GB2091655A - Articulated frame joint - Google Patents
Articulated frame joint Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2091655A GB2091655A GB8200719A GB8200719A GB2091655A GB 2091655 A GB2091655 A GB 2091655A GB 8200719 A GB8200719 A GB 8200719A GB 8200719 A GB8200719 A GB 8200719A GB 2091655 A GB2091655 A GB 2091655A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- frame means
- frame
- pivot pin
- carried
- collets
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D53/00—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains
- B62D53/02—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains comprising a uniaxle tractor unit and a uniaxle trailer unit
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/08—Superstructures; Supports for superstructures
- E02F9/0841—Articulated frame, i.e. having at least one pivot point between two travelling gear units
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
An articulated frame joint for an articulated vehicle comprises an upper pivotal connection 40 formed to allow the upper portions of the connection between the two vehicle sections 10, 20 to float vertically relative to each other, and a lower pivotal connection 50 formed to prevent any relative vertical movement between the two frame sections 10, 20 of the vehicle. The upper and lower pivotal connections 40, 60 comprise tapered roller bearings 14. The lower tapered roller bearings 14 are secured on a pin 51 by means including tapered collets 55, 56 <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Articulated frame joint with tapered bearings and tapered collets
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates, in general, to articulated vehicles and, in particular, to the hinge joint between the front and rear frames of an articulated vehicle.
More specifically, but without restriction to the particular use which is shown and described, this invention relates to joining the front and rear frames of an articulated vehicle be means of a pivot connection utilizing tapered roller bearings and tapered collets to form an improved joinder of the front and rear vehicle frames.
In the operation of certain type of vehicles such as those utilized in the earthmoving and construction industry, in order to increase maneuverability and efficiency of vehicle operation it is very advantageous that the vehicle be articulated about a pivot axis to permit pivoting of one portion of the vehicle relative to the other.
Such articulation is particularly desirable with earth moving or construction vehicles, such as a front-end or wheel loader, wherein a bucket or scoop on the forward portion of the vehicle is utilized to move materials from one location to another. With such vehicles, a forward portion of the vehicle, having a front frame, is joined to the rear portion of the vehicle, or rear frame, about such a pivot connection. While such articulation greatly increases the maneuverability of a frontend loader, the repeated pivotal movement between the front and the rear frames about this pivot Fonnection sometimes results in the pivot joint becoming loose which must be corrected to prevent damage to the vehicle. Such loosening of the pivot connection requires taking the vehicle out of service and, therefore, decreases efficiency of operation and productivity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to improve articulated vehicles.
Another object of this invention is to improve the pivot connection between portions of articulated vehicles.
A further object of this invention is to maintain a tight pivotal connection between pivoting portions of an articulated vehicle.
Still another object of this invention is to prevent loosening of the pivot connection between portions of an articulated vehicle.
These and other objects are attained in accordance with the present invention wherein there is provided an improved pivot connection for use with an articulated vehicle wherein a pivotal connection is formed to allow the upper portion of the connection between the two vehicle frames to float relative to each other, and the lower portion of the pivot connection is formed to prevent any relative vertical movement between the two frame portions of the vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects of the invention together with additional features contributing thereto and advantages accruing therefrom will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is shown in the accompanying drawings with like reference numerals indicating corresponding parts throughout, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side-elevation view of an articulated vehicle in which the present invention is incorporated; and
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the pivotal connection between the frame portions of the articulated vehicle with portions broken away to better illustrate the features thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown an articulated vehicle 100 of a type commonly referred to as a wheel-loader or a front-end loader.
The wheel-loader 1 00 includes a forward section 10 supported by a pair of front wheels 11 (one of which is shown) and a hydraulically actuated bucket 12 supported from a forward frame assembly which includes a forward or front frame member 13. The forward or front frame member 13 functions to form a pivot connection for joining the frame portions of the articulated vehicle.
A rear section 20 of the vehicle 100 includes an engine, not shown, and an operator station 21 carried on a pair of rear wheels 22 (one of which is shown) and supported by a rear frame assembly which includes a rear frame member 23. The rear frame member 23 is operatively connected to the front frame member 1 3 to form the articulated connection between the forward section 10 and the rear section 20 to allow the vehicle to pivot about a pivot axis 30 which passes through the articulating hinge connection of the vehicle.
As shown in Fig. 2, the forward frame member 13 carries a pair of tapered roller bearing assemblies 1 4 at both an upper pivot connection 40 and a lower pivot connection 50. The roller bearing assemblies 14 are each carried at the ends of frame member 13 and held between a pair of plates 1 5 joined by means of bolt assemblies 1 6 to secure the roller bearing assemblies 14 in a desired position. Lubrication for the roller bearing assemblies 14 is supplied through a fitting 17 which is in fluid communication with each bearing assembly by means of a suitable bore. Each of the plates 1 5 is formed with a groove for receiving a suitable seal or packing 1 8 to prevent loss of lubricant therethrough.
The upper pivot connection 40, between the front frame member 13 and rear frame member 23, is formed through the inner race of the tapered roller bearing assembly 1 4 being connected to and engaging an upper pivot pin 41 supported by bushings 42 between two portions 23a and 23b of the rear frame member 23. The outer race of the bearing assembly is connected to the forward frame member 13. The upper pin 41 is fixedly connected betwen the two rear frame member portions 23a and 23b by means of the bushings 42 which connect the upper pivot pin 41 to each of the rear frame members 23a and 23b.As best shown in Fig.2, the upper end or head of pivot pin 41 is carried by portion 23a of the rear frame member 23, and the lower end of the upper pivot pin 41 has secured thereto a plate 43 which secures the pin 41 between portions 23a and 23b, but spaced out of contact with portion 23b of the rear frame member 23. In this manner the upper pivot connection 40, between the front frame 13 and rear frame 23, permits the upper tapered roller bearing assembly 14 to "float" on the upper pivot pin 41 so that no vertical loading is transmitted at this connection. To insure that the pivot pin 41 does not pivot relative to the rear frame member 23, the plate 43 is formed with a depending leg 44 which engages a U-shaped bracket 45 secured to the bottom of portion 23b of rear frame member 23 as by welding.
Referring to the lower pivot connection 50, the lower portion of the front frame member 13 also has the tapered roller bearing assembly 14 carried thereby and connected to a lower pivot pin 51 in the manner previously described with reference to the upper tapered roller bearing assembly 14. The plates 15, between which the tapered roller bearing assembly 14 is secured, are connected together by a similar bolting assembly 1 6 with seals 18 forming a lubricant-tight seal. At the lower pivot connection 50, the lower pivot pin 51 is fixedly connected between two parallel portions 23c and 23d of the rear frame members with the tapered roller bearing assembly 14 carried therebetween.An upper end of the lower pivot pin 51 extends through the portion 23c of the rear frame members 23 and is supported therein by means of a bushing 42 with the head of pin 51 in contact with portion 23c of the rear frame members. Two spacers, 52 and 53 are positioned between the lower surface of rear frame member portion 23c and the inner race of the tapered roller bearing assembly 14. The spacers 52 and 53 are coaxial with the lower pivot pin 51 and secured thereabout.
A spacer 54, similar to the spacer 53, is carried at a lower end of the lower pivot pin 51 and is coaxial therewith and secured thereto in the same manner as the spacer 53. The lowermost end of spacer 54 engages a base portion of an outer tapered collet 55 which is coaxial with the pivot axis 30 and supported in a bore in the lower portion 23d of the rear frame member 23. The uppermost end of spacer 54 abuts the inner race of the lower tapered roller bearing assembly 14.
A second or inner tapered collet 56 is aiso carried coaxially with the pivot axis 30 and positioned such that a tapered face of each collet 55 and 56 mates. Upon vertical movement of tapered collet 56, relative to the other tapered collet 55, a horizontal force will be imposed upon the tapered collet 55 as well as a vertical force.
This horizontal force fixes the connection between the pivot pin 51 and frame 23.
A bearing plate 57 is carried by the lowermost end of the lower pivot pin 51 which may be tightened against the inner tapered collet 56 by tightening of cap screws 58 threadingly engaged in the lower pivot pin. This tightening will thereby form a rigid connection throughout the assembly and spacers between the frame portions 23c and 23d which prevent the lower pivot bearing connection 50 from floating. The torquing of the cap screws 58 forces the inner tapered collect 56 upward against the tapered collet 55 wedging the collet 55 outwardly against the bore formed in the lower rear frame member portion 23d. The inner tapered collet 56 also pushes against the outer tapered collet 55 forcing the outer tapered collet 55 upward against the spacer 54 to insure metal to metal contact.This metal to metal contact thereby prevents relative movement between the lower pivot pin 51 and the rear frame 23 thereby eliminating any need for the use of shims under the end plate as heretofore required. In this manner the lower pivot bearing connection is fixed to thereby absorb all vertical loading in the lower pivot bearing.
While the invention has been disclosed with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include ail embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (11)
1. A pivot connection for coupling together the frame portions of an articulated vehicle to permit relative movement between portions of the vehicle about a pivot axis comprisiny a first frame means carried by a first portion of an articulated vehicle and having an upper and lower end thereof for connection with a second portion of an articulated vehicle, a second frame means carried by a second portion of an articulated vehicle and having an upper and lower end thereof for connection with said first frame means for forming a pivotal connection therewith about which said first and second portions of the vehicle may pivot relative to each other, a tapered roller bearing assembly carried at each end of said first frame means for operative connection to said upper and lower ends of said second frame means, said tapered roller bearing assembly carried at said upper end of said first frame means being connected with said upper end of said second frame means for pivotal movement relative thereto, and said tapered roller bearing assembly carried at sait lower end of said first frame means being connected with said lower end of said second frame means for pivotal movement relative thereto and fixedly secured for vertical movement therewith.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said upper
and lower end of said second frame means each
comprise a pair of spaced parallel frame members
having a pivot pin extending therebetween with
which said first frame means is pivotally
connected.
3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said upper
and lower end of said first frame means are
connected between said spaced parallel frame
members at said upper and lower ends of said
second frame member, respectively.
4. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said upper
end of said first frame means is pivotally
connected to said pivot pin carried between said
upper pair of spaced parallel frame members of said second frame means and spaced from
operative contact with said spaced parallel frame members.
5. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said lower
end of said first frame means is pivotally
connected to said pivot pin carried between said
lower pair of spaced parallel frame members of
said second frame means in operative contact with said spaced parallel frame members to prevent vertical movement relative thereto.
6. The apparatus of Claim 5 further including a
plurality of spacers positioned coaxially about said
lower pivot pin and carried between said tapered
roller bearing assembly and said spaced parallel frame members of said lower end of said second frame means to form an operative connection between said tapered roller bearing assembly and said spaced parallel frame member to prevent vertical movement relative thereto.
7. The apparatus of Claim 5 further including at
least two relatively movable expandable collets positioned coaxially about said lower pivot pin and carried between said pivot pin and at least one of said spaced parallel frame members of said lower end of said second frame means for securing said pivot pin to said second frame means upon relative movement between said collets.
8. The apparatus of Claim 5 further including at least two relatively movable expandable collets positioned coaxially about said lower pivot pin and carried by said lower end of said second frame means in operative contact with said tapered roller bearing assemblies positioned therebetween to form said operative contact between said lower ends of said first and second frame means to prevent vertical movement therebetween.
9. The apparatus to Claim 7 further including a bearing plate connected to said lower pivot pin for vertical movement relative thereto and in contact with at least one of said collets, and means for vertically moving said bearing plate relative to said lower pivot pin to effect expansion of said collets into contact with said lower end of said second frame means.
1 0. The apparatus of Claim 8 further including a bearing plate connected to said lower pivot pin for vertical movement relative thereto and in contact with at least one of said collets, and means for vertically moving said bearing plate relative to said lower pivot pin to move said collets into operative contact with said lower tapered roller bearing assembly to fixedly secure said lower end of said first frame means to said lower end of said second frame to prevent relative vertical movement.
11. An articulated frame joint with tapered bearings and tapered collets constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US22748681A | 1981-01-22 | 1981-01-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB2091655A true GB2091655A (en) | 1982-08-04 |
Family
ID=22853289
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB8200719A Withdrawn GB2091655A (en) | 1981-01-22 | 1982-01-11 | Articulated frame joint |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
KR (1) | KR830008854A (en) |
AR (1) | AR226950A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR8200295A (en) |
DE (1) | DE3201139A1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2498273A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2091655A (en) |
IT (1) | IT1150136B (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ199426A (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA82102B (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2188023A (en) * | 1986-03-18 | 1987-09-23 | Willem Marines De Weerd | Service boom |
WO1994020766A1 (en) * | 1993-03-11 | 1994-09-15 | Wagner Mining And Construction Equipment Co. | Articulated vehicle and hinge assembly |
CN102278139A (en) * | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-14 | 中国煤炭科工集团太原研究院 | Low-narrow type multifunctional anti-explosion diesel carry scraper |
CN102390441A (en) * | 2011-10-08 | 2012-03-28 | 徐州凯尔机械有限公司 | Articulated frame for wheeled tractors |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11473266B2 (en) * | 2018-03-28 | 2022-10-18 | Caterpillar Inc. | Articulation joint for a machine |
-
1982
- 1982-01-06 NZ NZ199426A patent/NZ199426A/en unknown
- 1982-01-07 ZA ZA82102A patent/ZA82102B/en unknown
- 1982-01-11 GB GB8200719A patent/GB2091655A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1982-01-15 DE DE19823201139 patent/DE3201139A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1982-01-19 AR AR288154A patent/AR226950A1/en active
- 1982-01-21 BR BR8200295A patent/BR8200295A/en unknown
- 1982-01-21 IT IT19231/82A patent/IT1150136B/en active
- 1982-01-22 KR KR1019820000278A patent/KR830008854A/en unknown
- 1982-01-22 FR FR8201003A patent/FR2498273A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2188023A (en) * | 1986-03-18 | 1987-09-23 | Willem Marines De Weerd | Service boom |
WO1994020766A1 (en) * | 1993-03-11 | 1994-09-15 | Wagner Mining And Construction Equipment Co. | Articulated vehicle and hinge assembly |
US5366299A (en) * | 1993-03-11 | 1994-11-22 | Wagner Mining And Construction Equipment Co. | Articulated vehicle and hinge assembly |
CN1057050C (en) * | 1993-03-11 | 2000-10-04 | 奥特雷斯考柏克瓦格纳公司 | Articulated vehicle and hinge assembly |
CN102278139A (en) * | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-14 | 中国煤炭科工集团太原研究院 | Low-narrow type multifunctional anti-explosion diesel carry scraper |
CN102390441A (en) * | 2011-10-08 | 2012-03-28 | 徐州凯尔机械有限公司 | Articulated frame for wheeled tractors |
CN102390441B (en) * | 2011-10-08 | 2013-07-10 | 徐州凯尔机械有限公司 | Articulated frame for wheeled tractors |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE3201139A1 (en) | 1982-10-21 |
IT1150136B (en) | 1986-12-10 |
KR830008854A (en) | 1983-12-16 |
FR2498273A1 (en) | 1982-07-23 |
BR8200295A (en) | 1982-11-23 |
ZA82102B (en) | 1983-08-31 |
AR226950A1 (en) | 1982-08-31 |
IT8219231A0 (en) | 1982-01-21 |
NZ199426A (en) | 1984-05-31 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |