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Title:
PUMP DRIVE FOR A WORK MACHINE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2015/123195
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A pump drive (60) for a work machine is disclosed. The pump drive comprises a pump drive housing fixedly secured to a frame (12) of the work machine. A transmission (74) disposed in the pump drive housing (62) is configured to distribute a mechanical output from the combustion engine (26) received at an input (66) of the pump drive housing (62) to at least one of a main drive component (28) of a work implement (21) or a hydraulic pump (72). A mounting portion (64) is provided on the pump drive housing (62), the combustion engine (26) being secured at least in part on the mounting portion (64) such that the combustion engine (26) is secured to the frame (12) of the work machine via the pump drive housing (62). Accordingly, the main drive component (28) of the work implement (21) is decoupled from movements of the combustion engine (26) via the pump drive housing (62).

Inventors:
SCHAFER BENJAMIN THOMAS (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2015/015188
Publication Date:
August 20, 2015
Filing Date:
February 10, 2015
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
CATERPILLAR PAVING PROD (US)
International Classes:
A01D69/00; B60K5/12; E01C23/088
Foreign References:
US20060086076A12006-04-27
US20090051210A12009-02-26
EP0501878A11992-09-02
BE458208A
US20100275588A12010-11-04
US4206661A1980-06-10
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Claims:
Claims

1. A pump drive (60) for a work machine (10), comprising: a pump drive housing (62) configured to be secured to a frame (12) of the work machine (10);

an input (66) configured for engagement with an output (27) of a combustion engine (26) of the work machine (10);

a main drive output (68) configured for engagement with a main drive component (28) of a work implement (21) of the work machine (10);

a pump drive output (70) configured for engagement with an input of at least one pump (72);

a transmission (74) disposed in the pump drive housing (62) and configured for distributing a mechanical output of the combustion engine (26) received at the input (66) to at least one of the main drive output (68) and the pump drive output (70); and

a mounting portion (64) provided on the pump drive housing (62), the mounting portion (64) being configured to support the combustion engine (26) at least in part such that the combustion engine (26) can be secured to the frame (12) via the pump drive housing (62).

2. The pump drive of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion (64) includes at least a pair of substantially horizontally extending support surfaces (76a, 76b) configured to support at least a pair of corresponding mounting portions (78a, 78b) connected to the combustion engine (26).

3. The pump drive of claim 2, wherein the pair of support surfaces (76a, 76b) is formed on a pair of projections (80a, 80b) protruding from a first side surface (62a) of the pump drive housing (62), the input (66) being disposed on the first side surface (62a).

4. The pump drive of claim 3, wherein the pair of projections (80a, 80b) is supported by a pair of beams (82a, 82b) vertically extending on the first side surface (62a).

5. The pump drive of claim 4, wherein the pair of beams (82a, 82b) includes a pump drive mounting portion (83a, 83b) configured for mounting of the pump drive housing (62) to the frame (12). 6. The pump drive of one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the pair of beams (82a, 82b) is formed as a pair of profiled beams being opened towards the side facing away from the first side surface (62a).

7. The pump drive of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump drive housing (62) includes a guiding portion (84) on a bottom side (62c) of the same, the guiding portion (84) being configured for guiding the pump drive housing (62) at least in part when the pump drive housing (62) is secured to the frame (12). 8. The pump drive of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump drive housing (62) further includes an additional mounting portion (88) configured such that an exhaust gas treatment device (90) associated with the combustion engine (26) is mountable at least in part on pump drive housing (62).

9. The pump drive of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input (66) includes a flexible connection (94) configured for connection with an output member (29) of the combustion engine (26), and the main drive output (68) includes a coupling (96) fixedly connected to the pump drive housing (62), the coupling (96) being configured for connection to the drive component (28) of the work machine (10).

10. A work machine (10) comprising :

a frame (12);

a pump drive (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pump drive housing (62) is secured to the frame (12); and

a combustion engine (26) secured to the pump drive housing (62) of the pump drive (60) at one end, such that the combustion engine (26) is supported at least in part by the pump drive housing (62) and is secured to the frame (12) via the pump drive housing (62).

11. The work machine of claim 10, wherein the pump drive housing (62) is fixedly secured to the frame (12), and the one end (26a) of the combustion engine (26) is secured to the pump drive housing (62) via an elastic bearing (92).

12. The work machine of claims 10 or 11, further comprising an exhaust gas treatment device (90) secured at least in part to the pump drive housing (62).

Description:
Description PUMP DRIVE FOR A WORK MACHINE

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to a work machine, in particular, to a pump drive for such a work machine.

Background

Machines such as cold planers, crushers, and other work machines typically perform various tasks associated with industries such as mining, construction, farming or the like. Work implements associated with these machines may be used for a variety of tasks, including removal of material, grading of work surfaces and the like, and include, for example, cutting tools, shearing tools, blades, breakers/hammers, augers, and other implements driven by mechanical power that is generated by a combustion engine or the like. For example, cold planers include a rotor provided with cutting tools and drivable via a belt drive system.

These work implements are often directly coupled to a frame of the work machine. This provides a secure connection of the work implement to the frame of the work machine, such that unwanted movements of the work implement during operation can be reduced or eliminated. Further, the combustion engine driving the work implement is generally also mounted to the frame of the work machine, and a suitable mechanical drive system couples the combustion engine to the work implement.

In addition to the work implement, the combustion engine frequently also powers one or more hydraulic pumps in order to supply various hydraulic systems on the work machine with hydraulic fluid. A transmission is commonly used for distributing the mechanical output of the combustion engine, the transmission connecting an output of the combustion engine with an input of the drive for the work implement and/or an input of the one or more hydraulic pumps via one or more couplings.

The pump drive disclosed therein is directed at least in part to improve one or more aspects of known systems.

Summary

According to one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a pump drive for a work machine. The pump drive includes a pump drive housing configured to be secured to a frame of the work machine. Further, the pump drive includes an input configured for engagement with an output of a combustion engine of the work machine, a main drive output configured for engagement with a main drive component of a work implement of the work machine, a pump drive output configured for engagement with an input of at least one pump, and a transmission disposed in the pump drive housing, the transmission being configured for distributing a mechanical output from the combustion engine received at the input to at least one of the main drive output and the pump drive output. Further, a mounting portion is provided on the pump drive housing, the mounting portion being configured to support the combustion engine at least in part such that the combustion engine can be secured to the frame via the pump drive housing.

According to a further aspect, the present disclosure relates to a work machine comprising a frame, a pump drive and a combustion engine. The pump drive includes a pump drive housing configured to be secured to the frame of the work machine. Further, the pump drive includes an input configured for engagement with an output of the combustion engine of the work machine, a main drive output configured for engagement with a main drive component of a work implement of the work machine, a pump drive output configured for engagement with at least one pump, and a transmission disposed in the pump drive housing, the transmission being configured for distributing a mechanical output from the combustion engine received at the input to at least one of the main drive output and the pump drive output. Further, a mounting portion is provided on the pump drive housing, the mounting portion being configured to support the combustion engine at least in part such that the combustion engine can be secured to the frame via the pump drive housing. The pump drive housing of the pump drive is secured to the frame. The combustion engine is secured to the pump drive housing of the pump drive at one end, such that the combustion engine is supported at least in part by the pump drive housing and is secured to the frame via the pump drive housing.

Further features and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary disclosed work machine,

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary disclosed pump drive,

Figs. 3A and 3B show a perspective front view and a perspective rear view, respectively, of an exemplary disclosed pump drive housing, and

Fig. 4 shows a partial perspective view of a combustion engine secured to the pump drive housing of Figs. 3 A and 3B.

Detailed Description

The following is a description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings are intended to teach the principles of the present disclosure and allow the skilled person to put these principles into practice and implement the present disclosure in various environments and for various applications. Further features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent to the skilled person from the following description and the attached drawings. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Instead, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

The present disclosure may be based in part on the realization that, when a transmission is used to transmit mechanical power from a combustion engine to a hydraulic pump forming part of the hydraulic system of a work machine and to a drive system for a work implement of the work machine, the flywheel-side end of the combustion engine must be secured to a work machine in such a manner that strict tolerances between the flywheel of the combustion engine and an input of the pump drive are met. For example, this can be achieved by directly securing the flywheel-side end of the combustion engine to the pump drive housing.

Further, the present disclosure may be based at least in part on the realization that a coupling disposed between the transmission and a drive system of the work implement should have a fixed position with respect to the drive of the work implement, such that impacts, vibrations and the like received by the work implement are not transmitted to an output member of the combustion engine via the coupling. Similarly, movements of the combustion engine should not influence the drive system for the work implement. To achieve this object, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a

corresponding coupling is rigidly or fixedly mounted to the pump drive housing, which in turn is rigidly connected to a frame of the work machine.

Further, the present disclosure may be based at least in part on the realization that an optional exhaust treatment system should be decoupled from the combustion engine, and that the combustion engine should also be decoupled from the frame of the work machine and/or an operator station supported on the frame. According to exemplary embodiments, this may be achieved by directly securing the exhaust gas treatment device to the pump drive housing, and by securing the combustion engine to the pump drive housing and the frame of the work machine via, for example, elastic bearings.

In the following, a cold planer is described as an exemplary work machine equipped with the pump drive disclosed herein with reference to the attached drawings.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary work machine 10 comprising a plurality of systems and components that cooperate to perform a task. Work machine 10 may be a stationary or a mobile machine performing a task associated with an industry such as paving, mining, construction, farming or any other known industry. For example, work machine 10 may be a cold planer as shown in Fig. 1. Alternatively, work machine 10 could be a crusher, a harvester or any other similar machine that comprises a work implement driven by a belt drive or the like.

Work machine 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a frame 12 supported by a pair of front track assemblies 14 and a pair of rear track assemblies 16 for moving on a work surface 24. Main frame 12 is supported on track assemblies 14, 16 by means of, for example, hydraulically actuated adjustable struts 18, 20 that extend between each pair of track assemblies 14, 16 and frame 12. Hydraulic cylinders 19, 23 are used to raise or lower work machine 10.

A work implement 21, for example, a rotor comprising cutting tools, is rotatably mounted on frame 12 and includes a housing 22 that surrounds the body of rotor 21, except for the part that is exposed towards work surface 24. The depth of the cut or penetration of the cutting teeth (not shown) of work implement 21 is controlled by appropriate extension or retraction of adjustable struts 18, 20 and hydraulic cylinders 19, 23.

Work machine 10 further includes a combustion engine 26 as a power source that can drive work implement 21 via a mechanical drive assembly that includes main drive components 28, 30 formed as pulleys, a belt 32 and a belt tensioner 34. Combustion engine 26 may be connected to main drive component 28 of the belt drive for work implement 21 via a pump drive 60 (see Fig. 2). It will be readily appreciated that combustion engine 26 may be, for example, a diesel engine, a gas engine, a gaseous fuel powered engine or any other known combustion engine operable to drive work machine 10 and work implement 21. It is contemplated that, as an alternative or in addition, a power source without any combustion is used, for example, a fuel cell, a power storage device (e.g., a battery) or any other known power source. Combustion engine 26 may produce a mechanical output that can be output as mechanical power for driving work implement 21 and a pump 72 (see Fig. 2) as well as other components, if appropriate, via pump drive 60. It will be readily appreciated that other mechanical assemblies than the ones shown in Fig. 1 may be used to power work implement 21.

Work machine 10 further includes a conveyor 36 which delivers debris and the like to a discharge device 38. Discharge device 38 and the associated frame (not shown) are supported by a telescopic arm 40.

Further, work machine 10 includes a control console 42. Control console 42 may include various input devices and displays that may be in communication with a motor control unit (not shown), for example, an ECM.

Control console 42 may be in communication with combustion engine 26 and pump drive 60 via the control unit (not shown). The control unit may further be in communication with work implement 21, a plurality of sensors, for example, inclination sensors, various components of the hydraulic system of work machine 10, and the like.

Referring to Fig. 2, an exemplary embodiment of pump drive 60 is shown in more detail. As shown in Fig. 2, pump drive 60 is disposed between combustion engine 26 and main drive component 28 for work implement 21. Pump drive 60 includes a pump drive housing 62, in input 66, a main drive output 68, and a pump drive output 70. Pump drive housing 26 is secured to frame 12 of work machine 10 (see Fig. 1). According to an exemplary embodiment, pump drive housing 62 may be secured to frame 12 by means of a fastening element 93, by means of which pump drive housing 62 is fixedly connected to frame 12. For example, pump drive housing 62 may be fixedly connected to frame 12 via bolts.

Input 66, which may include, for example, an input shaft, is connected to an output member 29, for example, a flywheel, of an output 27 of combustion engine 26 via an elastic coupling or connection 94, such that an output shaft of combustion engine 26 and the input shaft of pump drive 60 rotate about a common axis 100. It is understood that, in other embodiments, the output shaft of combustion engine 26 and the input shaft of pump drive 60 may not have common axis 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the elastic or flexible connection 94 is fixedly connected to output member 29, for example, flange- mounted to the same, and disposed on the input shaft of pump drive 60. In this manner, the rotation of the output shaft of combustion engine 26 may be transmitted to the input shaft of pump drive 60, such that a mechanical output of combustion engine 26 is received at input 66 of pump drive 60. Here, the elastic connection 94 serves to dampen and balance movements of combustion engine 26 relative to pump drive housing 62.

A transmission 74 may be disposed in pump drive housing 62. Transmission 74 may be any known type of transmission, for example, a helical gear box or the like. Transmission 74 transmits a rotation of the input shaft of pump drive 60 to an output shaft or an output 68 provided on a side of pump drive housing 60 opposite to the side of combustion engine 26. In some embodiments, input 66 may be connected to main drive output 68 via a continuous shaft. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, main drive output 68 includes a coupling 96 fixedly mounted to pump drive housing 62, for example, a clutch. In other embodiments, coupling 96 may be a hydraulic coupling, wherein a clutch (not shown) provided in pump drive housing 62 is disposed upstream of the same such that the transmission of the mechanical output of combustion engine 26 to main drive component 28 may be interrupted. By engaging and disengaging coupling 96, main drive component 28 for work implement 21 may selectively receive mechanical output from combustion engine 26 and drive work implement 21 via belt 32, main drive component 30 and further components, for example, a further coupling 33 and a shaft 35 rotating about an axis 102.

Pump drive output 70, for example, a shaft connected to transmission 74, drives one or more hydraulic pumps 72. Hydraulic pumps 72 are configured to pressurize a hydraulic fluid and deliver pressurized hydraulic fluid to different hydraulic components (for example, hydraulic motors for driving track assemblies 14, 16, hydraulic cylinders 19, 23, etc.). Although only a single hydraulic pump 72 is shown in Fig. 2, it will be appreciated that further hydraulic pumps may be driven by pump drive 60 (see also Figs. 3A and 3B).

Combustion engine 26 is secured to a mounting portion 64 of pump drive housing 62 via an elastic bearing 92 at a flywheel-side end 26a, which will be described in more detail below. The other end of combustion engine 26 may be secured to frame 12 of work machine 10 in a known manner, for example, via a bearing 91. In other embodiments, bearings 91, 92 may include an elastic bearing, for example, using rubber elements.

An exhaust gas treatment device 90 may be mounted on an upper side of pump drive housing 62, as will be described below.

In the following, pump drive 60 is described in more detail with reference to Figs. 3A and 3B. As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, pump drive housing 62 has a first side surface 62A facing combustion engine 26 in the installed state of pump drive housing 62 (see Fig. 2), a second side surface 62b provided on the opposite side of pump drive housing 62 and facing main drive component 28 for work implement 21, an upper surface 62c disposed between first and second side surfaces 62a, 62b, and a bottom surface 62d.

Referring to Fig. 3A, coupling 96 is fixedly connected to pump drive housing 62 on second side surface 62b. Main drive component 28 is secured to a housing of coupling 96 such that main drive component 28 has a fixed positional relationship with respect to coupling 96 and pump drive housing 62. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the housing of coupling 96 may be integrally formed with pump drive housing 62. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the housing of coupling 96 may be flange-mounted to pump drive housing 62.

Further, another pump drive output 69 is provided on second side surface 62b for engagement with an input of another hydraulic pump (not shown), and is connected to input 66 of pump drive 60 via transmission 74 (see Fig. 2). Pump drive outputs 69, 70 may each be connected with a corresponding hydraulic pump via a coupling (not shown), but may also be permanently engaged with the inputs of the same such that the hydraulic pumps are always driven when combustion engine 26 is operated.

Flexible coupling or connection 94 is provided on first side surface 62a of pump drive housing 62. Flexible connection 94 is coupled with input 66 of pump drive 60. Flexible connection 94 is connected to output member 29, for example, the flywheel, of combustion engine 26 in the installed state, for example, flange-mounted via suitable mounting portions. Therefore, flexible connection 94 rotates together with output member 29 of combustion engine 26 such that the mechanical output of combustion engine 26 is input into input 66 of pump drive 60. Flexible coupling or connection 94 may balance movement of combustion engine 26 with respect to pump drive housing 62, which is fixedly secured to frame 12. On the other hand, coupling 96 mounted on pump drive housing 62 is fixedly connected to main drive component 28 for work implement 21.

As shown in Fig. 3B, pump drive output 70 and a further pump drive output 71 are provided on first side surface 62a, pump drive output 70 and pump drive output 71 being connected to pump 72 and a further pump (not shown), respectively. Pump 70 and the further pump may also be fixedly connected to pump drive output 70 and pump drive output 71, or may be connected to the same via a coupling, such that they are continuously or selectively driven by the mechanical output from combustion engine 26.

Further, a mounting portion 64 is provided on first side surface 62a of pump drive housing 62, on which mounting portion 64 combustion engine 26 may be mounted in an appropriate manner. It will be appreciated that, although in the exemplary embodiment mounting portion 64 is disposed on first side surface 62a, it may also be disposed on other surfaces of pump drive housing 62, for example, upper surface 62c.

In the exemplary embodiment described herein, mounting portion 64 is formed as a pair of profiled beams 82a, 82b vertically extending on first side surface 62a. Beams 82a have support surfaces 76a, 76b on their upper sides, support surfaces 76a, 76b being adapted to corresponding to fastening elements 78a, 78b (see Fig. 4) connected to combustion engine 26. Fastening elements 78a, 78b of combustion engine 26 may be secured on support surfaces 76a, 76b in an appropriate manner, for example, by means of the elastic bearing shown in Fig. 2, which may include rubber rings and/or other elastic elements. Fastening elements 78a, 78b may be attached to pump drive housing 62 via holes formed in support surfaces 76a, 76b and fastening elements 78a, 78b, respectively. At their lower end, beams 82a, 82b have pump drive mounting portions 83a, 83b, by means of which pump drive housing 62 may be secured to frame 12, for example, by bolts or the like.

Further, bottom surface 62d includes a guiding portion 84, for example, a recess, being configured for engagement with frame 12, for example, with a transverse beam connected to frame 12. Pump drive housing 62 may be securely and fixedly attached to frame 12 by means of pump drive mounting portions 83a, 83b and guiding portion 84, wherein the attachment may be performed by means of fastening elements 93 shown in Fig. 2.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, support surfaces 76a, 76b are formed on projections 80a, 80b, respectively, which protrude from first side surface 62a of pump drive housing 62 on which input 66 is provided. In the exemplary disclosed embodiment, input 66 is provided between both projections 80a, 80b, i.e., between both beams 82a, 82b. It should be appreciated, however, that different arrangements are also possible.

As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, holding portions 112 may be provided on pump drive housing 62, and holding elements 114 may be connected to holding portions 112. Holding elements 114 may be temporarily attached to pump drive housing 62 in order to facilitate transportation and/or installation of pump drive housing 62. After installation of pump drive housing 62, holding elements 114, which may include, for example, eyelets or the like, may be removed from pump drive housing 62.

Further, pump drive housing 62 includes an additional mounting portion 88 on upper surface 62c. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 3A, 3B, additional mounting portion 88 may be formed as a pair of support surfaces. An exhaust gas treatment device 90 associated with combustion engine 26 may be secured at least in part on additional mounting portion 88. Exhaust gas treatment device 90 (see Fig. 2) may therefore have a fixed positional relationship to pump drive housing 62, and may also be arranged with strict tolerances relative to combustion engine 26 due to mounting of combustion engine 26 on pump drive housing 62.

Industrial Applicability

The disclosed pump drive may be applied to any work machine that includes a plurality of hydraulic components and wherein a mechanical output of a combustion engine is distributed to one or more hydraulic pumps and a main drive component for a work implement via a transmission.

The disclosed pump drive may improve the performance and the reliability of the work machine by decoupling movements of the combustion engine from the main drive component of the work implement, and vice versa. Accordingly, a correct alignment of the main drive components for the work implement is always maintained, because the main drive component for the work implement is also fixedly secured to the frame of the work machine via the pump drive housing that is fixedly secured to the frame of the work machine.

Movements of combustion engine 26 are balanced via the elastic mounting of the same on pump drive housing 62, wherein strict tolerances between the flywheel of combustion engine 26 and the input shaft of the pump drive can be assured by the manner in which combustion engine 26 is mounted on pump drive housing 62.

For work machines that need to satisfy certain emission regulations such as the regulations of Tier 4 in the US, an exhaust gas treatment system may be mounted on the pump drive housing, and the exhaust gas treatment system may also be fixed with respect to the frame of the work machine via the pump drive housing. The exhaust gas treatment system may be separated from the combustion engine in this manner, and movement of the combustion engine with respect to the exhaust gas treatment system may be kept within desired tolerances as the combustion engine is also mounted on the pump drive housing. The same applies for the arrangement of the flywheel of the combustion engine with respect to the input of the pump drive. In this manner, the performance of the work machine as a whole can be improved, because, in accordance with the present disclosure, the pump drive housing is fixedly mounted on the frame of the work machine and the combustion engine is mounted on the pump drive housing at least in part via elastic bearings.

It will be readily appreciated by the skilled person that different modifications and variations may be applied to the disclosed pump drive. Other embodiments will become apparent to the skilled person upon consideration of the description and practice of the disclosed pump drive. The description and the examples are only exemplary, with the scope of protection being defined by the appended claims.