EP0099882A1 - Moyen de soutien pour protecteur flexible de vehicules a chenilles - Google Patents

Moyen de soutien pour protecteur flexible de vehicules a chenilles

Info

Publication number
EP0099882A1
EP0099882A1 EP82900850A EP82900850A EP0099882A1 EP 0099882 A1 EP0099882 A1 EP 0099882A1 EP 82900850 A EP82900850 A EP 82900850A EP 82900850 A EP82900850 A EP 82900850A EP 0099882 A1 EP0099882 A1 EP 0099882A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
track
guard
vehicle
roller frame
flexible
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP82900850A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Roger L. Boggs
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Caterpillar Inc
Original Assignee
Caterpillar Tractor Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Caterpillar Tractor Co filed Critical Caterpillar Tractor Co
Publication of EP0099882A1 publication Critical patent/EP0099882A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • B62D55/088—Endless track units; Parts thereof with means to exclude or remove foreign matter, e.g. sealing means, self-cleaning track links or sprockets, deflector plates or scrapers
    • B62D55/0882—Track or sprocket cleaning devices mounted on the frame

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a dirt guard for a track-type vehicle and more particularly to means for preventing inward movement of a flexible guard into the confines of a track assembly.
  • Track-type vehicles such as crawler tractors, are normally operated in dirt and debris- laden environments. Compaction of foreign materials in the track assembly of such a vehicle tends to unduly increase track tension and causes wear and inculcation of undercarriage components. As a result, the service lives of such components are greatly reduced.
  • a solution to the latter problem has been the development of a flexible guard having its upper end secured on the track roller frame and suspended thereunder to prevent the ingress of foreign materials into the track assembly.
  • a problem encountered with this type of flexible guard occurs when the track separates from the track roller frame during operation of the vehicle and defines a space between an adjacent pair of track rollers and the track that is greater than adjacent outer dimensions of the flexible guard. During this condition of vehicle operation, the guard could be impacted and displaced laterally inwardly within the track assembly and bind therein when the track assembly assumes its normal, operating position.
  • the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
  • a track-type vehicle has a track roller frame, an endless track assembly mounted on the frame, a plurality of track rollers engaging the track assembly, and at least one flexible guard mounted at its upper end on the track roller frame and disposed between a laterally adjacent pair of track rollers to prevent the ingress of foreign materials within the confines of the track assembly.
  • the improvement comprises backup means for preventing inward movement of the flexible guard substantially within the confines of the track assembly when the track assembly separates from the track roller frame during operation of the vehicle to define a space between the adjacent pair of track rollers and the track assembly that is greater than adjacent outer dimensions of the flexible guard.
  • Figure 1 is a partial side elevational view of a track-type vehicle employing a backup member of the present invention therein for controlling inward movement of a flexible guard;
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view, illustrating the relative positioning of the backup member and the flexible guard;
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the backup member and the flexible guard in end elevation with the view being taken in the direction of arrows III-III in Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the vehicle engaging a stationary object whereby the track assembly separates from the track roller frame of the vehicle.
  • FIG. 1 partially illustrates a track-type vehicle 10, such as a crawler tractor, including a chassis 11 and an undercarriage 12.
  • a pair of laterally-spaced track roller frames 13 are pivotally mounted on opposite sides of a main frame of the chassis by stub shafts 14.
  • An endless track assembly 15 is mounted on each track roller frame and is entrained about a drive sprocket 16, a rear track idler 17, and a front track idler 18.
  • Front track idler 18 is mounted forwardly on the track roller frame and positionable thereon, under control of a recoil system, generally shown at 19.
  • the recoil system includes a slider assembly 20, slidably mounted on the track roller frame, and a hydraulic recoil cylinder 21 (or mechanical coil spring) for absorbing shock loads imposed on the track idler.
  • the recoil system further functions to relieve high track tension caused by the compaction of material or debris in the track assembly.
  • this invention aids in eliminating the ingress of foreign materials into the track assembly to avoid the compaction problem. In fact, it would prove highly desirable to eliminate the recoil system, if possible, to thus substantially reduce the overall cost and complexity of the undercarriage.
  • front track idler 18 is rotatably mounted on a bogey arm 22, pivotally mounted on slider assembly 20 by a pin 23.
  • the opposite end of the arm has a pair of track rollers 24 pivotally and rotatably mounted thereon in a conventional manner to provide an integrated bogey arrangement 25 for a "soft" or resilient suspension system for the undercarriage.
  • the rearward-most and intermediate bogey arrangements 25 are substantially similar to the forward-most bogey arrangement, except that the former bogey arrangements are mounted directly on track roller frame 13 by pins 23.
  • a plurality of strategically arranged flexible guards 26 will function to prevent the ingress of foreign materials substantially within the confines of track assembly 15.
  • a pair of rigid metallic guards 27 are each secured to a respective crank or bogey arm 22.
  • a clamping plate 28 ( Figure 3) releasably clamps each flexible guard to track roller frame 13 by a plurality of fastening means, shown in the form of bolts 29.
  • a cross plate 30 of the tractor roller frame is secured, such as by welding, to a downwardly extending flange 31 having the flexible guard releasably attached thereon by the clamping plate and bolts.
  • a flexible guard 26 composed of a reinforced elastomeric material is attached both on the inboard side of the track assembly adjacent to the main frame of the vehicle (not shown), and on an outboard side of the track roller frame (Figure 3), respectively.
  • a pair of support plates 32 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to flanges 31 and to cross plate 30. As shown in Figure 2, the support plates preferably converge downwardly toward each other to prevent their interference with the track rollers.
  • flexible guards 26 normally function efficiently when subjected to vertical forces F v , whereby the inboard flexible guard is pushed upwardly and flexes outwardly to its 26' position.
  • vertical forces F v whereby the inboard flexible guard is pushed upwardly and flexes outwardly to its 26' position.
  • flexible guard 26 will flex and bow to continuously cover this exposed side area of the undercarriage.
  • horizontal forces F imposed on the outboard flexible guard will tend to flex the guard inwardly during normal operation, whereby the guard will engage the adjacent pair of
  • OMPI track rollers 24 or track links for example, to prevent the guard from moving substantially into the confines of the track assembly.
  • each backup means 35 includes a backup plate 36 secured to an outer, lateral end of each support plate 32. It should be particularly noted that the backup plate is welded or otherwise suitably secured to support plates 32, but is not secured to overlying flexible guard 26. This permits the guard to bow and flex to its 26' position, illustrated by the inboard guard in Figure 3. In addition, it induces the guard to flex outwardly, rather than inwardly.
  • OMPI backup plate 36 is substantially longer than a lower or minor portion 38 thereof. As illustrated by the outboard guard in Figure 3, this arrangement will induce inward bending of only minor portion 38 of the guard at a pivot line defined by a lower edge 39 of the backup plate. This construction and arrangement will prevent force F Titan from pushing the guard substantially within the confines of the track assembly, particularly when the track assembly separates from the track roller frame, as shown in Figure 4.
  • Applicant's improved guard assembly finds particular application to endless track-type vehicles, such as crawler tractors, employed for log- skidding operations or the like.
  • endless track-type vehicles such as crawler tractors
  • crawler tractors employed for log- skidding operations or the like.
  • the compaction of foreign materials in the track assembly can create high track tensions and related problems, which could cause undue wear of undercarriage components.
  • backup means 35 prevents this possibility by engaging a major portion 37 of the guard ( Figure 3) and permitting only inward flexing of a minor portion 38 thereof at the juncture of the portions adjacent to edge 39.
  • the backup means will not interfere with normal flexing of the guard between its full-line position 26 and phantom-line position 26' ( Figure 3) when the track assembly is impacted with an upwardly directed force Futton.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Road Paving Machines (AREA)

Abstract

Le compactage de matériaux étrangers dans la chenille (15) d'un véhicule à chenille (10) tend à soumettre la chenille (15) à des tensions excessivement élevées. De tels compactages peuvent limiter gravement les vies utiles de composants de l'atterrisseur. Bien que des protecteurs flexibles (26) fonctionnent bien pendant une opération normale, lorsque le véhicule (10) s'attaque à un objet immobile, la chenille (15) tend à se séparer du longeron du tendeur de chenille (13). L'application d'une force extérieure (FH) sur le protecteur flexible pourrait le maintenir dans la chenille (15). L'objet de cette invention est une plaque de soutien (35) fixée sur le longeron (13) du tendeur de chenille qui limite substantiellement les mouvements vers l'intérieur du protecteur flexible (26) à l'intérieur des limites de la chenille (15) pendant cet état de fonctionnement du véhicule.
EP82900850A 1982-01-29 1982-01-29 Moyen de soutien pour protecteur flexible de vehicules a chenilles Withdrawn EP0099882A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1982/000118 WO1983002597A1 (fr) 1982-01-29 1982-01-29 Moyen de soutien pour protecteur flexible de vehicules a chenilles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0099882A1 true EP0099882A1 (fr) 1984-02-08

Family

ID=22167787

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82900850A Withdrawn EP0099882A1 (fr) 1982-01-29 1982-01-29 Moyen de soutien pour protecteur flexible de vehicules a chenilles

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0099882A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA1183889A (fr)
IT (1) IT1160189B (fr)
WO (1) WO1983002597A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8167384B2 (en) 2009-07-31 2012-05-01 Caterpillar Inc. Undercarriage cleaning mechanism and method of providing the same

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1992702A (en) * 1934-04-16 1935-02-26 Marion T Koop Dirt guard for track type tractors
US2049693A (en) * 1935-09-14 1936-08-04 Caterpillar Tractor Co Track roller guard
US4097093A (en) * 1976-10-26 1978-06-27 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Track guiding means for a track-type vehicle
US4134622A (en) * 1977-01-28 1979-01-16 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Scraping apparatus for track-type vehicles
US4229053A (en) * 1978-02-27 1980-10-21 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Track guide assembly

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8302597A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1160189B (it) 1987-03-04
WO1983002597A1 (fr) 1983-08-04
CA1183889A (fr) 1985-03-12
IT8319284A0 (it) 1983-01-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4553790A (en) Flexible dirt guard with back-up plate for track-type vehicle
CA1155476A (fr) Dispositif a roue folle pour l'absorption des contre-coups
US20070261898A1 (en) Traction Assembly for Vehicles and Components Therefor
US7156473B2 (en) Elastic track shoe
AU623825B2 (en) Tensioning and recoil system for tracked vehicle
US4082371A (en) Support and guide for a track of a track-laying vehicle
AU613657B2 (en) Track recoil and tensioning mechanism
US6213573B1 (en) Rubber pads
EP0099882A1 (fr) Moyen de soutien pour protecteur flexible de vehicules a chenilles
US4257653A (en) Track assembly for track-type vehicles with dual link assemblies
US4844195A (en) Resilient mounting of crawler tractor frame
CA1047582A (fr) Amortisseur de retour sur sabot de chenille
JPS6117711B2 (fr)
US3754615A (en) Vehicle frame structure
GB1566070A (en) Scraping apparatus for track-type vehicles
US5139317A (en) Track guiding apparatus
US4056288A (en) Endless track for crawler vehicles
CA1110297A (fr) Chenille pour vehicule et machines tous terrains
GB1565648A (en) Joints
JPH10218042A (ja) 装軌式車両のクローラ装置
JP2595443Y2 (ja) 無限軌道帯用履板
CA2574729A1 (fr) Ensemble de traction pour vehicules et elements connexes
WO1983001045A1 (fr) Elements de protection flexibles pour le dessous d'un vehicule
US4605264A (en) Track shoe deflection stop for endless track assemblies
JP3437164B2 (ja) 無限軌道履帯用履板

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB LI LU NL SE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19840103

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: BOGGS, ROGER L.