WEAR PLATE FOR WORK IMPLEMENT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a work implement for a work machine, and more particularly, to a wear assembly for the work implement of the work machine and a wear plate for the work implement of the work machine.

BACKGROUND

A work machine, such as a wheel loader or an excavator, includes a work implement to perform one or more work operations. The work implement may include a bucket. The work implement may be used for scooping, holding, and moving loosely packed materials like sand, mud, mineral powder, and the like. The work implement is subjected to a high degree of abrasion wear while performing the work operations. The work implement often includes a wear plate to inhibit abrasion wear on a base of the work implement. Conventionally, a mounting plate is coupled with the base of the work implement for example, by welding. Further, the wear plate is removably coupled with the mounting plate via one or more fastening means, such as, bolts.

Generally, while performing work operations, the one or more fastening means may wear out that results in a separation of the wear plate from the work implement. In such cases, the wear plate may separate from the work implement before completion of an expected service life of the wear plate, which may prevent an effective utilization of the wear plate. For example, the wear plate may have a remaining service life for example, 50%, before the wear plate separates from the work implement. Further, the half-worn wear plate is excess mass that may serve no purpose and may reduce a maximum payload capability of the work implement as well as a fuel efficiency of the work machine. Furthermore, the welding of the mounting plate with the base of the work implement may cause distortion in the wear plate that may lead to failure of the wear plate due to preloading from the fastening means while coupling the wear plate with the mounting plate.

U.S. Patent Number 9,371,631 describes a wear member assembly that has a wear member, a wear member receiver with at least first and second contact portions and at least one aperture to receive at least one wear member locating member of the wear member. An attachment mechanism, releasably attaches the wear member to the receiver has at least one moveable attachment member and at least one respective fastening means. Actuation of each of the fastening means moves the associated attachment member to apply a retaining force to one of the contact portions of the receiver and causes the respective wear member locating member to apply a retaining force to the other of the contact portions of the receiver. At least one of the receiver first and second contact portions has a sloped or tapered face, and the corresponding wear member locating member or attachment member has a slope or taper, such that contact between the wear member locating member slope/taper or attachment member slope/taper and a corresponding one of the wear member receiver sloped/tapered contact portions causes the wear member to positively locate to the receiver when the releasable fastening means is actuated thereby releasably retaining the wear member to the outer surface of the earth moving apparatus member.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a wear plate for a work implement of a work machine is provided. The wear plate includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The body defines an engagement surface that is adapted to face a base structure of the work implement, an operational surface opposite the engagement surface, and a cut-out extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface. The wear plate also includes at least two projections extending outwards from the engagement surface along the vertical axis. Each of the at least two projections is adapted to be received within a base structure of the work implement to removably couple the wear plate with the work implement, such that the at least two projections are isolated from the operational surface of the wear plate.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a wear assembly for a work implement of a work machine is provided. The wear assembly includes a mounting plate adapted to be coupled with a base of the work implement. The mounting plate extends along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The mounting plate defines a pair of opposing surfaces and a first cut-out extending between the pair of opposing surfaces of the mounting plate. The wear assembly also includes a wear plate removably coupled with the mounting plate. The wear plate includes a body extending along the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis, and the vertical axis. The body defines an engagement surface that faces the mounting plate of the work implement, an operational surface opposite the engagement surface, and a second cut-out extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface. The wear plate also includes at least two projections extending outwards from the engagement surface along the vertical axis. Each of the at least two projections is received within the mounting plate to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate, such that the at least two projections are isolated from the operational surface of the wear plate.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a work implement for a work machine is provided. The work implement includes an implement body defining a base. The work implement also includes a wear assembly coupled with the base of the implement body. The wear assembly includes a mounting plate coupled with the base of the work implement. The mounting plate extends along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The mounting plate defines a pair of opposing surfaces and a first cut-out extending between the pair of opposing surfaces of the mounting plate. The wear assembly also includes a wear plate removably coupled with the mounting plate. The wear plate includes a body extending along the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis, and the vertical axis. The body defines an engagement surface that faces the mounting plate of the work implement, an operational surface opposite the engagement surface, and a second cut-out extending from the engagement surface to the operational surface. The wear plate also includes at least two projections extending outwards from the engagement surface along the vertical axis. Each of the at least two projections is received within the mounting plate to removably couple the wear plate with the mounting plate, such that the at least two projections are isolated from the operational surface of the wear plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an exemplary work machine;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a wear assembly for a work implement of the work machine of FIG. 1, according to an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of the wear assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a wear plate of the wear assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a wear assembly for the work implement of the work machine of FIG. 1, according to another example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a schematic perspective view of a mounting plate of the wear assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view of a wear plate of the wear assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the wear assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7A illustrates a bottom perspective view of the wear assembly of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7B illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of the wear assembly of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic side view of an exemplary work machine 100 is illustrated. The work machine 100 is embodied as a wheel loader that may be used in industries, such as, construction, landscaping, agriculture, and the like. The work machine 100 may include a small wheel loader or a large wheel loader. Alternatively, the work machine 100 may include any other machine that includes a work implement, such as, a dozer, an excavator, a track-type tractor, a motor grader, and the like that may be used in various industries to perform one or more work operations.

The work machine 100 includes a frame 102 that supports various components of the work machine 100. The work machine 100 also includes a hood 104 mounted on the frame 102. Further, the work machine 100 includes a prime mover 106 supported by the frame 102. The prime mover 106 is disposed within the hood 104. The prime mover 106 may provide power to various components of the work machine 100 for operational and mobility requirements. The prime mover 106 may include a battery system, a fuel cell, and/or an engine for example, an internal combustion engine.

The work machine 100 includes a pair of front wheels 108 and a pair of rear wheels 110. The front wheels 108 and the rear wheels 110 provide support and mobility to the work machine 100 on grounds. In other examples, the work machine 100 may include two or more pairs of front wheels 108 and/or the rear wheels 110. Alternatively, the work machine 100 may include tracks instead of the wheels 108, 110.

Further, the work machine 100 includes an operator cabin 112 supported by the frame 102. The work machine 100 also includes a linkage assembly 114 coupled with the frame 102. The linkage assembly 114 is movably coupled with the frame 102. The linkage assembly 114 includes a pair of linkage arms 116 (only one of which is shown in the view shown in FIG. 1) coupled with the frame 102 at one end thereof.

The work machine 100 also includes a work implement 118. Specifically, the linkage assembly 114 includes the work implement 118. The work implement 118 is embodied as a bucket herein. Alternatively, the work implement 118 may include a blade or any other work implement that requires a wear assembly at a base thereof. The work implement 118 includes an implement body 120 defining a base 122. The work implement 118 includes a base structure 124. The work implement 118 further includes a number of ground engaging tools (not shown herein) coupled with the implement body 120. The ground engaging tools may engage with material while the work machine 100 is in operation.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the wear assembly 200 for the work implement 118 of the work machine 100 of FIG. 1, according to an example of the present disclosure. Specifically, the work implement 118 includes the wear assembly 200. The wear assembly 200 is coupled with the base 122 of the implement body 120. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of the wear assembly 200 of FIG. 2A. With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the wear assembly 200 includes a mounting plate 202 coupled with the base 122 of the work implement 118. The mounting plate 202 and the base 122 form a part of the base structure 124 of the work implement 118. In some examples, the mounting plate 202 may be removably coupled with the base 122 of the work implement 118 via one or more fastening means (not shown herein). In other examples, the mounting plate 202 may be coupled with the base 122 of the work implement 118 via welding, brazing, soldering, and the like.

The mounting plate 202 extends along a longitudinal axis A1, a lateral axis A2 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A1, and a vertical axis A3 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A1. The mounting plate 202 defines a pair of opposing surfaces 204, 206. The mounting plate 202 also defines a first cut-out 208 extending between the pair of opposing surfaces 204, 206 of the mounting plate 202. The first cut-out 208 is semi-circular in shape.

The mounting plate 202 further defines four first through-openings 210 (only two of which are visible in FIG. 2B) extending along the vertical axis A3 between the pair of opposing surfaces 204, 206 of the mounting plate 202. Each first through-opening 210 is circular in shape. Each first through-opening 210 defines a chamfer 211 that extends from the surface 206 towards the surface 204 of the mounting plate 202.

The wear assembly 200 also includes a wear plate 212 removably coupled with the mounting plate 202. The mounting plate 202 facilitates coupling of the wear plate 212 with the base 122. It may be contemplated that, in some examples, the mounting plate 202 may be replaced by any other component/structure that facilitates coupling of the wear plate 212 with the base 122 of the work implement 118. In other examples, the wear plate 212 may be directly coupled with the base 122 without any intermediate components/structures.

In some examples, the wear plate 212 may be manufactured from a metal, such as, steel or its alloys. In an example, the wear plate 212 may be made of a cast heat treated material. The present disclosure is not limited by a material of the wear plate 212.

Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic perspective view of the wear plate 212 of the wear assembly 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B is illustrated. The wear plate 212 defines a first end 230 and a second end 232. The wear plate 212 includes a body 214 extending along the longitudinal axis A1, the lateral axis A2, and the vertical axis A3. The body 214 defines an engagement surface 216 that faces the base structure 124 of the work implement 118. Specifically, the engagement surface 216 faces the mounting plate 202 of the work implement 118. The body 214 also defines an operational surface 218 opposite the engagement surface 216. The operational surface 218 is a wear prone surface of the wear plate 212 that may be subjected to wear and abrasion through-out an operational life of the wear plate 212. In other words, the operational surface 218 is a primary wear surface of the wear plate 212. The body 214 further defines a cut-out 220 extending from the engagement surface 216 to the operational surface 218. The cut-out 220 is hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “second cut-out 220”. The second cut-out 220 is semi-circular in shape. Each of the first cut-out 208 (see FIG. 2A) and the second cut-out 220 are similar in shape.

The wear plate 212 also includes two or more projections 222 extending outwards from the engagement surface 216 along the vertical axis A3. Each of the two or more projections 222 is received within the base structure 124 of the work implement 118 to removably couple the wear plate 212 with the work implement 118, such that the two or more projections 222 are isolated from the operational surface 218 of the wear plate 212. Specifically, each of the two or more projections 222 is received within the mounting plate 202 to removably couple the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202. Each of the two or more projections 222 is received within a corresponding first through-opening 210 (see FIG. 2B) of the four first through-openings 210 in the mounting plate 202 (see FIG. 2A) to removably couple the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202. Particularly, the two or more projections 222 in the wear plate 212 include four tapped bosses 222. The two or more projections 222 are hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “tapped bosses 222”. Alternatively, the two or more projections 222 in the wear plate 212 may include any number of tapped bosses 222 based on application attributes. Two of the tapped bosses 222 are disposed proximal to the first end 230 of the wear plate 212 and the other two tapped bosses 222 are disposed proximal to the second end 232 of the wear plate 212. Each of the four tapped bosses 222 is received within a corresponding first through-opening 210 of the four first through-openings 210 in the mounting plate 202 to removably couple the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202. In some examples, the four tapped bosses 222 may be integral with the body 214 of the wear plate 212. In other examples, the four tapped bosses 222 may be coupled with the body 214 using welding, brazing, soldering, and the like. Each tapped boss 222 defines a corresponding through-hole 234. Further, the tapped bosses 222 includes internal threads (not shown herein).

The wear plate 212 further includes one or more pads 226 integral with the body 214 and extending from the engagement surface 216 of the body 214. In the illustrated example of FIG. 3, the one or more pads 226 includes six pads 226 that are integral with the body 214 of the wear plate 212. Three of the pads 226 are disposed proximal to the first end 230 of the wear plate 212 and the other three pads 226 are disposed proximal to the second end 232 of the wear plate 212. A height H1 of the one or more pads 226 is lesser than a height H2 of the two or more projections 222.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, the wear assembly 200 further includes a number of fastening means 224. Specifically, the number of fastening means 224 includes four fastening means 224. A total number of the fastening means 224 is based on the number of projections 222 of the wear plate 212. Each of the two or more projections 222 receive a corresponding fastening means 224 from the number of fastening means 224 to removably couple the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202. Each tapped boss 222 of the four tapped bosses 222 receives a corresponding fastening means 224 from the number of fastening means 224 to removably couple the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202. Each through-hole 234 in the tapped boss 222 aligns with a corresponding first through-opening 210 in the mounting plate 202 to receive a corresponding fastening means 224. Further, when each tapped boss 222 of the four tapped bosses 222 receives the corresponding fastening means 224, a clearance gap 213 is created for each tapped boss 222 due to the chamfer 211 in each of the first through-openings 210 of the mounting plate 202. Each fastening means 224 includes external threads (not shown) that engage with the internal threads of the tapped bosses 222. In some examples, each of the number of fastening means 224 may include a bolt, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the wear assembly 200 further includes a pair of cap plates 228. Each cap plate 228 from the pair of cap plates 228 defines a pair of holes (not shown herein) that aligns with the corresponding first through-opening 210 in the mounting plate 202 and receives the corresponding fastening means 224 to removably couple the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202. Further, a head of each fastening means 224 engages with a corresponding cap plate 228.

Referring to FIG. 4, an exploded perspective view of a wear assembly 400 for the work implement 118 of the work machine 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated, according to another example of the present disclosure. The wear assembly 400 is substantially similar to the wear assembly 200 of FIGS. 2A to 3, with common components being referred to by the same numerals.

The wear assembly 400 includes a mounting plate 402. The mounting plate 402 is substantially similar to the mounting plate 202 of FIGS. 2A to 3, with common components being referred to by the same numerals. As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting plate 402 defines a pair of first through-openings 410 (instead of the four first through-openings 210 as shown in FIG. 2A) and a pair of second through-openings 450. Each of the pair of first through-openings 410 and the pair of second through-openings 450 extend along the vertical axis A3 between the pair of opposing surfaces 204, 206 of the mounting plate 402. As shown in FIG. 5A, each of the pair of first through-openings 410 has a pair of beveled cut-outs 458 that tapers from the surface 204 towards the opposing surface 206 of the mounting plate 402.

Further, each second through-opening 450 is defined adjacent to a corresponding first through-opening 410 of the pair of first through-openings 410. Each of the second through-openings 450 from the pair of second through-openings 450 has a pair of beveled cut-outs 460 that taper from the surface 204 towards the opposing surface 206 of the mounting plate 402. It should be noted that dimensions of the second through-openings 450 is different from dimensions of the first through-openings 410. Specifically, the dimensions of second through-openings 450 is greater than the dimensions of the first through-openings 410.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the wear assembly 400 includes a wear plate 412. The wear plate 412 is substantially similar to the wear plate 212 of FIGS. 2A to 3, with common components being referred to by the same numerals. The two or more projections 222 in the wear plate 412 include two mounting features 422. The two or more projections 422 are hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “mounting features 422”. Each of the two mounting features 422 extends outwards from the engagement surface 216 of the wear plate 412 along the vertical axis A3. Each of the two mounting features 422 has a trapezoid shaped cross-section. In some examples, the mounting features 422 may be integral with the body 214 of the wear plate 412. In other examples, the mounting features 422 may be coupled with the body 214 of the wear plate 412 via welding, brazing, soldering, and the like.

The body 214 of the wear plate 412 further defines two through-holes 452 extending from the engagement surface 216 to the operational surface 218 along the vertical axis A3. Each of the two through-holes 452 is defined adjacent to a corresponding mounting feature 422 of the two mounting features 422.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, each of the two mounting features 422 is received within the base structure 124 to removably couple the wear plate 412 with the base structure 124 of the work implement 118. Specifically, each of the two mounting features 422 is received within the corresponding first through-opening 410 of the pair of first through-openings 410 in the mounting plate 402 to removably couple the wear plate 412 with the mounting plate 402. In order to removably couple the wear plate 412 with the mounting plate 402, each of the mounting features 422 is received within the corresponding second through-opening 450. The wear plate 412 is then pushed along the longitudinal axis A1, towards the first through-opening 410, such that each of the mounting features 422 is received within the corresponding first through-opening 410, thereby locking the wear plate 412 with the mounting plate 402. Moreover, each of the two through-holes 452 in the body 214 is in alignment with a corresponding second through-opening 450 of the pair of second through-openings 450.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the wear assembly 400 further includes two or more spring locking devices 454 that prevent a movement of the wear plate 412 relative to the mounting plate 402 along the lateral axis A2. Each of the two or more spring locking devices 454 is received within a corresponding second through-opening 450 of the pair of second through-openings 450 in the mounting plate 402. Specifically, an operator may insert the spring locking devices 454 within the corresponding second through-opening 450, such that the spring locking device 454 rest on the beveled cut-outs 460 (see FIG. 5A), thereby locking the movement of the wear plate 412 relative to the mounting plate 402.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, a schematic perspective view of a portion of the wear assembly 400 of FIG. 4A is illustrated. The wear assembly 400 further includes a cover plate 456. The cover plate 456 may be fixedly coupled with the surface 204 of the mounting plate 402 such that the cover plate 456 secures the spring locking devices 454 within the pair of second through-openings 450. The cover plate 456 prevents a movement of the spring locking devices 454 in an upward direction along the vertical axis A3. The cover plate 456 allows the spring locking devices 454 to be retained in their desired position and prevents a disassembly of the spring locking devices 454 from the mounting plate 402. In some examples, the cover plate 456 may be fixedly coupled with the surface 204 of the mounting plate 402 via welding, brazing, soldering, and the like, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

It is to be understood that individual features shown or described for one embodiment may be combined with individual features shown or described for another embodiment. The above described implementation does not in any way limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood although some features are shown or described to illustrate the use of the present disclosure in the context of functional segments, such features may be omitted from the scope of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Industrial Applicability

The present disclosure relates to the wear assembly 200, 400 that includes the wear plate 212, 412. The wear plate 212, 412 may be associated with work implements of different work machines, such as, wheels loaders, hydraulic excavators, and the like. The wear plate 212, 412 prevents abrasion wear of the base 122 of the work implement 118. The wear assembly 200, 400 of the present disclosure may prevent separation of the wear plate 212, 412 from the base 122 of the work implement 118 and may allow the wear plate 212, 412 to complete its expected service life. Specifically, the design of the wear plate 212, 412 may ensure 100% usage of the wear plate 212, 412 before separation of the wear plate 212, 412 from the mounting plate 202, 402. The wear assembly 200, 400 may increase a maximum payload capability of the work implement 118 and may also increase a fuel efficiency of the work machine 100.

The wear plate 212 includes the one or more pads 226. The pads 226 may alleviate stresses experienced by the wear plate 212 that may occur during coupling of the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202, 402.

Further, in an example, the wear plate 212 includes four tapped bosses 222 that are received in the corresponding through-opening 210 of the four first through-openings 210 in the mounting plate 202. Each tapped boss 222 receives the fastening means 224 that may be torqued into the corresponding tapped bosses 222. Furthermore, each of the four first through-openings 210 defines the chamfer 211 that creates the clearance gap 213 for each tapped boss 222. The clearance gap 213 may prevent failure of the wear plate 212 by reducing stresses that may be caused during coupling of the wear plate 212 with the mounting plate 202. The tapped bosses 222 and the fastening means 224 do not extend from the operational surface 218 of the wear plate 212, which is the primary wear surface, and are therefore not subjected to wear. Specifically, when the wear assembly 200 includes the tapped bosses 222 and the fastening means 224, the tapped bosses 222 and the fastening means 224 are received entirely within the base structure 124 of the work implement 118 and are isolated from the operational surface 218, thereby protecting the tapped bosses 222 and the fastening means 224 from external material wear throughout the operational life of the wear plate 212.

In another example, the wear assembly 400 includes two mounting features 422 that are received within the corresponding through-opening 410 of the two or more through-openings 410 in the mounting plate 402 to removably couple the wear plate 412 with the mounting plate 402. The wear assembly 400 may eliminate use of fastening means to removably couple the wear plate 412 with the mounting plate 402. The mounting features 422 do not extend from the operational surface 218 of the wear plate 412, which is the primary wear surface, and are therefore not subjected to wear. Specifically, when the wear assembly 400 includes the mounting features 422, the mounting features 422 are received entirely within the base structure 124 of the work implement 118 and are isolated from the operational surface 218, thereby protecting the mounting features 422 from external material wear throughout an operational life of the wear plate 412.

Furthermore, the wear plate 212, 412 described herein may offer an increased wear life while maintaining same mass of the wear plate 212, 412, or more payload benefits while reducing mass of the wear plate 212, 412 for the same wear life. Overall, the wear assembly 200, 400 described herein is simple in design and manufacturing, may be cost-effective, and may be retrofitted on existing work implements. The wear assembly 200, 400 may reduce maintenance and replacement costs of the work implement 118 as compared to conventional wear assemblies, may reduce downtime of the work machine 100, and may improve performance of the work machine 100.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.