Suspension system for a work vehicle and related sensor assembly

• US 9,889,893 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2016
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Scott, Shane M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLACK, MELISSA ANN
• Application Number:
  US15/054,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20170247064A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0604 Cabs insulated against vibrations or noise, e.g. with elastic suspension resilient connections between superstructure sub-units B62D27/04; damping noise in general G10K11/00; for vehicles in general B60R13/08
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0608 pneumatic or hydraulic suspension
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/065 Multi-track vehicles, i.e. more than two tracks soil-shifting machines E02F; mining machines E21C

Abstract

A system for suspending a cab frame relative to a base component of a work vehicle may generally include a sensor assembly coupled between the cab frame and the base component. The sensor assembly may include a sensor coupled to the cab frame and a sensor arm configured to pivot relative to the sensor. The sensor assembly may also include a sensor linkage extending lengthwise between a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the sensor linkage may be coupled to the sensor arm. Additionally, the second end portion of the sensor linkage may be coupled to the base component such that the second end portion is rotatable relative to the base component about at least two different axes.

Claims

1. A system for suspending a cab frame relative to a base component of a work vehicle, the system comprising:

a support bracket coupled to the base component, the support bracket defining an opening, the opening defining a central axis extending between an insertion end and an aft end opposite the insertion end; and

a sensor assembly coupled between the support bracket and the cab frame, the sensor assembly including a sensor coupled to the cab frame and a sensor arm configured to pivot relative to the sensor, the sensor assembly further comprising a sensor linkage extending lengthwise between a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the sensor linkage being coupled to the sensor arm and the second end portion of the sensor linkage being received within the opening,

wherein the opening is tapered along the central axis to allow the second end portion of the sensor linkage to rotate relative to the support bracket about an axis extending non-parallel to the central axis.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the sensor linkage is received within the opening such that the second end portion is configured to translate laterally relative to the support bracket along the central axis.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the sensor linkage is received within the opening such that the second end portion is configured to rotate relative to the support bracket about the central axis.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening is tapered along the central axis at a taper angle ranging from about 1 degree to about 20 degrees.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening is tapered outwardly along the central axis from the insertion end to the aft end.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening is defined in a mounting flange of the support bracket.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the axis corresponds to a horizontal axis extending perpendicular to the central axis.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the axis corresponds to a vertical axis extending perpendicular to the central axis.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor arm is configured to pivot relative to the sensor due to relative movement between the cab frame and the base component.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a pivot angle of the sensor arm as the sensor arm pivots relative to the sensor.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a suspension cylinder coupled to the cab frame; and

a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the controller being configured to control an actuation of the suspension cylinder based on sensor measurements received from the sensor.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a valve provided in fluid communication with the suspension cylinder, the controller being configured to control the operation of the valve so as to regulate a supply of fluid to the suspension cylinder.

13. A system for suspending a cab frame relative to a base component of a work vehicle, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly coupled between the cab frame and the base component, the sensor assembly including a sensor coupled to the cab frame and a sensor arm configured to pivot relative to the sensor, the sensor assembly further comprising a sensor linkage extending lengthwise between a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the sensor linkage being coupled to the sensor arm; and

means for coupling the second end portion of the sensor linkage to the base component to allow the second end portion to rotate relative to the base component about at least two different axes.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the means comprises a tapered opening defined in a support bracket coupled to the base component, the second end portion of the sensor linkage being received within the tapered opening.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the tapered opening defines a central axis, the second end portion being configured to rotate relative to the support bracket about the central axis and an additional axis extending non-parallel to the central axis.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second end portion of the sensor linkage is received within the tapered opening such that the second end portion is further configured to translate laterally relative to the support bracket along the central axis.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the means comprises a coupling member coupled between the second end portion of the sensor linkage and a support bracket coupled to the base component, the coupling member including a socket portion configured to receive the second end portion and a cylindrical portion configured to be received within an opening defined in the support bracket.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a pivot angle of the sensor arm as the sensor arm pivots relative to the sensor.

19. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a suspension cylinder coupled to the cab frame; and

a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the controller being configured to control an actuation of the suspension cylinder based on sensor measurements received from the sensor.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a valve provided in fluid communication with the suspension cylinder, the controller being configured to control the operation of the valve so as to regulate a supply of fluid to the suspension cylinder.