EP4034713A1

EP4034713A1 - Replaceable basket for a bucket for a machine

Info

Publication number: EP4034713A1
Application number: EP19783843.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andre KINDT; Willem Hooijmans; Frank VAN DER LINDEN
Original assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
Current assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
Priority date: 2019-09-24
Filing date: 2019-09-24
Publication date: 2022-08-03
Also published as: BR112022005389A2; PE20220700A1; CL2022000694A1; ZA202203825B; CA3151475A1; AU2019467236A1; CN114502802A; WO2021061102A1

Abstract

This disclosure is directed towards a basket (15) for replaceably mounting to a main body (11) for forming a bucket (14) for a machine (10). The basket (15) comprises a basket wrapper plate (50) and a first and/or second basket side plate (51, 52) attached to and extending from the basket wrapper plate (50). The basket wrapper plate (50) and first and/or second basket side plate (51, 52) are arranged for mounting to the main body (11). This disclosure is also directed towards a bucket (14) for a machine (10) comprising such a replaceable basket (15) mounted to a main body (11) and a machine (10) comprising such a bucket (14). This disclosure is further directed to a method of maintaining a bucket (14) for a machine (10).

Description

DESCRIPTION

REPLACEABLE BASKET FOR A BUCKET FOR A MACHINE Technical Field

This disclosure is directed towards a basket for replaceably mounting to a main body for forming a bucket for a machine. This disclosure is also directed towards a bucket for a machine comprising such a replaceable basket mounted to a main body and a machine comprising such a bucket. This disclosure is further directed to a method of maintaining a bucket for a machine.

Background

Machines, including backhoe loaders, shovels, excavators and the like, commonly comprise one or more buckets attached to the machine by an arm arrangement, for example comprising a stick and a boom. The arm arrangement and bucket are generally operated to scoop material from a work surface and deposit the material elsewhere, such as in an articulated truck. During such operation the bucket is subject to significant loads and wear. Replaceable wear plates are often applied to the bucket at the surfaces of highest wear. However, the replacement of the wear plates requires relatively long maintenance time due to the relatively large amount of welding area required. WO-A-2018/213883 discloses a bucket with a skeleton frame to which separate replaceable wear plates are mounted. However, the skeleton frame is still exposed to wear, thus requiring regular replacement or refurbishment, and the bucket with such a skeleton frame is relatively heavy.

Summary

The present disclosure therefore provides a basket for replaceably mounting to a main body for forming a bucket for a machine, the basket comprising: a basket wrapper plate; and a first and/or second basket side plate attached to and extending from the basket wrapper plate, wherein the basket wrapper plate and first and/or second basket side plate are arranged for mounting to the main body. The present disclosure further provides a bucket for a machine comprising a replaceable basket mounted to a main body to together form a bucket cavity, wherein the basket comprises a basket wrapper plate and a first and/or second basket side plate attached to and extending from the basket wrapper plate, wherein the basket wrapper plate and first and/or second basket side plate are mounted to the main body.

The present disclosure further provides a machine comprising a bucket comprising a replaceable basket mounted to a main body to together form a bucket cavity, wherein the basket comprises a basket wrapper plate and a first and/or second basket side plate attached to and extending from the basket wrapper plate, wherein the basket wrapper plate and first and/or second basket side plate are mounted to the main body.

The present disclosure further provides a method of maintaining a bucket for a machine, the bucket comprising a first basket mounted to a main body to together form a bucket cavity, wherein the method comprises: separating the first basket from the main body along a basket edge of the first basket and a body distal edge of the main body; locating a basket edge of a second basket to abut the body distal edge of the main body; and attaching the second basket to the main body along the basket edge of the second basket and the body distal edge of the main body, wherein the first and second basket each comprise a basket wrapper plate and a first and/or second basket side plate attached to and extending from the basket wrapper plate, the basket wrapper plates and first and/or second basket side plates forming the basket edges. Brief Description of the Drawings

By way of example only, embodiments of apparatuses and methods of the present disclosure are now described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine comprising an embodiment of a bucket of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a perspective front view of a bucket of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 is a perspective rear view of the bucket of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective front view of a main body of the bucket of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a perspective front view of a replaceable basket of the bucket of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a front view of the bucket of Figure 2; and

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view shown an interface between edges of the main body and replaceable basket of the bucket of Figure 2.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 illustrates a machine 10 comprising a bucket 14 of the present disclosure. The machine 10 may comprise a main body 11 and a work tool 12 attached to the main body 11. The work tool 12 may comprise an arm arrangement 13, which may comprise a boom and stick as illustrated, mounted to the main body 11 and the bucket 14 attached to the arm arrangement 13 as illustrated. The work tool 12, particularly the arm arrangement 13, may be controlled by at least one actuator 19 to move the bucket 14 and perform work. In the illustrated embodiment the machine 10 comprises a hydraulic mining shovel, although the machine 10 may be any other type comprising a bucket 14, such as an excavator, backhoe loader, wheel loader, track loader, shovel loader or other material handler.

Figures 2 to 7 illustrate the bucket 14 in further detail. The bucket 14 comprises a replaceable basket 15 mounted to a main body 16. The basket 15 is configured to be subject to the majority of wear to the bucket 14 during its operation. The basket 15 is for replacement during maintenance and the bucket

14 is configured such that the basket 15 can be replaced during maintenance or servicing, such as by cutting the old basket 15 off and welding the new basket

15 on. The main body 16 is generally not replaced during maintenance and during its lifetime a plurality of baskets 15 may be attached to the main body 16. The bucket 14 may be particularly suitable in high material volume and/or density applications (e.g. when the machine 10 is a mining shovel) and the bucket 14 may be at least 1 m, at least 2 m, at least 4 m or at least 6 m wide. The bucket 14 may comprise metal, which may be steel.

The basket 15 and main body 16 together form a bucket cavity 17. The bucket 14 may comprise a bucket opening 18 leading to the bucket cavity 17 and the bucket cavity 17 may be substantially sealed other than at a bucket opening 18. The bucket 14 may comprise first and second bucket side walls 20, 21, may comprise a bucket wrapper plate 22 (which may comprise multiple plates) and may comprise a cutting arrangement 23, which may each be formed from the replaceable basket 15 and/or main body 16. The bucket wrapper plate 22 may extend between and around the first and second bucket side walls 20, 21 to the cutting arrangement 23 to define the bucket cavity 17 and bucket opening 18. The bucket 14 may comprise a bucket coupling 24 mounted to the bucket wrapper plate 22 for connecting the bucket 14 to the arm arrangement 13 and machine 10.

The main body 16 may comprise the bucket opening 18 and may comprise a body distal opening 30. The main body 16 may comprise a body distal edge 31 defining the body distal opening 30 and the body distal edge 31 may be configured for mounting to the basket 15. The main body 16 may comprise first and second body side walls 32, 33, may comprise a body wrapper plate 34 and may comprise the cutting arrangement 23. The body wrapper plate 34 and cutting arrangement 23 may extend between the first and second body side walls 32, 33 to define part of the bucket cavity 17. The first and second body side walls 32, 33, body wrapper plate 34 and cutting arrangement 23 may form the bucket opening 18, may form the body distal opening 30, may extend between the bucket opening 18 and body distal opening 30 and/or may together form part of the bucket cavity 17.

The first and second body side walls 32, 33 may comprise first and second proximal side edges 35, 36 on either side of the bucket opening 18 and may comprise first and second distal side edges 37, 38 on either side of the body distal opening 30. As illustrated, the first and second body side walls 32, 33 may be substantially flat and may each comprise a plurality of plates welded or otherwise attached together. The first and second body side walls 32, 33 may extend between the first and second proximal side edges 35, 36 and the first and second distal side edges 37, 38. The bucket 14 may comprise at least one cavity edge protector 40, which may be replaceable. The at least one cavity edge protector 40 may at least partially cover and may be mounted at the first and second proximal side edges 35, 36 for protecting them from wear.

The cutting arrangement 23 may form a bottom cavity edge 41 of the bucket opening 18 and may comprise a cutting mount 42 extending between the first and second proximal side edges 35, 36. The cutting mount 42 may comprise a cutting arrangement distal edge 43, which may be elongate and may face into the bucket cavity 17. The cutting arrangement 23 may comprise a plurality of teeth 44, which may be replaceable and may be mounted to the bottom cavity edge 41.

The body wrapper plate 34 may form a top cavity edge 45 of the bucket opening 18 and may form a distal body wrapper edge 46. The body wrapper plate 34 may extend between the top cavity edge 45, distal body wrapper edge 46 and the first and second body side walls 32, 33. The body wrapper plate 34 may be curved (such as from the top cavity edge 45 to the distal body wrapper edge 46) and may comprise a plurality of plates welded or otherwise attached together as illustrated.

The body distal edge 31 may comprise the first and second distal side edges 37, 38, cutting arrangement distal edge 43 and distal body wrapper edge 46.

The basket 15 comprises a basket wrapper plate 50 and a first and/or second basket side plate 51 , 52 attached to and extending from the basket wrapper plate 50. The basket wrapper plate 50 and first and second basket side plate 51, 52 are separate plates or bodies attached together (i.e. they may not be cast as a single piece). The first and/or second basket side plate 51, 52 may be attached to the basket wrapper plate 50 by welding or other suitable attachment means. The basket wrapper plate 50 and first and second basket side plate 51, 52 may form a basket cavity therebetween which may form part of the bucket cavity 17. The basket 15 may comprise a basket edge 53 formed by the basket wrapper plate 50 and first and/or second basket side plate 51 , 52. The basket edge 53 may be arranged to be mounted to and abut the body distal edge 31 such that the basket 15 is mounted to the main body 16. The basket wrapper plate 50 may extend between basket wrapper side edges 55, 56, basket wrapper distal edge 57 and basket wrapper proximal edge 58.

The first and/or second basket side plate 51, 52 may be mounted proximate or adjacent to, may be separated from and may extend parallel to the basket wrapper side edges 55, 56. The basket wrapper distal edge 57 may be connected to and abut the distal body wrapper edge 46 and the basket wrapper proximal edge 58 may be connected to and abut cutting arrangement distal edge 43. The basket wrapper plate 50 may be substantially polygonal in plan view and the basket wrapper side edges 55, 56, basket wrapper distal edge 57 and basket wrapper proximal edge 58 may be substantially straight. The basket wrapper plate 50 may be curved, such as being curved between the basket wrapper distal and proximal edges 57, 58. The basket wrapper plate 50 may comprise an inner surface 64, which may face into the bucket cavity 17. The first and/or second basket side plate 51, 52 may be attached to and extend from the inner surface 64. The basket wrapper plate 50 may comprise a single plate or a plurality of basket wrapper sub-plates 60, 61 attached adjacent to one another as illustrated. The basket wrapper plate 50, whether a single plate or a plurality of basket wrapper sub-plates 60, 61, may comprise a single layer. The basket wrapper sub-plates 60, 61 may be attached, preferably welded, to one another along a sub-plate interface 62, which may be a weld joint. As a result, the basket wrapper sub plates 60, 61 may be thicker than in the case of a single plate because machinery with a lower load rating is required to bend the basket wrapper sub plates 60, 61 separately than that required to bend the entire basket wrapper plate 50 at once. By being thicker, the basket wrapper plate 50 may be subject to more wear prior to replacement. The thickness of the basket wrapper plate 50 may be selected based upon, for example, the bucket 14 size, machine 10 size, wear ratio and/or expected service life. The basket wrapper plate 50, which may be 60 mm thick, may be thicker than the first and/or second basket side plate 51, 52, which may be 30 mm thick.

The sub-plate interface 62 may extend nonparallel, and may be at an acute angle, to the basket wrapper side edges 55, 56, first and second body side walls 32, 33 and/or the bucket working direction 63. The bucket working direction 63 may be the direction along which the bucket 14 is moved to scoop material into the bucket 14. The sub-plate interface 62 may extend over and be nonparallel to the centreline of the basket wrapper plate 50 between the basket wrapper side edges 55, 56. By being nonparallel to the bucket working direction 63, the sub plate interface 62 may be subject to relatively less wear and therefore may have an increased lifetime. The basket wrapper plate 50 may be wider than the spacing of the first and second body side walls 32, 33 and the width of the body wrapper plate 34. The basket wrapper plate 50 may extend beyond the first and/or second basket side plate 51, 52 such that part of the inner surface 64 is exposed between the first and/or second basket side plate 51 , 52 and basket wrapper side edges 55, 56. The distance between the first and/or second basket side plate 51, 52 and basket wrapper side edges 55, 56 may be at least approximately 50 mm, may be less than approximately 150 mm and/or may be 90 mm. The distance between the first and/or second basket side plate 51, 52 and basket wrapper side edges 55, 56 may be the same as, at least two times and/or less than five times the thickness of the first and/or second basket side plate 51, 52. As a result, the basket wrapper plate 50 may substantially protect the first and second body side walls 32, 33 from wear resulting from material moving along the outside of the basket wrapper plate 50. The basket 15 may comprise both of the first and second basket side plate 51, 52 as illustrated. However, the basket 15 may comprise only one first or second basket side plate 51, 52, for example if one of the first and second body side walls 32, 33 extends to the basket wrapper plate 50. The first and/or second basket side plate 51 , 52 may each comprise a plate and may extend from the basket wrapper plate 50 to a first and/or second basket side plate edge 66, 67. The first and second basket side plate edge 66, 67 may be mounted to and abut the first and second distal side edges 37, 38 respectively.

The basket edge 53 may comprise the basket wrapper distal edge 57, basket wrapper proximal edge 58 and first and/or second basket side plate edge 66, 67. As shown in Figure 7, at least part of or all of the thickness of the basket 15, particularly of the basket wrapper plate 50 and/or first and/or second basket side plate 51 , 52, may reduce or converge to the basket edge 53. Thus at least part of the basket edge 53 may be chamfered, bevelled, V-shaped, converge to a sharp line or the like. The body distal edge 31 may comprise substantially right- angled faces. As a result, the basket 15 comprises a pre-prepared basket edge 53 to increase the ease of attachment, such as welding, to the main body 16. In particular, during replacement of the basket 15 the body distal edge 31 does not need to be significantly prepared (e.g. by bevelling) prior to the attachment or welding because the thin edge of the basket edge 53 already provides a suitable attachment or welding point. A high quality weld may therefore be achieved.

The first and second bucket side walls 20, 21 may comprise the first and second body side walls 32, 33 and the first and/or second basket side plate 51, 52. The bucket wrapper plate 22 may comprise the body wrapper plate 34 and the basket wrapper plate 50. The basket wrapper plate 50 and first and/or second basket side plate 51 , 52 may extend across enough of the bucket wrapper plate 22 and first and second bucket side walls 20, 21 respectively such that they are subject to the majority of wear experienced by the bucket 14 in use. The first and/or second basket side plate 51, 52 may extend over at least 10% of and/or less than 50% of the surface area of the first and second bucket side walls 20,

21 (i.e. when the bucket 14 is viewed in side view). The basket wrapper plate 50 may extend around at least approximately 25% of, and may extend up to approximately 75% of, the surface area of the bucket wrapper plate 22.

Industrial Applicability

The method of maintaining the bucket 14 may comprise disconnecting the bucket 14 from the machine 10 or arm arrangement 13, such as at the bucket coupling 24. The method comprises separating a first basket 15 from the main body 16 by cutting or otherwise separating between the basket edge 53 and the body distal edge 31. Subsequently, a second basket 15 may be located adjacent to the main body 16 such that the basket edge 53 of the second basket 15 abuts the body distal edge 31. The basket edge 53 of the second basket 15 and the body distal edge 31 may then be attached together, such as by welding. The method may comprise performing the same steps for a third or further basket 15 at a subsequent service.

During such maintenance only a single attachment or weld need be made between the basket edge 53 and the body distal edge 31. As a result, as compared to replaceable wear plates as in the prior art or the skeleton arrangement of WO-A-2018/213883, the amount of welding required during servicing or maintenance is significantly reduced. As a result, the cost and time required for bucket 14 maintenance are reduced.

Claims

1. A basket for replaceably mounting to a main body for forming a bucket for a machine, the basket comprising: a basket wrapper plate; and a first and/or second basket side plate attached to and extending from the basket wrapper plate, wherein the basket wrapper plate and first and/or second basket side plate are arranged for mounting to the main body.

2. A basket as claimed in claim 1 wherein the basket wrapper plate and first and/or second basket side plate form a basket edge for mounting to a body distal edge of the main body.

3. A basket as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least part of the thickness of the basket converges towards the basket edge.

4. A basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the basket wrapper plate extends between basket wrapper side edges and the first and/or second basket side plate is mounted proximate to the basket wrapper side edges.

5. A basket as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first and/or second basket side plate is separated from the basket wrapper side edges.

6. A basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the basket wrapper plate comprises first and second basket wrapper sub-plates attached along a sub-plate interface.

7. A basket as claimed in claim 6 wherein the basket wrapper plate extends between basket wrapper side edges and the sub-plate interface extends nonparallel to the basket wrapper side edges of the basket wrapper plate and/or a bucket working direction.

8. A basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the basket wrapper plate is thicker than the first and/or second basket side plate.

9. A bucket for a machine comprising a replaceable basket mounted to a main body to together form a bucket cavity, wherein the basket comprises a basket wrapper plate and a first and/or second basket side plate attached to and extending from the basket wrapper plate, wherein the basket wrapper plate and first and/or second basket side plate are mounted to the main body.

10. A bucket as claimed in claim 9 wherein the main body comprises a bucket opening leading to the bucket cavity.

11. A bucket as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the main body comprises first and second body side walls, a body wrapper plate mounted and extending between the first and second body side walls and a cutting arrangement extending between the first and second body side walls.

12. A bucket as claimed in claim 11 wherein: the basket wrapper plate and first and/or second basket side plate form a basket edge; the first and second body side walls, body wrapper plate and cutting arrangement form a body distal edge; and the basket edge is mounted to the body distal edge.

13. A bucket as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the main body comprises a bucket coupling for mounting the bucket to a machine.

14. A machine comprising a bucket comprising a replaceable basket mounted to a main body to together form a bucket cavity, wherein the basket comprises a basket wrapper plate and a first and/or second basket side plate attached to and extending from the basket wrapper plate, wherein the basket wrapper plate and first and/or second basket side plate are mounted to the main body.

15. A method of maintaining a bucket for a machine, the bucket comprising a first basket mounted to a main body to together form a bucket cavity, wherein the method comprises: separating the first basket from the main body along a basket edge of the first basket and a body distal edge of the main body; locating a basket edge of a second basket to abut the body distal edge of the main body; and attaching the second basket to the main body along the basket edge of the second basket and the body distal edge of the main body, wherein the first and second basket each comprise a basket wrapper plate and a first and/or second basket side plate attached to and extending from the basket wrapper plate, the basket wrapper plates and first and/or second basket side plates forming the basket edges.