GB2089748A

GB2089748A - Endless track for tracked vehicles such as armoured vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2089748A
Application number: GB8136905A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Gerlach Werke GmbH
Current assignee: Gerlach Werke GmbH
Priority date: 1980-12-10
Filing date: 1981-12-08
Publication date: 1982-06-30
Also published as: DE3046428C2; GB2089748B; FR2495561A1; DE3046428A1

Abstract

An endless track for tracked vehicles, comprises a plurality of alternately arranged track links 1, 2 pivotally connected to one another by pins 3 engaging in projections 4, 5 and 14, 15, 16. For smooth running and support of the track links 1, 2 on a sprocket wheel of the vehicle, each track link 1 has two openings 10 for engagement by teeth of the sprocket wheel, and each track link 2 has pads 20 for engagement by the sprocket wheel. Each track link 2 has ground-engaging pads 21, and each track link 1 has a ground-engaging pad 12. Each track link 2 also has a guide tooth 19. The pads 12, 20, 21 may be made of rubber. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Caterpillar track for tracked vehicles such as armoured vehicles This invention concerns a caterpillar (Registered Trade Mark) track for tracked vehicles, particularly armoured vehicles such as a tank, comprising track lines which are interlocked in a hinge-like manner by pins extending through projections and recesses formed in the track links, said track links having along their longitudinal axis guide teeth and on the two sides therebeside tooth meshes for drive of the track by driving rims of the vehicle and on whose underside grading running pads are fitted such that they can be displaced laterally in the longitudinal direction of the track.

This type of caterpillar track, called a hinged track, has, as opposed to a so-called connector track, whose tracks are not connected directly but by way of connection parts, amongst other things the advantages of being light in weight, less frequently in need of maintenance and cheaper to produce.

Its greatest diadvantage is excessive vibration when running. Attempts have been made to improve the running properties of the track by means of the above mentioned fitting of running pads, i.e. with running pads which are also hinge-like and interlock and thus give the caterpillar track a support without gaps, which makes for uniform running of the track over the running wheels. These attempts however, have failed. The running pads wear out too quickly at the point where they interlock, so that the running wheels here just sink in as they roll over them.

An object of the invention is to provide a hinged track with a greater, more lasting smoothness of running.

In accordance with the invention this object is achieved in that there is provided a caterpillar track for tracked vehicles, particularly armoured vehicles such as a tank, comprising track lines which are interlocked in a hinge-like manner by means of pins, extending through projections and recesses in the track links, said track links having along their longitudinal axis guide teeth and on the two sides therebeside tooth meshes for drive of the track by driving rims of the vehicle and on whose underside slipped grading running pads are fitted such that they can be displaced laterally in the longitudinally direction of the track characterised in that only every other track link has tooth meshes and on these track links a running pad is fitted in the middle and that on the othertrack links two running pads are fitted on both sides therebeside.

The subdivision of the hitherto always uniform hinged track links into those with and those without tooth meshes makes room for two compact running pads with large surface areas in the lateral regions, which alternate with equally compact running pads with large surface areas in the middle of the other alternate track links and can interlock with slipped grading in the longitudinal direction of the track.

With this arrangement of running pads the track offers the running rollers a lasting, uniform support.

At the same time a chain of narrower pitch than with known running pads, interlocking with slipped grading, becomes possible, which also increases the smoothness of running of the track on the driving rims.

As a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention the tooth meshes in each case are two projections lying opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the track of the track link. This is a variation from the known hinged track in so far as two track links which are different in their overall shape emerge. Within this framework their overall shape emerge. Within this framework there is, however, no disadvantageous complication, since there is provided two different track links, with and without tooth meshes.

The arrangement of the tooth meshes between two projections allows a quite considerable further lessening of the pitch of the chain, i.e. extension of the track links in the longitudinal direction of the track. This essentially provides a more snug fitting of the track on to the driving rims making for considerably uniform running and thus contributes essentially to the object striven for, to give the vehicle a run as smooth and as free from vibration and oscillation as possible.

The other track links can be supported on the driving rims between teeth of the driving rims.

The power transmission to the tooth meshes and the movement which thereby takes place of the teeth in the tooth meshes wears the driving rims at the roots of the teeth very quickly and thoroughly.

Support of the track in these places is thus not possible. So that the track does not work loose, one must somehow again and again reset them and this is not possible. Normally therefore so called back-up rings arranged in pairs are fitted between the driving rims. The track lies on the back-up rings whilst the driving rims merely have the task of moving onwards. The other track links do not now lie on, but between the teeth, where no driving power is transmitted and no meshing of the teeth takes place and as a result of this practically no wear occurs. The track can and should therefore be supported here.

This is facilitated by the invention in that the omission of the tooth meshes on every other track link hitches the teeth apart on the tooth rim. The clearance between teeth is not enlarged to double since, on the other hand, as mentioned above, the pitch of the chain is supposed to be lessened. With the diameter remaining the same, the number of teeth on the wheel rims is decreased, for example, from 11 to 9 and thus the required support between the teeth can be achieved throughout. The wheel rims can be curved, as a rule concentrically to the toothed rim, either even or fitted to the surface of the track link in some other shape.

This support with the omission of back-up rings means a considerable improvement and simplification.

Preferably the other track links have, at their points of contact with the driving rims, in-set shock absorbing supports. Suitable materials for this, such as the type of rubber used for brake linings, can be used.

The supports can be vulcanised with the running pads.

The driving rims may be provided with shockabsorbing supports.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a preferred embodiment of the caterpillar track of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the caterpillar track of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of another side of the caterpillartrackof Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an enlarged part-sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an enlarged part-sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 1; and Figure 6 is an enlarged side view of the caterpillar track of Figure 1 mounted on a driving rim of a tracked vehicle.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 the preferred caterpillar track comprises a plurality of alternately arranged consecutive track links 1 and 2 interlocked with one another in a hinge-like manner by means of pins 3.

Both types of track lines, 1 and 2, are symmetrical both along the longitudinal axis of the track and along their own, longitudinal axis running perpendi cularto the longitudinal axis of the track.

The track links 1 have on both their longitudinal sides four projections 4 and 5 which form between them respective recesses 6,7 and 8. Formed in the projections 4 and 5 are aligned, cylindrical spaces 9.

Between the projections 5, which lie opposite each other and which are somewhat broader than the projections 4, is in each case a tooth mesh 10. As can be seen from Figure 5, the material 11 which encloses the cyindrical space 9, where it comes into contact with the teeth of the driving rim, is thickened.

On the underside of the track links 1 essentially the whole region between the outer corners of the four projections 4 is occupied buy a running pad 12. The recesses 6 are bounded below by a support cover 13 overtherunning pad 12.

The track links 2 have on both their longitudinal edges five projections 14, 15 and 16 which form between them recesses 17 and 18. The projections 14, 15 and 16 are, just like the projections 4 and 5, having aligned, cylindrical spaces 9. In the middle of the track links 2 a driving tooth 19 is raised. Between the recesses 18 which lie opposite each other is fitted a respective shock absorbing lining plate 20. As can be seen from Figure 5, the lining plate 20 is in the body of the track link 2 so that it is flush with the surface of the track link 2. On the underside of the track link 2 two running pads 21 are fitted which in each case occupy the whole region between the four outer corners of the adjacent projections 15 and 16 and lie under the recesses 18 on a support cover 22.

The lining plates 20 could, just like the running pads 21, consist of rubber and at the same time be vulcanised onto the running pads 21. Forthis purpose the cover 22 between them could be broken through.

The track links 1 and 2 interlock by means of their projections and recesses in the way which can be seen from Figure 1. The pins 3 thereby extend alternately through the cylindrical spaces 9 of the track links, whereby in each case they sit in a bush 23 in the spaces 9, which consist of, for example, manganese steel or a similar material.

The driving rim 24 shown in Figure 6 has between its teeth, which have a relatively large clearance between them, sections 26 curved concentrically to its axis. The teeth 25 interlock in the tooth meshes 10 of the track links 1 and thus drive the track. The track links 2 thereby lie with their lining plates 20 on the curve sections 26 of the driving rim 24 and give the track its firm hold on the rim 24.

Claims

1. A caterpillar (Registered Trade Mark) track for tracked vehicles, particularly armoured vehicles such as a tank, comprising track links which are interlocked in a hinge-like manner by means of pins, extending through projections and recesses in the track links, said track links having along their longitudinal axis guide teeth and on the two sides therebeside tooth meshes for drive of the track by driving rims of the vehicle and on whose underside slipped grading running pads are fitted such that they can be displaced laterally in the longitudinal direction of the track characterised in that only every other track link has tooth meshes and on these track links a running pad is fitted in the middle and that on the other track links two running pads are fitted on both sides therebeside.

2. A caterpillar track as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the tooth meshes in each case are two projections lying opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the track of the track link.

3. A caterpillar track as claimed in claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the other track links are supported on the driving rims between its teeth.

4. A caterpillar track as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that the other track links are provided at their points of contact with the driving rims with insert shock absorbing supports.

5. A caterpillar track substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.