JP2004345565A - All-rubber crawler with no core metal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an all-rubber crawler having no core metal including a crawler body 2 formed in the shape of an endless band, lugs 3 arranged in the longitudinal direction on its peripheral surface, and guide projections 4 provided on the inside surface, and structured so that part of the endless form of the crawler body 2 is coupled by a joint part 6, whereby it is possible to preclude rupture, crack, elongation, etc. by heightening the tension resistance force in the circumferential direction. <P>SOLUTION: The all-rubber crawler having no core is configured so that a reinforcing member 5 is embedded in a partial region ranging over the coupling boundary between the crawler body 2 and the joint part 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coreless full rubber crawler.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Rubber crawlers used in vehicles constructed for rough roads have an endless belt-shaped crawler body, and lugs are provided on the outer peripheral surface along the circumferential direction, and the inner peripheral surface has a circumferential lug. Although a guide projection is provided along the direction, some rubber crawlers of this type do not have a core metal embedded in the crawler body to reinforce the width direction thereof ( For example, see Patent Document 1 and the like). In particular, rubber crawlers used in snowplows that are categorized as "lightweight" weighing 500 kg or less do not require much tension resistance. Therefore, steel for reinforcing the circumferential direction is provided in the crawler body. It is known that even a tensile body such as a cord is not buried. Hereinafter, such a core metal that reinforces the width direction of the crawler main body and a rubber crawler that does not have a tensile member that reinforces the circumferential direction of the crawler main body are referred to as “core-less total rubber crawler”.
[0003]
By the way, conventionally, as one of the methods for manufacturing a rubber crawler (including not only the above-described metal core-less total rubber crawler but also other crawlers), an unvulcanized uncured belt having a predetermined length is used in advance. A crawler material is formed, and the crawler material is vulcanized except for a part of the length at one end, and when the vulcanization proceeds to the other end, both ends are connected, and then the connection portion is also vulcanized. It is known that the vulcanization is carried out and the endlessness is achieved at the same time as the completion of the entire vulcanization (for example, see Patent Document 2). In recent years, a method has been attempted in which the both ends of the crawler material are connected to each other at the stage of connecting the two ends, and a material for a joint is interposed therebetween in an endless manner.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-347675 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-120231
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the rubber crawler manufactured through the step of connecting the both ends of the crawler material using the material for the joint and then vulcanizing is naturally formed by the joint formed by the vulcanization of the material for the joint, This means that the crawler body is endless. In this case, the connection boundary between the crawler main body and the joint portion depends on the vulcanization bonding between the rubbers and all of its adhesive force, but such a vulcanization bonding portion is another vulcanization in the crawler main body. Since the strength is inevitably weaker than the integral part, it is considered that when tension acts in the circumferential direction of the crawler body, stress concentrates on the vulcanized adhesive part. As a result, when excessive tension occurs, this vulcanized adhesive It is expected that breaks, cracks, elongations, etc. will occur at the parts. Needless to say, breakage and severe cracking have the drawback of being unusable, and extension has the drawback of leading to pitch errors and derailment of driving wheels (not shown).
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a metal coreless total rubber crawler having a crawler body formed into an endless band shape by coupling with a joint portion, which increases circumferential tension resistance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device capable of preventing breakage, cracking, extension, and the like.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has taken the following measures.
That is, the coreless full rubber crawler 1 according to the present invention has a crawler body 2 formed in an endless band shape, a lug is provided on an outer peripheral surface along a longitudinal direction, and a guide is provided on an inner peripheral surface. It is assumed that a projection is provided. The crawler body 2 has a part of an endless part connected by a joint part 6. The reinforcing material 5 is embedded in a partial region that straddles the connection boundary between the crawler body 2 and the joint 6.
[0008]
That is, the crawler main body 2 is formed as a strip-shaped crawler material 2A having both ends 8, 9 in a process before vulcanization, and the both ends 8, 9 of the crawler material 2A face each other. Then, a joint material 6A for forming the joint portion 6 is interposed therebetween, and these are vulcanized after being connected. However, the end 8 (or 9) of the crawler material 2A is connected to the joint material 6A. The reinforcing material 5 is embedded so as to correspond to the partial region straddling both.
With such a configuration, the connection boundary between the crawler main body 2 and the joint portion 6 is not only dependent on the vulcanization bonding between rubbers, but also because the mechanical connection by the reinforcing material 5 is added. , And a strong adhesive force can be obtained. For this reason, the tension resistance in the circumferential direction is excellent, and even when excessive tension occurs, breakage, cracks, extension, and the like are prevented as much as possible. In addition, it is possible to expect adaptability to vehicles or the like that require a higher level of tension drag.
[0009]
It is preferable that the length of the reinforcing member 5 embedded in the crawler body 2 is equal to or longer than the lug pitch P along the circumferential direction of the crawler body 2. By doing so, the adhesive strength at the connection boundary between the crawler body 2 and the joint portion 6 can be further increased.
The joint portion 6 has an overlapping portion 10 formed in the thickness direction by the reinforcing members 5, and the overlapping portion 10 has a length equal to or less than half the lug pitch P along the circumferential direction of the crawler body 2. It is preferred that By doing so, it is possible to further increase the adhesive force at the connection boundary between the crawler body 2 and the joint portion 6 while preventing the bending resistance of the crawler body 2 from becoming excessive.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a coreless full rubber crawler 1 according to the present invention.
The crawler 1 has a crawler body 2 in the form of an endless band, and lugs 3 are provided on the outer peripheral surface at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction, and on the inner peripheral surface at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction. And the guide projection 4 is provided. No core is buried inside the crawler body 2 for reinforcing the width direction thereof, and no tensile member for reinforcing the circumferential direction thereof is buried. The reinforcing material 5 is buried in a partial region that is a part of the crawler body 2 in the circumferential direction. The partial region in which the reinforcing member 5 is embedded corresponds to both end portions (joining positions) of the joint portion 6 that connects the crawler body 2 endlessly.
[0011]
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the steps before the final vulcanization in the manufacturing process of the crawler 1. That is, in order to manufacture the crawler 1, first, as a state before vulcanization in the crawler body 2, a belt-shaped (not yet endless) crawler material 2 A having both ends is formed. , 9 facing each other, an unvulcanized or semi-vulcanized joint material 6A is interposed and connected between them, and the joint material 6A and the crawler material 2A provided in this process are included. Of the joint material 6A and the other end 9 of the crawler material 2A, respectively.
[0012]
The reinforcing material 5 is a fiber cord obtained by thickly weaving, plain weaving, or interdigitating a fiber material such as nylon or polyester. In addition, a thin plate-shaped resin material or the like can be used.
The crawler material 2A is formed in a belt shape by bonding a plurality of rubber sheets such as a base rubber, an outer peripheral rubber, and an inner peripheral rubber, and has a lug 3 on one surface. 3A and material projections 4A to be the guide projections 4 are formed on the other surface by pressure molding or the like. On the other hand, the joint material 6A may be formed of rubber or the like having substantially the same material as the crawler material 2A so as to have the same width as the crawler material 2A. When they face each other, they may be divided in the thickness direction so as to sandwich them from the upper side and the lower side.
[0013]
After joining both ends 8 and 9 of the crawler material 2A to the joint material 6A, the joint material 6A is aligned with the material protrusions 3A and 4A for the lug 3 and the guide protrusion 4 provided on the crawler material 2A. Alternatively, an appropriate number of material projections 3A and 4A (two in FIG. 1) may be formed at the same pitch as these.
By appropriately changing the length of the joint material 6A, the circumferential length of the crawler material 2A in an endless state can be changed, thereby making it easy to change the circumferential length of the crawler 1 and forming the crawler material 2A. This is preferable because diversification in the process can be prevented.
[0014]
In the process of forming the crawler material 2A, the reinforcing material 5 is embedded in each end portion 8, 9 by a half length, and the remaining half length is made to protrude from each end portion 8, 9. Is good. Thus, the crawler material 2A may be vulcanized or semi-vulcanized with the reinforcing material 5 half-buried.
At this time, the length in which the reinforcing material 5 is embedded in each end portion 8 and 9 of the crawler material 2A is preferably set based on the lug pitch P along the circumferential direction of the crawler body 2 as shown in FIG. Ensure that they are at least equal in length. For example, when the peripheral length of the crawler 1 (peripheral length of the entire crawler body 2 including the joint portion 6) is 1200 mm and the lug pitch P is 60 mm, the reinforcing material 5 is applied to each end 8, 9 of the crawler material 2A. The length to be buried is about 100 mm.
[0015]
Also, the length of the reinforcing member 5 protruding from the end portions 8 and 9 of the crawler material 2A means the length embedded in the joint material 6A. It is preferred that As a result, it can be said that it is preferable that the total length of the reinforcing member 5 be at least twice the lug pitch P.
In the crawler 1 having such a configuration, each connecting portion between the crawler main body 2 and the joint portion 6 is not only dependent on vulcanization bonding between rubbers but also mechanically connected by a reinforcing material 5. Therefore, a strong adhesive force is obtained. For this reason, the tension resistance in the circumferential direction is excellent, and breakage or cracking is prevented as much as possible even when excessive tension occurs. In addition, since extension at this portion is also prevented, there is an advantage that pitch errors and derailment of driving wheels (not shown) are prevented. Furthermore, since the rigidity of each connecting portion between the crawler body 2 and the joint portion 6 is increased, it is possible to prevent snow, mud, pebbles, and the like from being caught in this portion. It is also suitable for improving the properties.
[0016]
Further, it is possible to expect adaptability to a vehicle or the like that requires a higher level of tension drag.
Regarding the selection of the material (mainly tensile strength), length, amount (volume) and the like of the reinforcing material 5, the tensile strength and rigidity (flexibility) of the portion where the reinforcing material 5 is embedded are different from those of the crawler body 2. It may be performed as a guide so that it becomes equivalent to the tensile strength and rigidity of the integral part of the above.
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a coreless full rubber crawler 1 according to the present invention.
[0017]
In the crawler 1 of the second embodiment, an overlapping portion 10 in the thickness direction is formed by the reinforcing members 5 with respect to the joint portion 6. The overlap portion 10 bends the reinforcing material 5 embedded at one end (right side in FIG. 5) of the joint portion 6 toward the inner peripheral side (the lower side in FIG. 5) of the crawler main body 2 to form the joint portion. 6 is overlapped by the length L with the reinforcing member 5 embedded at the other end (the left side in FIG. 5). By providing such an overlap portion 10, the adhesive force at the connection boundary between the crawler body 2 and the joint portion 6 can be further increased.
[0018]
However, if the length of the overlap portion 10 is too long, the bending resistance of the crawler body 2 may become excessive. Therefore, the length L of the overlap portion 10 is determined by the lug pitch along the circumferential direction of the crawler body 2. It is preferable to set it to half or less of P.
FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the coreless full rubber crawler 1 according to the present invention.
In the crawler 1 of the third embodiment, a third reinforcing member 11 is buried in the joint portion 6 separately from the individual reinforcing members 5 buried at both ends of the joint portion 6. The two end portions of the three reinforcing members 11 are overlapped with the outer peripheral side (upper side in FIG. 6) of the individual reinforcing members 5 embedded in the both end portions of the above-described joint portion 6 to form two overlapping portions 10. I have. Neither of the reinforcing members 5 and 11 has a folded portion.
[0019]
FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the coreless full rubber crawler 1 according to the present invention.
Also in the crawler 1 of the fourth embodiment, apart from the individual reinforcing members 5 embedded at both ends of the joint portion 6, the third reinforcing member 11 is embedded so as to fit in the joint portion 6, and Both end portions of the three reinforcing members 11 are overlapped with individual reinforcing members 5 embedded at both end portions of the joint portion 6 described above, thereby forming two overlapping portions 10. However, the third reinforcing member 11 overlaps the outer peripheral side (the upper side in FIG. 7) of the reinforcing member 5 embedded at one end (the left side in FIG. 7) of the joint portion 6, and then is folded. After the portion is formed, it is superposed on the inner peripheral side (the lower side in FIG. 7) of the reinforcing member 5 embedded at the other end (the right side in FIG. 7) of the joint 6.
[0020]
By the way, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed according to the embodiments.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the coreless full rubber crawler according to the present invention has a crawler body in the form of an endless band formed by coupling with a joint portion, in which circumferential tension resistance is increased. Breaking, cracking, stretching, etc. are prevented. It is also adaptable to vehicles and the like that require a higher class of drag.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a main part side view showing a first embodiment of a coreless full rubber crawler according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an intermediate omitted side view showing a crawler material in a process of manufacturing the crawler of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view of an essential part for explaining a step of making the crawler material shown in FIG. 2 endless.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part showing a specific example in which the length of the reinforcing material is made suitable as the coreless full rubber crawler of the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a main part side view showing a second embodiment of a coreless full rubber crawler according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a main part side view showing a third embodiment of a coreless full rubber crawler according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a main part side view showing a fourth embodiment of a coreless full rubber crawler according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Coreless rubber crawler 2 Crawler body 3 Lug 4 Guide protrusion 5 Reinforcement 6 Joint part 10 Overlap part P Lug pitch

Claims (3)

It has a crawler main body (2) formed in an endless strip shape, a lug (3) is provided on the outer peripheral surface along the longitudinal direction, and a guide projection (4) is provided on the inner peripheral surface. In the crawler, the crawler main body (2) has a part of an endless connected by a joint (6), and a reinforcing material ( 5) A coreless full rubber crawler, wherein the crawler is embedded. The reinforcing material (5) has a length embedded in the crawler body (2) being equal to or longer than a lug pitch (P) along a circumferential direction of the crawler body (2). The coreless full rubber crawler according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the joint part (6), an overlapping part (10) in the thickness direction is formed by reinforcing materials (5), and the overlapping part (10) is formed in the circumferential direction of the crawler body (2). 3. The crawler coreless rubber crawler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length is less than half the length of the lug pitch (P).

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