U.S. patent application number 16/614092 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-04 for lifting arrangement for wheel loader.
The applicant listed for this patent is Guangxi LiuGong Machinery Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sean Plante, Edward Wagner.
Application Number | 20200173134 16/614092 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62866543 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200173134 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Plante; Sean ; et
al. |
June 4, 2020 |
Lifting Arrangement For Wheel Loader
Abstract
Provided is a lifting arrangement mountable to a frame
arrangement of a vertical lift wheel loader. The lifting
arrangement comprises a main arm support element, a main arm, and a
guiding arrangement. The main arm support element comprises at
least two longitudinal members interconnected by at least one
connecting element.
Inventors: |
Plante; Sean; (Liuzhou,
Guangxi, CN) ; Wagner; Edward; (Liuzhou, Guangxi,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Guangxi LiuGong Machinery Co., Ltd. |
Liuzhou, Guangxi |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
62866543 |
Appl. No.: |
16/614092 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
November 23, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2018/117219 |
371 Date: |
November 15, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/38 20130101; E02F
3/283 20130101; E02F 3/422 20130101; E02F 3/42 20130101; E02F
3/3405 20130101; E02F 3/3408 20130101; E02F 3/342 20130101; E02F
9/0841 20130101; E02F 3/431 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/34 20060101
E02F003/34; E02F 3/42 20060101 E02F003/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 26, 2018 |
CN |
201810076343.4 |
Claims
1. A lifting arrangement mountable to a frame arrangement of a
vertical lift wheel loader, the lifting arrangement comprising: a
main arm support element; a main arm; and a guiding arrangement;
wherein: the main arm support element comprises a frame arrangement
side end portion and a main arm side end portion; the main arm
support element is pivotably mountable at the frame arrangement
side end portion to the frame arrangement of the vertical lift
wheel loader such that the main arm side end portion of the main
arm support element is movable in a direction which includes at
least a component in a front-rear direction of the vertical lift
wheel loader; the main arm is pivotably mounted at a mounting
portion of the main arm to the main arm side end portion of the
main arm support element and comprises an equipment connector at an
equipment connector portion of the equipment connector located
opposite to the mounting portion; the guiding arrangement is
mountable to the frame arrangement of the vertical lift wheel
loader for determining a movement of the main arm support element
upon a pivot movement of the main arm such that upon pivoting the
main arm between a lowered position and a lifted position, the
equipment connector is guided along a predetermined path; and the
main arm support element comprises at least two longitudinal
members which are interconnected by at least one connecting
element.
2. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the main
arm support element has a substantially H shape.
3. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the main
arm support element is formed as a welded structure.
4. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at
least two longitudinal members and/or the at least one connecting
element are formed in a box shape.
5. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each of
the at least two longitudinal members comprises a pair of side
plates and a connecting plate, and wherein the pair of side plates
are connected by the connecting plate such that each of the at
least two longitudinal members have a substantially closed
profile.
6. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at
least two longitudinal members and the at least one connecting
element form a rigid body for transferring forces from the main arm
to the frame arrangement.
7. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each of
the at least two longitudinal members comprises: a frame
arrangement side bearing portion in the frame arrangement side end
portion for mounting the main arm support element to the frame
arrangement; and a main arm side bearing portion in the main arm
side end portion for mounting the main arm support element to the
main arm.
8. The lifting arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the frame
arrangement side bearing portions are axially spaced by a frame
arrangement side distance and the main arm side bearing portions
are axially spaced by a main arm side distance, the main arm side
distance being greater than the frame arrangement side
distance.
9. The lifting arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the main
arm side distance is at least twice the frame arrangement side
distance.
10. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each of
the longitudinal members is formed with a cranked
configuration.
11. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
connecting element is formed by a plurality of sheet metal
elements, and wherein the plurality of sheet metal elements form a
substantially closed space inside the plurality of sheet metal
elements.
12. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the main
arm comprises a pair of arms and a connecting portion, and wherein
the pair of arms are formed by substantially flat sheet metal
members which are spaced from each other by the connecting portion
connecting the pair of arms to each other.
13. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
guiding arrangement comprises: at least one guiding link; at least
one first guiding link mount; and at least one second guiding link
mount; wherein: the at least one first guiding link mount is
provided at an arm element; the at least one second guiding link
mount is provided at the frame arrangement; and the at least one
guiding link comprises a first guiding link mount end portion and a
second guiding link mount end portion, the at least one guiding
link being pivotably connected to the at least one first guiding
link mount at the first guiding link mount end portion and to the
second guiding link mount at the second guiding link mount end
portion.
14. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the main
arm support element further comprises a center plate which is
integrated in the connecting element and arranged between the
longitudinal members.
15. The lifting arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the
center plate comprises a mount for mounting a link mechanism for
actuating an equipment mountable to the equipment connector.
16. The lifting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the main
arm support element is configured such that a torsional strength
thereof is higher than a torsional strength of the main arm.
17. A frame arrangement comprising: a front frame portion
comprising a mounting structure, wherein: a lifting arrangement is
mounted to the front frame portion via the mounting structure; and
the lifting arrangement comprises: a main arm support element; a
main arm; and a guiding arrangement; wherein: the main arm support
element comprises a frame arrangement side end portion and a main
arm side end portion; the main arm support element is pivotably
mountable at the frame arrangement side end portion to the frame
arrangement such that the main arm side end portion of the main arm
support element is movable in a direction which includes at least a
component in a front-rear direction of the frame arrangement; the
main arm is pivotably mounted at a mounting portion of the main arm
to the main arm side end portion of the main arm support element
and comprises an equipment connector at an equipment connector
portion of the equipment connector located opposite to the mounting
portion; the guiding arrangement is mountable to the frame
arrangement for determining a movement of the main arm support
element upon a pivot movement of the main arm such that upon
pivoting the main arm between a lowered position and a lifted
position, the equipment connector is guided along a predetermined
path; and the main arm support element comprises at least two
longitudinal members which are interconnected by at least one
connecting element.
18. The frame arrangement according to claim 17, wherein each of
the at least two longitudinal members comprises: a frame
arrangement side bearing portion in the frame arrangement side end
portion for mounting the main arm support element to the frame
arrangement; and a main arm side bearing portion in the main arm
side end portion for mounting the main arm support element to the
main arm, wherein the main arm support element is mounted pivotably
to the mounting structure via the frame arrangement side bearing
portion.
19. The frame arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the
guiding arrangement comprises: at least one guiding link; at least
one first guiding link mount; and at least one second guiding link
mount; wherein: the at least one first guiding link mount is
provided at an arm element; the at least one second guiding link
mount is provided at the frame arrangement; the at least one
guiding link comprises a first guiding link mount end portion and a
second guiding link mount end portion, the at least one guiding
link being pivotably connected to the at least one first guiding
link mount at the first guiding link mount end portion and to the
second guiding link mount at the second guiding link mount end
portion; and the second guiding link mount is connected to the
front frame portion.
20. The frame arrangement according to claim 17, further comprising
a main arm actuator connected at one end portion to the front frame
portion and connected at another end portion to the main arm for
lifting the main arm.
21. The frame arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the
guiding arrangement is configured to guide movements of the main
arm support element and movements of the main arm such that the
equipment connector follows the predetermined path at least in
sections of the movement upon moving the main arm between a lowered
position and a lifted position and between the lifted position and
the lowered position, and wherein the predetermined path is a
vertical path.
22. The frame arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the front
frame portion comprises a pair of front wheels.
23. A vertical lift wheel loader comprising: an equipment; a rear
frame portion; and an articulating mechanism; wherein: the
equipment is mounted to a frame arrangement via an equipment
connector of a main arm of a lifting arrangement of the frame
arrangement; the rear frame portion comprises a pair of rear
wheels; and the frame arrangement and the rear frame portion are
connected via the articulating mechanism to each other such that
the frame arrangement and the rear frame portion are relatively
pivotably to each other; and the frame arrangement comprises a
front frame portion comprising a mounting structure, wherein the
lifting arrangement is mounted to the front frame portion via the
mounting structure, and wherein the lifting arrangement comprises:
a main arm support element; the main arm; and a guiding
arrangement; wherein: the main arm support element comprises a
frame arrangement side end portion and a main arm side end portion;
the main arm support element is pivotably mountable at the frame
arrangement side end portion to the frame arrangement such that the
main arm side end portion of the main arm support element is
movable in a direction which includes at least a component in a
front-rear direction of the frame arrangement; the main arm is
pivotably mounted at a mounting portion of the main arm to the main
arm side end portion of the main arm support element and comprises
the equipment connector at an equipment connector portion of the
equipment connector located opposite to the mounting portion; the
guiding arrangement is mountable to the frame arrangement for
determining a movement of the main arm support element upon a pivot
movement of the main arm such that upon pivoting the main arm
between a lowered position and a lifted position, the equipment
connector is guided along a predetermined path; and the main arm
support element comprises at least two longitudinal members which
are interconnected by at least one connecting element.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention concerns a lifting arrangement mountable to a
frame arrangement of a vertical lift wheel loader.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Vertical lift wheel loaders are construction vehicles that
comprise a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, which are
articulatingly interconnected for providing an articulating
steering. Such loaders comprise a lifting arrangement that is
supported by the front frame portion of said articulating frame
arrangement and is articulated together with said front frame
portion with respect to said rear frame portion upon steering.
[0003] The lifting arrangements of vertical lift loaders allow,
like lifting arrangements of radial lift loaders, an equipment,
e.g. a bucket, to be moved between a lowered position and a lifted
position. In difference to lifting arrangements of radial lift
loaders, the peculiarity of these vertical lifting arrangements is
that the movement pattern of said equipment between said lowered
and said lifted positions follows a substantially vertical path.
This reduces the maximum distance from the bucket centroid to the
front axle of the loader, thereby increasing the maximum loading
capacity while maintaining the vehicle's weight.
[0004] However, lifting arrangements of vertical lift loaders are
subjected to high stress, especially to torsion load. Traditional
methods for stiffen of structures often result in higher weight and
material accumulation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Therefore, according to the present invention, a lifting
arrangement mountable to a frame arrangement of a vertical lift
wheel loader combining high torsion stiffness and light weight
construction is provided.
[0006] The lifting arrangement comprises a main arm support
element, a main arm, and a guiding arrangement. The main arm
support element is configured to support the main arm at the frame
arrangement of the vertical lift wheel loader. The main arm is
configured to be connected to the main arm support element. The
guiding arrangement is provided for guiding the main arm. The main
arm is further configured to be connected pivotably to the frame
arrangement via the main arm support element. The main arm is
further configured to be connected to an equipment, e.g. a bucket,
the equipment being configured to carry load. The main arm, which
is subjected to (high) forces introduced through the load carried
by the equipment, has therefore to be configured with a sufficient
(high) torsion stiffness. Also, the main arm support element
connecting the main arm to the frame arrangement has to have a
sufficient high torsion stiffness.
[0007] More specifically, in contrast to radial lifting wheel
loaders at vertical lift wheel loaders the main arm of the lifting
arrangement is not directly coupled/fixed to a front frame portion
of the frame arrangement but via an additional support element,
namely the main arm support element. The same torsion stiffness as
provided by the front frame portion at radial lifting wheel loaders
has to be provided by the main arm support element.
[0008] That is, one end portion of the main arm support element is
a frame arrangement side end portion and the other end portion of
the main arm support element is a main arm side end portion. The
main arm support element is pivotably mountable at the frame
arrangement side end portion thereof to said frame arrangement of
said vertical lift wheel loader such that said main arm side end
portion of said main arm support element is movable in a direction
including at least a component in a front-rear direction of said
vertical lift wheel loader. Front rear-rear direction means a
direction extending from a rear side of the vertical lift wheel
loader to a front thereof, i.e. from a rear frame portion to the
front frame portion of the wheel loader.
[0009] The main arm is further pivotably, i.e. rotatably, mounted
at its mounting portion to the main arm side end portion of said
main arm support link and comprises an equipment connector at its
equipment connector portion which is located opposite to its
mounting portion. The equipment connector is provided for
connecting the above described equipment to the main arm.
[0010] The guiding arrangement is mountable to said frame
arrangement of said vertical lift wheel loader for determining a
movement of said main arm support element upon a pivot movement of
said main arm such that upon pivoting said main arm between a
lowered position and a lifted position said equipment connector is
guided along a predetermined path.
[0011] The main arm support element comprises at least two
longitudinal members which are interconnected by at least one
connecting element. Preferably, both, the frame arrangement side
end portion and the main arm side end portion are formed by end
portions of the longitudinal members and the connecting element is
located between these portions. The connecting element avoids
relative twist/torsion of the longitudinal members. That is, by
providing the connecting element a high stiffness of the whole main
arm support element can be secured, i.e. the main arm support
element provides a high modulus of resistance against torsion.
Longitudinal member means an element formed by a rigid, solid body
having a greater length than width and height. In other words,
longitudinal relates to lengthwise dimension of the member, wherein
the member is a rigid element. Between these two longitudinal
members the connecting element is provided. Also, the connecting
element is a rigid body. The term
.quadrature.interconnected.quadrature. means that the two
longitudinal members are spaced away from each other but connected
to each other via the connecting element. The connecting element is
thus connected (joined) to both longitudinal members. However,
neither one of the longitudinal members nor the connection element
is limited to be formed from only one component and may also be
formed from a plurality of components connected to each other.
.quadrature.Connecting.quadrature. or
.quadrature.connection.quadrature. refers to permanently joining
two or more rigid bodies each one having a geometrically determined
outer shape. Different connection methods may be applied, e.g.
joining by assembling, press(-in) operation, original forming,
shaping, welding, soldering and/or using an adhesive. Joining by
assembling may comprise inserting, mounting, hanging and/or sliding
into each other. Press(-in) operation may comprise screwing,
bolting, nailing and/or press fitting. Original forming is a
production process where formless elements are processed to form a
solid body having a geometrically defined shape and may comprise
casting and/or additive manufacturing. Shaping may comprise
flanging, crimping, folding, bending and/or riveting. By using
welding, soldering or an adhesive two members/element are firmly
bonded together. Here, soldering is a method in which two or more
items, preferably metal, are joined together by melting and putting
a filler metal (solder) into the joint, the filler metal having a
lower melting point than the adjoining items. Soldering differs
from welding in that soldering does not involve melting the work
pieces. The longitudinal members and the connecting element may be
formed from different material, e.g. comprising metal and/or
steel.
[0012] The main arm support element may have a substantially H
shape. That is, at least the two end portions of one of the pair of
longitudinal members extend substantially parallel to the two end
portions of the other one of the pair of longitudinal members, and
the pair of longitudinal members are interconnected via the
connecting element extending substantially perpendicular to the two
end portions of each one of the two longitudinal members.
[0013] The main arm support element may be formed as welded
structure. Here, welding is a fabrication method that joins
materials, preferably metals and/or thermoplastics, by using heat
to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool causing
fusion.
[0014] The at least two longitudinal members and/or the at least
one connecting element are formed in a box shape. The term
.quadrature.box shape.quadrature. describes a three-dimensional
shape of a construction element wherein base plates and side plates
of the construction element comprise substantially a right angle,
respectively. Preferably the box shaped construction elements are
hollow bodies. Construction elements with box shape combine two
advantages, namely they provide a relatively high generated surface
and therefore a relatively high modulus of resistance against
torsion in comparison to their low weight. More specifically, a
value of the modulus of resistance against torsion of a
construction element depends on a generated surface of the
construction element, i.e. the modulus of resistance against
torsion of the construction element raises with the generated
surface thereof. Therefore, the box shape enhances the above
described technical effect inherent to the lifting arrangement
according to the present invention of having a high torsion
stiffness with respect to its low weight. Preferably the main arm,
i.e. elements forming the main arm, are also formed in the box
shape.
[0015] Each of said at least two longitudinal members may comprise
a pair of side plates and a connecting plate. The pair of side
plates may be connected by the connecting plate such that a
substantially closed profile for each of the at least two
longitudinal members is provided. In other words, the pair of side
plates and the connecting plate may form the substantially closed
profile. The substantially closed profile provides the advantage
that stress peaks in the constructional elements forming the
lifting arrangement are avoided.
[0016] The two longitudinal members and said a least one connecting
element may form a rigid body for transferring forces from said
main arm to said frame arrangement. In other words, the main arm
support element serves as an extension of the mounting portion of
the front frame portion of the vertical lifting arrangement such
that same mechanical properties at connection point to the frame
arrangement may be provided for the main arm of the vertical
lifting arrangement in comparison to a main arm provided for a
radial lifting arrangement.
[0017] Each of said at least two longitudinal members may comprise
a frame arrangement side bearing portion in the frame arrangement
side end portion thereof for mounting said support element to said
frame arrangement and a main arm side bearing portion in the main
arm side end portion thereof for mounting said support element to
said main arm. The bearing portions are both provided with a
bearing such that the main arm side bearing portion can pivotably
support the main arm and the frame arrangement side bearing portion
can be pivotably supporter at the frame arrangement. Here, a
bearing is a component that separates moving parts and takes a
load. More specifically, the bearings are rotary bearings holding
rotating components such as shafts or axles within a mechanical
system formed by the frame arrangement. The bearing may be a plain
bearing consisting of a shaft rotating in a hole. The plain bearing
may be a bushing, journal bearing, sleeve bearing, rifle bearing or
a composite bearing. The bearing may also be a rolling-element
bearing, e.g. a ball bearing or a roller bearing, in which rolling
elements placed between turning and stationary races prevent
sliding friction. In the ball bearing, the rolling elements are
spherical balls. In roller bearings, the rolling elements are
cylindrical, taper or spherical rollers. The bearing may also be a
jewel bearing, which is a plain bearing in which at least one of
bearing surfaces is made of an ultrahard glassy jewel material such
as sapphire to reduce friction and wear. The bearing may further be
a fluid bearing, which is a noncontact bearing in which load is
supported by a gas or liquid. The bearing may further be a magnetic
bearing, in which the load is supported by a magnetic field, or a
flexure bearing, in which the motion is supported by a load element
which bends. When the bearings in the bearing portions are formed
in end portions of the longitudinal members maintenance and
lubrication thereof becomes easier and less cost intensive, since
the end portions are easy to reach for an operator without
demounting the lifting arrangement.
[0018] The frame arrangement side bearing portions may be axially
spaced by a frame arrangement side distance and said main arm side
bearing portions may be axially spaced by a main arm side distance.
The main arm side distance may be greater than the frame
arrangement side distance. The main arm side distance is preferably
at least twice the frame arrangement side distance. When the frame
arrangement side distance is smaller than the main arm side
distance, it is possible to securely arrange all actuating
components, such as a main arm actuator configured to actuate the
main arm, provided in the frame arrangement between the two
longitudinal members of the main arm support element and a pair of
arms forming the main arm. Therefore, these actuating components
which are prone to be damaged during operation of the wheel loader
can be secured from outside influences such as stone chipping.
[0019] Each of the longitudinal members may be formed with a
cranked configuration. Preferably the cranked configuration has a
U-shape in a side view, wherein one end, which is an intermediate
portion, of the cranked configuration is shorter than the other two
ends connected by the one end to each other.
[0020] The connecting element may be formed by a plurality of sheet
metal elements which form a substantially closed space inside. A
sheet metal element is a thin part comprising metal, e.g. sheet
steel. A multilayer structure is also possible. The sheet metal
elements may be connected to each other in the way as described
above. Using sheet metal is especially advantageously for providing
relatively large surfaces with respect to weight and thus with
relatively low weight high modules of resistance against torsion
can be reached with sheet metal.
[0021] The main arm may comprise a pair of arms and a connecting
portion. The pair of arms may be formed by substantially flat sheet
metal members which are spaced from each other by the connecting
portion connecting said arms to each other. As explained above,
preferably the pair of arm elements and/or the connecting portion
are formed in the box shape, respectively. By providing the
connecting portion the same advantages as by providing the
connecting element of the main arm support element can be
reached.
[0022] As described above, the guiding arrangement is provided for
guiding the equipment connector of the main arm along the
predetermined path. Therefore, the guiding arrangement may comprise
at least one guiding link, at least one first guiding link mount,
and at least one second guiding link mount. The at least one first
guiding link mount may be provided at said arm element of the main
arm. The at least one second guiding link mount may be provided at
said frame arrangement. The at least one guiding link may comprise
a first guiding link mount end portion and a second guiding link
mount end portion. The at least one guiding link may be pivotably
connected to said at least one first guiding link mount at said
first guiding link mount end portion thereof and to said second
guiding link mount at the second guiding link mount end portion
thereof. When moving the main arm pivotably connected to main arm
support element, the guiding arrangement also restricts movement of
the main arm and thus, the path of the equipment connector is fixed
in space by coaction of the main arm support element and the
guiding arrangement.
[0023] The main arm support element may further comprise a center
plate which is integrated in said connecting element and arranged
between said longitudinal members. Preferably, the center plate
comprises a mount for mounting a link mechanism for actuating an
equipment mountable to said equipment connector. Preferably, the
center plate extends in parallel to the end portions of the
longitudinal members.
[0024] The main arm support element may be configured such that a
torsional strength thereof is higher than a torsional strength of
said main arm.
[0025] Furthermore, according to the invention, a frame arrangement
may be provided. The frame arrangement comprises the above
described lifting arrangement and a front frame portion. The front
frame portion comprises a mounting structure. The lifting
arrangement is mounted to the front frame portion via the mounting
structure.
[0026] The main arm support element may be mounted pivotably to the
mounting structure via the frame arrangement side bearing portion.
The second guiding link mount may be connected to said front frame
portion, preferably pivotably.
[0027] The above described frame arrangement may further comprise a
main arm actuator connected at one end portion thereof to said
front frame portion and at the other end thereof to said main arm.
The main arm actuator may be provided for lifting said main arm.
The main arm actuator may comprise a hydraulic and/or a pneumatic
cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder (linear hydraulic motor) and the
pneumatic cylinder are both a mechanical actuator that is used to
give a unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke. Both
cylinders are operated by supplying a fluid to them, wherein the
hydraulic cylinder is operated by using liquid, preferably
(pressurized) oil, and the pneumatic cylinder is operated by using
gas, preferably (pressurized) air. Both cylinders may be
single-acting or double-acting. At single-acting cylinders the
fluid enters through a port at one end of the cylinder, which
forces a piston inside the cylinder by means of area difference at
out of the cylinder. An external force, internal retraction spring
or gravity returns the piston. At double-acting cylinders a port at
each end of the cylinder, i.e. at each side of the piston, is
supplied with the fluid for both retraction and extension of the
piston which is also provided in the cylinder.
[0028] Further, the guiding arrangement may be configured to guide
movements of said main arm support element and of said main arm
such that said equipment connector of the main arm follows said
predetermined path. The predetermined path is preferably a vertical
path at least in sections of said movement upon moving said main
arm between a lowered position and a lifted position and vice
versa. The substantially vertical path means the movement of the
equipment connector upon pivoting said main arm within a
predetermined range. In particular, the predetermined range
defining said substantially vertical path allows a specific
deviation from a line vertically extending from the equipment
connector in the lowermost position. It follows from the above that
the substantially vertical path is not limited to a strictly
vertically arranged line along which the equipment connector moves.
Rather, any path which is limited within a range the width of which
extends in the front-rear direction with respect to the wheel
loader is sufficient for achieving the solution. Preferably, the
deviation of the equipment connector from the vertical line
extending from the equipment connector in the lowermost position is
restricted to a specific deviation in the front-rear direction in
order to limit the variance in a tilting momentum applied to the
wheel loader which is caused by the force exerted upon lifting the
load. As consequence, the tilting moment exerted to the wheel
loader by the load in the intermediate position of the equipment
connector can be limited to a specific extent thus enhancing the
overall efficiency of the wheel loader. The substantially vertical
path may be a J-shaped path, in which the equipment connector, from
the lowered to the lifted position, moves initially upwards and
forwards before moving essentially only straight upwards.
[0029] The front frame portion may further comprise a pair of front
wheels. It would however also be possible to provide the front
frame portion with any other element configured to transmit a force
actuating in a moving direction of the wheel loader to road
surface.
[0030] Furthermore, according to the invention, a vertical lift
wheel loader may be provided. The vertical lift wheel loader
comprises the above described frame arrangement, an equipment, a
rear frame portion, and an articulating mechanism. The equipment is
mounted to the frame arrangement via the equipment connector of the
main arm of the lifting arrangement of the frame arrangement. The
rear frame portion comprises a pair of rear wheels. It would
however also be possible to provide the rear frame portion with any
other element configured to transmit a force actuating in a moving
direction of the wheel loader to road surface. The frame
arrangement and the rear frame portion are connected via the
articulating mechanism to each other such that the frame
arrangement and the rear frame portion are relatively pivotably to
each other. In other words, the wheel loader comprises an
articulated frame steering/articulated steering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a lifting arrangement according to an
embodiment of the invention in a perspective view in a mounted
state, the lifting arrangement being in a lowered position.
[0032] FIG. 2a shows a main arm support element of the lifting
arrangement of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention in a top view of in a non-mounted state.
[0033] FIG. 2b shows the main arm support element of FIG. 2a in a
side view in the non-mounted state.
[0034] FIG. 2c shows the main arm support element of FIG. 2a in a
further side view in the non-mounted state.
[0035] FIG. 3a is a sectional view of the main arm support element
of FIG. 2a along a line A-A of FIG. 2a in the non-mounted
state.
[0036] FIG. 3b shows the main arm support element of the FIG. 2a in
a perspective view in the non-mounted state, wherein a side plate
of a longitudinal member of the main arm support element is
omitted.
[0037] FIG. 4a shows a main arm of the lifting arrangement of FIG.
1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a top view
in a non-mounted state.
[0038] FIG. 4b shows the main arm of FIG. 4a in a side view in the
non-mounted state.
[0039] FIG. 4c shows the main arm of FIG. 4a in a further side view
in the non-mounted state.
[0040] FIG. 5 shows the main arm of FIG. 4a in a perspective view
in the non-mounted state.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a vertical lift wheel loader
according an embodiment of the invention with the lifting
arrangement of FIG. 1 being in a lowered position in the mounted
state.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the vertical lift wheel loader
of FIG. 6 with the lifting arrangement being in an intermediate
position in the mounted state.
[0043] FIG. 8 shows a side view of the vertical lift wheel loader
of FIG. 6 with a lifting arrangement being in an upper position in
the mounted state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Embodiments of the present invention are subsequently
described with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 8.
[0045] Description of positional relations of constructional
elements of the vertical lift wheel loader made with respect to
FIGS. 1, and 6 to 8 correspond to a mounted state of the respective
constructional elements. Description of positional relations of
constructional elements of the vertical lift wheel loader made with
respect to FIGS. 2a-c, 3a, b, 4a-c, and 5 correspond to a
non-mounted state of the respective constructional elements.
[0046] Directions X (driving direction), Y (width direction), and Z
(vertical direction), which will be defined in following
description, relate to the mounted state of the vertical lift wheel
loader 1.
[0047] In following part of the description, the vertical lift
wheel loader will be described with references to FIGS. 1, and 6 to
8.
[0048] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the vertical lift wheel loader 1
according an embodiment of the invention with a lifting arrangement
133 being in a lowered position in a mounted state. FIG. 7 shows a
side view of the vertical lift wheel loader 1 of FIG. 6 with the
lifting arrangement 133 being in an intermediate position in the
mounted state. FIG. 8 shows a side view of the vertical lift wheel
loader 1 of FIG. 6 with the lifting arrangement 133 being in an
upper (lifted) position in the mounted state. FIG. 1 shows the
lifting arrangement 133 of FIG. 6 in the mounted state, the lifting
arrangement 133 being in the lowered position, i.e. FIG. 1 shows
the lifting arrangement 133 as extracted from the FIG. 6.
[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, the vertical lift wheel
loader 1 comprises an equipment 10, a rear frame portion 11, an
articulating mechanism 12, and a frame arrangement 13.
[0050] The rear frame portion 11 is connected to the frame
arrangement 13 via the articulating mechanism 12 such that the rear
frame portion 11 and the frame arrangement 13 can rotate relatively
to each other about a vertical axis being substantially parallel to
a vertical direction Z. The vertical direction Z being
substantially perpendicular to a road surface on which the wheel
loader 1 is located.
[0051] The rear frame portion 11 comprises an engine compartment
111, a rear axle assembly 112, a drive train (not shown), and an
operator's cab 113. The engine compartment 111 is connected to the
rear axle assembly 112 via the drive train. The drive train is
configured to transmit power from the engine compartment 111 to the
rear axle assembly 112. The engine compartment 111 comprises a
combustion engine and/or an electric motor for generating and
supplying the power (torque) to the drive train. The rear axle
assembly 112 comprises rear wheels 112-1 and is thus configured to
transmit the power received from the engine compartment 111 to the
road surface such that the wheel loader 1 is moved in a driving
direction X. The driving direction X being substantially
perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and extending from the
rear frame portion 11 to the frame arrangement 13. The driving
direction X extends in a front-rear direction of the wheel loader
1. The operator's cab 113 is provided at the rear frame portion 11
and is located above the engine compartment 111 in the driving
vertical direction Z. The operator's cab 113 is provided for an
operator for inputting control signals for controlling the wheel
loader 1.
[0052] The articulating mechanism 12 comprises a pair of bearings
121-1, 121-2, a pair of steering cylinders 122, and control lines
123. The pair of bearings 121-1, 121-2 is provided offset in the
vertical direction Z and substantially in middle of a width
direction Y of the wheel loader. The width direction Y is
perpendicular to the driving direction X as well as to the vertical
direction Z. Both, the width direction Y and the driving direction
X, are substantially parallel to the road surface. Each bearing of
the pair of bearings 121-1, 121-2 comprises a male and a female
part, wherein the male part is fixed to the rear frame portion 11
and the female part is fixed to the frame arrangement 13, or vice
versa. The pair of steering cylinders 122 extend from the rear
frame portion 11 to the frame arrangement 13 substantially
perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. By retracting one
cylinder of the pair of steering cylinders 122 and extending the
other one of the pair of the steering cylinders 122, the rear frame
portion 11 and the frame arrangement 13 rotate relatively to each
other about the vertical axis Z. In other words, steering of the
wheel loader 1 is carried out by retracting and extending the
steering cylinders 122. The control lines 123 extend in the driving
direction X from the rear frame portion 11 to the frame arrangement
12. The control lines 123 are provided for supplying control
signals from the rear frame portion 11 to the frame arrangement 13,
the control signals may also correspond to the control signals
input from the operator.
[0053] The frame arrangement 13 comprises a main arm actuator 131,
a front frame portion 132, the lifting arrangement 133, and a
tilting arrangement 134.
[0054] The front frame portion 132 is connected via the pair of
bearings 121-1, 121-2 to the rear frame portion 11 in the manner as
described above and forms a first part of the frame arrangement 13
in the driving direction X. The front frame portion 132 comprises a
pair of front wheels 132-1 and a mounting structure 132-2. The pair
of front wheels 132-1 are connected to the engine compartment 111
via a part of the drive train (not shown) extending from the rear
frame portion 11 to an axle (not shown) connecting the pair of
front wheels 132-1 to each other. Therefore, the power can not only
be transmitted to the road surface via the rear wheels 112-1 but
also via the pair of front wheels 132-1. The mounting structure
132-2 is configured as a male part such that the lifting
arrangement 133 can be connected to the front frame portion 132 via
the mounting structure 132-2.
[0055] The lifting arrangement 133 comprises a main arm support
element 133-1, a main arm 133-2, and a guiding arrangement
133-3.
[0056] The main arm support element 133-1 comprises a frame
arrangement side end portion 133-11, a main arm side end portion
133-12, a pair of longitudinal members 133-13a, 133-13b, a pair of
connecting elements 133-14a, 133-14b, and a center plate
133-15.
[0057] The two longitudinal members forming the pair of
longitudinal members 133-13a, 133-13b are connected to each other
via the two connecting elements 133-14a, 133-14b forming the pair
of connecting elements 133-14a, 133-14b and the center plate
113-15. In the lowered position of the lifting arrangement 133 the
pair of longitudinal members 133-13a, 133-13b extends substantially
in the vertical direction Z. The frame arrangement side end portion
133-11 is formed by end sides of the pair of longitudinal members
133-13a, 133-13b, respectively. The main arm side end portion
133-12 is formed by the other end sides of the pair of longitudinal
members 133-13a, 133-13b, respectively. In the vertical direction
Z, the main arm side end portion 133-12 is located above the frame
arrangement side end portion 133-11. In the driving direction X in
the lowered position of the lifting arrangement 133, the main arm
side end portion 133-12 is located farer away from the rear frame
portion 11 than the frame arrangement side end portion 133-11. In
other words, in the lowered position of the lifting arrangement
133, the main arm support element 133-1 is inclined in the driving
direction X. The main arm support element 133-1 is connected to the
mounting structure 132-2 of the front frame portion 132 at the
frame arrangement side end portion 133-11. The main arm support
element 133-1 is connected to the main arm 133-2 of the front frame
portion 132 at the main arm side end portion 133-12.
[0058] More specifically, the frame arrangement side end portion
133-11 comprises two bearing portions, i.e. a pair of frame
arrangement side bearing portions 133-111a, 133-111b. One frame
arrangement side bearing portion 133-111a of the pair of frame
arrangement side bearing portions 133-111a, 133-111b is provided at
one longitudinal member 133-13a and the other frame arrangement
side bearing portion 133-111b of the pair of frame arrangement side
bearing portions 133-111a, 133-111b is provided at the other
longitudinal member 133-13b. Each one of the frame arrangement side
bearing portions 133-111a, 133-111b comprises a bearing for
rotatably supporting an axle (not shown) of the mounting structure
132-2 of the front frame portion 132. The axle of the mounting
structure 132-2 penetrates through both longitudinal members
133-13a, 133-13b in the width direction Y and is fixed to the front
frame portion 132. The axle is not limited to a continuously and
may be formed by two independent parts. In conclusion, the main arm
support element 133-1 is pivotably mounted at the frame arrangement
side end portion 133-11 thereof to the frame arrangement 13 of the
vertical lift wheel loader 1. Therefore, when the main arm support
element 133-1 is moved, the main arm side end portion 133-12 of the
main arm support element 133-1 describes a substantially circular
path in a plane formed by the driving direction X and the vertical
direction Z, i.e. in the side view of the vertical lift wheel
loader 1, wherein a center of the circular path is formed by the
axle of the mounting structure 132-2 of the front frame portion
132.
[0059] Also the main arm side end portion 133-12 comprises two
bearing portions, i.e. a pair of main arm side bearing portions
133-121a, 133-121b which will be described in further detail below
in connection with the main arm 133-2.
[0060] The main arm 133-2 is comprises two arms 133-2a, 133-2b, a
mounting portion 133-21 and an equipment connector portion 133-22.
Each one of the arms 133-2a, 133-2b comprises an equipment
connector 133-23a, 133-23b, an arm element 133-24a, 133-24b, and a
main arm actuator connection portion 132-25a, 132-25b.
[0061] The arms 133-2a, 133-2b of the main arm 133-2 extend
substantially parallel to a plane formed by the driving direction X
and the vertical direction Z. The arms 133-2a, 133-2b are connected
to each other via the arm connecting element 133-25 (see also FIG.
4).
[0062] The mounting portion 133-21 of the main arm 133-2 and the
equipment connector portion form end portions of the main arm
133-2, respectively. The equipment connector portion 133-22 is
formed by the equipment connectors 133-23a, 133-23b of the arms
133a, 133b of the main arm 133-2, respectively. Each one of the
equipment connectors 133-23a, 133-23b comprises a bearing
supporting an axle extending through a through hole formed in the
equipment 10 for rotatably supporting the equipment 10 connected to
the main arm 133-2. In the lowered position of the lifting
arrangement 133, the mounting portion 133-21 of the main arm 133-2
is located closer to the rear frame portion 11 than the equipment
connector portion 133-22 in the driving direction X. In the lowered
position of the lifting arrangement 133, the mounting portion
133-21 of the main arm 133-2 is located above the equipment
connector portion 133-22 in the vertical direction Z. The mounting
portion 133-21 of the main arm 133-2 is thus provided for
connecting the main arm 133-2 to the main arm support element 133-1
and the equipment connector portion 133-22 is provided for
connecting the equipment 10 to the main arm 133-2.
[0063] More specifically, one main arm side bearing portion
133-121a of the pair of main arm side bearing portions 133-121a,
133-121b is provided at one longitudinal member 133-13a and the
other main arm side bearing portions 133-121b of the pair of main
arm side bearing portions 133-121a, 133-121b is provided at the
other longitudinal member 133-13b of the main arm support element
133-1. Each one of the main arm side bearing portions 133-121a,
133-121b comprises a bearing for rotatably (pivotably) supporting
the main arm 133-2. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the
main arm side bearing portion 133-121a, 133-121b is a female part
housing a mounting portion 133-21 of the main arm 133-2 which is a
male part, respectively. However, also the other way round would be
possible, i.e. the mounting portion 133-21 of the main arm 133-2 is
a female part housing the main arm side bearing portions 133-121a,
133-121b being a male part (not shown). The bearings of the main
arm side bearing portion 133-121a, 133-121b rotatably supports an
axle extending substantially in the width direction Y and
penetrating through the mounting portion 133-21 of the main arm
133-2. Thus, the main arm 133-2 is pivotably mounted at its
mounting portion 133-21 to the main arm side end portion 133-12 of
said main arm support link 133-1, wherein the axles supported by
the bearings of the main arm side bearing portions 133-121a,
133-121b are a center of a circular path described by the main arm
133-2 when moving. More specifically, when the main arm 133-2 is
moved, the equipment connector portion 133-22 of the main arm
133-2, located at the opposite end of the main arm 133-2 than the
mounting portion 133-21 of the main arm 133-2, describes a
substantially circular path around the main arm side end portion
133-12 of the main arm support element 133-1 in the plane formed by
the driving direction X and the vertical direction Z. The center of
the circular path of the equipment connector portion 133-22 is
formed by the axle supported by the bearings of the main arm side
bearing portions 133-121a, 133-121b, respectively.
[0064] Furthermore, the frame arrangement side bearing portions
133-111a, 133-111b and the main arm side bearing portions 133-121a,
133-121b are, as described above, spaced away from each other in
the width direction Y. More specifically, the frame arrangement
side bearing portions 133-111a, 133-111b of the main arm support
element 133-1 are axially spaced by a frame arrangement side
distance 133-112 and the main arm side bearing portions 133-121a,
133-121b of the main arm support element 133-1 are axially spaced
by a main arm side distance 133-122. The main arm side distance
133-122 is greater than the frame arrangement side distance 133-112
(see also FIG. 2a). Preferably the main arm side distance 133-122
is twice the frame arrangement side distance 133-112. The frame
arrangement side distance 133-112 is the distance between the frame
arrangement side bearing portions 133-111a, 133-111b and the main
arm side distance 133-122 is the distance between the main arm side
bearing portions 133-121a, 133-121b, wherein both distances extend
substantially in the width direction Y.
[0065] However, the main arm 133-2 is not only connected to the
main arm support element 133-1 but also to the guiding arrangement
133-3. Therefore, the arm element 133-24a, 133-24b of the main arm
133-2 are provided at intermediate portions of the arms 133-2a,
133-2b of the main arm 133-2 and protrude from the arms 133-2a,
133-2b of the main arm 133-2 in the width direction Y in the
lowered position of the lifting arrangement 133, respectively. The
arm elements 133-24a, 133-24b provide a mounting surface for the
guiding arrangement 133-3. The arm elements 133-24a, 133-24b are
provided for connecting the main arm 133-2 to the guiding
arrangement 133-3 as will be discussed in detail below.
[0066] The guiding arrangement 133-3 provides a guiding link
133-31a, 133-31b, a first guiding link mount 133-32a, 133-32b, and
a second guiding link mount 133-33a, 133-33b for each arm 133-2a,
133-2b of the main arm 133-2, respectively. In conclusion, the
guiding arrangement 133-3 comprises two guiding links 133-31a,
133-31b, two first guiding link mounts 133-32a, 133-32b, and two
second guiding link mounts 133-33a, 133-33b. Each one of the
guiding links 133-31a, 133-31b comprises a first guiding link mount
end portion 133-311a, 133-311b and a second guiding link mount end
portion 133-312a, 133-312b, respectively.
[0067] The first guiding link mounts 133-32a; 133-32b are provided
at, i.e. fixed to, the respective arm element 133-24a, 133-24b. The
second guiding link mounts 133-33a, 133-33b are provided at, i.e.
fixed to, respective portions of the front frame portion 132 of the
frame arrangement 13. The first guiding link mounts 133-32a,
133-32b have substantially the same outer shape than the arm
elements 133-24a, 133-24b of the main arm 133-2 beside a protrusion
protruding from the arm element 133-24a, 133-24b substantially in
the vertical direction Z in the lowered position of the lifting
arrangement 133, respectively. The guiding links 133-31a, 133-31b
are pivotably connected to the first guiding link mounts 133-32a,
133-32b via the first guiding link mount end portions 133-311a,
133-311b thereof as well as to the second guiding link mounts
133-33a, 133-33b via the second guiding link mount end portion
133-312a, 133-312b thereof, respectively. Since the second guiding
link mount end portion 133-312a, 133-312b are fixed to and
rotatably supported by the front frame portion 132 via the second
guiding link mounts 133-33a, 133-33b, when moving the guiding links
133-31a, 133-31b, the first guiding link mount end portions
133-311a, 133-311b are forced on a circular path around the second
guiding link mount end portion 133-312a, 133-312b. Moreover, since
the first guiding link mount end portions 133-311a, 133-311b are
fixed to and rotatably supported by the main arm 133-2 via the
first guiding link mount 133-32a, 133-32b and the arm element
133-24a, 133-24b, also a movement of the equipment connector
portion 133-22 of the main arm 133-2 is limited by the guiding
arrangement 133-3. As described above, the mounting portion 133-21
of the main arm 133-2 is also connected to the mounting structure
132-2 of the front frame portion 132 via the main arm support
element 133-1, and thus the mounting portion 133-21 of the main arm
133-2 is forced on a circular path around the mounting structure of
the front frame portion 132. Thus, the movement of the equipment
connector portion 133-22 of the main arm 133-2 is further limited
by the main arm support element 133-1. By appropriate choice of
dimensions of the parts forming the frame arrangement 13, when
moving the main arm 133-2 from the lowered to the upper position of
the lifting arrangement 133, the equipment connector portion 133-22
of the main arm 133-2 is forced on a predetermined path being a
substantially vertical path, as seen in FIGS. 6 to 8.
[0068] The movement of the main arm 133-2 from the lowered to the
upper position of the lifting arrangement 133 is reached by
expanding and contracting the main arm actuator 131 which is
connected to the main arm 133-2. The main arm actuator 131 is
provided under the main arm 133-2 in the vertical direction Z of
the main arm 133-2 and comprises two actuators. The main arm
actuator 131 comprises a first portion 131-1 at one end therefore
and a second portion (not shown) on the other end thereof. Each one
of the actuators of the main arm actuator 133 first portion 131-1
of the main arm actuator 131 is connected to the respective main
arm actuator connection portion 133-25a, 133-25b of the main arm
132-2. One main arm actuator connection portion 133-25a, 133-25b is
provided at each arm 133-2a, 133-2b between the arm element
133-24a, 133-24b and the mounting portion 133-21 of the main arm
133-2 in the driving direction X in the lowered position of the
lifting arrangement 133, respectively. The second portion of the
main arm actuator 131 is connected to the front frame portion 132.
The first portion 131-1 of the main arm actuator 131 is located
above the second portion of the main arm actuator 131-1 in the
vertical direction Z in the lowered position of the lifting
arrangement 133.
[0069] The lowered position of the lifting arrangement 133, as seen
in FIG. 6, thereby refers to a state, where the equipment connector
portion 133-22 of the main arm 133-2 is located in a lowermost
position in the vertical direction Z, i.e. nearest position to the
road surface. In the lowered position of the lifting arrangement
133 the main arm actuator 131 is substantially fully retracted.
[0070] The upper position of the lifting arrangement 133, as seen
in FIG. 8, thereby refers to a state, where the equipment connector
portion 133-22 of the main arm 133-2 is located in an uppermost
position in the vertical direction Z, i.e. a position furthest to
the road surface. In the upper position of the lifting arrangement
133 the main arm actuator 131 is substantially fully expanded.
[0071] The intermediate position of the lifting arrangement 133, as
seen in FIG. 7, thereby refers to a state, where the equipment
connector portion 133-22 of the main arm 133-2 is located between
the uppermost position and the lowermost position thereof in the
vertical direction Z, i.e. a position between the uppermost and the
lowermost position of the equipment connector portion 133-22 of the
main arm 133-2 with respect to the road surface. In the
intermediate position of the lifting arrangement 133 the main arm
actuator 131 is not substantially fully retracted but also not
substantially fully expanded, i.e. the main arm actuator 131 is an
intermediate state.
[0072] As outlined above, the frame arrangement 13 further
comprises the tilting arrangement 134 which is provided between the
arms 133-2a, 133-2b of the main arm 133-2. The tilting arrangement
134 comprises a tilting mount 134-1, a tilting connector 134-2, and
a tilting actuator 134-3.
[0073] The tilting actuator 134-3 is pivotably connected at one end
thereof to the center plate 133-15 of the main arm support element
133-1 and at the other end thereof to the tilting connector 134-2.
The center plate 133-15 is sandwiched between the pair of
connecting elements 133-14a, 133-14b. The tilting actuator 134-3 is
provided at least partly above the main 133-2 in the vertical
direction Z in the lowered position of the lifting arrangement 133.
The tilting connector 134-2 is pivotably connected at one end
thereof to the tilting actuator 134-3 and at the other end thereof
to the tilting mount 134-1. The tilting connector 134-2 is further
pivotably connected to tilting connector portions 133-251, 133-252
of the arm connecting element 133-25 of the main arm 133-2 (see
also FIG. 4a). The tilting mount 134-1 is connected pivotably to
the tilting connector 134-2 and at the other end thereof to the
equipment 10. The tilting mount 134-1 is provided at least partly
under the main 133-2 at the one end thereof and above the main arm
133-2 at the other end thereof in the vertical direction Z in the
mounted state in the lowered position of the main arm 133-2. In
conclusion, the tilting arrangement 134 has substantially a Z-shape
in the plane formed by the driving direction X and the vertical
direction Z in the lowered position of the lifting arrangement 133.
Therefore, by expanding and retracting the tilting actuator 134-3,
tilting of the equipment 10 can be controlled.
[0074] In the following, the main arm support element 133-1 will be
described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 2a-c, and 3a,
b.
[0075] The main arm support element 133-1 is formed as welded
structure and comprises the two longitudinal members 133-13a,
133-13b which are interconnected by the two connecting elements
133-14a, 133-14b. The center plate 133-15 is located between the
two connecting elements 133-14a, 133-14b. In other words, the main
arm support element 133-1 has a substantially H shape. Both, the
two longitudinal members 133-13a, 133-13b and the connecting
elements 133-14a, 133-14b are formed in a box shape and by a
plurality of sheet metal elements which form a substantially closed
space inside. More specifically, each one of the two longitudinal
member 133-13a, 133-13b comprises two side plates 133-13aa,
133-13ab, 133-13ba, 133-13bb and two connecting plates 133-133a,
133-133b. One of the side plates 133-13aa, 133-13ba of each
longitudinal member 133-13a, 133-13b is connected to the respective
connecting element 133-14, 133-14b connected to the respective
longitudinal member 133-13a, 133-13b, wherein the other side plate
133-13ab, 133-13bb forms an outside of the respective longitudinal
member 133-13a, 133-13b. The side plates 133-13aa, 133-13ab,
133-13ba, 133-13bb are connected to each other via the connecting
plates 133-133a, 133-133b, respectively. In conclusion, each one of
the two longitudinal members 133-13a, 133-13b has a closed profile
and is formed with a cranked configuration. With the above
described structure, the two longitudinal members 133-13a, 133-13b,
connected via the two connecting elements 133-14a, 133-14b and the
center plate 133-15 to each other, form a rigid body for
transferring forces from the main arm 133-2 to the front frame
portion 132.
[0076] The mount 133-151 of the center plate 133-15 for connecting
the main arm support element 133-1 to the tilting arrangement 134
is substantially housed between the two longitudinal members
133-13a. 133-13b, and therefore the bearing of the mount 133-151 of
the center plate 133-15 is protected from outer forces such as
stone-chipping and so on.
[0077] The longitudinal member 133-13a, 133-13b is divided in three
sub portions, i.e. the main arm side bearing portion 133-121a,
133-121b, the frame arrangement side bearing portion 133-111a,
133-111b and an intermediate portion connecting them. At the main
arm side bearing portion 133-121a, 133-121b the pairs of side
plates 133-13aa, 133-13ab, 133-13ba, 133-13bb forming the
longitudinal members 133-13a, 133-13b are substantially parallel to
the center plate 133-15. At the frame arrangement side bearing
portion 133-111a, 133-111b the pairs of side plates 133-13aa,
133-13ab, 133-13ba, 133-13bb forming the longitudinal members
133-13a, 133-13b are substantially parallel to the center plate
133-15. Since, as explained above, the main arm side distance
133-122 is smaller than the frame arrangement side distance 133-112
and both, the frame arrangement side bearing portion 133-111a,
133-111b and the main arm side bearing portion 133-121a, 133-121b
extend substantially parallel to each other, the intermediate
portion connecting the frame arrangement side bearing portion
133-111a, 133-111b and the main arm side bearing portion 133-121a,
133-121b is inclined with respect to center plate as well as the
frame arrangement side bearing portion 133-111a, 133-111b and the
main arm side bearing portion 133-121a, 133-121b. The connecting
elements 133-14a, 133-14b are connected to the inclined
intermediate portions of the longitudinal members 133-13a, 133-13b
preferably by welding.
[0078] Referring especially to the FIG. 3a showing a sectional view
of the main arm support element 133-1 along a line A-A of the FIG.
2a, and to the FIG. 3b showing the main arm support element 133-1
of the FIG. 2a in a perspective view wherein the side plate
133-13ab of the longitudinal member 133-13a is omitted. The
following explanations are directed to the connecting element
133-14a and the longitudinal member 133-13a but however apply also
to the other connecting element 133-14b and the longitudinal member
133-13b. As can be gathered from FIG. 3a the connecting element
133-14a, which is formed in the above described box shape,
comprises four plates, i.e. a first plate 133-141, a second plate
133-141, a third plate 133-143, and a fourth plate 133-144. As seen
in FIG. 3, the four plates 133-141, 133-142, 133-143, 133-144 are
connected to each other such that they the connecting element
133-14a has a substantially four-sided (quadrangular) outer shape
in a cross section thereof (see FIG. 3a). The first and third
plates 133-141, 133-143 extend substantially from the frame
arrangement side bearing portion 133-111a, 133-111b to the main arm
side bearing portion 133-121a, 133-121b of the longitudinal member
133-13a. Both, the first and third plates 133-141, 133-143,
comprise a kink dividing the first and third plates 133-141,
133-143 in two sub portions 133-141a, 133-141b, 133-143a, 133-143b,
respectively, wherein these two sub portions 133-141a, 133-141b,
133-143a, 133-143b are inclined relatively to each other.
Furthermore, the first and third plates 133-141, 133-143 abut
against the second plate 133-142 on their sub portion 133-141a,
133-143a which is located closer to the frame arrangement side
bearing portion 133-111b than to the main arm side bearing portion
133-121, respectively. The sub portions 133-141b, 133-143b which
are located closer to the main arm side bearing portion 133-121
than to the frame arrangement side bearing portion 133-111b
sandwich, i.e. house, the fourth plate 133-144 there between.
Preferably both, the first and third plates 133-141, 133-143, but
at least the first plate 133-141 comprises a rounded end portion on
its end portion facing the main arm side bearing portion 133-121.
These rounded end portions protrude from the second end plate in a
direction to the main arm bearing portion 133-121 and therefore
provide the technical effect that tension peaks at the connecting
element 133-14b are avoided. Moreover, as can be gathered from FIG.
3b, the second plate 133-142 is inclined with respect to the side
plate 133-13ab and thus forces acting on the center plate 133-15,
e.g. via the mount 133-151 of the center plate 133-155 connected to
the tilting arrangement 134, can be introduced in an advantageously
manner into the longitudinal member 133-13a and thus into the front
frame portion 132 via the mounting structure of the front frame
portion 132.
[0079] Furthermore, as becomes clear from FIG. 3b, the connecting
plates 133-133a, 133-133b connecting the pair of side plates
133-13aa, 133-13ab, 133-13ba, 133-13bb of the pair of longitudinal
members 133-13a, 133-13b, respectively, are formed by welding
(preferably by providing a fillet weld) two bent metal sheets onto
inner sides of the pair of side plates 133-13aa, 133-13ab,
133-13ba, 133-13bb, the inner sides facing each other. One end
portion of each one of the connecting plates 133-133a, 133-133b is
connected to a bearing housing provided for the bearing of the
frame arrangement side bearing portion 133-111a, 133-111b and the
other end portion faces the main arm side end portion 133-12 and
forms a border between the intermediate portion and the main arm
side bearing portion 133-121a, 133-121b of the respective
longitudinal member 113-13a, 113-13b. As outlined above the
longitudinal members 133-13a, 133-13b have a closed profile. Thus
at the one end portion of each one of the connecting plates
133-133a, 133-133b which is connected to the bearing housing
provided for the bearing of the frame arrangement side bearing
portion 133-111a, 133-111b the two bent metal sheets forming the
respective connecting plate 133-133a, 133-133b are welded to the
bearing housing. At the other end portion facing the main arm side
end portion 133-12 the two bent metal sheets forming the respective
connecting plate 133-133a, 133-133b are also connected to each
other via welding.
[0080] In the following, the configuration of the main arm 133-2
will be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 4a-c,
and 5.
[0081] As described above, the main arm 133-2 comprises the arm
connecting element 133-25 sandwiched between 133-2a, 133-2b and
connecting the arms 133-2a, 133-2b to each other. The arm
connecting element 133-25 is provided between the equipment
connectors 133-23a, 133-23b forming the equipment connector portion
133-23 and the main arm actuator connection portions 133-25a,
133-25b. The arm connecting element 133-25 comprises the tilting
connector portion 133-251, 133-252 and rounded connecting elements
133-253, 133-254. The arm connecting element 133-25 is connected to
the arms 133-2a, 133-2b also via the rounded connecting elements
133-253, 133-254, respectively. The rounded connecting elements
133-253, 133-254 provide the technical effect that torsion peaks
between the arm connecting element 133-25 and the arms 133-2a,
133-2b are avoided and they support the arm connecting element
133-25 further at the arms 133-2a, 133-2b. As seen in FIGS. 4b and
5 the connecting element 133-25 has rounded corners and thus also
torsion peaks inside the connecting element 133-25 itself are
avoided. Preferably the connecting element 133-25 is formed from
two parts, i.e. an upper and a lower half, welded together, as can
be gathered from FIG. 5, thus having a box shape. The tilting
connector portions 133-251, 133-252 are provided on the arm
connecting element 133-25 for connecting the main arm 133-2 to the
tilting connector 134-2 of the tilting arrangement. Since forces
acting on the tilting arrangement 134 are transferred via the
tilting connector 134-2 and the tilting connector portions 133-251,
133-252 also the tilting connector portions 133-251, 133-252 are
provided with rounded connecting elements 133-251a, 133-252b. The
rounded connecting elements 133-251a, 133-252b provide the
technical effect that torsion peaks between the arm connecting
element 133-25 and the tilting connector portions 133-251, 133-252
are avoided and they support the tilting connector portions
133-251, 133-252 further at the arm connecting element 133-25.
[0082] The arm elements 133-24a, 133-24b connected to both arms
133-2a, 133-2b, respectively, are provided for connecting the main
arm 133-2 to the guiding arrangement 133-3 via the guiding links
133-31a, 133-31b. Each one of the arm elements 133-24a, 133-24b is
preferably formed by two bend metal sheets welded together such
that a box shape is the result.
* * * * *