Space frame for a machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9701341-B2
Application number	US-201514816239-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 3, 2015
Priority date	Aug 5, 2014
Publication date	Jul 11, 2017
Grant date	Jul 11, 2017

Abstract

A space frame for a machine is disclosed. The space frame may have a first end configured to be connected to front wheels of the machine. The space frame may also have a second end configured to be connected to rear wheels of the machine. Further, the space frame may have primary structural members arranged substantially lengthwise between the first end and the second end. In addition, the space frame may have secondary structural members connected between the primary structural members to form substantially triangulated structures allowing the space frame to support a payload to empty vehicle weight ratio ranging from about 1.2:1 to 2:1.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A space frame for a machine, comprising:
a first end configured to be connected to front wheels of the machine;
a second end configured to be connected to rear wheels of the machine;
a plurality of the primary structural members arranged substantially lengthwise between the first end and the second end; and
a plurality of secondary structural members connected between the primary structural members to form substantially triangulated structures, such that the space frame supports a payload to empty vehicle weight ratio ranging from about 1.2:1 to 2:1.

2. The space frame of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of nodes configured to connect one or more primary structural members and one or more secondary structural members.

3. The space frame of claim 1 , further including a planar node configured to connect at least one of the primary structural members and one or more of the secondary structural members, the at least one primary structural member and the one or more secondary structural members being located in one plane.

4. The space frame of claim 1 , further including a non-planar node configured to connect at least one of the primary structural members and a plurality of the secondary structural members, the at least one primary structural member and the secondary structural members being located in more than one plane.

5. The space frame of claim 1 , further including:
a rear frame portion configured to be connected to the front and rear wheels of the machine; and
a front frame portion configured to be connected to the rear frame portion.

6. The space frame of claim 5 , wherein the rear frame portion includes:
a first longitudinal structure including a first set of the primary structural members;
a second longitudinal structure including a second set of the primary structural members;
a third longitudinal structure including a third set of the primary structural members; and
a fourth longitudinal structure including a fourth set of the primary structural members, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth longitudinal structures are arranged such that the rear frame portion has a substantially rectangular cross-section in a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the machine.

7. The space frame of claim 6 , wherein the rear frame portion has:
a first width at the first end; and
a second width smaller than the first width at the second end.

8. The space frame of claim 7 , wherein the front frame portion includes:
a plurality of the edge members connected to form a substantially rectangular frame; and
a plurality of secondary structural members configured to connect the rectangular frame to the rear frame portion.

9. The space frame of claim 8 , wherein the rectangular frame has a third width greater than the first width and the second width.

10. The space frame of claim 6 , further including:
a first boss connecting the first longitudinal structure and the second longitudinal structure at the second end; and
a second boss connecting the third longitudinal structure and the fourth longitudinal structure at the second end.

11. The space frame of claim 10 , wherein the first boss and the second boss are configured to connect the second end of the space frame to the rear wheels of the machine.

12. The space frame of claim 6 , further including:
a first support member connected to the first longitudinal structure and the second longitudinal structure at the first end; and
a second support member connected to the third longitudinal structure and the fourth longitudinal structure at the first end, wherein the first and second support members are configured to be connected to the front wheels of the machine.

13. The space frame of claim 1 , wherein the primary structural members and the secondary structural members comprise hollow tubular members.

14. The space frame of claim 13 , wherein the tubular members have a circular cross-section.

15. The space frame of claim 13 , wherein the tubular members have a non-circular cross-section.

16. A mobile machine comprising:
a plurality of front wheels;
a plurality of rear wheels;
a prime mover configured to move the machine; and
a space frame configured to support a payload to empty vehicle weight ratio ranging from about 1.2:1 to 2:1, the space frame including:
a first end connected to the front wheels;
a second end connected to the rear wheels;
a plurality of primary structural members arranged substantially lengthwise between the first end and the second end; and
a plurality of secondary structural members connected between the primary structural members to form substantially triangulated structures connecting the primary structural members; and

a bed pivotably connected to the second end of the space frame, the bed also being movably connected to the first end of the space frame.

17. The mobile machine of claim 16 , further including:
a rear frame portion configured to be connected to the front and rear wheels; and
a front frame portion configured to be connected to the rear frame portion.

18. The mobile machine of claim 17 , wherein the front frame portion includes:
a plurality of edge members connected to form a substantially rectangular frame configured to support the prime mover; and
a plurality of the secondary structural members connecting the rectangular frame to the rear frame portion.

19. The mobile machine of claim 18 , wherein the rear frame portion includes:
a first longitudinal structure including a first set of the primary structural members;
a second longitudinal structure including a second set of the primary structural members;
a third longitudinal structure including a third set of the primary structural members; and
a fourth longitudinal structure including a fourth set of the primary structural members, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth longitudinal structures are arranged so as to form a substantially rectangular cross-section in a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the machine.

20. The mobile machine of claim 19 , wherein:
a first support member is connected to the first longitudinal structure and the second longitudinal structure at the first end;
a second support member is connected to the third longitudinal structure and the fourth longitudinal structure at the first end;
a first boss connects the first longitudinal structure and the second longitudinal structure at the second end; and
a second boss connects the third longitudinal structure and the fourth longitudinal structure at the second end, and the mobile machine further includes:
front suspension members connected between the first and second support members and the front wheels; and
rear suspension members connected between the first and second bosses and the rear wheels.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Ormiston Edward Patrick
• Holthaus David William
• Munoz-Najar Andres
• Dantuluri Venkata Rama Varma

Classifications

• B62D21/08 Primary

  built up with interlaced cross members · CPC title

• B62D21/18

  characterised by the vehicle type and not provided for in groups B62D21/02 - B62D21/17 · CPC title

• B60P1/28

  Tipping body constructions · CPC title