DUMP TRUCK BODY, DUMP TRUCK BODY COMPONENTS, DUMP TRUCK BODYSUPPORTSTRUCTUREFIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001] The present invention relates to a dump truck body, components of a dump truck body and/or a dump truck body support structure.
[0002] Particular features of the dump truck body or components of a dump truck body relate to fabrication or arrangement of components forming at least part of a dump truck body and/or support structure therefor.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0003] Productivity in mine sites and other locations using heavy haul trucks to transport bulk materials (such as coal, iron ore, mineral sands, gold ore etc.) relies on maximising use of the available trucks on site. Downtime for truck maintenance either means fewer trucks are available for use at any given time or more trucks are needed in a fleet than would be preferred. This either increases maintenance costs or capital cost for extra vehicles.
[0004] One problem that causes increased maintenance frequency on heavy haul trucks is the even loading or overloading of a payload within the truck body. Uneven loading results in increased pressure on one or more tyres and/or on the vehicle chassis or chassis mounting points for the body.
[0005] Also, because the chassis, tyres and power/braking systems of the vehicle are designed for a maximum overall vehicle weight and load, it is beneficial to have a light yet sufficiently strong and wear resistant body for carrying a maximised payload whilst the body structure aids even positioning of the load within the body to control premature wear and vehicle system/tyre overload.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0006] With the aforementioned in mind, an aspect of the present invention provides a dump truck body having a body structure for holding a load to be transported by and unloaded from a dump truck, the body structure including a floor and a front wall, wherein the floor and front wall are continuous through a curved wall portion, and wherein at least one support member having an elongate body portion is provided either: intermediate an overlap of the front wall and floor plates and an overlap of the floor plates; or intermediate consecutive overlaps of the floor plates, such that a respective floor plate is supported structurally by the at least one support member intermediate one overlap and the next overlap.
[0007] At least one said support member may be provided intermediate the overlap of the front wall and floor plates and an overlap of the floor plates, and at least one said support member may be provided intermediate consecutive overlaps of the floor plates.
[0008] Preferably the floor extends transversely to respective opposed first and second sides of the body, the floor extending at an angle of between 00 (horizontal) and positive 120 (upward) with respect to horizontal
[0009] The floor may preferably curve along a front to rear axis to form a concave interior portion when viewed in longitudinal cross section.
[0010] The front wall may curve to form a concave front wall portion when viewed from the interior of the body, and/or the front wall may be angled forward such that an upper portion of the front wall is forward of a lower portion of the front wall that merges with the curve into or forming part of the floor.
[0011] The front wall and the floor may be at an interior angle of 1000 to 1200 with respect to one another, and preferably between 1050 and 1100
[0012] The floor may include floor plates, such as steel plates, fabricated together. The floor plates may overlap to create thicker sections of floor compared to single plate thickness.
[0013] At least one support member may be provided to support the floor from underneath i.e. external of the body structure. The body structure may at least one support member provided between consecutive overlaps of the floor plates such that an intermediate portion of a respective floor plate is supported structurally by the at least one support member between one overlap and the next.
[0014] The at least one support member may be provided between consecutive overlaps of the floor plates such that an intermediate portion of a respective floor plate is supported structurally between one overlap and the next.
[0015] The at least one support member may extend at least partially between a centreline of the body structure and a side wall of the body structure. More preferably, at least one of the support members, preferably multiple such support members, extends transversely at least partially between a centreline of the body structure and a left side of the body structure. And preferably, at least one other of the support members, preferably multiple other such support members, extends transversely at least partially between a centreline of the body structure and a right side of the body structure.
[0016] The at least one support member may include a curved beam portion. For example, one or more of the support members may include a curved longitudinal member, which may preferably have flat portions along longitudinal edges thereof for attachment of the support member directly or indirectly to an underside of the floor.
[0017] The flat portions at the longitudinal edges of the support member may have spaced recesses or cut-outs. Welding the support member to the floor along the remaining outer side edges not within the recesses or cut-outs of the support member allows the body to flex and stretch without cracking.
[0018] Preferably, weld is only placed on the straight outer edge of the support member. Consequently, if a cracked weld appears along the side edge, it only does so as a localised crack and cannot propagate along the whole length of the side edge weld.
[0019] The floor may be supported by longitudinal supports.
[0020] Preferably the longitudinal supports extend in parallel to one another along an underside of at least part of the floor and part of the front wall.
[0021] Preferably the longitudinal supports curve in unison with the curved portion connecting portions of the floor and the front wall.
[0022] Preferably the longitudinal supports include or are attached to pivot points by which the body may be pivotably mounted to a vehicle chassis for unloading a load from the body.
[0023] It will be appreciated that the body structure provides an elastically deformable shape with multiple angles (angled front wall portion and angled floor portions) for a dump truck body (such as for use on a mining dump truck/haul pack).
[0024] Preferably a rearward portion of the body structure includes an upwardly inclined or increased upward angle to the rear portion/edge of the floor to decelerate material during unloading. The upward/increased angle is evident when the body is in a lowered position for loading/transport of load as the floor curves upward towards the rear of the truck body structure, the final portion of the floor increases in angle such that, during unloading, the load sliding form the dump truck decelerates to help control unloading, and helps to retain the load within the body structure during transport and loading.
[0025] Preferably each of the side walls of the body includes a stiffener along its upper edge.
[0026] The front wall may include at least one curved beam extending transversely across the external front face of the front wall.
[0027] Preferably a flange plate is provided in between the floor and curved support member.
[0028] A first floor sheet may connect with and overlap with which connects a wall or curved sheet which forms at least part of the front wall.
[0029] A second floor sheet may connect with and overlap with the first floor sheet and/or with a third floor sheet.
[0030] The third floor sheet may connects and overlap with a fourth floor sheet.
[0031] It will be appreciated that one reason that the present invention was developed was because mines needed to maximise operating costs. By reducing the weight of the body structure of the dump truck this in turn gives the truck a bigger payload carrying captivity.
[0032] Also, the body structure according to one or more forms of the present invention enables weight distribution to the wheels of the vehicle to be correct for both an empty and a full body. This helps to prevent tyre overload due to uneven weight distribution, which even distribution of tyre load allows the truck to travel at a relatively high travelling speed because of tyre operating temperature is minimised.
[0033] Because the load is more evenly supported within the truck body, truck maintenance is reduced and also stays with the truck manufactures warranty requirements on chassis load and drive lines.
[0034] It will be appreciated that the floor structure internally of the body guides the load to accumulate over a central zone of the floor. The floor preferably angles upwards along side portions thereof with respect to a central front to rear extending portion of the floor (i.e. when the truck body is a position for loading).
[0035] A further aspect of the present invention provides a structural joint for a truck body, the structural joint including an overlap between respective edges of two metal portions, and recesses along an edge of at least one of the metal portions, the recesses providing an edge length of the metal portion compared with a straight edge of same metal portion.
[0036] Preferably the metal portion includes a sheet of metal.
[0037] The two metal portions may be or include overlapping sheets of metal, such as steel.
[0038] Such a unique overlapping joint structure provides enhanced structural integrity without the need for extra structural members, thereby controlling overall weight of the body structure whilst maintaining or increasing load carrying capacity.
[0039] A further aspect of the present invention provides a support member including an elongate body portion and side edges, at least one of the side edges including recesses spaced therealong, and a weld point provided intermediate adjacent said recesses.
[0040] Preferably, the recesses are provided along the edge or edges of a structural beam for welding to an underside of a floor of a heavy haul vehicle, such as for a floor of a dump truck body.
[0041] The support member may have a curved central section connected directly or indirectly to the side edge(s) having the recesses.
[0042] Preferably the support member provides a structural beam that is welded to the underside of the floor intermediate one overlap joint between floor plates and another overlap joint between floor plates. Consequently, the floor structure or body structure can have an alternate overlap joint and support member structure.
[0043] The support member may be fabricated by welding components together or may be pressed or forged as a single component.
[0044] The recesses may be laser or plasma cut, or may be stamped, from the material, such as steel, used for forming the member.
[0045] The recesses may be curved or include a curved portion. The recesses may provide a regular pattern of recesses along one or more side edges of the support member.
[0046] Preferably, the recesses include curved recesses, such as a key pattern, loop, scallop, part circular, curved, keyhole or omega shaped openings into the longitudinal edge of the metal portion.
[0047] The recesses provide for an interrupted or discontinuous overall length of weld joint between overlapping sheets compared with a simple straight edge continuously welded overlapping joint, allowing flexibility and reducing risk of welds cracking.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS[0048] One or more embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0049] Figure 1 shows a side section view of front wall and floor angles for a dump truck body according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] Figure 2 shows a front view of front wall and floor angles for a dump truck body according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] Figure 3 shows a front view of the structure for a dump truck body according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0052] Figure 4 shows a side view of the structure for a dump truck body according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] Figure 5 shows an underside external view of the structure for a dump truck body according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0054] Figure 6 shows an end view of a structural beam for a dump truck body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] Figure 7 shows enlarged view detail of a portion of the structural beam shown in Figure 6.
[0056] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a structural beam incorporating the features shown in Figures 6 and 7.
[0057] Figures 9 and 10 show respective side views of a dump truck with body tilted for unloading (Figure 9) and level for loading/transporting a load (Figure 10) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] Figures 11 to 14 show features of a joint structure for use in forming a welded joint between floor or wall plates according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] Figures 15 to 17 show views of a support beam including recesses along side edges thereof in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT[0060] Figure 1 shows a side view projection of a floor 12 and the front wall 14 of a dump truck body structure 10.
[0061] The floor 12 is preferably formed of sheets 26 which overlap at overlap joints 28. The overlap joints provide a double thickness sheet welded for strength and integrity of the structure at the overlaps.
[0062] The floor and front wall join at a curved portion 16.
[0063] The floor 12 has a concave curvature front to rear when viewed from the interior of the body.
[0064] As shown in Figure 2, side floor plates 18 or 20 extend upwardly in transversely from a lower central portion of the floor 17 at an angle from horizontal. Preferably the angle is between 00 and 120, and more preferably between 50 and 100, and indeed more preferably 60 and 80.
[0065] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, longitudinal supports 30 extend front to rear along the underside of the dump truck body 10 and provides support to the floor 12.
[0066] Pivot points 32 are provided on the longitudinal supports for pivotally mounting the dump truck body to a vehicle chassis, as shown in figures 9 and 10.
[0067] Transverse support members 34 extend transversely from a centre portion of the floor to opposed to left and right sides of the dump truck body. The support members can have a curved elongated section 40 extending between the flat plates of 36 provided at each longitudinal edge of the respective support member.
[0068] Preferably a flat or straight section 38 connects the curved portion 40 to the respective flat plate 36, as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8.
[0069] Longitudinal edges of the support members can include cut-outs increasing the overall length of the side edge of the respective support member for welding connection to the underside of the respective floor plate(s) to provide additional rigidity.
[0070] A trailing end 44 of the floor can provide an increased angle to decelerate unloading of load from the tipped dump truck body, shown in Figure 9 compared with Figure 10.
[0071] Figures 11 to 14 show features of an arrangement for joining floor or wall plates at their overlap 28.
[0072] Recesses 35 are provided along the edge of at least one of the plates, preferably the edge of the plate edge exposed at the underside of the body.
[0073] The recesses 35 provide for non-welded spaces between welds 39 along the side edge 37 of the floor plate, helping to prevent propagation of an weld crack that might occur, and thereby maintaining structural integrity of the floor structure.
[0074] As shown in Figure 13, the overlap joint can be provided between a flat plate 26 of the floor 12 and a curved section 16 continuing to the front wall 14.
[0075] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, for example, the floor inclines progressively steeper towards the open unloading end of the floor. Figure 4 shows dashed lines 1-4 compared with a horizontal H dashed line. The dashed lines 1-4 are at a progressively steeper angle of inclination compared with horizontal with the body in a lowered, loading orientation shown in Figure 4. This configuration helps to guide the bulk of the load within the body structure to a more forward position within the body structure and to a position between the wheels.
[0076] The sloping side portions 18, 20 of the floor, as shown in Figure 3 for example, help to maintain/guide the load toward the central portion 17 of the floor.
[0077] It will be appreciated that the floor structure helps to maintain the load in a desired position within the body structure, helping to avoid overloading on any one particular tyre or mounting point.
[0078] Also, the angled/curved front wall also helps to ensure that the load stay within a desired area within the body structure.
[0079] The body structure can include a Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) protective canopy 46 to protect the operator's cabin 48 from falling rocks or risk of crushing if the vehicle rolls over. The canopy 46 can be integral to the body structure, such as formed of sheets and/or castings welded together rather than a separately fabricated and bolt on ROPS/canopy.
[0080] As shown in Figures 15 to 17, a support member 34 with curved centre section 40 can include longitudinal side edges 50 incorporating recesses 52.
[0081] Weld points 54 are provided along the side edges 50 between adjacent recesses 52. The weld points and recesses (which as not welded) provide for a discontinuous weld along the edges of the support member, and thereby prevent weld cracks propagating along the length of the support member, limiting any cracking to localised welds.
[0082] Preferably the longitudinal side edges and recesses are provided in plates 36 attached to the curved section 40. More preferably, the plates 36 connect to the curved section via straight portions 38.