Weighted wheel chain assembly

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of vehicles, in particular to a load wheel chain assembly, comprising a load wheel and a load wheel suspension, the load wheel is installed on the load wheel suspension, the load wheel suspension is sequentially connected in series, forming a flexible load wheel chain assembly. The load wheel chain assembly can be used as a load wheel and a supporting belt wheel, and can guide the rubber track by limiting the lateral displacement (along the width direction of the track) of the rubber track, thereby avoiding the occurrence of the off-track condition. The flexible form of the load wheel chain assembly can make the ground contacting part of the walking system better adapt to the change of the terrain, and facilitate the adjustment of the ground contacting area of the walking system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more particularly to a load-bearing wheel chain assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the road wheels of tracked systems are generally mounted on the vehicle body via different suspensions, or multiple road wheels are mounted on the same suspension, with no direct connection between the suspensions. The former allows the movement of multiple road wheels to be independent, while the latter makes the movement of each road wheel completely correlated. When driving on complex terrain, the former can provide better ride comfort, but due to the lack of correlation between the road wheels, the tracks are prone to loosening and derailment when the road wheels swing. The latter results in poor ride comfort and passability. For example, Chinese patent 201922303041.9 discloses a reconfigurable variant wheel that can switch between wheel and track configurations. The cage assembly in this application includes a cage, a load-bearing wheel group, a second fixed wheel axle, a middle beam, and a locking block. The cage is an arc-shaped structure with a certain angle, and one end is hinged to a fixed support or a movable support. The second fixed wheel axle is fixedly connected to the cage, and the load-bearing wheel in the load-bearing wheel set is loosely fitted on the second fixed wheel axle; for example, Chinese patent discloses a deformable tire, application number: 202011010683.0. In this patent, the support frame includes two support plates and several rollers. The two ends of the rollers are rotatably connected to the two support plates respectively, and the connecting rod is rotatably connected to one support plate. The rollers abut against the track and are arranged in an arc shape. In the two patents above, the structure and installation method of the cage (support frame) and the road wheel assembly (rollers) are the same. The disadvantage of this structure is that since the road wheel assembly is evenly arranged within the circumferential arc range determined by the cage, it always has the same shape. The center positions of each road wheel can never be on the same straight line. In the track wheel configuration, a cage can only ensure that one or at most two road wheels at different positions on it roll onto the track. The middle and sides of the ground contact part are raised, and the part in contact with the ground is not a straight line. Other road wheels have difficulty contacting the track, resulting in load concentration. On the one hand, this will lead to premature damage to the road wheels and reduce their service life. On the other hand, the uneven ground pressure of the walking system reduces passability and reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the above-mentioned technology and provide a load-bearing wheel chain assembly.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a load-bearing wheel chain assembly, comprising a load-bearing wheel and a load-bearing wheel suspension, wherein the load-bearing wheel is mounted on the load-bearing wheel suspension, and the load-bearing wheel suspension is connected in series and hinged.

[0005] Preferably, the road wheel suspension has insert structures at both ends or slot structures at both ends, or has a slot structure at one end and an insert structure at the other end. This type of road wheel suspension is defined as a middle road wheel suspension. Alternatively, the road wheel suspension has an insert structure at one end, which is defined as a male-end road wheel suspension. Or, the road wheel suspension has a slot structure at one end, which is defined as a female-end road wheel suspension. The above two or more road wheel suspensions are hinged together by the insert structure and slot structure at the ends to form a road wheel chain assembly, wherein the male-end road wheel suspension or the female-end road wheel suspension is located at one end of the road wheel chain assembly.

[0006] Preferably, the road wheel suspension has a connecting hole for connecting components that adjust the shape of the road wheel chain assembly.

[0007] Preferably, the road wheel suspension has a cavity structure.

[0008] Preferably, the road wheel is connected to the road wheel suspension via a connecting shaft.

[0009] Preferably, the connecting shaft is hinged to the load-bearing wheel suspension.

[0010] Preferably, the load-bearing wheel is hinged to both ends of the connecting shaft, and the connecting shaft is connected to the load-bearing wheel suspension.

[0011] Preferably, the load-bearing wheel can be replaced by a sector block.

[0012] Preferably, the sector block is fixed to the connecting shaft, and the connecting shaft is connected to the load-bearing wheel suspension.

[0013] Preferably, the road wheel suspension restricts the movement of the sector blocks.

[0014] Preferably, the sector-shaped blocks are installed at both ends of the connecting shaft, and the connecting shaft is connected to the load-bearing wheel suspension.

[0015] Preferably, the sector blocks at both ends are fixed together by a connecting plate, which passes through the cavity structure of the load wheel suspension, thereby restricting the movement of the connecting plate.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: the load-bearing wheel on the load-bearing wheel chain assembly can be used as a load-bearing wheel or as a track support wheel, which can limit the lateral displacement of the rubber track (along the track width direction) and thus prevent the track from slipping off.

[0017] The walking system using this load-bearing wheel and chain assembly can adjust the track ground contact area. When fully straightened, the walking system can obtain the maximum ground contact area, and when bent into an arc, the ground contact area of ​​the walking system is the minimum. The load-bearing wheel and chain assembly can also be bent into more complex wave-like shapes, so that the ground contact part of the walking system can conform to the changes in the terrain contour, making it less prone to slipping and making traction more stable and reliable.

[0018] When the road wheel chain assembly changes shape, the track tension is minimally affected because the road wheels are interconnected through the road wheel suspension, which helps prevent track slippage. Compared to road wheels mounted on different suspensions, it has fewer degrees of freedom, allowing for the use of a simpler suspension control system. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mother-end load-bearing wheel suspension in this invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the central road wheel suspension in this invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the male-end load-bearing wheel suspension in this invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a set of sector-shaped blocks of load-bearing wheels installed on the load-bearing wheel suspension at the mother end in this invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a set of sector-shaped blocks of the load-bearing wheel installed on the male end load-bearing wheel suspension in this invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the load-bearing wheelset in this invention;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the load-bearing wheelset in this invention;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the shape of the load-bearing wheel chain assembly in this invention when it is fully straightened.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing one of the morphological configurations of the load-bearing wheel chain assembly during the bending process in this invention.

[0029] Figure 11 This is a diagram of another part of the load-bearing wheel chain assembly during the bending process in this invention;

[0030] Figure 12This is a diagram showing the shape of the load-bearing wheel chain assembly in this invention when it is bent into an arc shape.

[0031] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the rubber track and the road wheel in the bent state of the road wheel chain assembly in this invention;

[0032] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the rubber track and the road wheel in the fully straightened state of the road wheel chain assembly in this invention.

[0033] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the complex shape of the load-bearing wheel chain assembly in this invention under the action of ground undulations.

[0034] In the diagram: 1. Road wheel; 2. Road wheel suspension; 3. Female end road wheel suspension; 4. Middle road wheel suspension; 5. Male end road wheel suspension; 6. Slot structure; 7. Insert plate structure; 8. Connecting hole; 9. Sector block; 10. Sector block connecting plate; 11. Cavity structure; 12. Connecting shaft; 13. Outer end cover; 14. Inner end cover; 15. Bearing; 16. Hub; 17. Rubber layer; 18. Positioning ring; 19. Bolt; 20. Sealing ring; 21. Elastic retaining ring; 22. Annular protrusion; 23. Shoulder; 24. O-ring seal; 25. Rubber track drive tooth; 26. End face. Detailed Implementation

[0035] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixed connection," and "fixed connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, a road wheel chain assembly includes a road wheel 1 and a road wheel suspension 2. The road wheel is mounted on the road wheel suspension, and the road wheel suspensions are connected in series and hinged to form a flexible road wheel chain assembly.

[0039] Specifically, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the road wheel suspension has a slot structure 6 or a plate structure 7 at only one end, and after installation, it is located at one end of the road wheel chain assembly. The road wheel suspension with a slot structure at only one end is the female-end road wheel suspension 3, and the road wheel suspension with a plate structure at only one end is the male-end road wheel suspension 5. A road wheel suspension with plate structures or slot structures at both ends is a middle road wheel suspension 4, such as... Figure 3 As shown, one end of the central road wheel suspension has a plate structure 7, and the other end has a slot structure 6. Two or more of the above-mentioned road wheel suspensions are hinged together by the plate structure and slot structure at the ends. After installation, the female end road wheel suspension 3 and the male end road wheel suspension 5 are located at both ends of the road wheel chain assembly, as shown. Figure 1 and Figure 15 As shown. Figure 2-4 As shown, the female-end road wheel suspension 3, the middle road wheel suspension 4, and the male-end road wheel suspension 5 each have connecting holes 8. These connecting holes allow for installation with other components such as the vehicle body and control connectors, thereby enabling adjustments to their configuration. Figures 9 to 12 As shown.

[0040] The road wheel can be connected to the road wheel suspension in various ways, as long as it can rotate relative to the road wheel suspension, i.e., it has at least one rotational degree of freedom. For example, the road wheel can be fixed to a connecting shaft, which is hinged to the road wheel suspension; or the connecting shaft can be hinged to other components, which in turn are connected to the road wheel suspension; or the road wheel can be directly hinged to the connecting shaft, which is fixed to the road wheel suspension; or the connecting shaft can be connected to the road wheel suspension through other components. Figures 2 to 4 Each load-bearing wheel suspension is fixedly connected to the connecting shaft 12. The load-bearing wheels are installed in pairs at both ends of the connecting shaft 12 via bearings, and each load-bearing wheel suspension has two pairs of load-bearing wheels. Figure 7 and8 As shown, the load-bearing wheel pair consists of a connecting shaft 12 and load-bearing wheels hinged at both ends. Each load-bearing wheel includes an outer end cap 13, an inner end cap 14, and a hub 16. A rubber layer 17 is provided around the outer circumference of the hub. The connecting shaft passes through and is fixedly connected to the load-bearing wheel suspension. The hub is mounted on the connecting shaft via a bearing 15. An elastic retaining ring 21 is provided at the outer end of the connecting shaft to restrict the axial movement of the bearing. The inner and outer end caps are respectively fixed to the inner and outer sides of the hub by bolts 19. The inner end cap is sealed to the connecting shaft by a sealing ring 20. The sealing ring is fitted onto the connecting shaft, with one side contacting the inner end cap and the other side axially limited by a positioning ring 18 or an annular protrusion 22 on the connecting shaft. The positioning ring is limited by a shoulder 23 on the connecting shaft. The inner and outer end caps are sealed to the hub by O-ring seals 24.

[0041] In a special case, when the road roller only serves a supporting and guiding function and has no relative movement with the track, it is not necessary to ensure the rotation of the road roller relative to the road roller suspension. That is, the road roller does not need to have continuous rotation. In this case, a simple sector block can be used instead. The sector block can be directly fixed to the road roller suspension or fixed to other components, which are then connected to the road roller suspension. The sector block can also have limited movement relative to the road roller suspension, such as swinging. Regardless of the connection method, the outer periphery of the sector block must face the track to support it. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the road wheels in a pair of road wheels on the female end road wheel suspension and the male end road wheel suspension are replaced with sector blocks 9. The two sector blocks are fixedly connected by a sector block connecting plate 10. The sector block connecting plate passes through the cavity structure 11 in the middle of the female end road wheel suspension and the male end road wheel suspension to limit the two sector blocks. The cavity structure 11 restricts the swing of the sector block connecting plate 10, so that the arc-shaped outer periphery of the sector block faces the fixed direction.

[0042] When the road wheel chain assembly is fully straightened, the centers of all road wheels are aligned, i.e., on the same plane, and the walking system can obtain the maximum ground contact area. While keeping the centers of all road wheels in the middle aligned, the ground contact area can be adjusted by gradually bending from both ends and controlling its shape. When bent into an arc shape, i.e., the centers of all road wheels are on the same arc surface, the ground contact area of ​​the walking system is minimized.

[0043] like Figure 9 As shown, when the bottom load-bearing wheel chain assembly is fully straightened, the contact area between the walking system and the ground is maximized, making it suitable for soft or low-traction off-road terrain. Figures 10 to 12 As shown, the load-bearing wheel chain assembly gradually bends from both ends, and the ground contact area of ​​the walking system gradually decreases; as Figure 12As shown, each load-bearing wheel chain assembly is bent into an arc shape, with the centers of each arc coinciding, making the outer perimeter of the walking system a complete circle. At this point, the ground contact area of ​​the walking system is minimized. Adjusting the ground contact area allows for optimized matching of the walking system's passability, traction, and maneuverability on various terrains. For example... Figure 15 As shown, the road wheel chain assembly can also be bent into more complex wave-like shapes, allowing the ground contact portion of the walking system to adapt to changes in terrain contours, making it less prone to slippage and improving traction stability and reliability. When the road wheel chain assembly changes shape, the impact on track tension is minimal because the road wheels are interconnected through the road wheel suspension, which helps prevent track derailment. Compared to road wheels mounted on different suspensions, it has fewer degrees of freedom, allowing for a simpler suspension control system.

[0044] like Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the rubber track is guided and prevented from slipping off by the contact between the side of each road wheel on the road wheel chain assembly and the end face 26 of the rubber track drive tooth 25.

[0045] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A load-bearing wheel and chain assembly, characterized in that: It includes a road wheel and a road wheel suspension, wherein the road wheel is mounted on the road wheel suspension and the road wheel suspension is connected in series and hinged. A road wheel suspension with insert plate structures at both ends or slot structures at both ends, or with a slot structure at one end and an insert plate structure at the other end, is defined as a middle road wheel suspension. Alternatively, a road wheel suspension with an insert plate structure at one end is defined as a male-end road wheel suspension. Or, a road wheel suspension with a slot structure at one end is defined as a female-end road wheel suspension. The above two or more road wheel suspensions are hinged together by the insert plate structure and slot structure at the ends to form a road wheel chain assembly, wherein the male-end road wheel suspension or the female-end road wheel suspension is located at one end of the road wheel chain assembly. The road wheel suspension has connecting holes for connecting components that adjust the shape of the road wheel chain assembly; When the road roller only serves a supporting and guiding function and has no relative movement with the track, the road roller is replaced by a sector block; The road wheel suspension restricts the movement of the sector blocks.

2. The load-bearing wheel and chain assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The road wheel suspension has a cavity structure.

3. The load-bearing wheel and chain assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The road wheel is connected to the road wheel suspension via a connecting shaft.

4. The load-bearing wheel and chain assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting shaft is hinged to the load-bearing wheel suspension.

5. The load-bearing wheel and chain assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The load-bearing wheels are hinged to both ends of the connecting shaft, and the connecting shaft is connected to the load-bearing wheel suspension.

6. The load-bearing wheel and chain assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sector block is fixed to the connecting shaft, which is connected to the load-bearing wheel suspension.

7. The load-bearing wheel and chain assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sector-shaped blocks are installed at both ends of the connecting shaft, which is connected to the load-bearing wheel suspension.

8. The load-bearing wheel and chain assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sector blocks at both ends are fixed together by a connecting plate, which passes through the cavity structure of the load wheel suspension, thus restricting the movement of the connecting plate.

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