Process for three-dimensional modeling and design of off-highway dump bodies

Abstract

A method of loading material into a dump body of a truck using a loading bucket whose volumetric capacity is approximately ⅓ or more than that of the dump body is provided. The dump body having side walls that are spaced relatively wider than conventional dump bodies. The loading bucket having a gate at a lower end thereof that when free swings open and causes the material contained in the loading bucket to drop into the dump body. The method including the steps of filling the loading bucket with an amount of earthen material and centering the loading bucket over the dump body. The bucket is then lowered to a position that: (1) substantially minimizes the clearance between the floor of the dump body and the swinging gate in its freed position; (2) allows the swinging gate to clear the side walls of the dump body as it swings through an arc after it is freed, and (3) allows the material to be discharged substantially in the center of the dump body. The swinging gate is then freed so as to open the bucket and allow the material held in the bucket to drop into the dump body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for designing an off-highway truck body of an off-highway truck, the off-highway truck including an off-highway truck chassis, the process comprising:
 developing a substantially conical-shaped volumetric model of a payload; and   developing a design of the truck body around the volumetric model, the design of the truck body including a floor, a front wall, side walls and an open end.   
     
     
         2 . The process recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric model includes a volume, and wherein the volume is dependent upon a hauling capacity of the off-highway truck chassis. 
     
     
         3 . The process recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric model includes a plateau. 
     
     
         4 . The process recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric model includes a volume, and wherein a position of at least one of the floor or the front wall is adjusted so as to change the volume held by the design of the truck body. 
     
     
         5 . The process recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric model includes a volume, and wherein a width between the side walls is adjusted so as to change the volume held by the design of the truck body. 
     
     
         6 . The process recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric model includes a density. 
     
     
         7 . The process recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric model includes a volume, and wherein the volume is determined as a function of a payload capacity of the off-highway truck chassis divided by a density. 
     
     
         8 . The process recited in  claim 1 , wherein the design of the truck body is developed in order to position the volumetric model on the off-highway truck chassis so as to provide a load distribution according to a predetermined load distribution of the off-highway truck chassis. 
     
     
         9 . The process recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric model incorporates an angle of repose. 
     
     
         10 . The process recited in  claim 9 , wherein the angle of repose is collected from an operational site of the off-highway truck. 
     
     
         11 . The process recited in  claim 9 , wherein the angle of repose is collected from a site other than an operational site of the off-highway truck. 
     
     
         12 . The process recited in  claim 9 , wherein the angle of repose is collected through a consultation with a user of the off-highway truck. 
     
     
         13 . The process recited in  claim 9 , wherein the angle of repose is based on characteristics of a material of the payload. 
     
     
         14 . The process recited in  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric model incorporates a plurality of angles of repose. 
     
     
         15 . The process recited in  claim 14 , wherein the angles of repose include a front angle of repose. 
     
     
         16 . The process recited in  claim 14 , wherein the angles of repose include a rear angle of repose. 
     
     
         17 . The process recited in  claim 14 , wherein the angles of repose include a side angle of repose. 
     
     
         18 . A process for producing an off-highway truck body of an off-highway truck, the off-highway truck including an off-highway truck chassis, the process comprising:
 developing a substantially conical-shaped volumetric model of a payload; and   developing a design of the truck body around the volumetric model, the design of the truck body including a floor, a front wall, side walls and an open end; and   producing an off-highway truck body based on the design of the truck body.