DE102016003351B4 - Traction aid for track chains - Google Patents

Abstract

Snow gripper (1) for track chains (5) of tracked vehicles, the tracked vehicles having at least two track chains (5), a vehicle pan (6) and an uneven free space between the track chain (5) and the vehicle pan (6) over the track width, the track chains (5 ) have chain links with two rubber-mounted chain bolts, central guide teeth, end connectors and one or two chain pads (4) per chain link and snow grippers (1) exchanged for at least one chain pad (4), the snow grippers (1) being usable instead of chain pads (4) and protrude beyond the outer contour of the chain pad (4), wherein
- the contour (3) of the snow gripper (1) is adapted to the contour (3) of the vehicle pan (6) in a partial area (2) of the bearing surface of the snow gripper (1), and
- that with one snow gripper (1) per chain link, the partial area (2) is less than 50% of the contact surface of the snow gripper (1), that with two snow grippers (1) per chain link, the partial area (2) is less than 25% of the contact surface of the snow gripper amounts to.

Description

The invention relates to a traction aid for track chains.

According to the state of the art, so-called connector chains are used for tracked vehicles whose purpose requires high driving speeds. To protect the roads, the chain links of the battle chains, which originally had steel bars, are cushioned by chain pads. Connector chains with chain pads are called combination chains. The combination chains consist of the chain link with two rubber-mounted chain pins, the central guide tooth, the two end connectors and one or two rubber chain pads.

Equipping the track chains with track pads has the disadvantage that the grip of the tracks decreases and the use of the vehicles, especially on snow-covered or icy roads, is dangerous.

From the disclosure document U.S. 264 55 32 A a snow gripper for track chains with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known.

From the patent EP 0 255 071 B2 is a connector crawler chain for vehicles with rubber-mounted bolts in chain bodies and separate connectors arranged on the outside of the bolts, which can be tightened via a screw, for connecting chain bodies, with at least two openings for drive gears being provided in the chain bodies designed as tubular bodies, each of which has two, approximately transverse to the running direction of the connector chain lying tube sections of the tubes and lateral webs are known.

From the disclosure document DE 14 80 766 A is a track chain for off-road vehicles, in particular armored combat vehicles, with rubberized chain link contact surfaces, characterized in that the contact surfaces of the chain links are arranged alternately from link to link longitudinally and transversely to the track chain.

Also from the utility model specification DE 1873897U a device for increasing the traction of a caterpillar vehicle when needed is known. A tracked vehicle, especially a tank, with endless tracks made of flat chain links without grippers, circulating on both sides via drive wheels, load rollers and support rollers, and between the running gears lying freely above the ground and ending in a trough shape, characterized in that the track consists of chain links that are Hinges are connected to each other, in the hinges of these chain links two-armed levers are mounted, which are formed from the actuating lever and the grippers which can be set up while driving, with depressions being provided in the chain links, in which the grippers insert themselves in the folded state.

From the sold and technology, vol. 19 from 1976, H. 1, pp. 20-23 "The development of track chains - for armored combat vehicles in the Bundeswehr" track chains and measures for their adaptation for the ground on snow and ice are known. These include snow grippers for track chains of track vehicles, the track vehicles having two tracks and a vehicle pan and the track chains having chain links with two rubber-mounted chain pins, center guide teeth, end connectors and two track pads per chain link. Instead of at least one chain pad, snow grippers can be used which protrude beyond the outer contour of the chain pad.

The on the one hand very primitive and on the other hand very complicated solution to increase traction has not been successful. In practice, a system has prevailed in which individual chain cushions are replaced with so-called snow grabs. As a result, the effect is similar to that of the anti-skid chains of wheeled vehicles, in which the anti-skid (snow) chains are put on only when necessary. The need arises when mud or ice or snow creates a surface where the chains do not destroy the roadway or the vehicle is operated completely off roadway.

The snow grabs used now protrude beyond the outer contours of the chain pads. However, due to the requirement for a low overall silhouette of the tracked vehicle, the free space between the chain and the vehicle pan is small, which means that the combi-tracks equipped with snow grippers hit the vehicle pan when in use. In order to protect the chain and vehicle pan from self-destruction, the snow grabs are not inserted across the entire width of the chain. There is only enough free space on the outside of the vehicle to be able to pick up snow grabs when they are ready for use. The unequal arrangement of the snow grippers over the contact area leads to a chain that runs permanently at an angle to the road surface. As a result, the rollers, which are permanently loaded on one side, are subject to increased wear.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a traction aid for crawlers that prevents the skewing of the crawler when ready for use and so the one-sided load and thus preventing premature wear of the track chain.

This problem is solved by a snow grab with the features of the first claim.

The particular advantage of the invention is that by adapting a portion of the snow gripper to the tub of the tracked vehicle, there is a uniform distance between the chain or snow gripper and the vehicle tub that is sufficient for the operational state of the vehicle with chain. Premature wear and tear of the snow grab and vehicle pan, caused by the chain or snow grab hitting the vehicle pan, is avoided.

A further advantage lies in the adaptation of the contour of the snow grabs, at least in a partial area of the contour of the vehicle pan. The snow grippers then lie firmly on the ground without tipping over if the area in which the snow gripper is adapted to the contour of the vehicle pan is less than 50% of the contact area of the snow gripper. Likewise, the partial length of the projection of the longitudinal section is then less than 50% of the total length of the projection of the longitudinal section of the snow gripper. In both cases, the center of gravity of the snow grab is supported by a flat bearing surface. The flat contact surface of the snow gripper results in a flat contact surface for the chain and in turn reduces the load on the idlers.

If the snow grippers are divided in two across the width of the chain, it is advantageous to adapt only 25% of the snow grippers to the vehicle pan, i.e. to adapt one of the two snow grippers up to a maximum of 50% of its contact area to the contour of the vehicle pan. In this case, too, the crawler chain is not additionally loaded by a flat support on the idlers.

A further advantage of a crawler track in which the contour of the snow gripper is adapted to the contour of the vehicle hull at least in a partial area is, in particular, that by adapting a partial area of the snow gripper to the hull of the tracked vehicle, a more even and operational condition of the vehicle with Chain There is sufficient distance between the chain or snow gripper and the vehicle pan. The crawler chain lying flat on the roadway reduces wear on the idler rollers compared to a chain that constantly runs at an angle to the roadway. Premature wear and tear of the snow gripper and vehicle pan due to the chain or snow gripper hitting the vehicle pan is also avoided.

A further advantage of a tracked vehicle, in which the contour of the snow gripper is adapted to the contour of the vehicle pan, at least in a partial area, lies in the fact that by adapting a partial area of the snow gripper to the pan of the tracked vehicle, a uniform and operational state of the vehicle with a chain, there is sufficient distance between the chain or snow gripper and the vehicle pan. The crawler chain lying flat on the roadway reduces wear on the idler rollers compared to a chain that constantly runs at an angle to the roadway. Premature wear and tear of the snow gripper and vehicle pan due to the chain or snow gripper hitting the vehicle pan is also avoided.

It shows 1 a three-dimensional representation of a snow gripper according to the invention. It shows 2 a snow gripper according to the invention schematically in front view, installed in a crawler track.

It shows 1 a snow gripper 1 according to the invention, the webs of which have the contour of the vehicle pan in a partial area 2 .

It shows 2 a snow gripper 1 according to the invention which has the contour of the vehicle tub 6 in a partial area 2 . When installed, the snow gripper 1 according to the invention protrudes beyond the chain cushions 3 of the crawler chain 4 . In the specific embodiment, the track pads 3 are divided across the width of the crawler track 4 . The section 2 of the snow grippers 1 extends over a maximum of 25% of the contact area of the two snow grippers 1 of the track width.

reference list

1

snow grab

2

subarea

3

contour

4

chain pad

5

caterpillar

6

vehicle tub

Claims (3)

Snow gripper (1) for track chains (5) of tracked vehicles, the tracked vehicles having at least two track chains (5), a vehicle pan (6) and an uneven free space between the track chain (5) and the vehicle pan (6) over the track width, the track chains (5 ) Chain links with two rubber-mounted chain pins, central guide teeth, end connectors and one or two chain pads (4) per chain link as well have snow grabs (1) exchanged for at least one chain pad (4), the snow grabs (1) being usable instead of chain pads (4) and protruding beyond the outer contour of the chain pads (4), wherein - the contour (3) of the snow grabs ( 1) in a partial area (2) of the contact surface of the snow gripper (1) is adapted to the contour (3) of the vehicle pan (6), and - in the case of a snow gripper (1) per chain link, the partial area (2) covers less than 50% of the contact surface of the snow grab (1) is that with two snow grabs (1) per chain link, the partial area (2) is less than 25% of the contact surface of the snow grabs. Track chain, in particular for combat vehicles, having chain links with two rubber-mounted chain bolts, central guide teeth, end connectors and one or two chain pads per chain link, and snow grippers (1) exchanged for at least one chain pad, with the features according to claim 1 . Tracked vehicle, in particular a combat vehicle, having a vehicle hull and crawler tracks and snow grippers (1) exchanged for at least one chain pad with the features according to claim 1 .

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