Linkage for arm assembly with reduced weld fatigue

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11866905-B2
Application number	US-202117200352-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 12, 2021
Priority date	Mar 12, 2021
Publication date	Jan 9, 2024
Grant date	Jan 9, 2024

Abstract

A work machine includes a frame, a traction system supporting the frame, an arm assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the frame, an implement connected to the second end, and a linkage connecting the implement to the second end of the arm assembly. The linkage includes a pin-supporting section configured to accept a pin and a linking section attached to the pin-supporting section by a weld. The linking section includes a recess proximate to the weld.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A work machine, comprising:
a frame;
a traction system supporting the frame;
an arm assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the frame,
an implement connected to the second end; and
a linkage connecting the implement to the second end of the arm assembly, the linkage having a pin-supporting section configured to accept a pin, and a linking section attached to the pin-supporting section by a weld, the linking section formed from a linking body with a separate side plate attached to each side of the linking body, the linking section having a recess proximate the weld being located on an outside surface of the separate side plate, the recess having a height extending in the same direction of the linking section, and the height is less than 50% of the overall length of the linking section.

2. The work machine of claim 1 , wherein a weld rib is located between the recess and the weld and a side rib is located on each side of the recess.

3. The work machine of claim 1 , wherein the recess has a triangular shape.

4. The work machine of claim 1 , wherein the recess is formed by a flat recess face and a curved transition face.

5. The work machine of claim 4 , wherein the flat recess face creates a plate parallel to a plane created by a surface of the linking section.

6. The work machine of claim 1 , wherein the linkage is an H-link.

7. A linkage for an arm assembly of a work machine, comprising
a first pin-supporting section configured to accept a pin; and
a linking section having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the pin-supporting section by a weld, the linking section formed from a linking body with a separate side plate attached to each side of the linking body, and a first recess defined by the first end, the first recess being located on an outside surface of the separate side plate, the first recess having a height extending in the same direction of the linking section, and the height is less than 50% of the overall length of the linking section.

8. The linkage of claim 7 , wherein a weld rib is located between the first recess and the weld and a side rib is located on each side of the recess.

9. The linkage of claim 7 , further comprising a second pin-supporting section connected to the second end by a weld, and a second recess proximate to the second end.

10. The linkage of claim 7 , wherein the recess has a triangular shape.

11. The linkage of claim 10 , wherein the recess is formed by a flat recess face and a curved transition face.

12. A method of producing a linkage for an arm assembly with reduced weld fatigue, comprising:
providing a first pin-supporting section configured to accept a pin;
providing a linking section having a first end, the linking section formed from a linking body with a separate side plate attached to each side of the linking body;
machining a first recess in an outward facing side surface of the separate side plate proximate the first end such that the first recess has a height less than 50% of the overall length of the linking section; and
welding the first end of the linking section to the first pin-supporting section.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein a weld rib is located between the first recess and the first end and a side rib is located on each side of the first recess.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first recess has a triangular shape.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first recess is formed by a flat recess face and a curved transition face.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the flat recess face creates a plate parallel to a plane created by a surface of the linking section.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the linking section has a second end, the method further comprising:
providing a second pin-supporting section,
machining a second recess in the linking section proximate the second end, and
welding the second end of the linking section to the second pin-supporting section.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Global Mining Llc

Inventors

• Unger Daniel T
• Meenakshinathan Ramanagarajan
• Randall Kort C

Classifications

• E02F3/3663 Primary

  hydraulically-operated · CPC title

• E02F3/38

  Cantilever beams {, i.e. booms;, e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for booms (for booms with cable suspension arrangements E02F9/14 takes precedence)}; Dipper-arms {, e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for dipper-arms}; Bucket-arms {(E02F3/34 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• E02F3/3636

  using two or four movable transversal pins · CPC title

• E02F3/302 Primary

  with an additional link · CPC title

• E02F3/425

  Drive systems for dipper-arms, backhoes or the like · CPC title