JPH0212794B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Claim 1. A roller suspension system 10 for a belted vehicle 12 having a frame 14, comprising: a single pivot shaft 32 connected to the vehicle frame 14; each pivotally connected to the pivot shaft 32 at one end thereof;
a pair of arms 34,3 extending in opposite directions from the pivot axis 32 and having a mounting surface 46 at a distal end 48;
6; a set of roller mechanisms 38 individually connected to the distal ends 48 of the arms 34, 36;
A force transmission beam 40 having first and second mounting surfaces 50, 51 substantially facing each of the mounting surfaces 46 of 36 and forming two sets of facing mounting surfaces; supporting a load and transmitting a force. Spring means 42 is located between each set of facing mounting surfaces 46, 50/46, 51; and each of the facing mounting surfaces 46, 50/46, 51 of each set moves in a direction toward each other. The mounting surfaces 46, 50, 51 of each set of facing mounting surfaces form an acute angle B with respect to each other such that substantially only compressive force is transmitted to the spring means 42, and the pivot axis 32 forms an axis A; The plane C that equally divides the above acute angle B is substantially the axis A
A roller suspension 10 passing through.

2. The roller suspension system 10 of claim 1, wherein the mounting surfaces of each set of facing mounting surfaces 46, 50/46, 51 are substantially parallel when the spring means 42 is in a fully compressed state.

3. Each of the roller mechanisms 38 has a walking beam 54 pivotally attached to one end 48 of the arms 34, 36, and a set of roller assemblies 58 individually connected to the ends of the walking beam 54. A roller suspension device 10 according to claim 1.

4 Each of the arms 34, 36 has an interengaging stopper surface 66, each stopper surface being connected to the facing mounting surface 4.
Arm 3 in the direction that causes the mounting surfaces of each set of 6, 50/46, 51 to move away from each other
4. A roller suspension system (10) according to claim 1, which limits the movement of the rollers (4, 36).

5 The spring means 42 is connected to the facing mounting surface 4 of each set.
6,50/between 46,51 and mounting surface 1
2. A roller suspension system (10) as claimed in claim 1, including elastomeric pads (46, 50, 51).

6 The spring means 42 is connected to the facing mounting surface 4 of each set.
Located between 6,50/46,51, mounting surface 46,
Roller suspension device 1 according to claim 1, comprising an air bag connected to one of the roller suspensions 50, 51.
0.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to roller suspension systems;
In particular, it relates to a roller suspension system in which the force on the spring is essentially only a compressive force.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many track roller and tandem wheel support mechanisms utilize resilient elastomer pads between the ends of a pair of pivot arms to absorb shock loads. These elastomer pads are usually attached to one or both of the arms. One such suspension mechanism was developed by G.M. on January 12, 1965.
No. 3,323,811 issued to JMNelson. This patent discloses a set of radial arms, each having an end attached to a bracket by a separate pin, and to which a walking beam is pivotally connected at its midpoint by another pin. . A wheel is rotatably mounted on the distal end of the radius arm. A resilient pad spring is also placed between the end of the radius arm and the end of the walking beam. In this way, an upward force on one wheel is transferred to the spring, which results in a downward force on the other wheel. One problem with this suspension system is that it is structurally expensive because it uses three separate pins to pivotally connect the radius arm and walking beam to the support bracket. Another problem is that because of the particular geometry of the suspension system, a shear component is created in the spring when the spring is subjected to a compressive force due to a load on one of the wheels. This shear force generated in the spring has an adverse effect on the suspension mechanism and/or its operation. Therefore, the present invention
The object is to overcome one or more of the problems mentioned above.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the present invention, a belted vehicle roller suspension with a frame includes a single pivot axis for attachment to a vehicle frame. A pair of arms are each pivotally connected at one end to the pivot shaft and extend in opposite directions from the pivot shaft. Each arm has a mounting surface at its distal end. A pair of roller mechanisms are individually coupled to the distal ends of the arms. The force transmission beam is pivotally connected to the pivot shaft at its center and has first and second mounting surfaces. These mounting surfaces typically individually face one mounting surface of each of the arms forming two sets of facing mounting surfaces.

Spring means are positioned between each set of opposing mounting surfaces in a load bearing and force transmitting manner. The mounting surfaces are appropriately positioned relative to the pivot axis such that substantially only compressive force is transmitted to the spring means when the mounting surfaces of each set of opposing mounting surfaces approach each other.

The problem of shear forces being transmitted to the springs between the pivot arms of a roller or tandem wheel suspension is solved by the present invention, which pivots the arms and force transmission beams to a single pivot axis and provides a mounting surface for mounting the springs. is solved by properly positioning the mounting surfaces relative to the pivot axis so that they follow the same arcuate trajectory as one of the mounting surfaces moves toward the other.

In this way, substantially only compressive force is transmitted to the spring during the above-described movement of the mounting surface.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle incorporating an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a partially enlarged side view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the - line of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows a view similar to FIG. 2 under load.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the accompanying drawings, a roller suspension system is shown generally at 10 in relation to a work vehicle 12. FIG.
The work vehicle has a main frame 14 extending in the longitudinal direction and a propulsion mechanism 16 placed below the main frame 14 so as to support it. The propulsion mechanism 16 includes a non-stretchable endless track or belt 18 surrounding longitudinally spaced front and rear wheels on one side of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, the front wheel 20 is a non-driving wheel,
It has an elastomeric inflatable carcass 24 attached to a rim 26. The rear wheel 22 is the drive wheel and consists of a drum 28 to which an elastomer layer 30 is glued. The roller suspension system 10 has front and rear wheels 20,
22 and distributes and transmits a portion of the vehicle/load on the main frame of the vehicle to the belt 18. The roller suspension has a single pivot axis 3
2. A set of arms 34, 36, a set of roller mechanisms 3
8, force transmission beam 40, a set of spring means 4
Consists of 2.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pivot axis 3
2 is integrally connected to the main frame by a mounting bracket 43 to form an axis A. Each arm 34,3
6 is a branch end 4 pivotally connected to the husband pivot shaft 32;
4,45 and extend in opposite directions from the pivot axis. Each arm has a flat mounting surface 46 at its distal or outer end 48. force transmission beam 40
is pivotally connected at its center to a pivot shaft 32 and lies generally above arms 34,36. The beam also has first and second flat mounting surfaces 50, 51 that generally face one of the mounting surfaces 46 of the arms 34, 36, respectively. The first mounting surface 50 and the mounting surface 46 of the arm 34 are
A first set of opposing mounting surfaces is formed, while the second mounting surface 51 and the mounting surface 46 of the arm 36 form a second set of mounting surfaces. The spring means 42 is attached to the mounting surface 4
connected to these mounting surfaces between 6, 50, 51,
Force transmission beam 40 by one arm 34 or 36
transmits the force applied to the other arm 34 or 36 in an eccentric manner. Spring means 42 may include a single or multiple elastomeric pads or an inflatable air bag placed between opposing mounting surfaces. Each spring means has a portion 52 suitably secured to the respective mounting surface 46,51,51. Each roller mechanism 38 has a walking beam 54 pivotally connected to the distal ends 48 of arms 34, 36 by pivot pins 56. A set of roller assemblies 58 are connected to the ends of walking beam 54.

As clearly shown in FIG.
8 has a set of laterally spaced rollers 60 rotatably journalled on an axle 62 rigidly connected to a bracket 64 connected to the end of the walking beam 54. The roller 60 rotatably engages the inner belt surface of the lower belt portion. Alternatively, each roller mechanism 38 may be comprised of a single roller assembly 58. In that case, the bracket 64 would be connected directly to the distal end 48 of each arm 34,36. 3 each arm
4 and 36 have stopper surfaces 46 that engage with each other so that the mounting surfaces 46 limit the movement of the arms 34 and 36 in the direction away from the mounting surfaces 50 and 51. Each pair of facing mounting surfaces 46, 50/46, 51 form an acute angle "B" with each other. Line “C” that equally divides angle “B”
The plane shown in FIG. 3 passes through the axis "A" of the pivot shaft 32. As a result, the mounting portion 52 follows the same arcuate trajectory centered on the axis "A" as indicated by the broken line 68 in FIG. The point of convergence "D" of angle "B" is preferably located on the opposite side of axis "A" from the side on which the mounting surface defining angle "B" lies.
As a result, angle "B" is relatively small, thereby minimizing uneven loading of spring means 42 caused by mounting surfaces that are angled with respect to each other.

Industrial Applicability In use, roller suspension mechanism 10 evenly distributes weight/load through rollers 60 and onto belt 18. Arms 34, 36 transmit an equal force to belt 18 regardless of whether the force is due to the weight of the vehicle, a load acting on the vehicle, or a combination thereof. . For example, as the vehicle moves forward, when the belt 18 below the roller 60 of the leading roller assembly 58 first engages a protrusion from the surface, the leading roller assembly is lifted. As a result, the leading walking beam 54 pivots about the pivot pin 56 and applies a downward force to the roller 60 of the second trailing roller assembly. Therefore, two sets of leading roller assemblies 5 supported by a common walking beam 54
There is a longitudinal load distributed between the 8 rollers 60. The lifting of the leading roller 60 and the subsequent second roller 60 causes the arm 34 to pivot about the pivot axis 32, thereby causing the spring means 42 between the mounting surface 46 and the mounting surface 50 of the force transmitting beam 40 to Capable of transmitting compressive force. As a result, force transmission beam 40 pivots counterclockwise about pivot axis 32. Such pivoting of the force transmitting beam 40 imparts amplified force and movement to the subsequent spring means 42, arm 36,
It is then transmitted via the roller 60 of the trailing roller mechanism 38 to the portion of the belt 18 below the trailing roller 60 . Similarly, the longitudinal load is distributed between the arms 34 and 36, and the leading walking beam 54
This increases the longitudinal load distributed between the rollers 60 attached to the rollers 60. As a matter of course,
When the trailing roller 60 passes over the protrusion,
The force transmission beam 40 pivots clockwise, transmitting motion and force in the opposite direction to that previously described. The mounting surfaces 46, 50 are arranged such that substantially only compressive force is transmitted to the spring means 42 when the opposing mounting surfaces 46, 50/46, 51 of each pair move relative to each other in a direction toward each other.
0.51 relative to the pivot axis 32 is preferred.

As shown in FIG. 2, the arm 3 centered on the axis 32
By clockwise rotation of 6, the mounting surface 46 of the arm 36
The mounting portion 52 of the spring means 42, which is connected to the spring means 42, moves on an arcuate trajectory indicated by the dashed line 68. Since the attachment portion 52 connected to the attachment surface 51 is within a predetermined arcuate trajectory of movement of the attachment portion 52 connected to the arm, only compressive forces are transmitted to the spring means 32.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
Under the maximum load condition, the facing mounting surface 4
6,50/46,51 are substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, the spring means 42 is uniformly stressed and maximum utilization of the spring force is achieved.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that the present invention provides an improved roller suspension system in which substantially only compressive forces are applied to the spring during operation. This is accomplished by properly positioning the mounting surface on which the spring is mounted relative to the pivot axis such that the connection between the spring and the mounting surface follows the same arcuate trajectory.

Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, disclosure, and appended claims.