GB2318550A

GB2318550A - Sub-frame for a material handling vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2318550A
Application number: GB9720402A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Michael Forrester
Original assignee: JC Bamford Excavators Ltd
Current assignee: JC Bamford Excavators Ltd
Priority date: 1996-09-27
Filing date: 1997-09-26
Publication date: 1998-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-26
Also published as: DE69706495T2; JPH10114958A; KR19980025082A; EP0833012B8; GB2318550B; GB9720402D0; GB9620177D0; EP0833012B1; DE69706495D1; EP0833012A1

Abstract

A sub-frame 30 for a material handling vehicle provides mounting means for rear wheels (13 figure 1) and an engine (E figure 1) of the vehicle and is in turn attached to a chassis 11b of the vehicle by vibration isolation attachment means 40. The material handling vehicle (10 figure 1) comprises the chassis, a pair of front and a pair of rear wheels (12 and 13 figure 1), a material handling implement (16 figure 1) movably mounted on the vehicle, drive means (17 and 17a figure 1) for said implement, the engine and an operator station (18 figure 1). The vibration isolation means may comprise at least one resiliently deformable member, such as a flat body of rubber (53, 54 figure 5), between part of the chassis and part of the sub-frame, separation of which is resisted by a rigid member such as a bolt (51 figure 5). Another resiliently deformable member may be provided below the sub-frame, below which a base plate (55 figure 5) may be provided. Buffer means 41, 42a may limit the range of movement of the sub-frame. The chassis may be formed of two parts articulated to one another, the rear part (11b figure 1) carrying the sub-frame and the operator station and the front part (11a figure 1) carrying the implement and the drive means. The implement may be mounted on a fork lift type mast or on a boom assembly.

Description

2318550 Title: Mechanical Handling Vehicle DesphLtion of Invention This

invention relates to a material handling vehicle, hereafter referred to "the kind specifie& comprising a chassis, a pair of front and a pair of rear ground engageable wheels, a material handling implement movably mounted on the vehicle, chive means for moving the material handling implement relative to the vehicle, an engine for driving said rear wheels and supplying power to said drive means and a station for a operator.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved material handling vehicle of the kind specified.

According to the present invention we provide a material handling vehicle of the kind specified comprising a subframe provided with mounting means for the rear wheels and for the engine and the subframe being carried on a part of said chassis by vibration isolation attachment means.

The vehicle may be an articulated vehicle wherein said chassis pail comprises a rear chassis part and the vehicle also comprising a front chassis part which is articulated to the rear chassis part for steering movement relative thereto.

The rear chassis part may carry said station for an operator.

The front chassis part may have said material handling unplement and said drive means mounted thereon.

The material handling implement may be mounted for up and down movement.

The material handling implement may be mounted on a mast of fork lift truck type.

Alternatively the material handling implement may be mounted on a boom assembly mounted for pivotable movement about a horizontal axis.

2 Said vibration isolation attachment means may comprise at least one resiliently deformable member.

Said vibration isolation attachment means may comprise a section of said chassis part which overlies a section of the subframe, a resiliently deforinable member dispose therebetween, and a rigid member to restrain separation of, and extending generally perpendicular to, said section of the chassis part and said section of the subfi-ame.

Said vibration isolation attachment means may attach the subframe to the chassis part such that the subfi-aine is carried by the chassis part, said rigid member comprising a bolt passing through corresponding apertures provided on the chassis part and the subframe, the bolt further passing through a pair of resiliently deformable members disposed above and below the subframe and in contact with said subfi-ame, the resiliently deformable member disposed between the subframe and the chassis also being in contact with the chassis part, a base plate being disposed below the lower resiliently deformable member and in contact therewith.

The vibration isolation attachment means may further comprise a spacer disposed within the aperture Mi the subframe and having a central bore through which the bolt is passed.

A boss may be provided on the subframe of the chassis part through which the bolt also passes.

Compressive force may be applied to the vibration isolation attachment means by means of a nut attached to the bolt.

Said resiliently deformable members may comprise a generally flat body having a hole through which the bolt or where appropriate the spacer, may be received, and having a section projecting from the surface of the body adapted to receive in the aperture of the subframe.

Said resiliently deformable members may comprise rubber, such as nitrile rubber.

3 A plurality and preferably four of said vibration isolation attachment means may be provided.

Said subfi-ame may be provided with buffer means to limit the range of movement of said subframe. Said buffer means may comprise a buffer comprismig a further resiliently deformable member disposed such that each buffer faces a part of the chassis.

Said buffer means may be provided for lin-fifing side to side motion and/or fore and aft motion of the subfi-ame.

Buffer means for limiting fore and aft motion may comprise a pair of supports projecting generally vertically from said subframe section and having said buffers facing one another, said buffers being disposed so that a member of the chassis is disposed between said buffers.

Said buffer means for limiting fore and aft motion may comprise a mounting block having a relatively massive body having two, preferably generally vertical, projections which provide spaced parallel abutment stirfaces, the block being attached beneath the subframe such that the projections pass through apertures in the subfiame.

The chassis part may comprise a pair of generally parallel longitudinal members having a forward end and a rearward end, a first transverse member connected between said longitudinal members disposed towards the forward end of the longitudinal members, and a second transverse member disposed rearwardly of the first transverse member.

When buffer means for limiting fore and aft movement is provided wherein a member of the chassis is disposed between buffers, said second verse member may comprise said member.

Said second verse member may be a box section member.

Apertures may be provided in the chassis part with which attachment means may engage to attach said subframe to said chassis part.

4 Said apertures may be provided in projecting members extending inwardly from each longitudinal member.

Such apertures may also be provided in said second transverse member.

The subfi-ame may comprise a generally flat forward section from which a pair of arms may project forwardly, a generally flat intermediate section disposed at a level below the forward section, an inclined section connecting the forward and intermediate sections and a further inclined section projecting upwardly and rearwardly of said intermediate section.

The subfi-ame may be disposed such that the forward section projects generally forwardly of the second transverse member, and the rearward section projects generally rearwardly of said second transverse member.

Said attachment means may be provided in the forward section.

The wheel mounting means may be provided on the forward section and the engine mounting means may be provided on a rearward section.

The engine mounting means may comprise a plurality and preferably four towers, extending upwardly from the subframe. Each tower may comprise a pair of generally vertical members connected at their upper ends by a generally horizontal member.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with respect to the following diagrammatic drawings wherein FIGURE 1 is a side view of a material handling vehicle of the kind specified, FIGURE 2 is a front view of the machine of Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is a rear view of the vehicle of Figure 1, FIGURE 4 is an exploded view of a chassis section and subframe embodied in the vehicle of Figure 1.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-section through a vibration isolation attachment means embodied in the vehicle of Figures 1-4, and FIGURE 6 is a cross-section through a buffer means of the vehicle shown in Figures 1-5.

Figures 1-3 show a machine of the kind specified at 10 having a front part 10a and a rear part 10b which are articulated together in conventional manner by an articulated joint shown at 1 Oc and suitable hydraulic ram means 1 Od are provided between the rear part 10b and the front part 10a for steering movement about the articulation joint. For example, + or about 45' of movement about a generally vertical axis may be provided for steering. In addition the articulation joffit may provide a limited amount of movement in a generally vertical plane, for example of the order of + or - 10'.

The front part 10a has a front chassis pail 1 la which is connected to a rear chassis part 1 lb by the articulated joint 1 Oc. The front chassis pail 11 a has a pair of front wheels 12 and a pair of vertical pillars 14 each of which carries an arm 15 of a boom assembly carrying at their forward ends a bucket 16 or other material handling implement. A drive means comprising a hydraulic rain 17 is connected between each pillar 14 and each arm 15 for raising and lowering the implement 16 about the pivotable connection to the pillars 14. A suitable crowd ram 17a is provided to tilt the material handling implement by a suitable linkage.

The rear chassis part 1 1b carries a pair of rear wheels 13, an operators station 18 in the form of an operators cab and an engine compartment 19 disposed at the rear of the cab 18.

Referring now to Figure 4, the rear chassis section part 11 b comprises a pair of generally parallel plate like longitudinal members 21 connected at their forward ends by a box section transverse member 22 and rearwardly thereof by a second box section transverse member 23. Four apertures 24 are provided in the main rear chassis part 1 lb with which attachment means 40 are engaged. Said apertures 24 are located in the second transverse member 23 and in generally horizontal inward projections 25 attached to each of the longitudinal members 2 1.

6 A subfi-ame 30 comprises apertures 31 for mounting means for a conventional rear axle 13b for the wheels 13, not shown in Figure 4 and a mounting means 32 for an engine E. The subfi-ame comprises a generally flat forward section 33 from which a pair of aims 34 project forwardly. Apertures 35 corresponding to the apertures 24 in the main rear chassis section are provided in the forward section 33 and arms 34. The subframe 30 comprises a generally flat section 36 attached to the forward section 33 by an inclined part 37, and a further inclined section 38 projecting forwardly and upwardly of the part 36. Said engine mount 32 comprises towers having a pair of parallel generally vertical members 39 joined at the upper ends by a generally horizontal section 39a wherein resilient mounting means are provided to enable the engine to the attached to the mounts 32.

An attachment means 40 is shown in transverse section in Figure 5, comprising a bolt 51 which passes through a boss 57 welded to the upper surface of chassis part 11 b, apertures 24 and 3 5 on the chassis part 11 b and the subframe 3 0 respectively and has at its lower end a nut 52. Resiliently deformable vibration isolation members 53, 54 are disposed above and below the subframe 30. The vibration isolation members comprise nitrile rubber members having a shore hardness of 60-70 shore but may comprise other rubber members and may have a shore hardness lying in the range 50-80 and preferably 60-70 shore, or members which provide vibration isolation in any other desired way. A base plate 55 is disposed below vibration isolation member 54 and a spacer 56 is disposed within the aperture 35. The base plate 55, vibration isolation member 54 and 53, spacer 56, subfi-ame 30, and chassis part 1 lb are held in contact by pressure applied by the bolt 51 and nut 52.

Buffer means are provided to lirnit the horizontal fore-and-after and side-to-side movement of the subframe.

The side-to-side buffer means comprise resiliently deformable buffer pads 42a disposed in D shaped apertures 42 formed in sides 43 of the rearward 7 section 36 of the subfl-ame, the buffer pads 42a facing outwards, and which abut adjacent parts 1 lc of the chassis part 1 lb.

Referring also to Figure 6, the fore-and-aft buffer means 41 is disposed on the forward section 33 on the longitudinal axis of the subframe 30 with buffer surfaces 41a facing one another. When the subframe 30 is attached to the rear chassis part 1 lb, the second transverse member 23 is disposed between the buffer surfaces 4 1 a.

The fore-and-aft buffer means 41 shown in transverse section in Figure 6 comprises a relatively massive body 60 welded to the subfi-arne 30 comprising vertical projections 61, 62 which passes through the subframe 30 and provide generally vertical surfaces 63, 64. Attached to these surfaces 63, 64 are two plates 65, 66 each having a non-circular recess 67, 68 adapted to hold a resiliently deformable pad 69, 70 having the buffer surfaces 41a. With the subfi.ame 30 attached to the chassis part llb, the pads 69, 70 engage the second transverse member 23 to restrict fore-and-aft movement to the subframe.

It will be appreciated that vibration isolation attachment means and bulfer means may be disposed wherever is desirable.

The cab 18 is mounted in conventional manner by vibration isolation means to brackets 18a of the chassis part 1 lb.

If desired the invention may be embodied in any other kind of material handling vehicle. For example, a front end loader having a unitary chassis so that said front and rear chassis parts are an integral part of the unitary chassis.

The chassis may be of any desired configuration and the term is used herein to encompass a monocoque type construction where the or at least part of the body also provides a chassis.

The loader arm assembly may have a single arm, if desired. The implement may be carried on a back-hoe if desired or be slidable up and down a fork lift type mast.

8 The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result or a class or group of substances or compositions as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

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Claims

1. A material handling vehicle comprising a chassis, a pair of front and a pair of rear ground engageable wheels, a material handling implement movably mounted on the vehicle, drive means for moving the material handling implement relative to the vehicle, an engine for driving said rear wheels and supplying power to said drive means and a station for an operator, a subframe provided with mounting means for the rear wheels and for the engme and the subfraine being carried on a part of said chassis by vibration isolation attachment means.

2. A material handling vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle is an articulated vehicle wherein said chassis part comprises a rear chassis pall and the vehicle also comprises a front chassis part which is articulated to the rear chassis part for steering movement relative thereto.

3. A material handling vehicle according to claim 2 wherein the rear chassis part carries said station for an operator.

4. A material handling vehicle according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the front chassis part has said material handling implement and said drive means mounted thereon.

5. A material handling vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the material handling implement is mounted for up and down movement.

6. A material handling vehicle according to claim 5 wlierein the material handling implement is mounted on a mast of fork lift truck type.

7. A material handling vehicle according to claim 5 wherein the material handling implement is mounted on a boom assembly mounted for pivotable movement about a horizontal axis.

8. A material handling vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said vibration isolation attachment means comprises at least one resiliently deformable member.

9. A material handling vehicle according to claim 8 wherein said vibration isolation attachment means comprises a section of said chassis part which overlies a section of the subfi-ame, a resiliently deformable member disposed therebetween, and a rigid member to restrain separation of, and extending generally perpendicular to, said section of the chassis part and said section of the subfi-ame.

10. A material handling vehicle according to claim 9 wherein said vibration isolation attachment means attaches the subframe to the chassis part such that the subfi-ame is carried by the chassis part.

11. A material handling vehicle according to clanin 9 or claim 10 wherein said rigid member comprises a bolt passing through coiTesponding apertures provided on the chassis part and the subframe.

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12. A material handling vehicle according to claim 11 wherein the bolt passes through a pair of resiliently deformable members disposed above and below the subframe and in contact with said subframe, the resiliently deformable member disposed between the subframe and the chassis also being in contact with the chassis part

13. A material handling vehicle according to claim 12 wherein a base plate is disposed below the lower resiliently deformable member and in contact therewith.

14. A material handling vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the vibration isolation attachment means further comprises a spacer disposed within the aperture in the subframe and having a central bore through which the bolt is passed.

15. A material handling vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein a boss is provided on the subframe of the chassis part through which the bolt also passes.

16. A material handling vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein compressive force is applied to the vibration isolation attachment means by means of a nut attached to the bolt.

17. A material handling vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 16 wherei said resiliently deformable members comprise a generally flat body having a hole in which the bolt or where appropriate the spacer, is received.

18. A material handling vehicle according to claim 17 wherein said 12 resihently deformable members have a section projecting from the surface of the body adapted to be received in an aperture of the subframe.

19. A material handling vehicle according to any one of claims 8 to 18 wherein said resiliently deformable members comprise rubber.

20. A material handling vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of said vibration isolation attachment means are provided.

21. A material handling vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said subframe is provided with buffer means to lin-fit the range of movement of said subfimne.

22. A material handling vehicle according to claim 21 wherein said buffer means comprise a bufFer comprising a further resiliently defonnable member mounted such that each buffer faces a part of the chassis.

23. A material handling vehicle according to claim 21 or 22 wherein said buffer means are provided for limiting side to side motion of the subframe.

24. A material handling vehicle according to any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein said buffer means are provided for limiting fore and aft motion of the subfi-ame.

25. A material handling vehicle according to claim 24 wherein said buffer means for limiting fore and aft motion comprise a pair of supports projecting vertically from said subfime section and having said buffers facing one another, 13 said buffers being disposed so that a member of the chassis is disposed between said buffers.

26. A material handling vehicle according to claim 25 wherein said buffer means for limiting fore and aft motion comprises a mounting block having two projections which provide spaced parallel abutinent surfaces, the block being attached beneath the subframe such that the projections pass through apertures in the subfi-ame.

27. A material handling vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the chassis part comprises a pair of generally parallel longitudinal members having a forward end and a rearward end, a first transverse member connected between said longitudinal members disposed towards the forward end of the longitudinal members, and a second transverse member disposed rearwardly of the first transverse member.

28. A material handling vehicle according to claim 27 where dependent on claim 25 or claim 26 wherein the second transverse member comprises said member of the chassis disposed between said buffers.

29. A material handling vehicle according to claim 27 or claim 28 wherein said second transverse member is a box section member.

30. A material handling vehicle according to claim 29 wherein apertures are provided in the chassis part with which attachment means engage to attach said subframe to said chassis pail.

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31. A material handling vehicle according to claim 30 wherein said apertures are provided in projecting members extending inwardly from each longitudinal member.

32. A material handling vehicle according to claim 30 or claim 31 wherein apertures are provided in said second transverse member.

33. A material handling vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the subfi-ame comprises a generally flat forward section from, which a pair of arms project forwardly, a generally flat intermediate section disposed at a level below the forward section, an inclined section connecting the forward and intermediate sections and a further inclined section projecting upwardly and rearwardly of said intermediate section.

34. A material handling vehicle according to claim 33 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 27 wherein the subframe is disposed such that the forward section projects generally forwardly of the second transverse member, and the rearward section projects generally rearwardly of said second transverse member.

35. A material handling vehicle according to claim 33 or claim 34 wherein said attachment means are provided in the forward section.

36. A material handling vehicle according to any one of claims 33 to 35 wherein the wheel mounting means are provided on the forward section and the engine mounting means are provided on the rearward section.

37. A material handling vehicle according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein the engine mounting means comprises a plurality of towers, extending upwardly from the subfi-ame.

38. A material handling vehicle according to claim 37 wherein each tower comprises a pair of genemIly vertical members connected at their upper ends by a generally horizontal member.

39. A material handling vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

40. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.