Vehicle track pad assembly and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle and a vehicle track pad assembly. A track pad assembly for a continuous track vehicle includes a track shoe and a polymer pad. The track shoe includes a plate body having a tread and one or more grid arrays of the tread attached to the plate body. The polymer pad is attached to the grid array and the gap area on the tread defined by the cells of the grid array, for example by crimping with an adhesive. The polymer pad can be made of an elastomer, such as hardened rubber.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 135,536 (filed on January 8, 2021), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] An example of the subject matter of this article involves a continuously tracked vehicle. Background Art

[0004] Continuous tracked vehicles (e.g., bulldozers and tanks) travel on a continuous tread or track shoe driven by two or more wheels. For tracks, the tracks may be attached to one another in an articulated manner to form a continuous belt. Alternatively, a chain or other articulated links may form a continuous belt, with individual tracks bolted to the links. In either case, the tracks may be grouser shoes, which refers to exposed tracks that include features (e.g., metal protrusions, ridges or other treads, etc.) that facilitate traction on loose surfaces such as mud, soft soil, sand, and snow.

[0005] Although the grouser increases the vehicle traction on loose surfaces, if the vehicle is traveling on a paved or closed road (e.g., asphalt road, cement road, etc.), the grouser may cause damage to the road surface. Therefore, some continuous tracked vehicles are equipped with elastic track pads. In specific implementation, at least a portion of the grouser of the vehicle is equipped with a track pad. The track pad is attached to the lower side of the grouser (the side facing the ground), and its thickness is sufficient to enable the vehicle to be mostly or completely supported on the track pad when traveling on a flat, paved or smooth road, thereby reducing or eliminating damage to the road. (When used on a loose surface, the edge of the track pad can bite into the loose surface to provide auxiliary traction.) Due to the weight and operating conditions of heavy vehicles (e.g., turning with a relatively small radius), the track pad may be subjected to considerable forces, including torsional forces. This may cause the track pad to wear undesirably quickly and may even cause the track pad to fall off from the metal track shoe below.

[0006] Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a vehicle track pad assembly that is different from existing tracks. Summary of the invention

[0007] In one example, a vehicle track pad assembly includes a track plate including a plate body with a tread, and a polymer pad attached to the tread of the plate body, and the track plate further includes a protruding attachment device attached to the tread of the plate body and the polymer pad and disposed therebetween, thereby establishing a larger area of ​​contact surface between the track plate and the polymer pad relative to a flat track plate without the protruding attachment device.

[0008] In one example, a vehicle track pad assembly includes a track shoe including a plate body with a tread and at least one grid array of the tread attached to the plate body, and a polymer pad attached to the at least one grid array and gap areas on the tread defined by cells of the at least one grid array.

[0009] In another example, a vehicle includes a chassis, an articulated continuous track drive, and a plurality of vehicle track pad assemblies that are sequentially or discontinuously attached to the articulated continuous track drive. When the articulated continuous track drive is operated for vehicle movement, the polymer pads may contact the ground.

[0010] In another example, a vehicle track pad assembly includes a track shoe including a plate body with a tread and one or more grid arrays attached to the tread, and one or more polymer pads attached to the one or more grid arrays and gap areas on the tread defined by the one or more grid arrays.

[0011] In another example, a vehicle track pad assembly may include a track shoe having a plate body with a tread and one or more grid array assemblies attached to the tread. Each of the grid array assemblies may include a grid array and a plurality of suspension bodies attached to a first surface of the grid array. The plurality of suspension bodies may be attached to the tread such that the first surface of the grid array is spaced apart from the tread of the track shoe. One or more polymer pads may be attached to the one or more grid array assemblies and a gap region on the tread defined by the one or more grid arrays. Portions of the one or more polymer pads may be disposed between the first surface of each of the one or more grid arrays and the tread. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The subject matter of the invention may be understood by reading the following description of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a side view of an example of a vehicle;

[0014] Figure 2 is a side view of an example of a track pad assembly;

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An end view of the track pad assembly is shown;

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 2-3 A top view of the track pad assembly is shown;

[0017] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of a track shoe with an attached grid array according to one example;

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A side view of a track shoe having a grid array;

[0019] Figure 7 yes Figure 5-6 A bottom view of a track shoe having a grid array;

[0020] Figure 8 An example of a grid array is shown;

[0021] Fig.9A yes Figure 2 A not-to-scale cross-sectional view of the track pad assembly along section 9-9;

[0022] Fig. 9B yes Fig.9A a not-to-scale cross-sectional view of an alternative example of a track pad assembly is shown;

[0023] Fig.10 is a side view of another example of a track pad assembly;

[0024] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 a top view of a portion of a track pad assembly;

[0025] Fig.12 is a side view of another example of a track shoe;

[0026] Fig.13 An example of coupling one of the grid arrays to the tread of a track shoe is shown, with a gap between the upper surface of the grid array and the tread; and

[0027] Fig.14 A cross-sectional view of a track shoe is shown with the grid array suspended spaced apart from the tread of the track shoe and with a polymer mat encapsulating the grid array. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Examples of the subject matter described herein relate to track pads for continuous tracked vehicles, e.g., track pads configured to be mounted as part of a continuous track drive for vehicle locomotion on such a vehicle. In one aspect, a track pad assembly includes a track shoe and a polymer pad. The track shoe includes one or more grid arrays and a plate body having a tread; the one or more grid arrays are attached to the tread. The polymer pad is attached to the grid arrays and to gap areas on the tread defined by cells of the grid arrays, such as by crimping with a bonding adhesive. In this manner, the interface area (contact area) between the track shoe and the polymer is increased (relative to a design without a grid array), thereby improving durability and reducing instances of pad shear separation.

[0029] refer to Figure 1 , an example of a vehicle 20 (e.g., a continuous track vehicle) includes a chassis 22, a cab 24 supported by the chassis, a work tool 26 (e.g., a backhoe, a front dumper, a blade, a military weapon, etc.) operably attached to the cab and / or the chassis, and a continuous track drive 28 attached to the chassis and used to selectively provide electric power and / or mechanical power for vehicle movement. The continuous track drive may include a wheel unit 30 mounted on the front and rear axles and a continuous chain track 32. The chain track is operably connected to and connected between the two wheel units, such as by sprocket teeth, so that when the wheels rotate together (under the operation of a motor-driven gear unit, or under transmission drive by, for example, an engine), the chain track is actuated in a given direction along the ground 34 supporting the vehicle, thereby moving the vehicle. The chain track includes a plurality of track shoes 36, at least a portion of which may be a track pad assembly 38 as described herein. (For example, a chain track may include only a track pad assembly, or an interleaved combination of a track pad assembly and grouser shoes, and / or one or more track pad assemblies attached to underlying grouser shoes.) Multiple tracks may be directly connected to each other in an articulated manner to form a continuous chain track, or multiple tracks may be coupled to one or more underlying continuous chains or other articulated link groups, such as a continuous ring of articulated links that are interconnected and driven by a wheel unit, with the tracks attached to the links and moving therewith.

[0030] A first example of a track pad assembly 38 is shown in Figure 2-4. The track pad assembly includes a track shoe 39 and one or more polymer pads 44. (One polymer pad is shown in the figure.) The track shoe includes a plate body 40 and one or more fasteners 42 protruding from the plate body. The track shoe and the fasteners can be made of metal, such as steel, titanium or aluminum alloy; the track shoe and the fasteners can be the same material or different materials. The fasteners can be bolts, such as hex head bolts. The plate body defines a generally flat tread 46, referring to the side of the plate body that will face the ground or other vehicle support surface when the track pad assembly is deployed and in contact with the ground during vehicle operation. The plate body is generally rectangular, meaning elongated and has two sets of parallel sides, adjacent sides intersecting at right angles or with a rounded transition, i.e., rounded edges. Alternatively, the plate body can be elongated, more generally, for example, oval or figure 8 shaped.

[0031] As an example to provide dimensional relationships, the plate body, if made of steel, may be (approximately) 130-150 mm wide, 600-800 mm long, and 8-12 mm thick. Other dimensions are possible depending on the material of the plate and the characteristics of the vehicle.

[0032] The polymer pad 44 may be made of an elastomer such as polyurethane, vulcanized rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or other elastomer. In other examples, the polymer pad may be composed of a thermoplastic polymer. In examples where the polymer pad is made of vulcanized rubber, vulcanized rubber may provide greater adhesion on certain driving surfaces relative to other elastomers such as polyurethane, especially in wet or icy conditions. In a track pad, the wear characteristics of the vulcanized rubber (or other polymer) may be improved due to various aspects of the pad-to-track shoe interface (e.g., a grid array secured to a track shoe body) described herein.

[0033] Hardened rubber refers to rubber polymer, and it has cross-linked long molecular chain to produce chemical bond between chain, makes it become elastic material rather than plastic material.Rubber polymer can comprise various types of rubber, for example natural rubber from rubber tree, synthetic rubber (for example SBR, NBR, EPDM, chloroprene rubber etc.) and rubber blend from oil.Hardened rubber can use various types of curing system to make, for example sulfur chemistry, peroxide chemistry, electron beam curing, room temperature curing etc.An example of this hardened rubber is vulcanized rubber, refers to the hardened rubber made by curing "raw" rubber polymer with vulcanization and heating.In one example, the hardened rubber of polymer pad comprises the blend of synthetic rubber and natural rubber, uses sulfur-based curing system to cure.

[0034] The polymer pad may be generally block-shaped, i.e., a generally rectangular entity. The edges of the polymer pad may be rounded, contoured, textured, or otherwise shaped. The dimensions of the polymer pad may correspond to the dimensions of the plate body so that the pad covers all or substantially all of the tread surface of the track shoe, e.g., the pad may have the same length and width as the plate body. Alternatively, in other examples, one or more sides of the polymer pad may protrude from the plate body in a lateral direction. For example, as Figure 3-4 As shown, the polymer pad may include a long side projection 50 extending from one of the long sides of the track shoe. According to another aspect, the long side projection 50 may have a concave lip 56 on the top side of the pad opposite the bottom tread 48 of the pad (the side of the polymer pad that contacts the vehicle support surface when mounted on a vehicle and when the vehicle is in operation), where the long side of the pad on the top side is concave, grooved, chamfered or otherwise bent or angled inwardly. The bottom tread 48 of the polymer pad may be flat, or may be provided with tread features, such as ridges, protrusions, depressions, etc., which may be integrally molded or extruded or otherwise formed as part of the pad, etc.

[0035] In the example, as an example: the width 54 of the long side protrusion (see Figure 3 ) may be approximately 35-45 mm; alternatively or additionally, the depth 58 of the concave lip may be 10-15 mm; and, alternatively or additionally, the polymer pad may have a maximum thickness 60 of 70-90 mm in a direction perpendicular to the body tread and extending between the track shoe tread and the pad tread (see Figure 2 ). Features such as protrusions and recessed lips are specifically positioned to provide desired traction characteristics and / or are positioned so that the shape / contour of the pad corresponds to the shape / contour of the lower plate.

[0036] Figure 5-7Various aspects of a track pad assembly with a polymer pad removed are shown. As shown, a track shoe 39 includes a plate body 40, one or more fasteners 42, and one or more grid arrays 62. The example shown has two fasteners and two grid arrays. In this example, each fastener includes a bolt 64 (e.g., a hexagonal head bolt) extending through a hole (e.g., a round hole) disposed through the plate body. The head of the bolt is located on the tread side of the plate body, and the shank of the bolt extends from the opposite top side of the plate body in a normal / vertical direction. The bolt is held in place by a nut 66 (e.g., a hexagonal nut) or other retainer (e.g., a nut of other shapes, a pin, a washer, etc.) so that the plate body is sandwiched between the bolt head and the nut. (In other examples, the fastener can be a body bolt, a machine screw, a cylindrical metal shaft welded to the plate body, etc.) Each grid array 62 is a lattice structure (e.g., a woven structure) formed by cross-interconnected and / or adjacent material strips 68 to define a plurality of open cell units 70 therebetween. That is, a cell is an area devoid of material, thereby constituting a plurality of individually defined openings in a grid array. (A cell may be completely closed, such as Figure 7 or partially enclosed, as shown on the right side of the right-hand array. Figure 7 ) In one example, the mesh array may include a mesh made of metal such as steel or stainless steel, such as a drawn metal mesh, a mesh stamped from a metal sheet, a wire mesh, a woven wire mesh, a woven metal bar mesh, a mechanically interconnected wire mesh (e.g., heavy gauge chickenwire), etc. As an example, in the example, the thickness of the mesh array in a direction perpendicular to the tread of the track shoe (corresponding to the largest cross-sectional dimension of the mesh bar, such as diameter, thickness, or width) may be 2-3 mm.

[0037] In one example, the grid array is attached to the tread of the track shoe. For example, the grid array can be welded to the track shoe either completely along all seams / contact areas or by multiple discrete welds (e.g., 15-25 welds per grid array). Alternatively, the grid array can be attached to the track shoe using adhesives, brazing, etc. As another example, the grid array can be formed as a metal powder pattern, which is then cured and attached to the track shoe using a sintering process. In another example, the grid array can be formed integrally with the track shoe during the manufacturing process of the track shoe. For example, the track shoe can be formed using metal casting, wherein the mold includes array-shaped grooves for forming the array on the track shoe as part of the metal of the track shoe. Other examples include machining the track shoe and the grid array (from a larger starting block of metal), additive manufacturing, stamping, etc.

[0038] The grid array can have opposing surfaces, with one surface (e.g., an upper surface) attached to the tread of the track shoe and an opposing surface (e.g., a lower surface) facing in the opposite direction facing away from the tread of the track shoe. In one example, the upper surface of the grid array can directly abut or directly abut the tread of the track shoe so that there is no gap (e.g., an air gap) or other object (polymer or other material of the polymer pad) between the surface of the grid array and the tread of the track shoe. This manner of connecting the grid array to the tread of the track shoe is Figure 6 The polymer material forming the polymer pad can encapsulate the grid array within the polymer pad. For example, the polymer material can flow around and over the grid array and the track shoe.

[0039] In another example, the grid array may be connected to the tread of the track shoe with one or more gaps between an upper surface of the grid array and the tread of the track shoe. Fig.13 An example of engaging one of the grid arrays with the tread of a track shoe is shown with a gap 1300 between the upper surface 1302 of the grid array and the tread. One or more spacers may be placed on the tread of the track shoe, with the grid array placed on the spacers. The spacers suspend the grid array above the tread of the track shoe and space it apart from it to create or maintain the gap. The spacers may be objects such as washers, blocks, etc. With the spacers in place, the grid array may be welded or otherwise joined to the tread of the track shoe via weldments or other connectors 1304. The spacers may then be removed. These weldments or other connectors may maintain a gap between the upper surface of the grid array and the tread of the track shoe, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 (where the grid array has been welded to the tread of the track shoe). For example, the weldment or other connection may be referred to as a suspension body, which spaces the grid array from the tread of the track shoe while securing the grid array to the tread. (Combined, the grid array and the suspension body attached thereto are referred to herein as a grid array assembly.) Alternatively, a spacer may be held in place between the grid array and the tread.

[0040] Then, the polymer material forming the polymer mat can be placed around the grid array to completely or partially encapsulate the grid array within the polymer mat. For example, the polymer material can flow around and between the grid array and the track shoe before curing or solidifying between the grid array and the tread of the track shoe. Fig.14 A cross-sectional view of a track shoe is shown, with at least a portion of the grid array spaced apart from the track shoe tread and a polymer mat encapsulating the grid array. Fig.14As shown, the polymer pad extends around the grid array, including between the grid array and the track shoe. Suspending the grid array and spacing it from the track shoe can allow the polymer pad to contact more surface area of ​​the grid array. This can increase the adhesion of the polymer pad to the grid array relative to when the grid array is not spaced from the track shoe. This can also increase the adhesion of the polymer pad to the track shoe tread by increasing the contact area between the polymer pad and the track shoe. For example, instead of the polymer pad contacting the track shoe only in the gap area in the cells defined by the grid array, the polymer pad can also contact the track shoe in the area between the cells. Increasing adhesion can prevent or delay the polymer pad from detaching or otherwise separating from the grid array and / or the track shoe relative to when the grid array is not spaced from the track shoe.

[0041] Figure 5-7 Examples include a rectangular plate body and two grid arrays. The plate body is generally elongated, having a first distal end and an opposite second distal end. A first of the two grid arrays is located on one side of the plate body near the first distal end, and a second of the two grid arrays is located on the other side of the plate body near the second distal end, with a flat grid-free area separating the two arrays. In other examples, there may be only one grid array, centrally disposed between the fasteners, or there may be two elongated grid arrays disposed on either side of the long axis of the plate, or there may be three or more grid arrays.

[0042] In one example, the total combined area of ​​a grid array (defined by the shortest regular boundary line containing all material parts of the grid - see Figure 8 In one example, the grid array has a total combined area of ​​at least 15% of the total area of ​​the tread surface of the plate body. In another example, the total combined area of ​​the grid array is at least 20% of the total area of ​​the tread surface of the plate body. In another example, the total combined area of ​​the grid array is 15%-25% of the total area of ​​the tread surface of the plate body, reflecting that while it may be beneficial (in terms of greater pad / track connection) to cover at least a significant portion of the tread surface of the plate body with grid (e.g., 1 / 4 to 1 / 7) it may not be necessary or desirable to cover as much or all of the plate body with grid as possible (although, in some examples, >50% of the track plate body may be covered with grid).

[0043] Fig.9Ais a partial cross-sectional view of an example of a track pad assembly with a polymer pad 44 in place. As shown, the polymer pad is attached to a grid array (only one grid array is shown, but the assembly may include more than one grid array) and a gap area 74 on the tread of the plate body defined by the cells of the grid array. Thus, the pad presents a tortuous or undulating profile, wherein portions of the pad are configured to not only abut the grid array, but also enter into the cells defined by the array and abut the plate body. As discussed in more detail below, such a structure can be achieved by pressing the polymer pad into position in close proximity to the grid array and the plate body. Thus, there can be a greater degree of contact surface between the pad and the track shoe relative to a flat track shoe without a grid array or the like.

[0044] Fig. 9B An example of a track pad assembly 41 is shown, which is similar to Fig.9A track pad assembly. However, the track pad assembly 41 includes a plurality of polymer pads 44, 45, for example, one pad 44 is disposed on the tread of the plate body, and a second pad 45 is disposed on the opposite upper surface of the plate body and laterally surrounds the fastener (i.e., the fastener protrudes through an opening in the second pad). In such an example, the plate body may be completely or at least partially surrounded by the pad or enclosed within the pad. (At least partially surrounded / enclosed means that at least a portion of the upper surface and at least a portion of the lower surface of the plate body are covered by one or more polymer pads. Completely surrounded means that the upper and lower surfaces and the sides of the plate body are covered as a whole by one or more polymer pads.) This illustrates that in any example herein, the track pad assembly may include one or more polymer pads, which may partially or completely enclose the plate body. On the one hand, although Fig. 9B Two pads are shown completely or partially surrounding the plate body, but there may be one pad completely or partially surrounding the plate body. For example, two or more pad preforms or blanks may be provided on either side of the plate body, which are then processed during the manufacturing process (e.g., as described below) to join and merge together at their intersections. In another example, the track shoe may be provided in a mold, a liquid polymer is introduced into the mold to surround the plate body, and then processed to harden the polymer surrounding the plate body.

[0045] As also discussed below, the pad can be attached to the grid array and the plate body by an adhesive layer 76, which is disposed between the pad and the gap area and the grid array, passing through part or all of the interface area of ​​the pad and the track shoe. In an example, the adhesive is a polymer (e.g., an elastomer) to metal adhesive. The type of adhesive 76 can depend on the material of the polymer pad, for example, for a hardened rubber pad, the adhesive can include a vulcanized adhesive for bonding a polymer to a metal. For a polyurethane pad, the adhesive can include a vulcanized adhesive for bonding a cast polyurethane to a metal substrate. Non-vulcanized epoxy resin adhesives, whether heat activated or non-heat activated, may also be suitable.

[0046] The grid array shown in one or more examples can be a flat or planar object. For example, the grid array can be flat and the tread of the track shoe can be a flat surface, so that the grid array (and / or the surface of the grid array facing the tread) and the tread can be parallel to each other. Alternatively, the contour of one or more portions of the grid array can be toward or away from the tread. For example, one or more outer edges of the grid array can be bent toward the tread so that the outer edges are closer to the tread than other portions of the grid array. Additionally or alternatively, one or more intermediate portions or segments of the grid array that are not at the outer edges can be bent toward the tread of the track shoe. A specially contoured edge or portion of the grid array can be in contact with or coupled to the tread (e.g., welded). The specially contoured shape of the grid array can increase the surface area of ​​the grid array in contact with the polymer pad, thereby increasing the adhesion of the polymer pad to the grid array and the track shoe (relative to a grid array without a specially contoured or flat grid array).

[0047] In one example, a method (e.g., of manufacturing a track pad assembly) may include: securing one or more grid arrays to a tread of a plate body, and securing one or more polymer pads to the one or more grid arrays and gap regions (e.g., such as Fig.9A and 9B shown).

[0048] In another example, a method (e.g., of manufacturing a track pad assembly) may include the following steps: attaching (e.g., welding) one or more grid arrays (e.g., metal grid arrays) to a tread of a plate body (e.g., a metal plate body of a track shoe); cleaning the one or more grid arrays and the tread after the one or more grid arrays are attached to the tread; applying an adhesive to the one or more grid arrays and gap areas on the tread defined by the one or more grid arrays after the cleaning; and bonding one or more polymer pads to the one or more grid arrays and the gap areas on the tread in combination with the adhesive.

[0049] Optionally, the method may further include the step of pre-cleaning at least a portion of the tread and / or the grid array prior to attaching the grid array to the tread. This step may be performed, for example, if the tread and / or the grid array is rusted or otherwise in a condition where failure to clean would be detrimental to attaching the grid array to the tread using a specified attachment method / means (e.g., welding).

[0050] In another example, joining can include pressing the pad to the grid array and the tread (of the plate body) in a press at an elevated temperature and pressure (relative to atmospheric pressure at sea level and room temperature) for a specified period of time. For example, these can be minimum conditions for vulcanizing rubber, namely a temperature of at least 115°C, a specific pressure of at least 2 MPa (megapascals) and a time of at least 10 minutes. When pressed at such or higher pressure and temperature values ​​for at least this length of time, the material of the pad can flow into the cells of the grid array and thereby abut against the plate body. In addition, the adhesive can also be activated to produce a stronger bond between the pad and the track shoe (than a press without adhesive).

[0051] In one aspect, a processed or otherwise preformed / shaped polymer pad can be attached to an adhesive-coated track shoe by heating the pad and / or track shoe and pressing the pad and track shoe together (e.g., using a heated hydraulic or other press, or using a hydraulic or other press located in a heated environment) for a sufficient time to allow the material of the pad to flow into the grid cells against the shoe. In another aspect, an unprocessed polymer blank or preform can be placed in a heated mold along with the adhesive-coated track shoe. The mold is then closed and the mold is pressed with a hydraulic or other press at a specified minimum temperature and pressure for a minimum time, as described herein, to simultaneously process and bond the pad material to the track shoe. This method can also be used to manufacture Fig. 9B The track pad assembly shown, for example, multiple blanks or preforms of an unprocessed polymer can be placed in a heated mold with an adhesive-coated track shoe disposed therebetween, wherein during a processing process (elevated temperature and pressure), the blanks / preforms are processed to bond to the track shoe and also to each other, thereby at least partially enclosing the track shoe body.

[0052] In another example, one or more grid arrays of a track pad assembly may include a track shoe having an array of grooves disposed on a tread of the plate body. For example, the tread may be machined, stamped, cut, etched, etc., to remove material from the plate body in an array pattern of grooves, cutouts, holes, or other recesses to form the one or more grid arrays. The polymer pads may then be attached to the track shoe similarly as described above (e.g., crimped with an adhesive) such that the pads contact and attach to the tread within the grooves.

[0053] Fig.10 and Fig.11 Another example of a track pad assembly 78 is shown. The track pad assembly includes a track shoe 79 and one or more polymer pads 84. Fig.10 A polymer pad is schematically shown in order to illustrate the following components; Fig.11 The track pad assembly is shown with the polymer pad removed. The track shoe 79 includes a plate body 80, one or more fasteners 82 (e.g., similar to Figure 2 -9) and one or more grid arrays formed by ridges 86 attached to the plate body. Each ridge is an elongated strip of material (e.g., a metal strip) attached perpendicularly to the tread of the plate body along its long axis, such as by welding at welding points or welding lines 90. The thickness of the ridge can be the same as the thickness of the plate body. Figure 10-11 In the example of the track shoe, the track shoe includes only one elongated ridge located and arranged approximately evenly between the two fasteners along the long center axis of the plate body. In other examples, the grid array may include or may be two or more ridges, arranged similarly, and / or arranged transversely (perpendicular to the long axis of the plate body) and / or at an angle to the long axis of the plate body, etc. When the polymer pad is pressed onto the track shoe, the pad will conform to the shape of the ridge, so that the ridge will embed into the polymer pad. Thus, combining the ridge with the plate body tread provides a greater degree of contact surface between the pad and the track shoe (relative to a flat track shoe), which can improve wear resistance and reduce pad shear separation.

[0054] The spine may include one or more holes or other apertures 88 for reducing weight and / or providing a greater degree of contact area between the polymer pad and the spine. Alternatively or additionally, the spine may include one or more legs attached to the strip of material along its bottom edge (the edge connected to the board body) and extending vertically from the strip of material to establish a greater contact surface area between the spine and the board body (relative to a spine without legs).

[0055] refer to Fig.12 The grid array may include one or more tabs 92, such as metal L-shaped tabs, welded or otherwise attached to the tread of the board. For example, there may be four to eight (or more) such tabs arranged across the tread. Each tab may include a base for fixing to the board and an upright portion integral with the base and positioned generally perpendicular to the tread. Such tabs may be relatively inexpensive to purchase as a primary product and are easily attached, such as by single-point spot welding.

[0056] In one example, a vehicle track pad assembly includes a track shoe and a polymer pad, the track shoe having a plate body with a tread, the polymer pad being attached to the tread of the plate body. The track shoe also includes a protruding attachment device, the protruding attachment device being attached to the tread of the plate body and the polymer pad and disposed between them, for establishing a larger contact surface area between the track shoe and the polymer pad relative to a flat track shoe without a protruding attachment device. "Protruding" means that the attachment device includes one or more structures for engaging with the polymer pad (e.g., alone, or using an adhesive, by crimping or otherwise), the structures protruding from a flat plane defined by the tread of the plate body so that when the polymer pad is attached to the track shoe on the tread of the plate body, the structures can be embedded in the polymer pad. Specific embodiments of the protruding attachment device include a grid array, ridges, and / or lobes.

[0057] As described above, in an example, the polymer (elastomer) pad may include a polyurethane, such as a thermosetting polyurethane. In one aspect, such a pad may be made by pouring a liquid polyurethane polymer mixture into a mold (casting) and then processing the mold at atmospheric pressure in the mold by heating the mold to about 100°C (e.g., + / - 5 degrees). This may be done before attaching the pad to the adhesive-coated track shoe, i.e., the pad is molded and processed to form a solid, which is then attached to the track shoe at elevated temperature and pressure using a subsequent crimping process. Alternatively, the adhesive-coated track shoe may be placed in a mold, a liquid polyurethane polymer mixture poured into the mold to at least partially surround the track shoe body; the polymer is processed (e.g., heated) to solidify and bond to the track shoe.

[0058] In any of the examples herein, a track pad assembly can be used to replace a grouser shoe or other track shoe of a continuous track drive such that the track pad assembly completely replaces the track in operation of the track drive (e.g., the track pad assembly is configured to attach to a chain or other link portion of the drive to which all tracks are attached; such as a "bolt-to-chain" configuration). Alternatively, the track pad assembly can be configured to attach to an existing grouser or other track for use. For example, the size, location, and / or other aspects of the fasteners of the track pad assembly can be configured for insertion into an existing aperture of a grouser or other track such that when a nut (or the like) is secured to the fasteners at the rear of the track, the ends of the fasteners pass through and protrude, and the track pad assembly (having a plate body and polymer pad) is securely abutted and attached to the track, thereby operating with the track. On the other hand, a grouser or other track that lacks apertures, or lacks appropriately spaced apertures, may be provided with apertures that correspond (eg, in size and spacing between apertures) to the fasteners of the track pad assembly, such as by using a drill.

[0059] In one example, a vehicle track pad assembly includes a track shoe including a plate body with a tread and at least one grid array attached to the tread of the plate body; and a polymer pad attached to the at least one grid array and gap areas on the tread defined by cells of the at least one grid array.

[0060] The vehicle track pad assembly may also include an adhesive disposed on one or more of the at least one grid array or the gap regions on the tread. The polymer pad may be bonded to the at least one grid array and the gap regions on the tread by the adhesive. The polymer pad may be pressed to the tread by the adhesive, the adhesive causing the polymer pad to contact the at least one grid array and the tread within cells defined by the at least one grid array.

[0061] The plate body may be metal, and the at least one grid array may be a metal grid array welded to the tread. The at least one grid array may include opposing first and second surfaces, and the at least one grid array is coupled to the track shoe, wherein the first surface directly contacts the tread of the track shoe. The at least one grid array may include opposing first and second surfaces, and the at least one grid array is coupled to the track shoe with a gap between the first surface and the tread of the track shoe, and the second surface faces away from the tread of the track shoe. The polymer pad may extend between the first surface of the at least one grid array and the tread of the track shoe.

[0062] The at least one grid array may include a separate first grid array and a second grid array, the first grid array and the second grid array being separated from each other by a grid-free area of ​​the tread. The first grid array may be disposed at a first distal end of the board body, and the second grid array may be disposed at a second distal end of the generally rectangular or elongated board body.

[0063] The track shoe may also include a plurality of fasteners that are attached to the plate body and that may attach the assembly to an articulated continuous track drive of a continuous track vehicle.

[0064] In another example, a vehicle includes a chassis, an articulated continuous track drive, and a plurality of track pad assemblies that are sequentially or discontinuously attached to the articulated continuous track drive, wherein the polymer pads are configured to contact the ground when the articulated continuous track drive is in operation for vehicle movement.

[0065] In another example, a vehicle track pad assembly includes a track shoe including a plate body with a tread and one or more grid arrays attached to the tread, and one or more polymer pads attached to the one or more grid arrays and gap areas on the tread defined by the one or more grid arrays.

[0066] The vehicle track pad assembly may also include an adhesive disposed on the one or more grid arrays or the gap area on the tread. The one or more polymer pads may be bonded to the one or more grid arrays and the gap area of ​​the tread by an adhesive. The adhesive may include a vulcanized adhesive. The plate body may be metal, and the one or more grid arrays may be a metal grid array welded to the tread. At least one of the one or more polymer pads includes hardened rubber.

[0067] Each grid array may include opposing first and second surfaces, the grid array being coupled to the track shoe with the first surface facing the tread of the track shoe. The first surface of one or more grid arrays may be directly coupled to the tread of the track shoe. The first surface of one or more grid arrays may be spaced apart from the tread of the track shoe. One or more polymer pads may extend between the first surface of one or more grid arrays and the tread of the track shoe.

[0068] In another example, a vehicle track pad assembly may include a track shoe including a plate body with a tread and one or more grid array assemblies attached to the tread. Each grid array assembly may include a grid array and a plurality of suspension bodies attached to a first surface of the grid array. Wherein, the plurality of suspension bodies may be attached to the tread so that the first surface of the grid array is spaced apart from the tread of the track shoe. One or more polymer pads may be attached to the one or more grid array assemblies and a gap area on the tread defined by the one or more grid arrays. Portions of the one or more polymer pads may be disposed between the first surface of each of the one or more grid arrays and the tread.

[0069] The singular forms of "a", "an", and "the" may refer to the plural, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. "Optional" or "optionally" means that the event or situation described subsequently may or may not occur, and the description may include situations where the event occurs and situations where the event does not occur. Approximate language used throughout the specification and claims can be used to modify any quantitative representation to allow changes that do not result in changes in the relevant basic functions. Therefore, values ​​modified by one or more terms such as "approximately", "substantially", and "approximately" may not be limited to the specified precise values. In at least some cases, approximate language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations can be combined and / or interchanged so that a range can be determined to include all sub-ranges, unless otherwise indicated by the context or language.

[0070] This written description uses examples to disclose embodiments, including the best embodiment, and to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiment, including making and using any device or system and performing any introduced method. The claims define the patentable scope of the disclosure and include other embodiments that occur to a person skilled in the art. These other embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or include equivalent structural elements that do not differ substantially from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle track pad assembly, comprising: A track shoe comprising a plate body with a tread and at least one grid array on the tread attached to the plate body, wherein the tread comprises a gap area defined by cells of the at least one grid array; and A polymer mat is attached to the at least one grid array and the interstitial regions on the tread surface defined by cells of the at least one grid array.

2. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: an adhesive disposed in the at least one grid array and / or in the gap regions on the tread, Wherein, the polymer mat is bonded to the at least one grid array and the gap area on the tread by the adhesive.

3. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The polymer mat is crimped to the tread, the at least one grid array, and an adhesive such that the polymer mat contacts the at least one grid array and the tread within cells defined by the at least one grid array.

4. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plate is made of metal, and The at least one grid array is a metal grid array welded to the tread, and the metal grid array includes a lattice structure.

5. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one grid array includes opposing first and second surfaces, and The at least one grid array is coupled to the track shoe by the first surface directly contacting the tread of the track shoe.

6. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one grid array includes opposing first and second surfaces, The at least one grid array is coupled to the track shoe with a gap between the first surface and the tread of the track shoe, and, The second surface faces away from the tread surface of the track shoe.

7. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The polymer pad extends between the first surface of the at least one grid array and the tread of the track shoe.

8. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one grid array includes a separate first grid array and a second grid array, the first grid array and the second grid array being separated from each other by a grid-free region of the tread.

9. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first grid array is disposed at a first distal end of the plate body, and The second grid array is disposed at the second distal end of the plate body.

10. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The track shoe further comprises a plurality of fasteners, The fasteners are attached to the plate and are used to attach the assembly to an articulated continuous track drive of a continuous track vehicle.

11. A vehicle comprising: Chassis; Articulated continuous track drive; as well as A plurality of track pad assemblies according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the plurality of track pad assemblies being sequentially or discontinuously attached to the articulated continuous track drive, wherein the polymer pads are configured to contact the ground when the articulated continuous track drive is in operation for vehicle movement.

12. A vehicle track pad assembly, comprising: A track shoe comprising a plate body with a tread and one or more grid arrays attached to the tread, wherein the tread comprises a gap area defined by cells of the one or more grid arrays; and A plurality of polymer pads are attached to the one or more grid arrays and the interstitial regions on the tread defined by the one or more grid arrays.

13. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: Also includes: an adhesive disposed on the one or more grid arrays or the gap regions on the tread, Wherein, the plurality of polymer pads are bonded to the one or more grid arrays and the gap regions on the tread by the adhesive.

14. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: The adhesive comprises a vulcanized adhesive.

15. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: The plate is made of metal, and The one or more grid arrays are metal grid arrays welded to the tread, and the metal grid arrays include a lattice structure.

16. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: At least one polymer pad of the plurality of polymer pads includes hardened rubber.

17. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: Each of the grid arrays includes a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other, The grid array is coupled to the track shoe with the first surface facing the tread of the track shoe.

18. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that: The first surface of the one or more grid arrays is directly joined to the tread of the track shoe.

19. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that: The first surface of the one or more grid arrays is spaced apart from the tread of the track shoe.

20. The vehicle track pad assembly according to claim 17, wherein: The plurality of polymer pads extend between the first surface of the one or more grid arrays and the tread of the track shoe.

21. A vehicle track pad assembly, comprising: A track shoe comprising a plate body with a tread and one or more grid array assemblies attached to the tread, wherein each of the grid array assemblies comprises a grid array and a plurality of suspension bodies attached to a first surface of the grid array, the plurality of suspension bodies being attached to the tread such that the first surface of the grid array is spaced apart from the tread of the track shoe, wherein the tread comprises a gap region defined by cells of the one or more grid arrays; and One or more polymer pads are attached to the one or more grid array assemblies and the gap area on the tread defined by the one or more grid arrays, wherein a portion of the one or more polymer pads is disposed between the first surface of each of the one or more grid arrays and the tread.

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