AU7688798A

AU7688798A - Wheel locking assembly

Info

Publication number: AU7688798A
Application number: AU76887/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dewaine A. Kautsch
Original assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Current assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Priority date: 1997-06-30
Filing date: 1998-05-20
Publication date: 1999-01-19
Also published as: DE19880995T1; WO1999000605A1

Description

WO99/00605 PCT/US98/10260 Description 5 WHEEL LOCKING ASSEMBLY Technical Field This invention relates generally to an assembly for locking a wheel to an axle and more 10 particularly to locking a wheel to an axle to permit repositioning the wheel at positions along the axle. Background Art One of the necessary features on an 15 agricultural tractor, for example, is the ability for the operator to adjust the spacing of wheels or tracks so as to perform various farming operations. This spacing is commonly referred to as the gage setting. Typically, the gage setting is adjusted to match a 20 particular farming operation. For example, when plowing, it is advantageous to keep the line of draft of the implement in alignment with the center line of the tractor and still have one wheel or track run in the furrow formed by the plow on the previous pass. 25 When cultivating, it is necessary to have the gage setting properly spaced to run between the rows of crop. As the operator changes from one type of operation or implement to another he must adjust the gage setting to suit the new function or implement. 30 The environment that agricultural tractors work in is adverse to the mechanical components that secure a hub to an axle. During a normal season the tractor experiences rain, mud, dust, and freezing conditions. The varying conditions and physical 35 environment can cause rust and an accumulation of mud WO 99/00605 PCTIUS98/10260 -2 or debris to build up on the mechanisms used to secure a hub to an axle. However, the wheel assembly should be functional even when a tractor's axle and associated wheel attaching components are coated with 5 an accumulation of rust and mud. Most of the currently available wheel assemblies are constructed in such a way that it is extremely difficult for the operator to release the hub from the axle under these conditions. In fact, the buildup of rust and mud on 10 the hub can require high wrench torque forces to break the bolts loose before adjustment of the wheel or track assembly on the axle can be made. Previous attempts to rectify such wheel adjustment problems have led to a variety of 15 mechanisms. One example of such prior assembly is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,596 issued Mar. 2, 1982, to Lemmon et al. Lemmon teaches an assembly for adjusting the gage, and securing the wheel to the axle on an agricultural tractor. The assembly uses two 20 pairs of tapered arc-shaped wedges, one pair is secured to the hub and the other pair is pulled together in two oppositely aligned bores of the hub. The two oppositely aligned bores have equally aligned interior surfaces that correspond to the tapered arc 25 shaped wedges so that when one pair is tightened, lock the wheel into driving engagement with the axle. The tightening action is performed by a plurality of corresponding fasteners that extend through one arc shaped wedge and the hub, and then are threaded into 30 the mating arc-shaped wedge. Two of the arc-shaped wedges also contain a key that meshes with a keyway in the axle to prevent the hub from slipping circumferentially on the axle. The above described assembly is typical of 35 prior solutions in that it consists of a large number WO99/00605 PCT/US98/10260 -3 of components. The components themselves require multiple manufacturing steps increasing their initial cost. Due to the number of components initial assembly time is increased as well as increasing 5 disassembly and adjustment time. The large number of fasteners used in the assembly increases the likelihood of rust and debris build-up. This adds to the difficulty of removal and adjustment. The present invention is directed to 10 overcome one or more of the problems as set forth above. Disclosure of the Invention In one aspect of the invention a wheel 15 locking assembly includes an axle having an outer surface, said outer surface including a first and a second contacting surface, and a hub having a bore therethrough and being positioned about said axle. The bore has an internal surface defining a mating 20 surface and a keyway. The mating surface is operatively aligned with one contacting surface, and the keyway is operatively aligned with the other contacting surface defining a cavity between the axle and the hub. A first wedge member defines a surface 25 and has a predetermined angle. A second wedge member defines a surface and has a predetermined angle complementing the predetermined angle of the first wedge member. The mating surface and one of said contacting surface being held in engagement in 30 response to the second wedge member being moved relative to the first wedge member.

WO 99/00605 PCTIUS98/10260 -4 Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 shows the wheel locking assembly as viewed looking at a work machine such as a tractor 5 from the side (with wedge members removed). FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the wheel locking assembly taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of a wedge 10 member used with the subject invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view of the wedge member of FIG. 3. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention 15 FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wheel locking assembly 10 designed for use on a work machine such as a rubber belted agricultural tractor. The wheel locking assembly 10 comprises an axle 12, a hub 14, a first wedge member 16, and a second wedge member 18 (see 20 FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 2 the axle 12 defines a longitudinal axis 20 and contains an outer surface 22. FIG. 1 shows the outer surface 22 of the axle 12 having a first contacting surface 24 and a second 25 contacting surface 26. The first contacting surface and second contacting surface 24,26 are preferably flats 28,30 that are positioned along the outer surface 22 of the axle 12 parallel to the longitudinal axis 20. In this application there is preferably a 30 third contacting surface 32. The third contacting surface 32 is also shown as a flat 34. The first, second, and third contacting surfaces 24,26,32 are generally the same size and length and are preferably, equally, circumferentially spaced on the outer surface 35 22 of the axle 12.

WO 99/00605 PCT/US98/10260 -5 It should also be recognized that the first contacting surface 24 could be a rectangular groove such as a machined keyway. Also the second contacting surface 26 could be the remainder of the outer surface 5 22 of the axle 12. Other possibilities for the second and the third contacting surfaces 26,32 could be a rectangular groove, an arcuate groove, a raised key, or any other configuration suitable for the purposes described. 10 Hub 14 is shown as a multi-piece assembly that contains a bore 36 and is designed to be fixed relative to said axle 12 both along and about the longitudinal axis 20. When the hub 14 is positioned about the axle 12 and is axially spaced apart from a 15 second hub 37 (not shown) on the opposite side of the tractor the axial spacing forms the gage setting. The bore 36 has an internal surface 38 defining a keyway 40 and a first mating surface 42. The keyway 40 extends parallel to the longitudinal 20 axis 20 across the entire width of the hub 14. The keyway 40 is generally rectangular in cross section and contains a pair of side walls 44 and an abutting surface 46 as best seen in Fig 1. The specific size and configuration of keyway 40 are not critical so 25 long as it does not render the hub 14 ineffective and can receive the first and second wedge members 16,18 as hereinafter described. For reasons to be explained later the first mating surface 42 is constructed to be operatively 30 aligned and to mate one of the contacting surfaces (shown to be the second contacting surface 26) and as such will have substantially the same, or complementary shape and size. The first mating surface 42 however is preferably a raised flat 48. The 35 raised flat 48 extends transverse of the hub 14 and is WO 99/00605 PCT/US98/10260 -6 circumferentially spaced from the keyway 40. In the embodiment disclosed there is a second mating surface 50 that is also a raised flat 52 that is equally circumferentially spaced from the keyway 40 and the 5 first mating surface 46. When the hub 14 is positioned about the axle 12, the keyway 40 aligns with the other (or another) of the contacting surfaces (shown to be the first contacting surface 24) and forms a cavity 54 between 10 the axle 12 and the hub 14. The first mating surface 42 and the second mating surface 50 of the hub 14 are then aligned with the second contacting surface 26 and the third contacting surface 32, respectively. The first wedge member 16 has a body portion 15 56 and an end portion 58. As shown in Fig. 2 the body portion 56 is comprised of a first surface 60 and a second surface 62. The first surface 60 defines a predetermined angle 64 relative to the longitudinal axis 20 of the axle 12. The predetermined angle 64 is 20 intended to be in the range of about 2 and about 7 degrees, but is preferably less than about 4 degrees. The second surface 62 is opposite the first surface 60 and defines a horizontal plane as seen in Fig 2. The end portion 58 has a flange 66 that meets the 25 second surface 62 at a right angle with the first surface 60 positioned on the inside of the right angle formed by the flange 66 and the second surface 62. The flange 66 extends radially outward away from the axis 20 and is adapted for securing the first wedge 30 member 16 to a side of the hub 14 by at least one fastener 68. However, the first wedge member 16 could be integral with or secured to the hub 14 as by welding. As shown in Fig. 2 the first surface 60 faces radially outwardly from the first contacting surface 35 24 of the axle 14 and the second surface 62 abuts the WO 99/00605 PCT/US98/10260 -7 first contacting surface 24. It should be recognized that the first wedge member 16 could be inverted, so that first surface 60 would face the first contacting surface 24. 5 The second wedge member 18 has a body end portion 70 and an end portion 72. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the body portion 70 is comprised of a first surface 74 and a second surface 76. The first surface 74 defines a predetermined angle 78 that is 10 complementary to the predetermined angle 62 of the first wedge member 16. Installed, the second surface 76 is opposite the first surface 74 and defines a horizontal plane. The end portion 72 of the second wedge member 18 has a flange 80 that meets the second 15 surface 76 at a right angle with the first surface 74 positioned radially inward towards the first contacting surface 24 and away from the right angle formed by the flange 80 and the second surface 62. The flange 80 extends radially outward away from the 20 axis 20. As seen in Figs. 1 and 4 flange 80 has a "U" shaped opening 82 that cradles a fastener 84. Fastener 84 has a first shoulder 86 and a second shoulder 88. The first shoulder 86 and the second shoulder 88 are laterally spaced apart on the 25 shank of fastener 84. When fastener 84 is cradled in the "U" shaped opening 82 the first shoulder 86 is positioned to the outside of the flange 80 and the second shoulder 88 is located on the inside of flange 80 closest to the hub 14. 30 Industrial Applicability The subject invention is particularly useful on agricultural type work machines, and more specifically on a rubber belted agricultural tractor. 35 It is advantageous that such vehicles are durable WO 99/00605 PCT/US98/10260 -8 under varying operating conditions, and easily changeable from one gage setting to another. The variable gage setting is especially useful for operating the vehicle in agricultural fields having 5 different row crop spacing. The embodiment shown does not require the keyway 40 to be aligned with any particular contacting surface because of the use of equally spaced flats 48,52. However, other constructions may require 10 specific mounting orientation for accommodating specific gage setting apparatus. The first wedge member 16 is positioned in keyway 40 and secured to the hub 14 by fasteners 68. The hub 14 can then be positioned at the desired location along the axle 12. 15 Fastener 84 is then tightened causing the first shoulder 86 to push against flange 80 pushing the second wedge member 18 inwards into keyway 40. The inward movement causes the first surface 74 of the second wedge member 18 to ride up along the first 20 surface 60 of the already installed first wedge member 16. This causes the second surface 62 to move radially outward away from axis 20 and push against the abutting surface 46 of the keyway 40. Tightening of fastener 92 continues until the first and second 25 matting surfaces 42,50 of the hub 14 engage with the second and third contacting surfaces 26,32 of the axle 12. At this time the hub 14 is locked to the axle 12. Adjustment or removal of the hub 14 along the axle 12 can be made without completely removing 30 either of the first or second wedge members 16,18 from the keyway 40. Fastener 84 is loosened causing the second shoulder 88 to push against flange 80 pulling the second wedge member 18 out of keyway 40. As long as the second wedge member 18 is backed off a 35 reasonable amount, adjustment is possible.

WO 99/00605 PCT/US98/10260 -9 Therefore, it is possible for adjustment or removal of the hub 14 to be made with the tightening or loosening of only one fastener 84. Other aspects, objects and advantages of 5 this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wheel locking assembly (10) comprising: 5 an axle (12) defining a longitudinal axis (20) and having an outer surface (22), said outer surface (22) having at least a first and a second contacting surface; (24,26) a hub (14) having a bore (36) therethrough 10 and being positioned about said axle (12), said bore (36) having an internal surface (38) defining a keyway (40) and at least one mating surface (42), said mating surface (42) being operatively aligned with one of said contacting surfaces (24,26,32), said keyway (40) 15 being operatively aligned with the other of said contacting surfaces (24,26,32) and defining a cavity (54) between said axle (12) and said hub (14); a first wedge member (16) defining a surface (60) having a predetermined angle (64) relative to 20 said longitudinal axis (20); a second wedge member (18) defining a surface (74) having a predetermined angle (78) complementing said predetermined angle (78) of said first wedge member (16); and 25 said mating surface (42) and said one of said contacting surfaces (24,26,32) being held in engagement in response to said second wedge member (18) being moved relative to the first wedge member (16). 30

2. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 1 wherein said first and second contacting surfaces (24,26) are flats (28,30) formed lengthwise along said outer surface (22) of said axle (12). 35 WO 99/00605 PCT/US98/10260 -11

3. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 1 wherein said predetermined angle (64) of said first wedge member (16) is in the range of about 2 to about 7 degrees. 5

4. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 4 wherein said predetermined angle (64) of said first wedge member (16) is less than about 4 degrees. 10

5. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 1 wherein said first wedge member (16) is fixed relative to said hub (14) by a fastener (68).

6. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 15 1 wherein said axle (12) has a third contacting surface (32) and said bore (36) of said hub (14) defines a mating surface (50) for contact with the third contacting surface (32). 20

7. The locking assembly (10) of claim 1 wherein said mating surfaces (42,50) are raised flats (48,52).

8. A locking assembly (10) for locking a 25 drive wheel to an axle (12) of a rubber belted agricultural tractor, comprising: an axle (12) defining a longitudinal axis (20) and having an outer surface (22) , said outer surface (22) having at least a first and a second 30 contacting surface (24,26), said first and second contacting surfaces (24,26) being circumferentially spaced apart on said outer surface (22); a hub (14) having a bore (36) therethrough, and being positioned about said axle (12), said bore 35 (36) having an internal surface (38) defining a keyway WO99/00605 PCT/US98/10260 -12 (40) and at least one mating surface (42), said mating surface (42) being operatively aligned with one of said contacting surfaces (24,26,32), said keyway (40) being operatively aligned with the other of said 5 contacting surfaces (24,26,32) creating a cavity (54) between said axle (12) and said hub (14); a first wedge member (16) positioned in said cavity (54) and defining a surface (60) having a predetermined angle (64) relative to said longitudinal 10 axis (20); a second wedge member (18) positioned in said cavity (54) and defining a surface (74) having a predetermined angle (78) complementing said predetermined angle (64) of said first wedge member 15 (16); and said hub (14) being fixed from movement relative to said axle (12) both along and about the longitudinal axis (20) in response to said second wedge member (18) being moved relative to the first 20 wedge member (16).

9. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 8 wherein said first and second contacting surfaces (24,26) are flats (28,30) formed lengthwise 25 along said outer surface (22) of said axle (12).

10. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 8 wherein said first wedge member (16) is integral with said hub (14). 30

11. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 8 wherein said second wedge member (18) has a flange (80) being adapted for moving the second wedge member (18) into locking relationship with said first 35 wedge member (16). WO99/00605 PCT/US98/10260 -13

12. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 8 wherein said predetermined angle (64,78) of said first and second wedge members (16,18) 5 respectively is in the range of about 2 to about 7 degrees.

13. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 12 wherein said predetermined angle (64,78) of 10 said first and second wedge members (16,18) respectively is less than about 4 degrees.

14. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 8 wherein said first wedge member (16) is held 15 in contact with the hub (14) by fasteners (68).

15. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 8 wherein said axle (12) has a third contacting surface (32) and said bore (36) of said hub (14) 20 defines a mating surface (50) for contact with the third contacting surface (32).

16. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 8 wherein said contacting surfaces (24,26,32) are 25 flats (28,30,34).

17. The wheel locking assembly (10) of claim 8 wherein said mating surfaces (42,50) are raised flats (48,52) 30