JP2013035366A - Elastic crawler and crawler traveling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the weight while reducing flexing resistance of an elastic crawler.SOLUTION: A rubber crawler 10 has: an endless belt-like elastic body (a rubber body 12) wound around a drive wheel and track rollers; a plurality of core metals 20 buried in the elastic body while being spaced apart at intervals in the crawler circumferential direction and extending in the crawler width direction; each drive wheel engaging part 26 provided on both outside in the crawler width direction across the central part 22 of the core metal 20 and protruding in the crawler inside direction in order to engage with the drive wheel; each core metal protrusion 28 provided between the central part 22 and the drive wheel engaging part 26 and further protruding in the crawler inside direction than the drive wheel engaging part 26; and each track roller support part 30 formed between the central parts 22 of the core metals 20, adjacent to each other in the crawler circumferential direction, at the inner peripheral part 12A of the elastic body, raised in the crawler inside direction, and supporting the track roller 104 on the top surface 30A.

Description

  The present invention relates to an elastic crawler and a crawler traveling device using the elastic crawler.

  In recent years, endless rubber crawlers have been used in traveling parts of agricultural machines, construction machines, and civil engineering machines. This type of rubber crawler is usually used by being wound around a sprocket (driving wheel), idler (idling wheel), and rolling wheel on the airframe side. Since these sprockets, idlers, and wheels roll on the inner peripheral side of the rubber crawler, reinforcing metal bars are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral portion of the rubber crawler ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  In the rubber crawler described in Patent Document 1, cored bars are embedded at constant intervals in the circumferential direction in a rubber endless belt body. A pair of core metal protrusions projecting on the inner peripheral surface side of the belt are formed in the core bar in the width direction, and a sprocket and an idler pass between the pair of core metal protrusions, and the width direction of the pair of core metal protrusions A pair of wheel portions of the rolling wheels pass through both outer sides. Further, the portion of the belt body through which the wheel portion of the wheel passes is raised from the inner peripheral surface of the belt so as to be thicker than the other portion in order to support the weight of the airframe via the wheel. The raised portion extends continuously in the circumferential direction, and the top surface forms a flat wheel passing surface.

JP 2008-179328 A

Incidentally, the rubber crawler described in Patent Document 1 has a large bending resistance in the circumferential direction because a pair of raised portions provided in the belt body are continuous in the circumferential direction.
In addition, the thickness of the raised portion of the belt body does not cause any trouble on the wheel passing surface even if the wheel part of the wheel steps on a foreign object (for example, pebbles) that enters between the wheel passing surface. The rubber crawler is heavy because it needs to be thick enough.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce weight while reducing bending resistance.

  The elastic crawler according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an endless belt-like elastic body wound around a driving wheel and a roller, and a plurality of the elastic crawlers embedded in the elastic body at intervals in the circumferential direction of the elastic body. A metal core extending in the width direction of the body, and provided on both outer sides in the width direction across the central portion of the metal core in the width direction, projecting inward of the elastic body, and engaging with the drive wheel A driving wheel engaging portion; a core metal protrusion provided between the central portion and the driving wheel engaging portion and projecting inward from the driving wheel engaging portion; and an inner peripheral portion of the elastic body And a wheel support portion that is formed between the central portions of the core bars adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, protrudes in the inward direction, and supports the wheel at the top surface.

  In the elastic crawler according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the driving wheel rotates with the driving wheel engaged with the driving wheel engaging portion, the driving force is transmitted to the elastic body through the mandrel, and this An endless belt-like elastic body circulates between the drive wheel and the wheel. At this time, while the wheel is transferred from the top surface of the wheel support portion to the top surface of the wheel support portion adjacent to the circumferential direction of the elastic body (hereinafter simply referred to as “elastic body circumferential direction”), Roll on the top surface of the roller support section.

  Here, in the above-described elastic crawler, the roller support portions that protrude in the inner direction of the elastic body (hereinafter simply referred to as “elastic body inner direction”) are adjacent to each other in the elastic body circumferential direction of the elastic body peripheral portion. Since it is formed between the central parts of the core metal, that is, the wheel support part is intermittently formed in the elastic body peripheral part, for example, the wheel support part as described above is provided. The bending resistance in the circumferential direction of the elastic body can be made smaller than that formed continuously in the circumferential direction of the elastic body in the circumferential portion of the elastic body.

  Further, in the above-described elastic crawler, since the wheel support portions raised in the elastic body inward direction are formed between the central portions of the cores adjacent to each other in the elastic body peripheral portion, for example, the wheel support portions are paired with each other. Formed on both outer sides of the width direction of the elastic body of the cored bar projection (hereinafter simply referred to as “elastic body width direction”), or the roller support portion on the inner circumferential portion of the elastic body in the circumferential direction of the elastic body The weight can be reduced as compared with the case formed continuously.

  From the above, according to the elastic crawler described in claim 1 of the present invention, the weight can be reduced while the bending resistance in the circumferential direction is reduced.

  An elastic crawler according to a second aspect of the present invention is the elastic crawler according to the first aspect, wherein the roller support portion has a cross section along the width direction in which the top surface is the innermost surface of the central portion. It protrudes so as to be positioned between the tips of the cored bar protrusions.

  In the elastic crawler according to the second aspect of the present invention, the top surface of the roller support portion is a central portion in a cross section along the width direction of the elastic body (hereinafter, simply referred to as “elastic body width direction”). Since it is raised so as to be positioned between the innermost surface of the core and the tip of the cored bar projection, the movement of the rolling wheel rolling on the top surface in the elastic body width direction is restricted by contact with the cored bar projection can do. In addition, it suppresses collision noise and vibration when the wheel collides with the innermost surface of the center portion when transferring from the top surface of the wheel support portion to the top surface of the wheel support portion adjacent in the circumferential direction of the elastic body. Can do.

  An elastic crawler according to a third aspect of the present invention is the elastic crawler according to the first or second aspect, wherein the central portion protrudes inward from a base portion and a central portion in the circumferential direction of the base portion. And a ridge portion extending in the width direction to connect the pair of cored bar protrusions, and the circumferential end portion of the top surface of the base portion in the circumferential direction as viewed from the inner side direction. It is located between the edge part of this and the edge part of the said circumferential direction of the said protrusion part.

  In the elastic crawler according to claim 3 of the present invention, when viewed from the inside of the elastic body, the end of the top surface in the circumferential direction of the elastic body is the end of the base in the circumferential direction of the elastic body and the elastic body in the circumferential direction of the ridge. For example, the end of the top surface in the circumferential direction of the elastic body does not reach the end of the base in the circumferential direction of the elastic body. The distance between the end portions of the top surfaces of the wheel support portions adjacent to each other can be shortened. As a result, when the wheel is transferred from the top surface of the wheel support portion to the top surface of the wheel support portion adjacent to the elastic body in the circumferential direction, the rolling down of the wheel (in the outer direction of the elastic body) is suppressed. Thus, the vertical movement of the wheel is suppressed.

  An elastic crawler according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the elastic crawler according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the elastic crawler is formed on both outer sides in the width direction across the roller support portion of the inner peripheral portion. And a recess that is recessed toward the outer side of the elastic body.

  In the elastic crawler according to claim 4 of the present invention, the outer side direction of the elastic body (hereinafter simply referred to as “elastic body outer side direction”) on both outer sides in the elastic body width direction across the roller support portion of the inner peripheral portion of the elastic body. Since the dents that are recessed into the cavities are respectively formed, the thickness of the elastic body is reduced at the site of the dents, so that the bending resistance of the elastic body in the circumferential direction of the elastic body can be reduced. Moreover, the weight of an elastic body can also be reduced by forming a hollow part.

  An elastic crawler according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the elastic crawler according to the fourth aspect, wherein the indented portion extends from the wheel support portion toward an end in the width direction of the elastic body. .

  In the elastic crawler according to claim 5 of the present invention, the bending portion is extended from the roller support portion toward the end of the elastic body in the elastic body width direction, so that the bending resistance in the elastic body circumferential direction of the elastic body is effective. Can be made smaller.

  An elastic crawler according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the elastic crawler according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the shape of a portion of the drive wheel engaging portion that contacts the drive wheel is the drive. The shape corresponds to the outer peripheral shape of the ring.

  In the elastic crawler according to claim 6 of the present invention, the shape of the portion of the driving wheel engaging portion that contacts the driving wheel is a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the driving wheel, so that the driving wheel is engaged with the driving wheel. It can be reliably engaged with the part.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a crawler travel device that includes a drive wheel coupled to a drive shaft of a machine body, a wheel that is rotatably attached to the machine body, and the drive wheel and the wheel that are wound around the drive wheel. The elastic crawler according to any one of Items 1 to 6.

  In the crawler traveling device according to claim 7 of the present invention, since the elastic crawler according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is used, the weight can be reduced, and traveling performance in rough terrain traveling is ensured. be able to. Further, since the bending resistance in the circumferential direction of the elastic crawler is small, it is possible to reduce power loss when the elastic body is wound around a drive wheel or the like, and to improve the fuel efficiency of the airframe.

  As described above, the elastic crawler and the crawler traveling device of the present invention can reduce the weight while reducing the bending resistance.

It is the side view which looked at the crawler travel device and elastic crawler concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention from the side (crawler width direction). It is a top view which shows the inner peripheral part of the elastic crawler which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the inner peripheral part of the elastic crawler which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the outer peripheral part of the elastic crawler which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing (XX sectional drawing of FIG. 2) which shows the cross section along the crawler width direction of the elastic crawler which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a top view of the metal core used for the elastic crawler which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (B) It is the front view of a metal core which looked at the metal core of Drawing 6 (A) from the direction of arrow 6B. (A) It is the 7A-7A sectional view taken on the line of the metal core of FIG.6 (B). (B) It is the side view of a metal core which looked at the metal core of Drawing 6 (B) from the direction of arrow 7B. Sectional drawing along the crawler width direction of the elastic crawler which shows the state which the drive wheel of the crawler traveling apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment is engaging with the drive wheel engaging part of an elastic crawler (XX line of FIG. 2) FIG. Sectional drawing along the crawler width direction of an elastic crawler which shows the state which the wheel of the crawler traveling apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment is rolling on the top surface of the wheel support part of an elastic crawler (X of FIG. 2) -X-ray sectional view). Sectional drawing along the crawler circumferential direction of an elastic crawler which shows the state in which the driving wheel of the crawler traveling apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment is engaging with the driving wheel engaging part of an elastic crawler (YY line of FIG. 2) FIG. Sectional drawing along the crawler circumferential direction of an elastic crawler which shows the state which the wheel of the crawler traveling apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment is rolling on the wheel support surface of an elastic crawler (on center line CL of FIG. 2) It is sectional drawing along).

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an elastic crawler and a crawler traveling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endless rubber crawler 10 as an example of an elastic crawler according to the first embodiment is a drive wheel 100 connected to a drive shaft of a crawler vehicle (for example, a combine or a tractor) as a machine body. And an idler wheel 102 that is rotatably attached to the crawler wheel, and a plurality of rolling wheels 104 that are rotatably attached to the crawler wheel so as to be disposed between the drive wheel 100 and the idler wheel 102. It is what

In the present embodiment, the circumferential direction of the endless rubber crawler 10 (direction of arrow S in FIG. 3) is referred to as “crawler circumferential direction”, and the width direction of rubber crawler 10 (direction of arrow W in FIG. 3) is referred to as “crawler width”. "Direction". The crawler circumferential direction and the crawler width direction are orthogonal to each other when the rubber crawler 10 is viewed from the outer peripheral side or the inner peripheral side (see FIG. 2).
In the present embodiment, the inner side of the rubber crawler 10 (including an annular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, etc.) wound around the driving wheel 100, the idler wheel 102, and the rolling wheel 104 (including an annular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, etc.) The arrow IN direction) is referred to as a “crawler inner direction”, and the outer direction of the rubber crawler 10 (the arrow OUT direction in FIG. 3) is referred to as a “crawler outer direction”.

  Moreover, the crawler traveling device 90 (refer FIG. 1) which concerns on 1st Embodiment as a driving | running | working part of a crawler vehicle is comprised by the driving wheel 100, the idler wheel 102, the wheel 104, and the rubber crawler 10 wound around these. The

  As shown in FIG. 1, the drive wheel 100 includes a shaft portion 100A connected to the drive shaft of the crawler vehicle, and a pair of disk-shaped wheel portions provided on both ends of the shaft portion 100A and having a larger diameter than the shaft portion 100A. 100B (refer FIG. 8) and the tooth | gear part 100C protruded by the outer peripheral part of this ring | wheel part 100B by the circumferential direction at fixed intervals are comprised. The driving wheel 100 causes the rubber crawler 10 to circulate between the driving wheel 100 and the idler wheel 102 by applying a driving force from the crawler wheel to the rubber crawler 10 (details will be described later).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel 104 supports the weight of the crawler wheel, and is formed on a disk-shaped wheel portion 104A that is rotatably attached to the crawler wheel, and on the radially outer side of the wheel portion 104A. The outer peripheral surface 104C includes an annular projecting portion 104B (see FIG. 9) that contacts a top surface 30A of the roller support portion 30 of the rubber crawler 10 described later. The overhanging portion 104B is wider than the ring portion 104A (the width along the axial direction of the ring portion 104A) and protrudes on both sides in the axial direction of the ring portion 104A. In other embodiments according to the present invention, the protruding portion 104B may be configured to protrude only on one axial side of the ring portion 104A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the idler wheel 102 has a disk shape and is rotatably attached to the crawler wheel.
The idler wheel 102 and the rolling wheel 104 are driven to rotate with respect to the rubber crawler 10 circulating between the drive wheel 100 and the idler wheel 102 as described above.

(Elastic crawler)
As shown in FIG. 1, the rubber crawler 10 has a rubber body 12 in which a rubber material is formed in an endless belt shape. In addition, the rubber body 12 of this embodiment is an example of the elastic body of the present invention.
In addition, the circumferential direction, the width direction, the inner side direction, and the outer side direction of the rubber body 12 of the present embodiment coincide with the crawler circumferential direction, the crawler width direction, the crawler inner direction, and the crawler outer direction, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of metal cores 20 made of a metal material are embedded in the inner peripheral portion of the rubber body 12 with an interval (a constant interval in this embodiment) in the crawler circumferential direction. The metal core 20 extends in the crawler width direction, and the longitudinal direction is the crawler width direction.

  In the present embodiment, the width direction of the cored bar 20 is a flat part of the rubber crawler 10 (a part excluding a part that is curved around the driving wheel 100 or the idler wheel 102, for example, FIG. In the crawler circumferential direction). Therefore, in the following, the core metal 20 is assumed to be in the flat portion F of the rubber crawler 10, and each direction of the core metal 20 will be described using the crawler circumferential direction, the crawler width direction, the crawler inner direction, and the crawler outer direction. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the metal core 20 has a center line (center line CL) passing through the center in the crawler width direction of the center portion 22 described later coincides with a center line passing through the center in the crawler width direction of the rubber body 12. Are arranged to be.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cored bar 20 includes a central portion 22 in the crawler width direction, and a pair of wing portions 24 on both outer sides in the crawler width direction across the central portion 22; have. The central portion 22 protrudes inward from the central portion 22A constituting the outer portion of the crawler, the central portion of the base portion 22A in the crawler circumferential direction (see FIG. 7A), and extends in the crawler width direction to form a pair of And a ridge 22B for connecting the cored bar projection 28. A pair of cored bar projections 28 are reinforced by the protruding portion 22B.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cored bar 20 is a pair of drive wheels that protrudes inward from the wing 24 toward the crawler inner side on both outer sides in the crawler width direction with the central portion 22 interposed therebetween. A joint portion 26 is provided. A tooth portion 100C of the drive wheel 100 is engaged with the drive wheel engaging portion 26 (see FIG. 10).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the top portion 26A of the drive wheel engaging portion 26 has an arc shape that protrudes inward of the crawler. As shown in FIG. 10, the arc shape is a shape corresponding to a curved surface 100 </ b> F that is continuous with the outer peripheral surface 100 </ b> D of the ring portion 100 </ b> B of the driving wheel 100 and the circumferential wall surface 100 </ b> E of the tooth portion 100 </ b> C.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cored bar 20 has a cored bar projection that protrudes inward from the wing part 24 between the center part 22 and the drive wheel engaging part 26. 28. As shown in FIG. 6B, the cored bar projection 28 protrudes inward of the crawler from the drive wheel engaging portion 26. Further, the side portion on the outer side in the crawler width direction of the core metal projection 28 and the side portion on the inner side in the crawler width direction of the driving wheel engaging portion 26 are connected. Thereby, the bending rigidity of the core metal protrusion 28 and the drive wheel engaging portion 26 in the crawler circumferential direction and the crawler width direction is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the center line CL side along the crawler width direction is described as the crawler width direction inner side, and the side separated from the center line CL along the crawler width direction is described as the crawler width direction outer side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the pair of wheel portions 100B of the drive wheel 100 passes over the pair of drive wheel engaging portions 26 on both outer sides in the crawler width direction of the pair of core metal projections 28, and FIG. As shown, the ring portion 104 </ b> A of the wheel 104 passes between the pair of cored bar protrusions 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the idler wheel 102 also passes between the pair of cored bar projections 28, similarly to the roller wheel 104.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the crawler outer side portion including the pair of wing portions 24 of the core metal 20 is embedded in the rubber body 12. In this embodiment, the pair of cored bar projections 28 protruding from the inner peripheral portion 12A of the rubber body 12 are covered with a rubber material, and the driving wheel of the driving wheel engaging portion 26 protruding from the inner peripheral portion 12A. A portion excluding a portion engaged with 100 tooth portions 100C is covered with a rubber material. In other embodiments of the present invention, the entire driving wheel engaging portion 26 may be exposed from the rubber material, or the entire driving wheel engaging portion 26 may be covered with the rubber material. Further, at least a part (a part or the whole) of the core metal protrusion 28 may be exposed from the rubber material.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 11, the inner peripheral portion 12 </ b> A of the rubber body 12 is provided between the central portions 22 of the core bars 20 adjacent to each other in the crawler circumferential direction (in this embodiment, the protrusion of the central portion 22). Between the portions 22B), a roller support portion 30 is formed that is raised in the crawler inner direction. In the cross section along the crawler width direction, the roller support portion 30 protrudes so that the top surface 30A is located between the innermost surface 23 of the central portion 22 and the tip 28A of the core metal projection 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the top surface 30 </ b> A of the wheel support part 30 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 104 </ b> C of the wheel 104 to support the wheel 104, and is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Is flat. Further, the width W1 of the top surface 30A in the crawler width direction is set wider than the axial width W2 of the outer peripheral surface 104C of the roller wheel 104. Thereby, for example, it is possible to suppress the outer peripheral surface 104C of the roller wheel 104 from protruding from the top surface 30A of the roller wheel support portion 30 when the crawler turns, and the contact area between the two can be ensured.

  Further, the crawler circumferential end 30B of the top surface 30A is viewed from the crawler inner side as shown in FIG. 2, and the crawler circumferential end 22C of the base portion 22A and the crawler circumferential end 22B 22D.

  In the present embodiment, the idler wheel 102 also rolls on the top surface 30 </ b> A of the wheel support part 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the inner peripheral portion 12 </ b> A of the rubber body 12 is formed with a recessed portion 32 that is recessed outward in the crawler width direction on both outer sides in the crawler width direction with the roller support portion 30 interposed therebetween. ing. The recess 32 extends from the wheel support 30 to the end 12B of the rubber body 12 in the crawler width direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the end portion 32 </ b> A on the outer side in the crawler width direction of the recessed portion 32 extends to the end portion 12 </ b> B side of the rubber body 12 from the tip end portion of the wing portion 24. Yes. In other embodiments according to the present invention, the end portion 32A of the hollow portion may be located on the inner side in the crawler width direction than the tip end portion of the wing portion 24, and the end portion 32A extends to the end portion 12B of the rubber body 12. You may reach. Moreover, as for the hollow part 32 of this embodiment, the edge part 32A side is shallower than the wheel support part 30 side.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an endless belt-like reinforcing layer 14 extending in the crawler circumferential direction is embedded in the rubber body 12 in the crawler outer direction of the core metal 20. The reinforcing layer 14 is formed by rubber-coating one reinforcing cord spirally wound along the crawler circumferential direction or a plurality of reinforcing cords arranged in parallel along the crawler circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, a steel cord having excellent tensile strength is used as a reinforcing cord. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be composed of, for example, organic fiber as long as it has sufficient tensile strength. A cord may be used as a reinforcing cord.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, lugs 16 </ b> A and lugs 16 </ b> B made of a rubber material protruding in the crawler outer direction are alternately formed on the outer peripheral portion of the rubber body 12 at intervals in the crawler circumferential direction. Yes. In addition, these lugs 16A and 16B are parts which contact the ground of the rubber crawler 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lug 16A extends in the crawler width direction from one end 12B (the left end in FIG. 4) of the rubber body 12 toward the other end 12B (the right end in FIG. 4). Thus, the tip portion reaches an intermediate portion between the other end portion 12B and the center line CL.
On the other hand, the lug 16B extends in the crawler width direction from the other end portion 12B of the rubber body 12 toward the one end portion 12B, and the tip end portion reaches an intermediate portion between the one end portion 12B and the center line CL. Yes.
In the present embodiment, the lug 16A and the lug 16B are point-symmetric with respect to an arbitrary point on the center line CL.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, both the lugs 16 </ b> A and lugs 16 </ b> B are arranged so as to overlap the cored bar 20 when viewed from the crawler outer side direction.

Next, the effect of the rubber crawler 10 and the crawler traveling device 90 of this embodiment will be described.
In the crawler traveling device 90, the tooth portion 100C of the driving wheel 100 is engaged with the driving wheel engaging portion 26 of the rubber crawler 10 (specifically, the wall surface 100E of the tooth portion 100C is in the circumferential direction of the driving wheel engaging portion 26). When the driving wheel 100 is rotated in a state where the driving wheel 100 is in contact with the wall surface via a rubber material, the driving wheel engaging portion 26 is pressed by the tooth portion 100C, and the driving force is transmitted through the core bar 20 to the rubber crawler 10 (rubber). Transmitted to the body 12). Thereby, the rubber crawler 10 circulates between the driving wheel 100 and the idler wheel 102, and the crawler vehicle including the crawler traveling device 90 moves on the ground. At this time, the wheel 104 sequentially moves from the top surface 30A of the wheel support portion 30 to the top surface 30A of the wheel support portion 30 adjacent in the crawler circumferential direction, and on the top surface 30A of each wheel support portion 30. Roll.

  Here, in the rubber crawler 10, the roller support portion 30 that protrudes inward of the crawler is formed between the central portions 22 of the cored bar 20 adjacent to each other in the crawler circumferential direction of the inner peripheral portion 12 </ b> A of the rubber body 12. That is, since the wheel support 30 is intermittently formed in the inner peripheral portion 12A of the rubber body 12 in the crawler circumferential direction, for example, the above-described wheel support 30 is continuously provided in the crawler circumferential direction. The bending resistance of the rubber body 12 in the crawler circumferential direction can be made smaller than that formed by the above. That is, the bending resistance of the rubber crawler 10 in the crawler circumferential direction can be reduced.

  Further, in the rubber crawler 10, the roller support portion 30 that protrudes inward of the crawler is formed between the central portions 22 of the core bars 20 adjacent to each other in the crawler circumferential direction of the inner peripheral portion 12 </ b> A of the rubber body 12. From, for example, as compared to the case where the wheel support 30 is formed on both outer sides of the pair of core metal projections 28 in the crawler width direction and the case where the wheel support 30 is continuously formed in the crawler circumferential direction, Weight can be reduced.

  From the above, the rubber crawler 10 can reduce the weight while reducing the bending resistance in the crawler circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the rubber crawler 10, the mandrel protrusion 28 protrudes inward of the crawler from the driving wheel engaging portion 26, so that the ring portion 100 </ b> B of the driving wheel 100 inward in the crawler width direction. The movement is limited by contact with the cored bar protrusion 28.

Further, in the rubber crawler 10, the wheel support portion 30 is arranged such that the top surface 30 </ b> A is located between the innermost surface 23 of the center portion 22 and the tip 28 </ b> A of the core metal protrusion 28 in the cross section along the crawler width direction. Since it is raised, the movement in the crawler width direction of the rolling wheel 104 that rolls on the top surface 30 </ b> A can be restricted by contact with the core metal protrusion 28. Similarly, the idler wheel 102 can also be restricted from moving in the crawler width direction of the idler wheel 102 rolling on the top surface 30 </ b> A by contact with the core metal protrusion 28.
The collision sound when the wheel 104 collides with the innermost surface 23 of the center portion 22 when moving from the top surface 30A of the wheel support portion 30 to the top surface 30A of the wheel support portion 30 adjacent in the crawler circumferential direction. And vibration can be suppressed. In addition, when the wheel 104 does not collide with the innermost surface 23, a collision sound and vibration caused by the collision do not occur. Then, as described above, by suppressing or avoiding the collision between the wheel 104 and the central portion 22, it is possible to suppress the separation between the central portion 22 and the surrounding rubber material caused by repeated collisions. As for the idler wheel 102, as in the case of the roller wheel 104, when the idler wheel 102 is transferred from the top surface 30 </ b> A of the roller wheel support portion 30 to the top surface 30 </ b> A of the roller wheel support portion 30 adjacent in the crawler circumferential direction, It is possible to suppress the collision sound and vibration when colliding with the innermost surface 23.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, in the rubber crawler 10, when viewed from the crawler inner direction, the crawler circumferential end 30B of the top surface 30A is replaced with the crawler circumferential end 22C and the protrusion 22B of the base 22A. Since it is located between the crawler circumferential end 22D, for example, the crawler circumferential end 30B of the top surface 30A does not reach the crawler circumferential end 22C of the base 22A. Thus, the distance between the end portions 30B of the top surface 30A of the roller support portions 30 adjacent to each other in the crawler circumferential direction can be shortened. As a result, when the wheel 104 is transferred from the top surface 30A of the wheel support 30 to the top surface 30A of the wheel support 30 adjacent in the crawler circumferential direction, the roller 104 falls downward (toward the crawler). (Refer to FIG. 11) is suppressed, and the vertical movement of the wheel 104 is suppressed.

  In the rubber crawler 10, the hollow portions 32 that are recessed toward the outer side of the crawler are formed on both outer sides in the crawler width direction across the roller support portion 30 of the inner peripheral portion 12 </ b> A of the rubber body 12. The thickness of the rubber body 12 is reduced at 32 sites, and the bending resistance of the rubber body 12 in the crawler circumferential direction can be reduced. In addition, the weight of the rubber body 12 can be reduced by forming the recess 32.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the hollow part 32 is extended toward the edge part 12B of the crawler width direction of the rubber body 12 from the wheel support part 30, what extended the hollow part 32 to the crawler circumferential direction, for example. As compared with the above, the bending resistance of the rubber body 12 in the crawler circumferential direction can be effectively reduced.

  In particular, in the rubber crawler 10, compressive strain is generated in the crawler inner direction and tensile strain is generated in the crawler outer direction with respect to the reinforcing layer 14 that is a neutral surface in the crawler circumferential direction. By forming the depression 32 and reducing the compression strain, the bending rigidity (bending resistance) in the crawler circumferential direction can be effectively reduced.

  Further, in the rubber crawler 10, the shape of the portion (the top portion 26A) that contacts the driving wheel 100 of the driving wheel engaging portion 26 is a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the driving wheel 100 (the shape of the curved surface 100F). Thus, tooth skipping between the tooth portion 100C and the drive wheel engagement portion 26 is prevented, that is, the drive wheel 100 can be reliably engaged with the drive wheel engagement portion 26.

Further, in the rubber crawler 10, the roller 104 rolls on the top surface 30A of the thick roller support portion 30 raised from the inner peripheral portion 12A, so that the top surface 30A and the outer peripheral surface 104C of the roller wheel 104 are in contact with each other. Even if a foreign object (for example, pebbles, etc.) that has entered between them is stepped on by the wheel 104, the wheel support portion 30 is elastically deformed, and a defect (damage or the like) of the top surface 30A is suppressed.
In particular, in the rubber crawler 10, the wheel support portions 30 are formed between the cored bars 20 adjacent to each other in the crawler circumferential direction of the rubber body 12. For example, the wheel support portions are continuously formed in the crawler circumferential direction. Since it is not necessary to sufficiently increase the rubber thickness from the cored bar 20 to the top surface of the wheel support part in order to suppress problems on the top surface of the wheel support part corresponding to the cored bar 20, The wall thickness (the amount of protrusion) of the wheel support part 30 can be made thin (small). As a result, the weight can be reduced while further reducing the bending resistance of the rubber body 12 in the crawler circumferential direction.

  In the rubber crawler 10, the core metal 20 and the lugs 16A and 16B are alternately overlapped when viewed from the crawler outer side direction. That is, the wheel support portion 30 is disposed between the lugs 16A and the lugs 16B. Therefore, for example, the wheel support 30 is easily elastically deformed downward (toward the crawler), compared to a structure in which the wheel support 30 and the lugs 16A and 16B are alternately overlapped, and the top surface 30A. And the outer surface 104C of the roller wheel 104, even if the wheel 104 steps on the foreign matter that has entered, it is possible to further prevent the top surface 30A from being defective.

On the other hand, in the rubber crawler 10, the wheel 104 passes between the pair of core metal projections 28, that is, the wheel 104 is a center line CL of the core metal 20 (in this embodiment, synonymous with the center line of the rubber crawler 10). Rolls along the crawler circumferential direction on the upper or central line CL. For this reason, for example, the rubber crawler 10 has a pair of wheel support portions formed on both outer sides in the crawler width direction of the pair of core metal projections 28, and the top surface of each wheel support portion is provided on the wheel. One wheel part supports one wheel when traveling on a sloping ground or turning, such as a pair of wheel parts that roll (ie, the passing area of the wheel part is separated from the center line CL). The roller 104 rolls on the top surface 30 </ b> A of the wheel support part 30 without lifting (separating) from the top surface of the part.
Here, in the rubber crawler 10, when traveling on a sloping ground or turning, the movement of the rollers 104 in the crawler width direction is restricted by contact with the core metal protrusion 28, and the rollers 104 are arranged on the top surface 30 </ b> A as described above. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the core metal protrusion 28 of the roller wheel 104 from getting over.

In the crawler traveling device 90 of the present embodiment, since the rubber crawler 10 as described above is used, the weight can be reduced. Thereby, since excessive sinking of the rubber crawler 10 when traveling on rough terrain such as a farm field or a wet field can be suppressed, traveling performance such as traveling speed and turning performance can be ensured.
Further, since the rubber crawler 10 has a small bending resistance as described above, it is possible to reduce the power loss when it is wound around the drive wheel 100 and the like, and to improve the fuel consumption of the crawler vehicle. In addition, the work when the rubber crawler 10 is wound around the drive wheel 100, the idler wheel 102, and the roller wheel 104 is facilitated.

Further, in the crawler traveling device 90, the wheel support part 30 is configured by a ring part 104A and a projecting part 104B having a wider width (a width along the axial direction of the ring part 104A) than the wheel part 104A. Therefore, while securing the contact area with the top surface 30A of the wheel support part 30 with the overhanging part 104B, the weight can be reduced with the ring part 104A having a narrower width than the overhanging part 104B. Thereby, the weight of the crawler traveling device 90 can be reduced.
Further, in the crawler traveling device 90, for example, a pair of roller support portions 30 are formed on both outer sides in the crawler width direction of the pair of core metal projections 28 of the rubber crawler 10, and a pair of left and right wheels 104 on the top surface 30A. Compared with the one that rolls, the roller 104 rolls the roller wheel 104 formed between the central portions 22 adjacent to each other in the crawler circumferential direction, so that the weight of the roller wheel 104 can be reduced.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the center line of the rubber body 12 and the center line CL of the core metal 20 are made to coincide with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the core metal with respect to the center line of the rubber body 12 is used. The 20 center lines CL may be shifted in the crawler width direction.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the reinforcing layer 14 is embedded for reinforcing the tensile stress of the rubber crawler 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the reinforcing layer 14 is not used, and the crawler circumferential direction is not used. The cores 20 adjacent to each other are connected with a connecting member (for example, a ring-shaped connecting member), or the connecting parts formed on the core metal (for example, a hook and a pin) are connected to form an endless core. The rubber crawler 10 may be reinforced with gold.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the rubber body 12 is formed of a rubber material as an example of an elastic body, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and an elastomer other than a rubber material is used as an example of an elastic body. May be.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the cored bar 20 is made of metal. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the cored bar 20 may be, for example, provided with sufficient strength with respect to the specifications of the rubber crawler 10. It may be made of resin.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, these embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

10 Rubber crawler (elastic crawler)
12 Rubber body (elastic body)
12A End portion 20 Core 22 Central portion 22A Base 22B Projection 23 Innermost surface 26 Drive wheel engagement portion 28 Core protrusion 28A Tip 30 Roller wheel support portion 30A Top surface 30B End (the circumferential direction of the elastic body on the top surface) End)
32 Depressed part 90 Crawler traveling device 100 Drive wheel 104 Roller wheel 104A Wheel part 104B Overhang part CL Center line S Crawler circumferential direction (circumferential direction of elastic body)
W Crawler width direction (elastic body width direction)
IN crawler inside direction (inside elastic body)
OUT crawler outside direction (outside of elastic body)

Claims (7)

An endless belt-like elastic body wound around the driving wheel and the rolling wheel;
A plurality of core bars embedded in the elastic body at intervals in the circumferential direction of the elastic body, and extending in the width direction of the elastic body;
A driving wheel engaging portion that is provided on both outer sides in the width direction across the central portion in the width direction of the cored bar, protrudes inward of the elastic body, and engages with the driving wheel;
A cored bar protrusion provided between the central portion and the driving wheel engaging portion, and protruding in the inner direction from the driving wheel engaging portion;
A roller support portion formed between the central portions of the core bars adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral portion of the elastic body, raised in the inner direction, and supporting the wheel at the top surface;
Elastic crawler with.   The said wheel support part is protruding so that the said top surface may be located between the innermost inner surface of the said center part, and the front-end | tip of the said core metal protrusion in the cross section along the said width direction. Elastic crawler. The central portion has a base, and a protrusion that protrudes in the inner direction from the central portion in the circumferential direction of the base and extends in the width direction to connect the pair of cored bar protrusions,
The end portion in the circumferential direction of the top surface is located between the end portion in the circumferential direction of the base portion and the end portion in the circumferential direction of the ridge portion when viewed from the inside direction. Item 3. An elastic crawler according to Item 2.   The hollow part which is formed in the said width direction both sides on both sides of the said wheel support part of the said inner peripheral part, and has a hollow part recessed in the outer side direction of the said elastic body, The any one of Claims 1-3 Elastic crawler.   The elastic crawler according to claim 4, wherein the hollow portion extends from the roller support portion toward an end portion in the width direction of the elastic body.   The elastic crawler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a shape of a portion of the driving wheel engaging portion that contacts the driving wheel corresponds to an outer peripheral shape of the driving wheel. A drive wheel coupled to the drive shaft of the fuselage;
A roller wheel rotatably attached to the airframe;
The elastic crawler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wound around the drive wheel and the wheel,
A crawler traveling device having:

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