Working machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9850640-B2
Application number	US-201514927370-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 29, 2015
Priority date	Oct 29, 2014
Publication date	Dec 26, 2017
Grant date	Dec 26, 2017

Abstract

A working machine comprising a ground engaging structure and an undercarriage connected to the ground engaging structure. A superstructure is rotatably mounted to the undercarriage so as to be rotatable relative to the undercarriage about a first generally upright axis, an operator's cab is rotatably mounted on the superstructure so as to be rotatable relative to the superstructure about a second generally upright axis, and a working arm is rotatably mounted to the superstructure so as to be moveable up and down about a generally horizontal axis. A drive arrangement is provided for driving the ground engaging structure to propel the working machine. The drive arrangement includes an engine and transmission that are housed within the undercarriage, and a majority of the engine is positioned below a level coincident with a lower extent of the superstructure.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A working machine comprising:
a ground engaging structure;
an undercarriage connected to the ground engaging structure;
a slew ring;
a superstructure rotatably mounted to the undercarriage and operatively coupled to the undercarriage via the slew ring so as to be rotatable relative to the undercarriage about a first generally upright axis;
an operator's cab rotatably mounted on the superstructure so as to be rotatable relative to the superstructure about a second generally upright axis;
a working arm rotatably mounted to the superstructure so as to be moveable up and down about a generally horizontal axis; and
a drive arrangement for moving the ground engaging structure to propel the working machine, the drive arrangement including a prime mover and transmission; and
wherein the prime mover and transmission are housed within the undercarriage, and the entire prime mover is positioned below a level coincident with the slew ring.

2. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the working arm is rotatably mounted to the superstructure so as to be rotatable relative to the superstructure about a third generally upright axis.

3. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the ground engaging structure includes a front and rear axle each having a pair of wheels mounted thereto, and wherein a majority of the prime mover is positioned below a level coincident with an upper extent of the wheels.

4. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the prime mover is mounted in a transverse direction to a fore-aft direction of the working machine.

5. The working machine according to claim 4 , wherein the prime mover is mounted substantially perpendicular to the fore-aft direction of the working machine.

6. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the prime mover is a reciprocating engine having an upright orientation.

7. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein a heat exchanger and cooling fan are mounted adjacent the prime mover and arranged such that an axis of rotation of the fan is substantially parallel to a fore-aft direction of the working machine.

8. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the working machine comprises a fuel tank positioned on one side of an axis extending in the fore-aft direction of the working machine and the prime mover is positioned on the other side of an axis extending in the fore-aft direction of the working machine.

9. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the working machine comprises a hydraulic fluid tank positioned on one side of an axis extending in a fore-aft direction of the working machine and the engine is positioned on the other side of the axis extending in the fore-aft direction of the working machine.

10. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the cab is positioned substantially centrally to the superstructure.

11. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the second upright axis about which the superstructure is rotated is substantially central to the undercarriage.

12. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein a counter weight is mounted to the superstructure in a position opposite the working arm.

13. The working machine according to claim 12 , wherein the counter weight is curved and a portion of the cab is curved, and wherein the curve of the counter weight follows the curve of the cab.

14. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the superstructure is dimensioned to be longer in length than width, the length and width being defined such that when the working machine is driving along a road the length of the superstructure is in a fore-aft direction.

15. The working machine according to claim 14 , wherein the working arm is mounted to the superstructure at a position that is at one end of the superstructure in a length direction and central to the superstructure in a width direction.

16. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the superstructure can rotate relative to the undercarriage by at least 180°.

17. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the cab can rotate relative to the superstructure by at least 180°.

18. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the working machine is arranged to be a compact tail swing excavator.

19. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation of the cab with respect to the superstructure is coincident with the axis of rotation of the superstructure with respect to the undercarriage.

20. A working machine comprising:
a ground engaging structure;
an undercarriage connected to the ground engaging structure;
a superstructure rotatably mounted to the undercarriage so as to be rotatable relative to the undercarriage about a first generally upright axis;
an operator's cab rotatably mounted on the superstructure so as to be rotatable relative to the superstructure about a second generally upright axis;
a working arm rotatably mounted to the superstructure so as to be moveable up and down about a generally horizontal axis; and
a drive arrangement for moving the ground engaging structure to propel the working machine, the drive arrangement including a prime mover and transmission; and
wherein the prime mover and transmission are housed within the undercarriage, and the entire prime mover is positioned below a level coincident with a lowest extent of the superstructure.

Assignees

• Bamford Excavators Ltd

Inventors

• Lyle Jonathan
• Griffin John
• Jowett Peter

Classifications

• E02F9/166

  movable, tiltable or pivoting, e.g. movable seats, dampening arrangements of cabins (seats for vehicles in general B60N2/00) · CPC title

• E02F9/085

  Ground-engaging fitting for supporting the machines while working, e.g. outriggers, legs (for vehicles in general B60S9/00, for cranes B66C23/78) · CPC title

• E02F9/02 Primary

  Travelling-gear, e.g. associated with slewing gears ({drives therefor E02F9/20}; for motor vehicles B60B, B60G; undercarriages for locomotives or railroad cars B61F; track-laying vehicles B62D; for cranes B66C23/18) · CPC title

• E02F9/0883

  Tanks, e.g. oil tank, urea tank, fuel tank (for vehicles in general B60K15/00) · CPC title

• E02F3/325

  Backhoes of the miniature type · CPC title