Track assembly having a wear monitoring system

Abstract

A track assembly having a wear monitoring system is disclosed. The track assembly may have a chain assembly including a plurality of track links, a traction assembly including track shoes secured to the plurality of track links, a drive sprocket, an idler assembly including an idler and a mount, and a roller assembly including a plurality of rollers and a roller frame. The wear monitoring system may have a wear sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a current position of a first component of the track assembly, and a controller in communication with the at least one wear sensor, the controller being configured to determine an amount of wear experienced by the track assembly based on the signal. The first component may be configured such that wear of at least a second component causes the first component to move to the current position from a previous position.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention is directed to track assemblies, and more particularly to track assemblies having wear monitoring systems. Background technique [0002] Mobile devices can be used to perform different types of jobs at different job sites such as construction sites, demolition sites, mining sites or landfills. For example, a bulldozer can be used to push dirt and stone on a construction site. A bulldozer as track-type mobile equipment includes a tracked chassis with tracks on the left and right sides of the machine. Each track includes a chain formed by connecting a plurality of track links to each other and a plurality of track shoes to the chain. In motion, the tracks are supported and guided by various drives, rollers and / or roller assemblies located on either side of the machine. [0003] Operation of mobile equipment inevitably results in wear or damage to various components, including undercarriage components such as track links, roller a...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, these known methods for determining when to repair or replace parts have a number of disadvantages

For example, a particular equipment component may be able to be used far beyond its expected lifespan, so replacement of a component based solely on age may be premature and result in unnecessary cost and equipment downtime

Conversely, a particular piece of equipment may fail early, before its expected life, and continued operation of the piece of equipment with the damaged component can result in damage to other pieces of the equipment

Similarly, overhaul and evaluation of equipment components may result in unnecessary expense and equipment downtime when it is determined that the repair or replacement of the component is unnecessary

Images