CA2412175A1 - Mid-roller wheels for endless drive track system - Google Patents
Mid-roller wheels for endless drive track system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2412175A1 CA2412175A1 CA 2412175 CA2412175A CA2412175A1 CA 2412175 A1 CA2412175 A1 CA 2412175A1 CA 2412175 CA2412175 CA 2412175 CA 2412175 A CA2412175 A CA 2412175A CA 2412175 A1 CA2412175 A1 CA 2412175A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mid
- rollers
- track
- type vehicle
- drive
- Prior art date
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
- B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
- B62D55/14—Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Tires In General (AREA)
Abstract
The mid-rollers of an endless track assembly of a track-type vehicle contacting the inner surface of the track as well as drive lugs formed thereon are formed of a solid heat-resisting thermoplastic material having low friction properties in at least areas of the rollers exposed to the drive lugs.
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Mid-roller wheels for endless drive track system.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the construction of mid-roller wheels which form part of the endless drive track system of track-type vehicles, such as agricultural, industrial or the like vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Track-type vehicles have track assembly that usually includes an endless rubber belt which wraps around a drive wheel, an idler wheel and a number of mid-rollers. The inner surface of the endless belt has a number of extending guide lugs which are guided through a channel formed by the wheel arrangement.
During use of the vehicle, the drive wheel rotates and engages the endless belt thereby causing the belt to rotate around the path defined by the drive wheel, idler wheel and mid-rollers. Rotation of the endless belt causes each of the guide lugs to pass through the channel defined by the drive wheel, idler wheel and each of the mid-rollers. Having the guide lugs passing through the guiding channel enables the belt to remain within the rolling path. The contact between the guide lugs passing through the drive wheel, idler and each of the mid-rollers is a source of wear for the components. Friction between guide lugs and mid-rollers are probably the worst source of wear because of the velocity difference between the guide lugs and the rotating mid-rollers. This friction generates heat which accelerates deterioration of guide lugs and mid-rollers, often resulting in guide lug chunking.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
In order to reduce friction between endless belt guide lugs and mid-rollers, the present invention is concerned with constructing mid-rollers with the low friction material. This is achieved by providing the rollers with a solid heat resisting thermoplastic material having low friction properties thereby replacing the conventional steel rubberized mid-rollers.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide solid low friction material without rubber coating to replace the steel rubberized wheels.
The low friction material may be UHMW, polyurethane or any other such low friction material.
It is also an object of the invention to lower the contact point between the guide lugs and the mid-rollers thus reducing velocity difference and the risk of guide lug chunking. Also, by lowering the contact point, the guiding effect is increased.
In one formed of the invention, the design of the wheel is symmetric so both faces of the wheel can be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is perspective view showing a pair of mid roller wheels in contact with the inner surface of a segment of an endless track;
Figure 2 is an elevation end view of the arrangement shown in figure 1; and Figure 3 is an elevation side view of the arrangement shown in figure 1.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a pair of mid-rollers 10 and 12 in contact with the inner surface 14 of an endless track 16. The inner surface of the track has a series of longitudinally spaced drive lugs 18 disposed centrally of the track. These drive lugs define a guiding path for the rotating track.
Mid-roller wheels for endless drive track system.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the construction of mid-roller wheels which form part of the endless drive track system of track-type vehicles, such as agricultural, industrial or the like vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Track-type vehicles have track assembly that usually includes an endless rubber belt which wraps around a drive wheel, an idler wheel and a number of mid-rollers. The inner surface of the endless belt has a number of extending guide lugs which are guided through a channel formed by the wheel arrangement.
During use of the vehicle, the drive wheel rotates and engages the endless belt thereby causing the belt to rotate around the path defined by the drive wheel, idler wheel and mid-rollers. Rotation of the endless belt causes each of the guide lugs to pass through the channel defined by the drive wheel, idler wheel and each of the mid-rollers. Having the guide lugs passing through the guiding channel enables the belt to remain within the rolling path. The contact between the guide lugs passing through the drive wheel, idler and each of the mid-rollers is a source of wear for the components. Friction between guide lugs and mid-rollers are probably the worst source of wear because of the velocity difference between the guide lugs and the rotating mid-rollers. This friction generates heat which accelerates deterioration of guide lugs and mid-rollers, often resulting in guide lug chunking.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
In order to reduce friction between endless belt guide lugs and mid-rollers, the present invention is concerned with constructing mid-rollers with the low friction material. This is achieved by providing the rollers with a solid heat resisting thermoplastic material having low friction properties thereby replacing the conventional steel rubberized mid-rollers.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide solid low friction material without rubber coating to replace the steel rubberized wheels.
The low friction material may be UHMW, polyurethane or any other such low friction material.
It is also an object of the invention to lower the contact point between the guide lugs and the mid-rollers thus reducing velocity difference and the risk of guide lug chunking. Also, by lowering the contact point, the guiding effect is increased.
In one formed of the invention, the design of the wheel is symmetric so both faces of the wheel can be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is perspective view showing a pair of mid roller wheels in contact with the inner surface of a segment of an endless track;
Figure 2 is an elevation end view of the arrangement shown in figure 1; and Figure 3 is an elevation side view of the arrangement shown in figure 1.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a pair of mid-rollers 10 and 12 in contact with the inner surface 14 of an endless track 16. The inner surface of the track has a series of longitudinally spaced drive lugs 18 disposed centrally of the track. These drive lugs define a guiding path for the rotating track.
Referring to figure 2, each of the drive lugs 18 has a pair of opposite side faces 20 and 22 which are in contact with the inner circumferential edges 24 and 26 of the drive wheels 10 and 12.
Referring to figure 3, each mid-roller 12 includes an annular steel frame 30 which is adapted to be mounted to the drive track system. The annular steel member 30 is embedded in an annular band 32 made of a low friction material.
In a preferred form of the present invention, the construction of the mid-roller is symmetric so that, should the circumferential edges 24 and 26 be worn, the mid-rollers can be rotated so that their opposite peripheral edges 24' and 26' may now contact the side surfaces 20 and 22 of the lugs.
The low friction material which is considered for the mid-rollers is UHMW, polyurethane or any such low friction material.
Although the invention has been described above with respect to one specific form, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that it may be modified and refined in various ways. It is therefore wished to have it understood that the present invention should not be limited in scope, except by the terms of the following claims.
Referring to figure 3, each mid-roller 12 includes an annular steel frame 30 which is adapted to be mounted to the drive track system. The annular steel member 30 is embedded in an annular band 32 made of a low friction material.
In a preferred form of the present invention, the construction of the mid-roller is symmetric so that, should the circumferential edges 24 and 26 be worn, the mid-rollers can be rotated so that their opposite peripheral edges 24' and 26' may now contact the side surfaces 20 and 22 of the lugs.
The low friction material which is considered for the mid-rollers is UHMW, polyurethane or any such low friction material.
Although the invention has been described above with respect to one specific form, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that it may be modified and refined in various ways. It is therefore wished to have it understood that the present invention should not be limited in scope, except by the terms of the following claims.
Claims (4)
1. In a track type vehicle having a track assembly including an endless rubber belt wrapped around a drive wheel, an idler wheel and a series of mid-rollers contacting the inner surface of the belt and drive lugs centrally mounted on said inner surface; each said mid-roller being formed of a solid heat resisting thermoplastic material having low friction properties in at least areas exposed to said drive lugs.
2. In a track type vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said mid-rollers have opposite side faces made of said thermoplastic material.
3. In a track type vehicle as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said material is UHMW.
4. In a track type vehicle as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said material is polyurethane.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2412175 CA2412175A1 (en) | 2002-11-20 | 2002-11-20 | Mid-roller wheels for endless drive track system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2412175 CA2412175A1 (en) | 2002-11-20 | 2002-11-20 | Mid-roller wheels for endless drive track system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2412175A1 true CA2412175A1 (en) | 2004-05-20 |
Family
ID=32476928
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2412175 Abandoned CA2412175A1 (en) | 2002-11-20 | 2002-11-20 | Mid-roller wheels for endless drive track system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2412175A1 (en) |
-
2002
- 2002-11-20 CA CA 2412175 patent/CA2412175A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |