aligning relationship.
In an embodiment as shown in Fig. 7, an outrigger assembly 24 is provided with a set of ribs 30 for the outrigger assembly 24 to be mounted onto the second end 22. The second end 22 is in this embodiment relatively wide, and the base frame 14 may be designed such that the external side plates 15 and 17 do not terminate near or at the portions of the base frame 14 that engage the second end flanges 34. In this embodiment one or more internal braces 36 may be part of the base frame 14. Such one or more internal braces 36 may for example start at or near the upper carriage mounting structure 12, extend obliquely towards the second end 22 and terminate near or at the portions of the base frame 14 that engage the second end flanges 34. For example, by aligning an end of an internal brace 36 with a second end flange 34, the second end flange 34 and the internal brace 36 are close coupled, albeit separated by a portion of the base frame 14, and forces exerted onto the base frame 14 by the second end flange 34 can be transferred towards other sections of the frame assembly 10 via the internal brace 36 to aid structural integrity. Any suitable combination of first end flanges 32 and/or second end flanges 34 with one or more internal braces 36 may be provided with such aligning relationship.
It is to be understood that the design may rely on a mixture of one or more external side plates 15, 17 and one or more internal braces 36 to provide the desired structural integrity.

Industrial Applicability

During manufacturing of machines it may be desirable to allow flexibility in the manufacturing process to provide multiple machine configurations from a limited number of components and/or sub-assemblies. For example, a base frame 14 may have a first end 20 and a second end 22 with unequal cross-sectional diameters. It may however be desirable to for example provide one machine configuration with an outrigger assembly at the first end 20, another machine configuration with an outrigger assembly at the second end 22, and yet another machine configuration with outriggers at both the first and second ends 20, 22. An outrigger assembly such as outrigger assembly 24 may be used for each of those machine configurations as the outrigger assembly 24 may be compatible with both the first end 20 and the second end 22. Selecting a set of ribs 29 corresponding to the first end 20 enables an outrigger assembly 24 to be adapted to be mounted onto the first end 20 of the base frame 14 via flanges 32. Selecting a set of ribs 30 corresponding to the second end 22 enables an outrigger assembly 24 to be adapted to be mounted onto the second end of the base frame 14 via flanges 34.
In one embodiment the ribs from one of the set of ribs 29, 30 may be connected to the outrigger assembly 24 to form a first or second outrigger assembly arrangement 25, 26 before the outrigger assembly 24 is connected to the base frame 14.
In one embodiment the outrigger assembly 24 may be connected to the base frame 14 before the ribs from one of the set of ribs 29, 30 is connected to the outrigger assembly.
In one embodiment the outrigger assembly 24, the ribs of one of the set of ribs 29, 30 and the base frame may all be connected together via welding.
The following is a listing of various exemplary aspects of the invention:
According to another aspect of the present invention, an outrigger assembly arrangement for connecting to a base frame of a machine is disclosed, wherein the arrangement may comprise an outrigger assembly having a work portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion including a first section of a flange. Furthermore, the outrigger assembly arrangement may further comprise a rib adapted to be connected to the outrigger assembly wherein once the outrigger assembly and the rib are connected, the rib forms a second portion of the flange such that the flange corresponds to a portion of the base frame.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an outrigger assembly arrangement may comprise a plurality of flanges.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a frame assembly may comprise a base frame with a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end having unequal cross-sectional diameters, at least one outrigger assembly connectable to each of said first end and said second end, a set of ribs for connecting to the at least one outrigger assembly, wherein the set of ribs and the outrigger assembly together form multiple flanges that correspond to the cross-sectional diameter of either said first end or said second end.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one outrigger assembly may include first and second substantially similar outrigger assemblies, wherein the first outrigger assembly being provided with a first set of ribs to form multiple flanges corresponding to the first end of the base frame, the second outrigger assembly being provided with a second set of ribs different from the first set of ribs, to form multiple flanges corresponding to the second end of the base frame.
According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one set of ribs is adapted to be connected to its corresponding outrigger assembly via welding.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the base frame, at least one outrigger assembly and at least one set of ribs are all adapted to be connected to each other via welding.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the base frame may comprise an external side plate extending towards at least one of the first and second ends of the base frame, such that an end of the external side plate substantially aligns with one of the multiple flanges.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the base frame may include two spaced external side plates, wherein the spacing of the external side plates at, or adjacent to, at least one of the first and second ends of the base frame generally corresponds to a spacing between the multiple flanges, such that an end of one of the side plates substantially aligns with one of the multiple flanges and that an end of the other of the side plates generally aligns with another of the flanges.
According to another aspect of the present invention, base frame may comprise an internal brace extending obliquely towards one of the first and second ends of the base frame, such that an end of the brace substantially aligns with one of the multiple flanges.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the base frame may comprise two internal braces each extending obliquely towards one of the first and second ends, wherein the spacing of the two internal braces at, or adjacent to, at least one of the first and second ends of the base frame generally corresponds to a spacing between the multiple flanges, such that an end of one of the internal braces substantially aligns with one of the multiple flanges and that an end of the other of internal the braces generally aligns with another of the flanges.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the base may include an upper carriage mounting structure and the internal brace(s) extend to or from the upper carriage mounting structure to the first or the second end.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the frame assembly is a wheeled excavator frame assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a frame assembly may comprise providing a base frame having first and second ends, said first end and said second end having unequal cross-sectional diameters, providing an outrigger assembly compatible with each of said first and second ends, selecting a set of ribs from a group of ribs, the selected set of ribs corresponding to either said first end or said second end, connecting the base frame, the outrigger assembly and the set of ribs so as to form the frame assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, wherein connecting the base frame, the outrigger assembly and the set of ribs may include welding the set of ribs to the outrigger assembly before the outrigger assembly is welded onto the base frame.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the step of assembling the base frame, the outrigger assembly and the set of ribs may include welding the outrigger assembly to the base frame before the set of ribs is welded to the outrigger assembly.
It has to be noted that the term "machine" as it is used in this disclosure may comprise e.g. a construction machine, an excavator, a wheeled excavator.
The term "bracket" may comprise every kind of flange embracing or encompassing a part of a base frame of a machine, particularly a first or second end of a base frame.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed linkage arrangement. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed embodiments herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

An outrigger assembly arrangement (25, 26) constructed to be connected to a base frame (14) of a machine, the base frame (14) having first and second ends (20, 22), the arrangement (25, 26) comprising:
an outrigger assembly (24) having a work portion (27) and a connecting portion (28), the connecting portion (28) including at least one flange section (40) of a flange (32, 34), characterised in that the flange (32, 34) is adapted to embrace one of the first and second ends (20, 22) of the base frame (14); and the connecting portion further comprising

a rib (29a, 30a) adapted to be connected to the connecting portion (27) of the outrigger assembly (24) wherein once the outrigger assembly (24) and the rib (29a, 30a) are connected, the rib (29a, 30a) forms together with the at least one flange section (40) the flange (32, 34) in which one of the first and second ends (20, 22) of the base frame (14) fits in.
An outrigger assembly arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the outrigger assembly comprises a plurality of flanges (32, 34), the flanges (32, 34) being arranged to have a clearance between them with respect to a length direction of the outrigger assembly (24, 25).
An outrigger assembly arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one flange section (40) forms one of an upper and lower part of the flange (32, 34) and the associated rib (29a, 30a) forms the other of the upper and lower part of the flange (32, 34), the flange (32, 34) being shaped to embrace one of the first and second ends (20, 22) at their upper and lower sides.
An outrigger assembly arrangement (25, 26) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one set of ribs (29, 30) is adapted to be connected to the outrigger assembly (24) via welding.
A base frame (14) of a machine comprising:
a first end (20) having a first height (D1); and

a second end (22) having a second height (D2) unequal to the first height (D1);

at least one internal brace (36) extending obliquely towards one of the first and second ends (20, 22) of the base frame (14); and

an upper carriage mounting structure (12), wherein the at least one internal brace (36) extends from the upper carriage mounting structure (12) to the first or the second end (20, 22) and characterised in that the first and second ends (20, 22) are configured to connect an outrigger assembly arrangement (25, 26) according to one of the claims 1 to 4.
A base frame (14) according to claim 5, further comprising an external side plate (15, 17) extending towards at least one of the first and second ends (20, 22) of the base frame (14).
A base frame (14) according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising two spaced external side plates (15, 17).
A base frame (14) according to any of the claims 5 to 7, wherein the base frame (14) is a wheeled excavator base frame.
A frame assembly (10) comprising:
a base frame (14) according to any one of claims 5 to 8;

at least one outrigger assembly arrangement (25, 26) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for connecting to one of the first and second ends (20, 22) of the base frame (14).
A frame assembly (10) of claim 9, further comprising
a first outrigger assembly arrangement (25) connected to the first end (20) of the base frame (14);
a second outrigger assembly arrangement (26) connected to the second end (22) of the base frame (14).
A method of manufacturing a frame assembly (10) comprising:
providing a base frame (14) having first and second ends (20, 22), said first end (20) and said second end (22) having unequal heights (D1, D2);

providing an outrigger assembly (24) compatible with each of said first and second ends (20, 22), the outrigger assembly (24, 25) having a work portion (27) and a connecting portion (28), the connecting portion (28) including at least one flange section (40) of a flange (32, 34), the flange (32, 34) being adapted to embrace one of the first and second ends (20, 22);

selecting a set of ribs (29, 30) including one or more ribs (29a, 30a), the selected set of ribs (29, 30) corresponding to either said first end (20) or said second end (22), the selected set of ribs (29, 30) forming together with the at least one flange section (40) the flange (32, 34);

connecting the base frame (14), the outrigger assembly (24) and the set of ribs (29, 30) so as to form the frame assembly (10).
A method according to claim 11, wherein connecting the base frame (14), the outrigger assembly (24) and the set of ribs (29, 30) includes welding the set of ribs (29, 30) to the outrigger assembly (24) before the outrigger assembly (24) is welded onto the base frame (14).
A method according to claim 11, wherein assembling the base frame (14), the outrigger assembly (24) and the set of ribs (29, 30) includes welding the outrigger assembly (24) to the base frame (14) before the set of ribs (29, 30) is welded to the outrigger assembly (24).