CA2637823A1 - Planetary drive system - Google Patents
Planetary drive system Download PDFInfo
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- CA2637823A1 CA2637823A1 CA 2637823 CA2637823A CA2637823A1 CA 2637823 A1 CA2637823 A1 CA 2637823A1 CA 2637823 CA2637823 CA 2637823 CA 2637823 A CA2637823 A CA 2637823A CA 2637823 A1 CA2637823 A1 CA 2637823A1
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- planetary
- drive system
- vehicle
- drive
- axis
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
- B62D55/04—Endless track vehicles with tracks and alternative ground wheels, e.g. changeable from endless track vehicle into wheeled vehicle and vice versa
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Friction Gearing (AREA)
Abstract
The core of the invention resides in drive systems that gives the ability to select between multiple driving units, such as crawler tracks, tires, rollers and wheels, arranged in a planetary fashion and are able to rotate about an axis. One or more such planetary drive system(s) may be fitted on a vehicle which may be operating on diverse underlying terrain; and/or; may be used for multiple applications.
Description
Description Technical Field The present invention is a planetary drive system primarily used in vehicles that operate on multiple terrains such as asphalt roads, agricultural farms and construction sites. It gives the vehicle the ability to select between driving units to best negotiate the different underlying terrain. For example, it can use rubber tires on road and crawler tracks off-road. A choice of driving units may also be required in the case of multi-purpose vehicles.
Background and prior art Application and underlying terrain mainly dictate the choice of the driving unit for a vehicle. Vehicles operating on multiple underlying terrain and/or being used for multiple applications have an inherent need for conversion between driving units for optimum performance. For instance, farm tractors would be functionally at their best on steel crawler tracks when off-road in the fields and would be ideally on rubber tires while plying on road. Hence the utility of these vehicles is significantly enhanced when the vehicle has the ability to change drives, tires to crawler tracks and vice versa.
In the prior art, attempts have been made to enhance the utility of vehicles with modifications such as fitting steel crawler tracks with rubber pads while plying on road, rubber tires fitted with circumventing steel chains while on snow, removable rubber tracks fitted on tandem rubber wheels and many more. In all these known attempts, the changeover is cumbersome and time-consuming with limited improvements.
The present invention caters to the need for selection between multiple drives that should be easy for changeover and should avoid involvement of assembly, disassembly and/or modification.
Summary of the Invention The concept of the present invention resides in a planetary drive system. A
vehicle could have one or more such planetary drive systems fitted on the rear, front and/or intermediate axles.
The planetary system comprises of multiple drive units such as a rubber tire, roller and/or chain crawler arranged in a planetary manner about an axis of rotation X. The planetary system is able to rotate about the axis X, resting the vehicle on the underlying surface using any one or more of the drives. For example, the vehicle operator can select crawler tracks for use in fields and when the vehicle comes on asphalt road he can select rubber tires.
The invention is described in greater detail in the subsequent section with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in drawings, in which:
Fig. I shows the plan and side view of two positions of a farm tractor fitted with two planetary drive systems at both ends of the rear axle. Position A shows the vehicle driven on crawler tracks and Position B shows the vehicle on rubber tires.
Fig. 2 shows various stages during conversion of the tractor in figure 1, from a crawler track driven vehicle to a rubber tire driven vehicle.
Fig. 3 shows side view and plan view of the farm tractor for detailed explanation of mechanisms in the exemplary embodiment.
Fig. 4 shows sectional view J-J of the planetary drive system shown in figure 3.
Fig. 5 shows sectional view J-J of an exemplary embodiment of the rear axle fitted with planetary drive systems at both ends and differential unit in the center.
Fig. 6 shows a vehicle fitted with four planetary drive systems at both ends of front and rear axles.
Fig. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the planetary drive system with two planets, rubber tire and crawler tracks, angular spaced at 150 degrees from each other demonstrating that the planets are not constrained to being diametrically opposite to each other as in fig 3.
Fig. 8 shows the planets with different orbital planes V and W, demonstrating that the orbital planes of the planets need not be aligned to each other and can be laterally spaced in the direction of the axis X, but still constitute as planets of the planetary drive system.
Fig. 9 shows a planetary drive system with three planets, a crawler track, a rubber tire and steel roller in different drive selection positions. In position CC, two drives are selected at one point of time for driving the vehicle demonstrating that multiple drives can be used simultaneously.
Fig. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of the planetary drive system with two planets, a rubber track and a rubber tire.
Fig. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment planetary drive system with two planets, a rubber tire and a steel roller.
Fig. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of planetary drive system with three planets, a rubber tire, a steel roller and a stone wheel. Position QQ demonstrates the use of two drives selected simultaneously for driving the vehicle.
Fig. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment with two planets, a rubber tire and a steel roller driven by means of independent hydraulic motors.
Fig. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of planetary drive system with two planets, a rubber tire and a steel roller. Here the axis X of the planetary drive system is not the same as centerline Y of the vehicle axle demonstrating that the rotational axis X
of the planetary drive system is not constrained to alignment with the vehicle axle centerline.
Description of the preferred embodiments In figure 1, a farm tractor 3 fitted with two planetary drive systems 4 fitted at each of the two ends of the rear axle is shown. In position A, the tractor is driven on steel crawler tracks and on rubber tires in position B. The front axle has rubber tires like any other conventional farm tractor. In this embodiment, each planetary drive system 4 consists of two driving units: a steel crawler track 1 and a rubber tire 2, arranged like planets in orbit about the axis X. In position A, the planetary drive systems are resting on crawler tracks and hence the tracks provide drive to the tractor in this position. Each planetary drive system is able to rotate independently about axis X, so as to changeover from crawler drive 1 in position A to tire drive 2 in position B. The detailed mechanism of the planetary drive system is explained in subsequent paragraphs of the description. The changeover capability facilitates selection between driving units in the planetary arrangement that forms the core of this invention.
In figure 2, the stages of conversion of planetary drive system from crawler track drive 1 in position C to rubber tire drive 2 in position F are shown. During conversion of drives, the farm tractor 3, on crawler track 1 in position C, is first brought to a halt resting on firm ground. The rear axle of the tractor 3 is lifted as shown in position D
using a mechanical or hydraulic lifting jack 5. Such lifting jacks are known in principle and not discussed, as they are not of interest here. The rear axle is lifted to a height so that the entire planetary drive system has room to make a 180-degree turn about axis X.
A
hydraulic motor driven pinion-gear arrangement (items 6, 7 and 14 in figures 3 and 4) is used to rotate the planetary drive system about axis X through 180-degrees in the counter-clockwise direction as shown in position E so that rubber tire 2 now takes the position of crawler tracks. The lifting jack 5 is lowered so that the tractor rear axle rests on rubber tires 2 as shown in position F.
Similarly the planetary drive system can change over from rubber tire drive 2 in position F to crawler track drive 1 in position C as shown in stages G and H by rotating the planetary drive system in clockwise direction about axis X.
This change over illustrated in positions C, D, E, F, G and H constitutes a complete change over from crawler track drive to tire drive and vice versa. The ease and flexibility of selection between drives in the planetary drive system is one of the key concepts of the present invention.
In figures 3, 4 and 5, the detailed mechanism of planetary drive system 4 mentioned in the above section is shown. The farm tractor 3 is driven on crawler tracks 1 of planetary drive system 4 in figure 3 Section J-J of one planetary drive system is shown in figure 4.
Figure 5 shows section J-J across the entire rear axle of tractor 3 with two planetary systems at both ends and differential unit in the center.
As shown in figure 4, two transmission chain sprockets 11 and 18, fitted at the outward end of rear axle 12, provide drive to driving units 1 and 2 of the planetary drive system respectively. Sprocket 18 drives the rubber tire axle by means of transmission chain 20 and sprocket 9. Similarly sprocket 11 drives the crawler track-driving sprocket by means of transmission chain 8 and sprocket 10. Fabricated frame 19 holds the entire assembly of the planetary driving system. This frame is supported on bearings 21 and 22 on the rear axle housing 13 so that it is free to rotate relative to the rear axle housing during drive change over. The frame 19 has bearing housing 15 for rubber tire 2 and crawler track carriage 23. The frame 19 has gear 7 that meshes with the pinion 6 driven by hydro-motor 14. this hydro-motor is fixed to the rear-axle housing 13 (mounting not shown in the drawing) so that frame 19 can be rotated relative to the rear axle housing when the motor 14 is actuated. The rear ale 12 is supported on outer-end bearings 24 in rear axle housing 13.
In figure 5, the other end of the rear axle is shown coming out of rear axle differentia125.
This gives an idea of the rear axle of farm tractor 3 fitted with planetary drive systems at both ends. While the vehicle is moving, sprocket 18 drives sprocket 9 that drives the chain track propelling the vehicle in desired direction. When the drive system is jacked up for change over between drives, hydro-motor 14 is actuated to cause the pinion 6 and gear 7 to rotate, hence rotating the entire drive system through desired angle for drive selection. In this arrangement, the tire 2 and crawler track 1 are always in motion when the vehicle is moving though only one of them is in contact with the underlying surface.
In practice, the drive that is not in use, i.e. not in contact with the underlying surface, can be disengaged using a mechanism that is not discussed since it is known in principle and not of interest here. Also not discussed over here are mechanisms for braking, idler sprockets that maintain tension in transmission chains and transfer of power from the differential to the rear axle, as these are known in principle. This exemplary embodiment shows that transmission chains are used to drive the planets, but in practice gears, propeller shafts or any combination of these could be used. Also instead of hydro-motor pinion-gear drive to rotate the planetary system, mechanisms such as levers actuated with hydraulic cylinders or hydraulic cylinder actuated rack and pinion can be employed in practice. If the planets are statically weight balanced about axis X, then very little effort is required in rotation of the system. This planetary rotation can then be done manually after the axle has been lifted.
In figure 6, a farm tractor 26 with 4 such planetary drive systems at both ends of front and rear axles are shown. Position K shows all the four drive systems using crawlers to drive the tractor. All these four can be converted to tire drives as shown in position L.
The rear axle drive systems and the front axle drive systems are independent of each other and hence the conversion can take place independent of each other. Also the front drive systems can be using a different drive system than the rear drive systems, for example front axle can be driven on tires while the rear axle is driven on crawler tracks.
This figure illustrates the use of multiple planetary drive systems. A vehicle could employ one or more such planetary drive systems depending on its application.
In figures 7 to 14, only exemplary embodiments of planetary drive systems are shown without the vehicles on which they fit.
Figure 7 is used to illustrate that the arrangement of different planetary drives could be at any angle to each other about axis X. In figures 1 to 6, tire 2 and crawler track 1 were diametrically opposite to each other about axis X. In fig 7, tire 2 is a 150-degrees from crawler track 1 in arrangement. Positions M and N, along with end views P and Q, show the change over between rubber tire drive to crawler track drive. In practice, vehicle designs could employ any angular spacing between planetary drives depending on their application and utility.
In figure 8, planets 1 and 2 have different vertical planes of orbit V and W
about axis X.
In figures 1 to 7, tire 2 and track 1 are aligned in the same vertical plane Z
(shown in fig.
7) that forms the plane of rotation/orbit during conversion. In figure 8, the two drives are not aligned in the plane of rotation, but are offset to each other in planes V
and W.
Position R shows the vehicle driven on crawler tracks and position S shows the vehicle on tires with the crawler out of action after conversion. This figure illustrates that the drives can exist as planets in different orbital planes perpendicular to axis X and are not constrained to alignment in the same orbital plane about axis X.
Figure 9 is an exemplary planetary drive system where three planets i.e.
rubber tire 2, steel roller/tire 27 and a crawler track are arranged in a planetary fashion about axis X.
Crawler tracks drive the vehicle in position AA. After conversion to position BB, runner tires drive the vehicle. Further angular rotation of the planetary drive system causes the steel roller 27 and rubber tire 2 to rest on the ground as shown in position CC and hence both provide propulsive drive to the vehicle. This illustrates that more than one planetary driving unit viz. steel roller and rubber tire, could be used for driving at any given point of time. On further rotation, only the steel roller 27 drives the vehicle.
Figure 10 shows an exemplary planetary drive system with rubber track 28 and rubber tire 2 forming planets of the drive system. In functionality or arrangement, this system is similar to Fig 1, with rubber track 28 used instead of steel crawler track 1 as a planetary drive unit. Position FF and GG show the inter-conversion between rubber tire and rubber track.
Figure 11 shows an exemplary planetary arrangement where steel roller 27 and rubber tire 2 form two driving units of the planetary system. Inter-conversion between position HH resting on rubber tire and position JJ resting on steel roller is shown in the figure along with sections KK and LL.
Figure 12 shows three planetary drives in the system, namely steel roller 27, stone wheel 29 and rubber tire 2. The inter-conversion between these is also demonstrated in the positions MM, NN, PP and QQ. In positions MM, NN and PP, rubber tire 2, steel roller 27 and stone wheel 29 are shown driving the system independently. In position QQ, rubber tire 2 and steel roller 27 are used in combination to drive the vehicle. This illustrates the use of multiple driving units simultaneously.
Figure 13 shows two driving planets, steel roller 27 and rubber tire 2, arranged diametrically opposite to each other about axis X. Independent hydraulic motors 32 and 34 fitted directly on bearing housings 33 and 35 respectively drive each planet. Frame 31 of the planetary drive system is mounted on bearings on the end of vehicle body 30.
Frame 31 is free to rotate about axis X with respect to the vehicle body 30, hence allowing the planetary drive system to rotate for drive conversion. The mechanism to rotate the planetary drive system is nit shown in the figure, as it could be similar in principle to hydraulic motor gear-pinion arrangement (items 6, 7 and 14 in figure 4). This exemplary embodiment illustrates that the planetary drive system can be driven by independent hydraulic motors and/or electric propulsive drive and is not constrained to transmission chain-sprocket drive from axle of the vehicle. Also one or more of the planets can serve as idler wheels/rollers/tracks instead of providing propulsive drive to the vehicle. These idler planetary units find application in trailers where no drive is required.
Figure 14 shows a planetary drive system with two planets 2 and 27 spaced angularly at 60 degrees from each other about axis X. In this embodiment, axis Y of vehicle axle 41 is not aligned and is offset to axis X of the planetary drive system. In figures 1 to 12, the vehicle axle matches axis X of the planetary drive system. In figure 14, transmission chain sprockets 36 and 40 fitted on vehicle axle 41 provide drive to the planets. Position AB shows rubber tire 2 resting on the ground, hence driving the vehicle. In position AC, the planetary drive system is rotated so that steel roller 27 is in action.
Since axis X for planetary rotation is different from centerline Y of vehicle axle, planetary rotation causes the distance between planets and axis Y to change. Sprocket 36 drives sprocket 39 by means of transmission chain 38. Idler sprocket 37 is provided to accommodate for the change in distance between sprockets 36 and 39 during planetary rotation.
Idler 37 is mounted on its axle shown in bearing housing 48. Here bearing housing 48 is shown rigidly mounted on frame 44 of axle housing 42. In practice, the idler can be mounted on a hydraulic cylinder that can maintain the tension in the transmission chain.
It is nit shown over here, since this is known in principle and not of interest here.
Similarly, sprocket 40 on axle 41 drives sprocket 47 by means of transmission chain 46 and idler 45 thus driving steel roller 27 and also accommodating for changing center distances between sprockets during planetary rotation.
Figure 14 illustrates that centerline Y of vehicle axle providing propulsive drive to the planetary drive can be different from planetary rotational axis X.
The planetary drive systems described in exemplary embodiments above have extensive applications in agricultural tractors, earth movers, excavators, road rollers that need to ply on tires on-roads and off-roads on crawler tracks/steel rollers in farms or construction sites. The use of different type of driving units such as rubber tires, steel rollers, wheels, rubber tracks, crawler tracks in the planetary drive system has also been described.
Completely new vehicles can be designed using planetary drive systems or wheels/tracks of existing vehicles can be replaced with planetary drive systems to enhance their capabilities.
Background and prior art Application and underlying terrain mainly dictate the choice of the driving unit for a vehicle. Vehicles operating on multiple underlying terrain and/or being used for multiple applications have an inherent need for conversion between driving units for optimum performance. For instance, farm tractors would be functionally at their best on steel crawler tracks when off-road in the fields and would be ideally on rubber tires while plying on road. Hence the utility of these vehicles is significantly enhanced when the vehicle has the ability to change drives, tires to crawler tracks and vice versa.
In the prior art, attempts have been made to enhance the utility of vehicles with modifications such as fitting steel crawler tracks with rubber pads while plying on road, rubber tires fitted with circumventing steel chains while on snow, removable rubber tracks fitted on tandem rubber wheels and many more. In all these known attempts, the changeover is cumbersome and time-consuming with limited improvements.
The present invention caters to the need for selection between multiple drives that should be easy for changeover and should avoid involvement of assembly, disassembly and/or modification.
Summary of the Invention The concept of the present invention resides in a planetary drive system. A
vehicle could have one or more such planetary drive systems fitted on the rear, front and/or intermediate axles.
The planetary system comprises of multiple drive units such as a rubber tire, roller and/or chain crawler arranged in a planetary manner about an axis of rotation X. The planetary system is able to rotate about the axis X, resting the vehicle on the underlying surface using any one or more of the drives. For example, the vehicle operator can select crawler tracks for use in fields and when the vehicle comes on asphalt road he can select rubber tires.
The invention is described in greater detail in the subsequent section with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in drawings, in which:
Fig. I shows the plan and side view of two positions of a farm tractor fitted with two planetary drive systems at both ends of the rear axle. Position A shows the vehicle driven on crawler tracks and Position B shows the vehicle on rubber tires.
Fig. 2 shows various stages during conversion of the tractor in figure 1, from a crawler track driven vehicle to a rubber tire driven vehicle.
Fig. 3 shows side view and plan view of the farm tractor for detailed explanation of mechanisms in the exemplary embodiment.
Fig. 4 shows sectional view J-J of the planetary drive system shown in figure 3.
Fig. 5 shows sectional view J-J of an exemplary embodiment of the rear axle fitted with planetary drive systems at both ends and differential unit in the center.
Fig. 6 shows a vehicle fitted with four planetary drive systems at both ends of front and rear axles.
Fig. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the planetary drive system with two planets, rubber tire and crawler tracks, angular spaced at 150 degrees from each other demonstrating that the planets are not constrained to being diametrically opposite to each other as in fig 3.
Fig. 8 shows the planets with different orbital planes V and W, demonstrating that the orbital planes of the planets need not be aligned to each other and can be laterally spaced in the direction of the axis X, but still constitute as planets of the planetary drive system.
Fig. 9 shows a planetary drive system with three planets, a crawler track, a rubber tire and steel roller in different drive selection positions. In position CC, two drives are selected at one point of time for driving the vehicle demonstrating that multiple drives can be used simultaneously.
Fig. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of the planetary drive system with two planets, a rubber track and a rubber tire.
Fig. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment planetary drive system with two planets, a rubber tire and a steel roller.
Fig. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of planetary drive system with three planets, a rubber tire, a steel roller and a stone wheel. Position QQ demonstrates the use of two drives selected simultaneously for driving the vehicle.
Fig. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment with two planets, a rubber tire and a steel roller driven by means of independent hydraulic motors.
Fig. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of planetary drive system with two planets, a rubber tire and a steel roller. Here the axis X of the planetary drive system is not the same as centerline Y of the vehicle axle demonstrating that the rotational axis X
of the planetary drive system is not constrained to alignment with the vehicle axle centerline.
Description of the preferred embodiments In figure 1, a farm tractor 3 fitted with two planetary drive systems 4 fitted at each of the two ends of the rear axle is shown. In position A, the tractor is driven on steel crawler tracks and on rubber tires in position B. The front axle has rubber tires like any other conventional farm tractor. In this embodiment, each planetary drive system 4 consists of two driving units: a steel crawler track 1 and a rubber tire 2, arranged like planets in orbit about the axis X. In position A, the planetary drive systems are resting on crawler tracks and hence the tracks provide drive to the tractor in this position. Each planetary drive system is able to rotate independently about axis X, so as to changeover from crawler drive 1 in position A to tire drive 2 in position B. The detailed mechanism of the planetary drive system is explained in subsequent paragraphs of the description. The changeover capability facilitates selection between driving units in the planetary arrangement that forms the core of this invention.
In figure 2, the stages of conversion of planetary drive system from crawler track drive 1 in position C to rubber tire drive 2 in position F are shown. During conversion of drives, the farm tractor 3, on crawler track 1 in position C, is first brought to a halt resting on firm ground. The rear axle of the tractor 3 is lifted as shown in position D
using a mechanical or hydraulic lifting jack 5. Such lifting jacks are known in principle and not discussed, as they are not of interest here. The rear axle is lifted to a height so that the entire planetary drive system has room to make a 180-degree turn about axis X.
A
hydraulic motor driven pinion-gear arrangement (items 6, 7 and 14 in figures 3 and 4) is used to rotate the planetary drive system about axis X through 180-degrees in the counter-clockwise direction as shown in position E so that rubber tire 2 now takes the position of crawler tracks. The lifting jack 5 is lowered so that the tractor rear axle rests on rubber tires 2 as shown in position F.
Similarly the planetary drive system can change over from rubber tire drive 2 in position F to crawler track drive 1 in position C as shown in stages G and H by rotating the planetary drive system in clockwise direction about axis X.
This change over illustrated in positions C, D, E, F, G and H constitutes a complete change over from crawler track drive to tire drive and vice versa. The ease and flexibility of selection between drives in the planetary drive system is one of the key concepts of the present invention.
In figures 3, 4 and 5, the detailed mechanism of planetary drive system 4 mentioned in the above section is shown. The farm tractor 3 is driven on crawler tracks 1 of planetary drive system 4 in figure 3 Section J-J of one planetary drive system is shown in figure 4.
Figure 5 shows section J-J across the entire rear axle of tractor 3 with two planetary systems at both ends and differential unit in the center.
As shown in figure 4, two transmission chain sprockets 11 and 18, fitted at the outward end of rear axle 12, provide drive to driving units 1 and 2 of the planetary drive system respectively. Sprocket 18 drives the rubber tire axle by means of transmission chain 20 and sprocket 9. Similarly sprocket 11 drives the crawler track-driving sprocket by means of transmission chain 8 and sprocket 10. Fabricated frame 19 holds the entire assembly of the planetary driving system. This frame is supported on bearings 21 and 22 on the rear axle housing 13 so that it is free to rotate relative to the rear axle housing during drive change over. The frame 19 has bearing housing 15 for rubber tire 2 and crawler track carriage 23. The frame 19 has gear 7 that meshes with the pinion 6 driven by hydro-motor 14. this hydro-motor is fixed to the rear-axle housing 13 (mounting not shown in the drawing) so that frame 19 can be rotated relative to the rear axle housing when the motor 14 is actuated. The rear ale 12 is supported on outer-end bearings 24 in rear axle housing 13.
In figure 5, the other end of the rear axle is shown coming out of rear axle differentia125.
This gives an idea of the rear axle of farm tractor 3 fitted with planetary drive systems at both ends. While the vehicle is moving, sprocket 18 drives sprocket 9 that drives the chain track propelling the vehicle in desired direction. When the drive system is jacked up for change over between drives, hydro-motor 14 is actuated to cause the pinion 6 and gear 7 to rotate, hence rotating the entire drive system through desired angle for drive selection. In this arrangement, the tire 2 and crawler track 1 are always in motion when the vehicle is moving though only one of them is in contact with the underlying surface.
In practice, the drive that is not in use, i.e. not in contact with the underlying surface, can be disengaged using a mechanism that is not discussed since it is known in principle and not of interest here. Also not discussed over here are mechanisms for braking, idler sprockets that maintain tension in transmission chains and transfer of power from the differential to the rear axle, as these are known in principle. This exemplary embodiment shows that transmission chains are used to drive the planets, but in practice gears, propeller shafts or any combination of these could be used. Also instead of hydro-motor pinion-gear drive to rotate the planetary system, mechanisms such as levers actuated with hydraulic cylinders or hydraulic cylinder actuated rack and pinion can be employed in practice. If the planets are statically weight balanced about axis X, then very little effort is required in rotation of the system. This planetary rotation can then be done manually after the axle has been lifted.
In figure 6, a farm tractor 26 with 4 such planetary drive systems at both ends of front and rear axles are shown. Position K shows all the four drive systems using crawlers to drive the tractor. All these four can be converted to tire drives as shown in position L.
The rear axle drive systems and the front axle drive systems are independent of each other and hence the conversion can take place independent of each other. Also the front drive systems can be using a different drive system than the rear drive systems, for example front axle can be driven on tires while the rear axle is driven on crawler tracks.
This figure illustrates the use of multiple planetary drive systems. A vehicle could employ one or more such planetary drive systems depending on its application.
In figures 7 to 14, only exemplary embodiments of planetary drive systems are shown without the vehicles on which they fit.
Figure 7 is used to illustrate that the arrangement of different planetary drives could be at any angle to each other about axis X. In figures 1 to 6, tire 2 and crawler track 1 were diametrically opposite to each other about axis X. In fig 7, tire 2 is a 150-degrees from crawler track 1 in arrangement. Positions M and N, along with end views P and Q, show the change over between rubber tire drive to crawler track drive. In practice, vehicle designs could employ any angular spacing between planetary drives depending on their application and utility.
In figure 8, planets 1 and 2 have different vertical planes of orbit V and W
about axis X.
In figures 1 to 7, tire 2 and track 1 are aligned in the same vertical plane Z
(shown in fig.
7) that forms the plane of rotation/orbit during conversion. In figure 8, the two drives are not aligned in the plane of rotation, but are offset to each other in planes V
and W.
Position R shows the vehicle driven on crawler tracks and position S shows the vehicle on tires with the crawler out of action after conversion. This figure illustrates that the drives can exist as planets in different orbital planes perpendicular to axis X and are not constrained to alignment in the same orbital plane about axis X.
Figure 9 is an exemplary planetary drive system where three planets i.e.
rubber tire 2, steel roller/tire 27 and a crawler track are arranged in a planetary fashion about axis X.
Crawler tracks drive the vehicle in position AA. After conversion to position BB, runner tires drive the vehicle. Further angular rotation of the planetary drive system causes the steel roller 27 and rubber tire 2 to rest on the ground as shown in position CC and hence both provide propulsive drive to the vehicle. This illustrates that more than one planetary driving unit viz. steel roller and rubber tire, could be used for driving at any given point of time. On further rotation, only the steel roller 27 drives the vehicle.
Figure 10 shows an exemplary planetary drive system with rubber track 28 and rubber tire 2 forming planets of the drive system. In functionality or arrangement, this system is similar to Fig 1, with rubber track 28 used instead of steel crawler track 1 as a planetary drive unit. Position FF and GG show the inter-conversion between rubber tire and rubber track.
Figure 11 shows an exemplary planetary arrangement where steel roller 27 and rubber tire 2 form two driving units of the planetary system. Inter-conversion between position HH resting on rubber tire and position JJ resting on steel roller is shown in the figure along with sections KK and LL.
Figure 12 shows three planetary drives in the system, namely steel roller 27, stone wheel 29 and rubber tire 2. The inter-conversion between these is also demonstrated in the positions MM, NN, PP and QQ. In positions MM, NN and PP, rubber tire 2, steel roller 27 and stone wheel 29 are shown driving the system independently. In position QQ, rubber tire 2 and steel roller 27 are used in combination to drive the vehicle. This illustrates the use of multiple driving units simultaneously.
Figure 13 shows two driving planets, steel roller 27 and rubber tire 2, arranged diametrically opposite to each other about axis X. Independent hydraulic motors 32 and 34 fitted directly on bearing housings 33 and 35 respectively drive each planet. Frame 31 of the planetary drive system is mounted on bearings on the end of vehicle body 30.
Frame 31 is free to rotate about axis X with respect to the vehicle body 30, hence allowing the planetary drive system to rotate for drive conversion. The mechanism to rotate the planetary drive system is nit shown in the figure, as it could be similar in principle to hydraulic motor gear-pinion arrangement (items 6, 7 and 14 in figure 4). This exemplary embodiment illustrates that the planetary drive system can be driven by independent hydraulic motors and/or electric propulsive drive and is not constrained to transmission chain-sprocket drive from axle of the vehicle. Also one or more of the planets can serve as idler wheels/rollers/tracks instead of providing propulsive drive to the vehicle. These idler planetary units find application in trailers where no drive is required.
Figure 14 shows a planetary drive system with two planets 2 and 27 spaced angularly at 60 degrees from each other about axis X. In this embodiment, axis Y of vehicle axle 41 is not aligned and is offset to axis X of the planetary drive system. In figures 1 to 12, the vehicle axle matches axis X of the planetary drive system. In figure 14, transmission chain sprockets 36 and 40 fitted on vehicle axle 41 provide drive to the planets. Position AB shows rubber tire 2 resting on the ground, hence driving the vehicle. In position AC, the planetary drive system is rotated so that steel roller 27 is in action.
Since axis X for planetary rotation is different from centerline Y of vehicle axle, planetary rotation causes the distance between planets and axis Y to change. Sprocket 36 drives sprocket 39 by means of transmission chain 38. Idler sprocket 37 is provided to accommodate for the change in distance between sprockets 36 and 39 during planetary rotation.
Idler 37 is mounted on its axle shown in bearing housing 48. Here bearing housing 48 is shown rigidly mounted on frame 44 of axle housing 42. In practice, the idler can be mounted on a hydraulic cylinder that can maintain the tension in the transmission chain.
It is nit shown over here, since this is known in principle and not of interest here.
Similarly, sprocket 40 on axle 41 drives sprocket 47 by means of transmission chain 46 and idler 45 thus driving steel roller 27 and also accommodating for changing center distances between sprockets during planetary rotation.
Figure 14 illustrates that centerline Y of vehicle axle providing propulsive drive to the planetary drive can be different from planetary rotational axis X.
The planetary drive systems described in exemplary embodiments above have extensive applications in agricultural tractors, earth movers, excavators, road rollers that need to ply on tires on-roads and off-roads on crawler tracks/steel rollers in farms or construction sites. The use of different type of driving units such as rubber tires, steel rollers, wheels, rubber tracks, crawler tracks in the planetary drive system has also been described.
Completely new vehicles can be designed using planetary drive systems or wheels/tracks of existing vehicles can be replaced with planetary drive systems to enhance their capabilities.
Claims (13)
1. A planetary drive system that has two or more similar and/or dissimilar driving and/or idling units in a planetary arrangement that can be rotated about axis X to provide the ability to select between the planetary units for propelling or idling the vehicle.
2. A vehicle primarily for multi-terrain operation compromising of one or more planetary drive system(s) according to claim 1.
3. A planetary drive system as mentioned in claim 1, characterized in that one or more of the driving units are driven by means of transmission chains and/or gears and/or propeller shafts and/or any combination of these from the axle of the vehicle.
4. A planetary drive system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more of the planetary driving units are driven by means of independent hydraulic drive(s) serving as propulsive drive(s).
5. A planetary drive system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more of the planetary driving units are driven by means of independent electric drive(s) serving as propulsive drive(s).
6. A planetary drive system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one r more of the planetary unit(s) could serve as idler(s) without any propulsive drive.
7. A planetary drive system according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that two or more of the planetary driving/idling unit(s) simultaneously resting on the underlying surface are use for propelling/idling the vehicle in desired direction of travel.
8. A planetary drive system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the planetary rotational axis X is aligned to the centerline of vehicle axle providing drive to the planets.
9. A planetary drive system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the planetary rotational axis X is different from the centerline Y of vehicle axle providing drive to the planets.
10. A planetary drive system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all planetary units have the same orbital plane Z about axis X.
11. A planetary drive system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more planetary units have distinct orbital plane(s), V
and W, perpendicular to axis X.
and W, perpendicular to axis X.
12. A planetary drive system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radial and angular spacing of the driving/idling units as planets about axis X is regular (equi-spaced) or irregular depending on the individual design and application.
13. A planetary drive system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more of the planetary driving units that are not involved in propelling the vehicle at a given time are disconnected from the transmission drive to avoid mechanical losses.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2637823 CA2637823A1 (en) | 2008-07-20 | 2008-07-20 | Planetary drive system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2637823 CA2637823A1 (en) | 2008-07-20 | 2008-07-20 | Planetary drive system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2637823A1 true CA2637823A1 (en) | 2010-01-20 |
Family
ID=41570985
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2637823 Abandoned CA2637823A1 (en) | 2008-07-20 | 2008-07-20 | Planetary drive system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2637823A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109911043A (en) * | 2019-04-24 | 2019-06-21 | 华东交通大学 | It is a kind of to take turns the cell logistics carrying platform for carrying out switching |
-
2008
- 2008-07-20 CA CA 2637823 patent/CA2637823A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109911043A (en) * | 2019-04-24 | 2019-06-21 | 华东交通大学 | It is a kind of to take turns the cell logistics carrying platform for carrying out switching |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |