WO2019034809A1

WO2019034809A1 - Multifunctional bucket for a working vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2019034809A1
Application number: PCT/FI2018/050585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juho IKONEN; Juha LEPPÄNEN
Original assignee: Amados Markkinointi Oy
Current assignee: Amados Markkinointi Oy
Priority date: 2017-08-17
Filing date: 2018-08-16
Publication date: 2019-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-17
Also published as: EP3669027A4; EP3669027A1; RU2020110905A3; FI20175738A1; FI127862B; RU2020110905A

Abstract

The application relates to a multifunctional bucket (100) according to one embodiment, which comprises a bucket body (102), wing members (104), and a mounting member for attaching the bucket to a working vehicle. The body comprises a bottom plate (108) and cheek plates (1 10) attached to the latter. To each cheek plate (1 10) is connected a wing member (104) so as to enable the wing member to swing relative to the cheek plate. The bucket further comprises a back plate (106). Between the cheek plates is constructed an openable partition (1 12), which enables establishment inside the body of a separate sand enclosure (1 14) defined by the partition, the cheek plates, and the back plate for holding the sand.

Description

MULTIFUNCTIONAL BUCKET FOR A WORKING VEHICLE Technical field

The application relates generally to a multifunctional bucket for a working vehicle. Background

Snow plowing in non-motorized traffic lanes, industrial areas, and in the yards of apartment buildings involves the use of a snow bucket mountable to the front lift of a tractor or a compact utility vehicle and fitted with plowing wings.

This bucket, referred to as a winged plow or winged snow plow, is attached to the tractor with mounting brackets so as to enable, if necessary, its detachment from the tractor and replacement with another work implement.

The bucket enables plowing with variable widths as the bucket-mounted wings can be swung hydraulically by the driver during operation. In addition to plowing, the bucket enables gathering and loading of snow when the bucket has its wings pivoted alongside the same.

Sand over the plowed surface is spread with a rear sand spreader mountable to a back lift at the rear of a tractor, or with a front sand spreader mounted to the front lift as a replacement of the bucket.

Summary One objective of the invention is to solve some of the prior art problems and to provide a multifunctional bucket, which enables several buckets and functions of working vehicles to be replaced with a single multifunctional bucket.

One objective of the invention is attained with a multifunctional bucket and a working vehicle according to the independent claims. According to one embodiment, there is provided a multifunctional bucket for a working vehicle, which bucket comprising a bucket body, wing members, and a mounting member for attaching the bucket to the working vehicle. The body comprises a bottom plate and cheek plates attached to the latter. To each cheek plate is connected a wing member so as to enable swinging of the wing member relative to the cheek plate. The bucket further comprises a back plate. Between the cheek plates is provided an openable partition, which enables establishment inside the body of a separate sand enclosure defined by the partition, the cheek plates and the back plate for holding the sand. According to one embodiment, there is provided a working vehicle to which is mounted a multifunctional bucket. The bucket comprises a bucket body, wing members, and a mounting member for attaching the bucket to the working vehicle. The body comprises a bottom plate and cheek plates attached thereto. To each cheek plate is connected a wing member so as to enable swinging of the wing member relative to the cheek plate. The bucket further comprises a back plate. Between the cheek plates is provided an openable partition, which enables establishment inside the body of a separate sand enclosure defined by the partition, the cheek plates and the back plate for holding the sand.

Other embodiments are presented in the dependent claims. Brief description of the figures

Embodiments of the invention will be described more precisely with reference to the accompanying figures: figs. 1 a-1 e show a multifunctional bucket in plowing position in views from various directions and in cross-sections

figs. 2a-2c show a bucket in a view diagonally from the front and in cross- sections

fig. 3 shows a bucket's top plate and its lip portion

fig. 4 shows a bucket as mounted to a working vehicle

Detailed description of the figures Figs. 1 a-1 c depict a multifunctional bucket 100, which is detachably mountable to a working vehicle 490 and which is in a plowing position.

The bucket 100 can be manufactured from bend-pressed and straight plates of structural steel, which are joined by welding to each other. The employed plates are e.g. ordinary grades of structural steel, e.g. s355, s420 and s460 with a yield strength of e.g. 235-500 MPa. In lip plates 109 and road grader blades of the bucket 100 it is possible to use wear steel with a hardness of e.g. 400-550 HBW.

Manufacturing of the bucket 100 may further involve the use of round bars and structural hollow sections to connect components to each other. The bucket 100 can be e.g. 1 -4 m in width, from e.g. one meter to in excess of two meters in length, and from e.g. less than one cubic meter to more than four cubic meters in volume.

The bucket 100 comprises a bucket body 102, which can be used for moving or lifting snow or goods to be plowed or loaded. Additionally, the bucket 100 comprises swinging wing members 104, which are intended for plowing.

In addition, the bucket 100 comprises a back plate 106.

The bucket 100 further comprises a mounting member (mounting brackets) for attaching the bucket 100 to a working vehicle 490. The mounting member is provided in a rear portion of the body 102 so as to enable a detachable mounting of the bucket 100 to the working vehicle 490, e.g. to the front lift of a tractor or a compact utility tractor (to the front loader, beam assembly).

The body 102 comprises a bottom plate 108.

The bottom plate 108 may have its leading edge fitted with a lip plate 109. In addition, the body 102 comprises cheek plates 1 10, which are attached to the bottom plate 108 and arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate 108.

To each cheek plate 1 10 is connected a wing member 104 so as to enable the wing member 104 to swing relative to a spindle 105 fixed to an end of the cheek plate 1 10.

The bucket 100 may comprise a hydraulic cylinder 107 mounted on the end of a lever for swinging the wing member 104. The cylinders 107 can be located outside the cheek plates 1 10 as shown in the figures. The wing member 104 may swing in such a way that, in a loading position, each wing member 104 has been swung essentially against its cylinder 107 such that the wing member 104 lies alongside its cheek plate 1 10.

When the wing members 104 are swung (opened) from the loading position, each wing member 104 is capable of swinging relative to its spindle 105 to an opening position as shown in fig. 1 so as to be at some adjustable angle a with its associated cheek plate 1 10.

On the external surface of each cheek plate 1 10 can be mounted a reinforcement plate 1 18. The bucket 100 further comprises an openable and closable partition 1 12, which is arranged between the cheek plates 1 10 and shown in fig. 1 a in a closed position.

The partition 1 12 can have the shape of a plate-like profile or a U-profile.

The partition 1 12 enables establishment inside the body 102 of a separate, bottom-opening sand enclosure 1 14 defined by the partition 1 12, the cheek plates 1 10, and the back plate 106 for holding the sand.

The partition 1 12 can be designed to be capable of opening and closing by pivoting (rotating) relative to a shaft 1 16.

The partition 1 12 can be attached to each assembly of the cheek and rein- forcement plate 1 10, 1 18 with a shaft 1 16 which is bearing-mounted in a bushing.

In addition, the body 102 may comprise a casing member (casing structure) 1 17, which is constructed in view of closing a space between the partition 1 12 and the bottom plate 102. The casing member 1 17 can also be replaced with a flat bar element.

The bucket 100 may further comprise hydraulic cylinders 120 mounted on the end of a lever for turning the shaft 1 16. The cylinders 120 can be located outside of the cheek plates 1 10, and thereby of the reinforcement plates 1 18, as shown in the figures. Optionally, the partition 1 12 can be operated with a hydraulic motor or a hydraulic rotator. The rotator device can be located inside of the cheek plates 1 10 of the bucket 100.

Optionally, the partition 1 12 can be a tip-over sanding box, whereby a sand spreader element 126 would be located either on a bottom of the sanding box or in the body 102 of the bucket 100, and the movable back plate 106 would be constituted by a rear portion of the sanding box.

Optionally, the partition 1 12 can be an up-down movable design, which, after the bucket 100 has been filled, would be able in its lowered position to prevent escape of sand from the rear portion of the bucket 100.

Each cheek plate 1 10 can have its internal surface, which is simultaneously an internal surface of the body 102, provided with a cheek pad 1 1 1 against which the partition 1 12 in its top position places itself when the sand enclosure 1 14 is closed with the partition 1 12. The partition 1 12 in its bottom position, or its leading edge (top edge), may place itself against the bottom plate 102 when the sand enclosure 1 14 is in turn opened.

In addition, the body 102 may comprise a top plate 122, which makes up a roof for the sand enclosure 1 14. The top plate 122 can be fastened to top edges of the back and cheek plates 106, 1 10.

The top plate 122 can have on its internal surface a lip portion 324, against which the partition 1 12 in its top position places itself in the process of closing the sand enclosure 1 14.

Optionally, the bucket 100 has no top plate 122 but, instead, partitions to be placed on top of the same.

Fig. 1 c shows the bucket 100 without wing members 104.

The figure does not show road grader blades included in the bucket 100 and attachable to the lip plate 109 and the wing members 104, with exception of the hydraulic cylinders 107, 120, and mounting members. Fig. 1 d shows a cross-section A-A of the bucket 100 along an axial line of the partition 1 12 while the partition 1 12 is in its upper position.

The sand enclosure 1 14 can have its bottom provided with a sand spreader element (sander) 126 for spreading out of the bucket 100 the sand present in the sand enclosure 1 14 or in the whole bucket 100.

When using the sand spreader element 126, the sand flows onto the sand spreader element 126.

The sand spreader element 126 can be e.g. a pendulum bottom spreader, a roller spreader, or a spinning disc spreader. The pendulum bottom spreader has been found excellent in sand spreading when the bucket 100 is used simultaneously as a plow.

Depending on a model of the sand spreader element 126, the motor 128 operating the same, e.g. a hydraulic motor, is located either in the sand enclosure 1 14 or, as shown in the figures, outside the body 102 of the bucket 100. The bucket 100 may have its sand distribution widened onto a pendulum bottom 127 by the addition of a sand tunnel(s) 130 on both sides of the bucket 100, thus providing a larger sand spreading width.

Fig. 1 e shows a cross-section A-A for the bucket 100 with the partition 1 12 in its upper position. Fig. 2a shows the bucket 100 without wing members 104 and in a loading position.

Filling the sand spreader element 126 takes place either by scooping from a pile of sand or by pouring from a sand silo directly into the bucket 100. When scooping from a pile of sane, the loading is carried out after having the wings 104 driven against the cheek plates 1 10 of the bucket 100 and the partition 1 12 down against the bottom plate 108, as shown in the figure.

Generally, when filling from a silo, the partition 1 12 is opened just slightly so as to enable the sand to pass directly into the sand enclosure 1 14. Silo filling can also be conducted onto the top of the bottom plate 108 of the bucket 100, whereby, when using a small sand enclosure 1 14, the excess sand, left on top of the bottom plate 108 of the bucket 100 after closing the partition 1 14, is tipped out of the bucket 100.

Should it be desirable to employ a large sand enclosure made possible by the whole bucket 100, the partition 1 12 is left in a lower position and the bucket 100 is tilted in such a way that the sand flows onto the sand spreader element 126 without being able to trickle from the bucket 100. After this, the bucket 100 is ready for sand spreading.

When using a large sand enclosure 1 14, the partition 1 12 is pivoted to a closed position while the bucket 100 is almost full of sand, whereby some of the sand passes into the sand enclosure 1 14. The partition 1 12, the cheek pads 1 1 1 , the bend-pressed reinforcement bar serving as a lip member 324 for the roof 122 of the sand enclosure 1 14, and the casing member 1 17 present on top of the bottom plate 108 make up a tight sand enclosure 1 14 wherefrom the sand is not able to escape and, in a plowing operation, the snow does not penetrate into the sand enclosure 1 14. The sand unable to fit in the sand enclosure 1 14 is removed from top of the bottom plate 108 by tipping the bucket 100.

The partition 1 12 is able to pivot in a stepless manner on the shaft 1 16 from a lower position consistent with loading condition, wherein the partition 1 12 lies against the bottom plate 108, to an upper position consistent with fig. 1 a, wherein the partition 1 12 lies against the bend-pressed lip portion 324 included in the roof 122 of the sand enclosure 1 14.

Naturally, the partition 1 12 is able to from the upper position back to the lower position. The shaft assembly intended for operating the partition 1 12 is simple, components readily replaceable and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. By virtue of this, the bucket 100 does not have unnecessary parts on its internal surface and the cylinders 120 lie alongside the bucket in sufficient protection, yet easily maintainable. The partition 1 12 functions as a ramp for the sand when the whole bucket 100 is used as a sand spreader and, when it is closed, the bucket 100 shall have on its bottom a maximal space for snow and, also, there will be a smooth joint between the bottom and the partition 1 12. Fig. 2b shows a cross-section A-A of the bucket 100 along the axial line of the partition 1 12 with the partition 1 12 in a lower position against the bottom plate 108 and the wing members 104 against the cheek plates 1 10.

Fig. 2c shows a cross-section A-A of the bucket 100 with the partition 1 12 in a lower position.

The sand enclosure 1 14 is unloaded either by using the sand spreader element 126 or by opening the partition 1 12 and tipping the bucket 100. In the latter case, the sand enclosure 1 14 may be left with a small amount of sand, which can be removed by using the sand spreader element 126. When sand spreading takes place concurrently with plowing, a small sand enclosure 1 14 is employed and the partition 1 12 is in a closed position as depicted in fig. 1 a. In this instance, the loading of snow with the bucket 100 is possible. The wing members 104 are operated in plowing the same way as in other commercially available winged snow plows. The bucket 100 enables sand spreading immediately after plowing.

The partition 1 12 has a width capable of fitting inside the bucket 100, and e.g. 1 -4 m in width. The partition 1 12 extends generally to a position slightly below the top edge of the cheek plates 1 10 of the bucket 100, such that the sand enclosure 1 14 is sealed by the partition 1 12. The partition 1 12 may have a height of e.g. 500-2000 mm from the bottom of the bucket 100.

In a lowered condition, the bottom plate 108 and the partition 1 12 develop between themselves a tight joint. Thereby, the partition 1 12 functions as a surface along which sand flows onto the sand spreader element 126 as the bucket 100 is tilted towards a working vehicle 490. The partition 1 12 can also be mounted elsewhere on the body 102 instead of the cheek plates 1 10, e.g. on the bottom plate 108 or the back plate 106 of the bucket 100, whereby it is not absolutely necessary to have a supporting, and simultaneously torque-transmitting shaft 1 16 shown in the figures. In these solutions, the cylinder or cylinders 120, necessary for operating the partition 1 12, can be present inside the bucket 100.

The partition 1 12 can be e.g. box-structured or made of a single plate. Some may also involve the use of round profiles and tubular beams. Manufacturing materials can be e.g. grades of structural steel s235, s355, s420 and s460 or wear steels with a hardness of e.g. 400- 500 HBW.

The shaft 1 16 of the partition 1 12 connects the partition 1 12 to the body 102. The shaft 1 16 can be e.g. a tubular beam, a profile shaft, a profile pipe, or a round bar. The material can be e.g. s235 or s355 structural steel or alloyed shaft materials.

The torque needed for pivoting the partition 1 12 is produced e.g. by lever end- mounted hydraulic cylinders 120 commonly found in the marketplace, by a hydraulic rotator device fixed directly to the shaft 1 16, or by a hydraulic motor. The lever material may comprise e.g. ordinary structural steels or cast steels. The shaft 1 16, along with its lever, may also be a cast component.

The pendulum bottom spreader 126 includes in its bottom a pendulum plate (bottom) 127, which may be slightly narrower than the width of the bucket 100. Its manufacturing materials may comprise e.g. structural steel grades such as s235, s355, s420 and s460, or wear steels with a hardness of e.g. 400-500 HBW.

The pendulum plate 127 moves generally while supported by two hangers mounted on the back section 106 of the bucket 100. In view of enhancing sand spreading, the pendulum plate 127 has either straight or diagonal steel ribs and opposite plates on the side of the body 102 of the bucket 100. Facing the straight pendulum ribs, the body 102 includes diagonal plates. When the pendulum bottom 127 is in lateral movement, the straight-diagonal combination results in the sand falling onto the ground alternately from the forward and rearward sides of the pendulum plate 127 The sand tunnel 130 (sand casing) has been constructed to lengthen the pendulum plate 127 in terms of its effective extent across the entire maximum width of the bucket 100, and it can be located on top of the pendulum plate 127 on both sides of the bucket 100 for attaining a broader sand spreading width for a pendulum-bottom as well as roller sand spreader 126. The maxi- mum advantage is attained for the pendulum bottom 127. The manufacturing materials can be e.g. structural steel grades such as s235, s355, s420 and s460, or wear steels whose hardness can be e.g. 400-500 HBW. Compared to a roller sand spreader, the pendulum-bottom sand spreader 126 has a large sand spreading width, which may cover nearly the entire plowing width. In addition, it is less susceptible to sand-induced disruption than other sand spreader models. Fig.3 shows more precisely a lip portion 324, which is formed on the top plate 122 and against which the partition 1 12 places its top edge in the process of closing the sand enclosure 1 14.

In a plowing operation, the roof 122 of the sand enclosure 1 14 prevents snow from becoming mixed within sand and, on the other hand, the sand from flow- ing over the partition 1 12 as the bucket 100 is tipped. The top plate 122 may include a bend-pressed lip portion 324 for sealing the partition 1 12 against the top plate 122. The bend-pressed lip portion 324 functions at the same time as a bracing and reinforcement for the top plate 122. The components of the roof 122 are fabricated e.g. from structural steel plates with a yield strength of e.g. 235-500 MPa.

Between the cheek plate 1 10 and the partition 1 12 of the bucket 100 is added on both sides a cheek pad 1 1 1 . Its purpose is to brace the cheek plate 1 10, prevent stones from wedging between the cheek plate 1 10 and the partition 1 12, and to seal for its part an interval between the partition 1 12 and the cheek plate 1 10. It is manufactured e.g. from structural steel plates with a yield strength of e.g. 235-500 MPa. Tubular beams or wear steel profiles and plates serve the purpose as well.

The bottom plate 108 can be shorter in the bucket 100 due to the fact that an aperture in the bottom required by the sand spreader element 126 prevents in most cases its extension all the way to the back plate 106 of the bucket 100. The bottom plate 108 can be bend-pressed upwards upstream of the sand spreader element 126, thus forming a space for the sand spreader element 126 in the bottom of the bucket 100. Between the bottom plate 108 and the partition 1 12 is installed a bend-pressed casing member 1 17, which seals the bottom plate 108 to the partition 1 12 and makes a smooth rear edge for the snow space. The components may be manufactured from e.g. s355, s420 s460 or s500 plates or wear steel with a hardness of e.g. 400-500 HBW.

The cheek plates 1 10 and the reinforcement plates 1 18 strengthen the wall of the bucket 100 and provide a base for a bushing of the partition 1 12, said bushing extending through these plates 1 10, 1 18 and being welded firmly thereto. The bushing material may comprise e.g. machine steel grades E420 or E470, or bearing housings machined in an s355- or s420 structural steel plate. The sand spreader element 126 can be operated with a hydraulic motor 128. The electric motor is also a possible option. In pendulum-bottom buckets 100, the rotary motion of the motor 128 is converted with an eccentric disc into reciprocating motion. The pendulum bottom 127 is also capable of being implemented with a cylinder and a valve system to automatically produce reciprocat- ing motion. The hydraulic motor 128 is disposed outside the bucket 100 close to mounting brackets of the working vehicle 490 for easy maintainability. The working hydraulic motor 128 can be e.g. a motor with a displacement of 100- 500 cubic centimeters.

Fig. 4 shows a working vehicle 490, having mounted thereto a bucket 100 as described in connection with the previous figures.

The working vehicle 490 can be e.g. a compact utility machine, a front lift- equipped tractor or a compact tractor, or a wheel loader.

The bucket 100 is attached with its mounting member e.g. to a front lift 492 of the working vehicle 490 and connected to a control system of the working ve- hide 490 so as to enable the driver to operate the bucket 100, the wing members 104, and the partition 1 12 with control instruments of the working vehicle 490.

The bucket 100 enables integration of two, or if large and small sand spreading features are distinguished from each other, of three devices into a single unit without significantly sacrificing any capability. A winged snow plow and a sand spreader can be integrated in a single bucket by means of the bucket 100.

The integration of a winged snow plow and a sand spreader makes it possible to carry out plowing and sand spreading in a single drive. In addition, the sand spreading takes place in the driver's normal field of vision, not behind the vehicle which is the case when working with back lift equipment. When the plowing and the sand spreading are carried out in a single drive, e.g. in a narrow space between cars, the sand spreading can be conducted simultaneously with plowing either forward or when reversing away from the space between the cars. When using a working vehicle 490 equipped with a sand spreader mounted to back lift equipment, it will be necessary to turn the working vehicle 490 around and to reverse the same into the space between cars in order to carry out sand spreading and, therefore, by virtue of the bucket 100, there will be less need of reversing.

In addition the bucket 100 enables improvement of ergonomics and safety at work. If there is a larger area to be plowed and sanded, it is possible to first conduct plowing and acute localized sand spreading, e.g. at the front of doors, at mail boxes, at the front of trash bin sheds, after which the sand can be collected without replacing the bucket 100 and the area spread with sand in a normal fashion. It is generally the same operator who handles sand spreading after plowing, whereby several vehicle brands require a second drive for sand spreading.

Some apartment buildings demand sand spreading immediately after plowing, justified by a sloping or slippery yard, whereby the bucket 100 makes it possible to obviate the use of several working vehicles or unnecessary replacement of work implements.

If necessary, it is possible to provide a sand-spread surface under the tires of a working vehicle 490 to improve mobility of the actual working vehicle 490. This reduces the need of using studs in working vehicles 490.

Claims

1. A multifunctional bucket (100) for a working vehicle (490), comprising a bucket body (102),

wing members (104),

a back plate (106), and

a mounting member for attaching the bucket to the working vehicle, wherein said body comprising a bottom plate (108) and cheek plates (1 10) attached to the latter,

wherein each of said cheek plates (1 10) having a wing member (104) connected thereto so as to enable the wing member to swing relative to the cheek plate, and

wherein between said cheek plates being provided an openable partition (1 12), which enables establishment inside the body of a separate sand enclosure (1 14) defined by the partition, the cheek plates, and the back plate for holding the sand,

characterized in that

the body further comprises a casing member (1 17), which is constructed for closing a space between the partition and the bottom plate.

2. A bucket according to the preceding claim, wherein each cheek plate has its external surface fitted with a reinforcement plate (1 18), and the partition is mounted to each cheek and reinforcement plate assembly with a shaft (1 16), which is bearing-mounted in a bushing.

3. A bucket according to claim 2, which includes hydraulic cylinders (120) for turning the shaft, wherein said cylinders being located outside the cheek plates.

4. A bucket according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each cheek plate has its internal surface provided with a cheek pad (1 1 1 ), against which the partition in its upper position places itself in the process of closing the sand enclosure.

5. A bucket according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the partition in its lower position places itself against the bottom plate in the process of opening the sand enclosure.

6. A bucket according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body further comprises a top plate (122), which constitutes a roof for the sand enclosure and which has its internal surface provided with a lip portion (324), against which the partition in its upper position places itself in the process of closing the sand enclosure.

7. A bucket according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sand enclosure has its bottom provided with a sand spreader element (126) for dispensing sand present in the sand enclosure from the bucket.

8. A bucket according to claim 7, wherein the sand spreader-controlling mo- tor is installed in the sand spreading enclosure or outside the body.

9. A working vehicle (490), to which is mounted a bucket (100) according to any of the preceding claims.