TIP COUPLER FOR BUCKET LIP AND BUCKET LIP ASSEMBLY HAVING SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to components of a bucket lip assembly in a machine, and more particularly to a tip coupler having an arrangement of forward and rearward tip-contact and load-reacting surfaces.

BACKGROUND

[0002]Many different examples of heavy-duty machinery are known throughout the world for use in material handling, construction, demolition, forestry, and mining, for example. Such machines are typically equipped with an implement system, commonly hydraulically actuated, including a bucket that captures material to be lifted and dumped. In mining applications, it is common for such machines to be built quite large and robust, with large bucket capacities configured for capturing, lifting, and dumping enormous amounts of material at a working face of a mine.

[0003]Operating conditions in such applications can be extremely harsh, with the material captured and moved being heavy, hard, abrasive, and sometimes needing to be broken apart by action of the bucket. One type of mining machine widely deployed in the field is generally known as a hydraulic mining shovel and includes a large bucket mounted to a boom assembly and operated to capture, lift, and dump blasted material at the working face of a mine. Buckets in such applications are often built, sometimes on-site, from multiple different parts including a so-called bucket lip that is arranged at a forward edge of the bucket. Such bucket lips are typically equipped with various protective structures, often replaceable, including edge shrouds, wing shrouds, and various wear plates, as well as ground-engaging tip structures for penetrating the blasted material to be moved. In modern hydraulic mining shovels and similar equipment, the bucket lip and attachments can be among the more complex components of the machine.

[0004]Due to the demands placed upon such machines the bucket components are typically built quite robust, often necessitating their being quite heavy, difficult to manufacture and/or install, and potentially costly. The use of components mounted on the bucket edge including tips or teeth and/or protective shrouds can be critical to optimizing productivity and service life. The tips or teeth directly penetrate material to be captured in the bucket and are commonly mounted on a supporting coupler positioned upon a bucket lip edge. Over the course of operation, the tips are swapped out at predefined service intervals or as-needed. Similarly, the couplers are typically replaceable, although desirably at a lesser frequency than the tips. While many different designs are known for tips, shrouds, and other bucket components, the art provides ample room for improvements and development of alternatives to known strategies. One bucket lip is known from U.S. Pat. No. 9,404,240B2 to Kunz.

SUMMARY

[0005]In one aspect, a tip coupler for a bucket includes a coupler body having a mounting portion including a forward body end, a back body end, and a lip-installation cavity extending from a blind cavity end located adjacent to the forward body end to an open cavity end formed in the back body end. The coupler body further includes a nose portion projecting from the forward body end. The forward body end includes an end face, two tip-contact surfaces forward offset from the end face and arranged opposite one another about the nose portion, and two tip-contact surfaces rearward offset from the end face and arranged opposite one another about the nose portion. The back body end includes a plurality of corners, and a plurality of load-reacting surfaces offset fore-aft from the plurality of corners and arranged about the open cavity end.

[0006]In another aspect, a tip coupler includes a coupler body having a mounting portion including a forward body end, a back body end, an upper side, a lower side, and a nose portion projecting from the forward body end and having a nose end surface. The coupler body further forms an installation cavity defining a longitudinal central axis extending through a center point of the nose end surface, and a plane of upper-lower symmetry that includes the longitudinal central axis and is equidistant between the upper side and the lower side. The forward body end includes a plurality of tip-contact surfaces arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal central axis, and the back body end includes a plurality of load-reacting surfaces arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal central axis.

[0007]In still another aspect, a bucket lip assembly includes an elongate bucket lip having a plurality of shroud stations and a plurality of coupler stations in an alternating arrangement around a forward bucket lip edge. The bucket lip assembly further includes a tip coupler mounted to one of the plurality of coupler stations and including a mounting portion having a forward body end, a back body end, and a nose portion projecting from the forward body end, and forming an installation cavity receiving one of the plurality of coupler stations. The forward body end includes an end face, two tip-contact surfaces forward offset from the end face and arranged opposite one another about the nose portion, and two tip-contact surfaces rearward offset from the end face and arranged opposite one another about the nose portion. The back body end includes a plurality of corners, and a plurality of load-reacting surfaces offset fore-aft from the plurality of corners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a machine, according to one embodiment;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a bucket lip assembly, according to one embodiment;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a bucket lip assembly, according to one embodiment;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of a tip coupler, according to one embodiment;

[0012]FIG. 5 is another diagrammatic view, in perspective, of a tip coupler, according to one embodiment;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a front end view of a tip coupler, according to one embodiment;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a side view of a tip coupler, according to one embodiment;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a back end view of a tip coupler, according to one embodiment;

[0016]FIG. 9 is diagrammatic view, in perspective, of a tip coupler, according to one embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 10 is a partial view, in perspective, of a tip coupler, according to one embodiment;

[0018]FIG. 11 is a side view of a tip coupler, according to one embodiment; and

[0019]FIG. 12 is a top view of a tip coupler, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020]Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a machine 10 according to one embodiment. Machine 10 includes a frame 12 supported upon ground-engaging elements 14, for example, two parallel, endless ground-engaging tracks. Machine 10 also includes a hydraulically actuated implement system 16. Implement system 16 includes a boom assembly 18 and a bucket 20. An operator cab or station (not numbered) may be supported upon frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment, machine 10 is a hydraulic mining shovel commonly employed to capture, lift, and dump material at the working face of a mine. Alternative machine types and/or service applications are within the scope of the present disclosure. Bucket 20 is shown attached in a forward or front arrangement, however, in an alternative bucket 20 could be reversed from the configuration illustrated and arranged similarity to certain backhoe or excavator applications. Bucket 20 includes a forwardly positioned bucket lip 22.

[0021]Referring also now to FIG. 2, bucket lip 22 may include an elongate one-piece casting or bucket lip body 24. Bucket lip body 24 may be formed as a single cast piece of a suitable metallic material, such as an iron or a steel. Bucket lip body 24 may include an upper surface 26 extending laterally between a first lateral wing 28 and a second lateral wing 30. In a practical implementation, first lateral wing 28 and second lateral wing 30 can be attached, such as by welding, to a plurality of bucket panels or body pieces to form fully constructed bucket 20. Bucket lip body 24 also includes a plurality of coupler stations 32 in an alternating arrangement with a plurality of shroud stations 34. Coupler stations 32 and shroud stations 34 may be forwardly positioned upon bucket lip body 24, and potentially arranged in a variety of positions staggered fore-aft and/or forwardly biased in distribution toward a lateral center of bucket lip body 24.

[0022]Referring also now to FIG. 3, there is shown a view of bucket lip body 24 coupled with several components and illustrating a view of a lower side 37 of a bucket lip assembly 36. Lower side 37 may have a segmented structural beam configuration in some embodiments, as illustrated. A plurality of tip couplers 38 are positioned upon the respective plurality of coupler stations 32. FIG. 2 illustrates one tip coupler 38 as it might appear positioned for installation upon a respective one of shroud stations 34. A plurality of tips 40 are positioned upon and supported by the plurality of tip couplers 38. A plurality of shrouds 42 are also coupled to bucket lip body 24 in an alternating arrangement with the respective sets of tip couplers 38 and tips 40. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that during operation of machine 10 with bucket assembly 36 installed in bucket 20, tips 40 can penetrate material to assist in capturing a load of material to be lifted and dumped, and potentially breaking apart pieces of the material.

[0023]As bucket lip assembly 36 penetrates material, such as blasted material at the working face of a mine, the coarse, hard material can tend to flow across tips 40, tip couplers 38, and shrouds 42 into bucket 20. Over the course of operation, tips 40 can be subjected to severe loads including up loads, down loads, side loads, and twisting loads. The interfaces between tips 40 and tip couplers 38 thus routinely react loads to other components including bucket lip body 24. In some bucket assemblies, repeated and/or severe loads can be expected to lead to performance degradation or failure, potentially before the end of a desired service life of the tips. Fine particles of material can also be forced into various cervices, cracks, and gaps between and amongst bucket lip components. As will be further apparent from the following description, bucket lip assembly 36 and components thereof can be structured for advantageous operation in respect of supporting tips 40, minimizing intrusion of material, and managing loads during service.

[0024]Referring also now to FIGS. 4-10, there are shown different views of an example one of tip couplers 38 illustrating additional features and details. Tip coupler 38 includes a coupler body 44 having a mounting portion 46 configured to fit tip coupler 38 upon a respective one of coupler stations 32. Mounting portion 46 further includes a back body end 50, and forms a lip-installation cavity 52 extending from a blind cavity end 54 located adjacent to forward body end 48 to an open cavity end 56 formed in back body end 50. Cavity 52 may be located entirely within mounting portion 46. Coupler body 44 further includes a nose portion 58 projecting from forward body end 48. Nose portion 58 includes a nose end surface 100. Forward body end 48 also includes an end face 60, and a plurality of tip-contact surfaces, including two tip-contact surfaces 62 forward offset from end face 60 and arranged opposite one another about nose portion 58, and two tip-contact surfaces 64 rearward offset from end face 60 and arranged opposite one another about nose portion 58. Cavity 52 defines a longitudinal central axis 102, illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 discussed further hereinafter. The plurality of tip-contact surfaces 62 and 64 may be arranged symmetrically about longitudinal central axis 102 and symmetrically about nose portion 58. Back body end 50 includes a plurality of load-reacting surfaces arranged symmetrically about longitudinal central axis 102, including load-reacting surfaces 68 and 70, offset fore-aft from a plurality of corners 66 of back body end 50 and also arranged about open cavity end 56.

[0025]Referring to the drawings generally, but focusing on FIG. 6, forward body end 48 may include a first protrusion 72 and a second protrusion 74 protruding forwardly from end face 60. The two tip-contact surfaces 62 forward offset may be formed on first protrusion 72 and second protrusion 74, respectively. Mounting portion 46 also includes an upper side 76, a lower side 78, a first lateral side 80 and a second lateral side 82. In the illustrated embodiment first protrusion 72 includes an upper protrusion extending from nose portion 58 to upper side 76, and second protrusion 74 includes a lower protrusion extending from nose portion 58 to lower side 78. It can further be appreciated nose portion 58 is laterally elongated between first lateral side 80 and second lateral side 82. The two tip-contact surfaces 64 rearward offset from end face 60 may extend from nose portion 58 to first lateral side 80 and to second lateral side 82, respectively.

[0026]Still focusing on FIG. 6, forward body end 48 may include a first notch 84 and a second notch 86 in an alternating arrangement about nose portion 58 with first protrusion 72 and second protrusion 74. The two tip-contact surfaces 64 rearward offset from end face 60 may be formed in first notch 84 and second notch 86, respectively. It can further be appreciated from the drawings that the two tip-contact surfaces 62 forward offset and the two tip-contact surfaces 64 rearward offset may together form a cruciform pattern. In an alternative embodiment, surfaces 62 could be positioned laterally of nose portion 58, and surfaces 64 could be positioned above and below nose portion 58, effectively swapping locations of surfaces forward offset with locations of surfaces rearward offset.

[0027]As noted above, back body end 50 may include a plurality of corners 66, and the plurality of load-reacting surfaces 68 and 70 may be offset fore-aft from corners 66. In a practical implementation, load-reacting surfaces 68 and 70 are forward offset from corners 66. It can further be appreciated that back body end 50 forms a plurality of notches 88 and 90 in an alternating arrangement with corners 66. The plurality of load-reacting surfaces 68 and 70 may be formed in the plurality of notches 88 and 90. Focusing on FIG. 9, there it can be seen that the plurality of load-reacting surfaces 68 and 70 may include an upper load-reacting surface and a lower load-reacting surface each shown with numeral 68, a first lateral load-reacting surface and a second lateral load-reacting surface each labeled with numeral 70. Surfaces 68 may be greater in width than surfaces 70 in some embodiments. Load-reacting surfaces 68 and 70 may include a total number of four, including a plurality of planar surfaces in an alternating arrangement with corners 66. Load-reacting surfaces 68 and 70 may each be planar, arranged in a common plane, and together defining a rhomboid shape in some embodiments.

[0028]Focusing now on FIGS. 11-12, it will be recalled mounting portion 46 includes upper side 76, lower side 78, first lateral side 80, and second lateral side 82. Mounting portion 46 may define a plane of upper-lower symmetry that includes longitudinal central axis 102 and is equidistant between upper side 76 and lower side 78. As can also be appreciated from FIG. 12, mounting portion 46 may also define a plane of left-right symmetry including longitudinal central axis 102 and located equidistant between first lateral side 80 and second lateral side 82. Coupler body 44 may further include a first laterally extending hole 94 and a second laterally extending hole 96 in register with first laterally extending hole 94. Each of hole 94 and hole 96, as best seen in FIG. 9, is formed in mounting portion 46 and in communication with installation cavity 52. Nose portion 58 may include a total of one laterally extending recess 98.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0029]Referring to the drawings generally, it will be appreciated that tip coupler 38 can be installed on a corresponding coupler station 32 of elongate lip body 24. A tip 40 can be installed on the respective tip coupler 38. Tip-contact surfaces 62 and 64 may be arranged to react to up loads, down loads, and side loads upon an attached tip during service. It will be appreciated that surfaces 62 and 64 are also configured for fitment of the associated tip, providing an interlocking and mated arrangement of contacting surfaces. A securing block, fastener or the like of any suitable securement, can extend into recess 98 to attach the associated tip. Securement apparatus of any suitable design may also be positioned in holes 94 and 96 to secure tip coupler 38 to the respective mounting station 32 which may be equipped with registering holes.

[0030]It will also be recalled that tip coupler 38 defines a plane of upper-lower symmetry. Over the course of operation material of tip coupler 38 may be worn away by way of contact with abrasive material loaded, captured, and dumped via bucket 20 in machine 10. The upper-lower symmetry can enable tip coupler 38 to be removed, flipped, and reinstalled to extend service life. In such a case, holes 94 and 96 are configured to receive securement apparatus in either orientation. While a total of one recess 98 is formed in nose portion 58, and swaps lateral sides when tip coupler 38 is flipped over, the securement of a tip can simply be reversed from one side of tip coupler 38 to the other.

[0031]When tip coupler 38 is installed for service, surfaces 68 and 70 may also react to up loads, down loads, and side loads. Surfaces 68 and 70 may also be configured for fitment purposes enabling interlocking contact with corresponding structures on the respective coupler station 32. The relatively tight and complementary fits of a tip upon a tip coupler, and a tip coupler upon a bucket lip as discussed herein will be understood to provide integrated support between and amongst multiple components whilst minimizing gaps, openings, etc., that can be subjected to packing of material during operation.

[0032]The present description is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and fair scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent upon an examination of the attached drawings and appended claims. As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.