CA2135572C - Method and apparatus for driving a cutting blade in a self-propelled saw - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for driving a cutting blade in a self-propelled saw Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2135572C CA2135572C CA002135572A CA2135572A CA2135572C CA 2135572 C CA2135572 C CA 2135572C CA 002135572 A CA002135572 A CA 002135572A CA 2135572 A CA2135572 A CA 2135572A CA 2135572 C CA2135572 C CA 2135572C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- engine
- frame
- self propelled
- sawing machine
- shaft
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Abstract
Conventional self propelled saw cutting machines utilize air cooled transversely mounted, internal combustion engines. The engine drives a rotatable circular saw blade through a series of pulleys or chain drives. Since the saw is driven at substantially ninety degrees to the engine output shaft this places a considerable side loading on the crankshaft and bearings. In addition the air intake of the engine is in line with and rearward of the saw blade and thus contaminants from the saw cut are drawn into the engine. The method and apparatus of the present inven-tion eliminates both problems by mounting the engine "in-line" with the vehicle frame rather than transversely. This significantly reduces the likelihood of saw cut contaminants entering the engine air intake. A differential assembly is coupled to the output shaft of the engine and, through a pulley system, drives a rotatable axle shaft to which is coupled the saw blade. Mounting the engine "in-line" with the frame opens the possibility of using diesel engines to power the vehicle without increasing the vehicle width and with no loss in maneuverability.
Description
213~572 PATENTAPPLICATION OF
Rick Trottier for a METHODANDAPPARATUS FOR DRIVINGA CU7'rING BL ADE IN
A SELFPROPELLED SAW
Field of the Invention.
This invention relates to concrete cutting saw blades as used with internal combustion engine powered, self propelled saws; more specifically to a method and apparatus of driving the saw blade such that engine crankshaft deflection caused by side loading is substantially eliminated.
Background - Known Art.
Gasoline engine powered cutting machines using circular saw blades find many applica-tions within the construction industry, such as paving and masonry cutting.
In essence, such machines are com~)l;sed of a wheeled frame with a transversely mounted, air cooled, gasoline engine. The engine drives the rear wheels via a hydrostatic or manua]
- 213~72 transmission and at the same time powers a circular saw blade through a belt or chain driven pulley system.
Not ~ul~lisingly, much inventive ingenuity has been applied to the design of such ma-chines over the years and currently available machines are much more efficient and easier to control their older counterparts.
While undoubtedly considerably improved over older devices, current sawing machines nevertheless suffer from several shortcomings in that, with a transverse mounted engine the saw blade must be driven at a right angle to the engine output shaft. Such an angular drive arrangement subjects the engine crankshaft to considerable side loading - loading the crank-shaft and bearings were never designed to absorb - and necessitates the use of complex bear-ing block mechanisms to alleviate this problem.
In addition the design of current machines places the engine air intake in line with, and rearward of the saw blade, thus exposing the engine cooling air intake to dust and debris produced by the blade cuttings and decreasing engine life considerably.
Using saw blades of differing diameters requires a change in pulley diameter in order to obtain ap~lo~liate blade rotational speeds and, since the design of current machines places the relevant pulleys and sheaves in a generally in~ccessible position, pulley and sheave changes usually result in a relatively complex procedure thereby contributing to long machine down time.
It is desirable, then, to devise a self propelled concrete saw wherein engine crankshaft deflection is eliminated and the engine air intake is not directly exposed to the debris from the saw blade cuttings. It is also desirable to utilize the inherent advantages offered by a diesel -~engine over those of conventional gasoline powered engines, e.g., higher fuel efficiency, better power curve, more constant torque, and smoother governor operation, all of which serve to produce a relatively more stable saw blade r.p.m.
Objects and Advantages Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
a) to provide a self propelled concrete saw wherein the form of motive power is a diesel en-glne;
b) to provide a self propelled concrete sawwherein the engine is mounted "in-line" rather than transversely; and c) to provide a self propelled concrete saw wherein the accommodation of differing blade diameters entails a minimum of machine down time by eliminating the need for pulley and sheave changes and replacing this relatively complex procedure with a simple operation of subsliluling a differential assembly with a gear reduction appropriate to a given saw blade diameter.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide a self propelled concrete saw the overall dimensions of which compare favorably with those of conventional machines; and to provide a self propelled concrete saw the maneuverability of which is no less than that of conventional machines.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings wherein:
Rick Trottier for a METHODANDAPPARATUS FOR DRIVINGA CU7'rING BL ADE IN
A SELFPROPELLED SAW
Field of the Invention.
This invention relates to concrete cutting saw blades as used with internal combustion engine powered, self propelled saws; more specifically to a method and apparatus of driving the saw blade such that engine crankshaft deflection caused by side loading is substantially eliminated.
Background - Known Art.
Gasoline engine powered cutting machines using circular saw blades find many applica-tions within the construction industry, such as paving and masonry cutting.
In essence, such machines are com~)l;sed of a wheeled frame with a transversely mounted, air cooled, gasoline engine. The engine drives the rear wheels via a hydrostatic or manua]
- 213~72 transmission and at the same time powers a circular saw blade through a belt or chain driven pulley system.
Not ~ul~lisingly, much inventive ingenuity has been applied to the design of such ma-chines over the years and currently available machines are much more efficient and easier to control their older counterparts.
While undoubtedly considerably improved over older devices, current sawing machines nevertheless suffer from several shortcomings in that, with a transverse mounted engine the saw blade must be driven at a right angle to the engine output shaft. Such an angular drive arrangement subjects the engine crankshaft to considerable side loading - loading the crank-shaft and bearings were never designed to absorb - and necessitates the use of complex bear-ing block mechanisms to alleviate this problem.
In addition the design of current machines places the engine air intake in line with, and rearward of the saw blade, thus exposing the engine cooling air intake to dust and debris produced by the blade cuttings and decreasing engine life considerably.
Using saw blades of differing diameters requires a change in pulley diameter in order to obtain ap~lo~liate blade rotational speeds and, since the design of current machines places the relevant pulleys and sheaves in a generally in~ccessible position, pulley and sheave changes usually result in a relatively complex procedure thereby contributing to long machine down time.
It is desirable, then, to devise a self propelled concrete saw wherein engine crankshaft deflection is eliminated and the engine air intake is not directly exposed to the debris from the saw blade cuttings. It is also desirable to utilize the inherent advantages offered by a diesel -~engine over those of conventional gasoline powered engines, e.g., higher fuel efficiency, better power curve, more constant torque, and smoother governor operation, all of which serve to produce a relatively more stable saw blade r.p.m.
Objects and Advantages Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
a) to provide a self propelled concrete saw wherein the form of motive power is a diesel en-glne;
b) to provide a self propelled concrete sawwherein the engine is mounted "in-line" rather than transversely; and c) to provide a self propelled concrete saw wherein the accommodation of differing blade diameters entails a minimum of machine down time by eliminating the need for pulley and sheave changes and replacing this relatively complex procedure with a simple operation of subsliluling a differential assembly with a gear reduction appropriate to a given saw blade diameter.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide a self propelled concrete saw the overall dimensions of which compare favorably with those of conventional machines; and to provide a self propelled concrete saw the maneuverability of which is no less than that of conventional machines.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic re~resentation of a conventional self propelled concrete saw;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the self propelled concrete saw of the present inven-tion showing the major differences over the conventional device;
Figure 3 is a side view of the blade drive mechanism of the present invention; and Figure 4 is an end on view of the blade drive mechanism of the present invention.
Description.
An understanding of the significance of the present invention may be achieved by com-parison of the col,lponent configuration of a conventional machine as shown in figure 1 with that of a preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in figure 2.
Referring to figure 1 it will be seen that a conventional saw cutting machine, generally designated 10, is coll,p~ised of a frame 18 having a pair of ground contacting front wheels 24 and a pair of ground contacting rear wheels 20. A transversely mounted engine 16 is mounted to the frame 18 and drivingly connected by conventional means 36 to a circular saw blade 28 which blade 28 is rotatably mounted to the frame 18.
The engine 16 is also drivingly connected to a conventional hydrostatic transmission 30 which is, in turn drivingly connected by conventional means 34 to the frame 18 rear wheels 20.
A housing incorporating a pushing and steering handle 12 is attached to the frame 18.
A shift lever 14 is connected by conventional means 32 to a control arm of the hydro-static transmission 30 to control the rotational direction of the transmission 30 output shaftthus providing for~vard and reverse driving power to the rear wheels 20.
Referring now to figure 2 it may be seen that the embodiment of the present invention differs significantly from that of the con~elltional machine in that the preferred embodiment is colllplised of an engine 16, either diesel or gasoline powered, mounted upon frame 18 in an "in-line" position with the front of the engine 16 toward the rear of the machine 10.
A conventional differential assembly 40is drivingly coupled to the output shaft of the engine 16 by conventional means 44 so that the output power of the engine 16 is effectively split and delivered at right angles to a pair of pulleys 52, each pulley 52 rotatably connected to the differential assembly 40.
Refer to figures 2 and 3.
The engine 16, either diesel or gasoline, is mounted to the frame 18 "in-line" and sub-stantially centered on the frame 18 and secured to the frame 18 by means of conventional - engine mounts 48.
A differential assembly 40 of conventional design and having a pair of axially opposed mu!ti-grooved pulleys 52 is attached to the rear of the engine 16 by conventional coupling means 44 such that the output shaft of the engine 16 acts as the pinion for drivingly engaging the crown gear of the differential assembly 40 thus effectively transmitting the output driving power of the engine 16 at right angles to each of the differential pulleys 52.
A rigid, robust axle shaft 50 incorporates a pair of multi-grooved pulleys 48, each pulley 48 of a diameter proportionate to that of the pulleys 52 of the differential 40 such that the 2135~2 -combination of pulleys 48 and pulleys 52 results in an appl op, iate drive speed for a given saw blade 28 diameter. Each pulley 48 is spaced apart on the axle shaft 50 such that when the axle shaft 50 is af~ed to the underside of the frame 18 by conventional bearing block means 46 the axle shaft 50 pulleys 48 are aligned with the differential pulleys 52 and the differential pulleys 52 are drivingly connected to the COll esponding axle shaft 50 pulleys 48 by conventional drive belt means 36 which pass through appropriate apertures in the frame 18.
Conventional saw blade mounting plates 42 are connected by conventional means toeither end of the axle shaft 50 and the saw blade 28 mounted thereon.
From the above it will be understood that, unlike conventional machines, no significant crankshaft deflection occurs and that the engine air intake, whether diesel or gasoline, is re-moved from the path of dust and debris created by the saw blade cuttings.
It will also be understood that the rotational speed of the saw blade 28 is determined by the gear ratio of the differential assembly 40 and the engine 16 RPM. Installing a blade of greater or smaller diameter entails only that a differential assembly 40 with an appropriate gear reduction be installed to the rear of the engine 16. Since this area is readily exposed by removal of any protective cowlings ch~nging the differential assembly 40 is a relative~ minor job requiring little machine down time.
Summary The present invention, by employing an "in-line" mounted engine coupled to a conven-tional differential to provide right angle drive eliminates cr~nk~h~ft deflection while facilitat-ing blade size changes. In addition, this engine configuration effectively reduces the likelihood of cont~min~nts entering the engine air intake system, and thus reduces maintenance require-ments. Mounting the engine "in-line" opens the way to effectively employ diesel engines as the power source in saw cutting machines with all the attendant advantages of such engines over conventional gasoline engines, and with substantially no increase in vehicle width or loss of maneuverability.
The above des~ tion should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present in-vention but rather as simply a description of a presently preferred embodiment. It should be clear that many variations on the placement of components is possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example the placement and means of connecting driving power to the hydrostatic transmission is open to great variation while the configuration of the control console may remain as that used by conventional machines. Likewise, whether drive belts or chain drives are used to connect the differential pulleys to the axle shaft pulleys is, in and of itself of little consequence.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the self propelled concrete saw of the present inven-tion showing the major differences over the conventional device;
Figure 3 is a side view of the blade drive mechanism of the present invention; and Figure 4 is an end on view of the blade drive mechanism of the present invention.
Description.
An understanding of the significance of the present invention may be achieved by com-parison of the col,lponent configuration of a conventional machine as shown in figure 1 with that of a preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in figure 2.
Referring to figure 1 it will be seen that a conventional saw cutting machine, generally designated 10, is coll,p~ised of a frame 18 having a pair of ground contacting front wheels 24 and a pair of ground contacting rear wheels 20. A transversely mounted engine 16 is mounted to the frame 18 and drivingly connected by conventional means 36 to a circular saw blade 28 which blade 28 is rotatably mounted to the frame 18.
The engine 16 is also drivingly connected to a conventional hydrostatic transmission 30 which is, in turn drivingly connected by conventional means 34 to the frame 18 rear wheels 20.
A housing incorporating a pushing and steering handle 12 is attached to the frame 18.
A shift lever 14 is connected by conventional means 32 to a control arm of the hydro-static transmission 30 to control the rotational direction of the transmission 30 output shaftthus providing for~vard and reverse driving power to the rear wheels 20.
Referring now to figure 2 it may be seen that the embodiment of the present invention differs significantly from that of the con~elltional machine in that the preferred embodiment is colllplised of an engine 16, either diesel or gasoline powered, mounted upon frame 18 in an "in-line" position with the front of the engine 16 toward the rear of the machine 10.
A conventional differential assembly 40is drivingly coupled to the output shaft of the engine 16 by conventional means 44 so that the output power of the engine 16 is effectively split and delivered at right angles to a pair of pulleys 52, each pulley 52 rotatably connected to the differential assembly 40.
Refer to figures 2 and 3.
The engine 16, either diesel or gasoline, is mounted to the frame 18 "in-line" and sub-stantially centered on the frame 18 and secured to the frame 18 by means of conventional - engine mounts 48.
A differential assembly 40 of conventional design and having a pair of axially opposed mu!ti-grooved pulleys 52 is attached to the rear of the engine 16 by conventional coupling means 44 such that the output shaft of the engine 16 acts as the pinion for drivingly engaging the crown gear of the differential assembly 40 thus effectively transmitting the output driving power of the engine 16 at right angles to each of the differential pulleys 52.
A rigid, robust axle shaft 50 incorporates a pair of multi-grooved pulleys 48, each pulley 48 of a diameter proportionate to that of the pulleys 52 of the differential 40 such that the 2135~2 -combination of pulleys 48 and pulleys 52 results in an appl op, iate drive speed for a given saw blade 28 diameter. Each pulley 48 is spaced apart on the axle shaft 50 such that when the axle shaft 50 is af~ed to the underside of the frame 18 by conventional bearing block means 46 the axle shaft 50 pulleys 48 are aligned with the differential pulleys 52 and the differential pulleys 52 are drivingly connected to the COll esponding axle shaft 50 pulleys 48 by conventional drive belt means 36 which pass through appropriate apertures in the frame 18.
Conventional saw blade mounting plates 42 are connected by conventional means toeither end of the axle shaft 50 and the saw blade 28 mounted thereon.
From the above it will be understood that, unlike conventional machines, no significant crankshaft deflection occurs and that the engine air intake, whether diesel or gasoline, is re-moved from the path of dust and debris created by the saw blade cuttings.
It will also be understood that the rotational speed of the saw blade 28 is determined by the gear ratio of the differential assembly 40 and the engine 16 RPM. Installing a blade of greater or smaller diameter entails only that a differential assembly 40 with an appropriate gear reduction be installed to the rear of the engine 16. Since this area is readily exposed by removal of any protective cowlings ch~nging the differential assembly 40 is a relative~ minor job requiring little machine down time.
Summary The present invention, by employing an "in-line" mounted engine coupled to a conven-tional differential to provide right angle drive eliminates cr~nk~h~ft deflection while facilitat-ing blade size changes. In addition, this engine configuration effectively reduces the likelihood of cont~min~nts entering the engine air intake system, and thus reduces maintenance require-ments. Mounting the engine "in-line" opens the way to effectively employ diesel engines as the power source in saw cutting machines with all the attendant advantages of such engines over conventional gasoline engines, and with substantially no increase in vehicle width or loss of maneuverability.
The above des~ tion should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present in-vention but rather as simply a description of a presently preferred embodiment. It should be clear that many variations on the placement of components is possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example the placement and means of connecting driving power to the hydrostatic transmission is open to great variation while the configuration of the control console may remain as that used by conventional machines. Likewise, whether drive belts or chain drives are used to connect the differential pulleys to the axle shaft pulleys is, in and of itself of little consequence.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Claims (11)
1. A self propelled sawing machine having a frame, a pair of wheel assemblies to support said frame and located at spaced locations along the longitudinal axis of said frame, an internal combustion engine supported by said frame and having an output shaft disposed for rotation about an axis generally parallel to said longitudinal axis, a first transmission to transfer power from said engine to one of said wheel assemblies to propel said machine, and a second transmission to transfer power from said output shaft to a saw blade mounted for rotation about an axis transverse to said longitudinal axis.
2. A self propelled sawing machine according to claim 1 wherein said saw blade is mounted on a driven shaft rotatably supported on said frame and said second transmission drives said driven shaft at spaced locations along said driven shaft.
3. A self propelled sawing machine according to claim 2 wherein said second transmission includes an angle drive to drivingly connect said output shaft to a drive shaft disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis.
4. A self propelled sawing machine according to claim 3 wherein said drive shaft extends laterally to opposite sides of said output shaft and is connected to said driven shaft at said spaced locations on opposite sides of said drive shaft.
5. A self propelled sawing machine according to claim 4 wherein said drive shaft is connected to said driven shaft by a pair of belt drives.
6. A self propelled sawing machine according to claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein said angle drive includes a differential gear assembly.
7. A self propelled sawing machine according to claim 6 wherein said output shaft is connected to a pinion gear of said differential gear assembly.
8. A self propelled sawing machine according to any preceding claim where each of said wheel assemblies are located to one side of said driven shaft whereby said saw blade is disposed adjacent one end of said machine.
9. A self propelled sawing machine according to any preceding claim wherein said internal combustion engine is a diesel engine.
10. A self propelled sawing machine according to any preceding claim wherein said driven shaft has a mounting plate to receive said saw blade at one end thereof.
11. In a self propelled sawing machine of the type having a frame with front and rear ground engaging wheel assemblies, an engine driven hydrostatic transmission mounted to the frame and drivingly engaging one of said wheel assemblies, a circular saw blade rotatably mounted on the frame and drivingly connected to the engine for making cuts in concrete and the like, a method for the elimination of engine crankshaft side loading comprising the steps of:
mounting an internal combustion engine, upon the frame with the axis of rotation of the output shaft aligned with the longitudinal axis of said frame;
connecting a differential assembly to said output shaft of the engine so that the output shaft of the engine drives the pinion gear of the differential assembly, and said differential assembly provides a drive shaft disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis;
mounting a circular saw blade to a pulley driven axle shaft disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis; and connecting the axle shaft pulley to the output of the differential assembly with at least one drive belt.
mounting an internal combustion engine, upon the frame with the axis of rotation of the output shaft aligned with the longitudinal axis of said frame;
connecting a differential assembly to said output shaft of the engine so that the output shaft of the engine drives the pinion gear of the differential assembly, and said differential assembly provides a drive shaft disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis;
mounting a circular saw blade to a pulley driven axle shaft disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis; and connecting the axle shaft pulley to the output of the differential assembly with at least one drive belt.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US25112294A | 1994-05-31 | 1994-05-31 | |
| US08/251,122 | 1994-05-31 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2135572A1 CA2135572A1 (en) | 1995-12-01 |
| CA2135572C true CA2135572C (en) | 2000-09-26 |
Family
ID=22950568
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002135572A Expired - Lifetime CA2135572C (en) | 1994-05-31 | 1994-11-10 | Method and apparatus for driving a cutting blade in a self-propelled saw |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2135572C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8360045B2 (en) | 2008-07-28 | 2013-01-29 | Diamond Products, Limited | Concrete saw |
-
1994
- 1994-11-10 CA CA002135572A patent/CA2135572C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2135572A1 (en) | 1995-12-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20141110 |
|
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20141110 |