Press fit wheel bearing collar

Abstract

A track track roller axle (300) includes a body that defines a swivel surface that defines a rotational axis (204), a radial direction (208), and a circumferential direction (206) disposed about the rotational axis (204). The body also defines a proximal axial end (310) disposed along the rotational axis (204), a radially extending bore (306) disposed axially adjacent the proximal axial end (310), and a guide member receiving recess (304) disposed axially further from the proximal axial end (310) than the radially extending bore (306).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to track rollers used in undercarriages of heavy equipment that use endless track drives. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a press-fit roller collar that provides a more robust track roller assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] In many current applications, track rollers support the weight of heavy equipment, such as those that use endless track drives in the earthmoving, construction, and mining industries, among others. Typically, an O-ring or other seal is provided as part of the track roller assembly to prevent lubrication leaks. Pressure exerted on the track roller assembly can cause the O-ring or other seal to deteriorate over time.

[0003] Eventually, the track roller assembly can begin to leak lubrication. As a result, the machine is often taken out of service to replace various components of the track roller assembly that have experienced wear and tear and / or to replace the seal, or otherwise service the undercarriage of the machine. This can result in undesirable increased costs and reduced production for the economic effort using the machine.

[0004] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0050687 Al discloses a retaining collar for use in a track roller assembly that includes a bore in which the retaining collar can be attached to a retaining shaft of a track roller. The retaining collar can have a unique asymmetric design in which a first portion of the retaining collar is different than a second portion of the retaining collar. This asymmetric design can help prevent foreign debris from entering the track roller assembly. Additionally, the asymmetric design can help the track roller expel foreign debris during operation.

[0005] It can be appreciated that the '687 patent application publication does not address lubrication leaks that can occur over time due to high loads, among other things. Accordingly, a more robust design can be warranted in some applications to prevent lubrication leaks. SUMMARY

[0006] A track roller assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure can include a track roller housing including a swivel body defining a rotational axis, a circumferential direction disposed about the rotational axis, a radial direction extending perpendicular to the rotational axis, a first axial end disposed along the rotational axis, and a second axial end disposed along the rotational axis. A first edge portion can be disposed at a location proximate the first axial end, and a second edge portion can be disposed at a location proximate the second axial end. A through-hole can extend axially through the swivel body, and a shaft can be disposed in the through-hole. A press-fit collar can define a shaft-receiving bore defining a press-fit portion configured to receive the shaft.

[0007] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the track support roller axle may include a body comprising a rotating surface defining a rotation axis, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction about the rotation axis. The body may also define a proximal axial end along the rotation axis, a radially extending bore axially adjacent to the proximal axial end, and a guide member receiving recess axially disposed further away from the proximal axial end than the radially extending bore.

[0008] Track track roller collars according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a body comprising a concave rotary surface defining a rotation axis, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction about the rotation axis. The body may define a first axial end along the rotation axis and a second axial end along the rotation axis, and a drilled hole formed by the concave rotary surface extending axially through the first axial end toward the second axial end. The concave rotary surface may include a press-fit portion defining a press-fit diameter and a sliding-fit portion defining a sliding-fit diameter larger than the press-fit diameter. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Several embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, and serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a tracked machine (e.g., a hydraulic excavator) employing a press-fitted support roller collar according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of a chassis assembly having track roller assemblies, the track roller assembly having press-fit track roller collars according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 3 Is with Figure 2 The underframe assembly is shown in a perspective view of the track track roller assembly, idler wheel, and track chain assembly. The top track roller is shown instead of the bracket.

[0013] Figure 4 From Figure 3 An inclined cross-sectional view of the track track roller assembly with press-fit track roller collar, taken from the underframe.

[0014] Figure 5 Is with Figure 4 The inclined cross-sectional view is similar to that of a track track roller assembly with a press-fit track roller collar, except that a guide member and a guide member receiving recess are shown in the track roller axle.

[0015] Figure 6 Depicting Figure 5A track roller assembly in which the track roller axle has been removed, the dowel pin has been removed, and the assembly has been rotated 90 degrees about the axis of rotation, showing the axially extending guide member receiving slot of the track roller collar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some cases, reference numbers can be indicated in the text of the specification and the drawings can show reference numbers followed by a letter, such as 100a, 100b, or a superscript, such as 100', 100", and so on. It should be understood that the use of a letter or superscript following a reference number indicates that these features are similarly formed and have similar functionality, as is often the case when geometric shapes are mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in the specification, the letters and superscripts are not generally included herein, but can be shown in the drawings to indicate the repetition of features having similar or identical functionality or geometry discussed in the written specification.

[0017] Track roller assemblies, track roller collars, and track roller axles according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described. In some embodiments, the track roller housing is a solid body (e.g., has a monolithic construction). In other embodiments, the track roller housing is divided into two or more track roller members that are assembled together to form the track roller housing, etc.

[0018] In some embodiments, a press-fit collar for a track roller of a track-type work machine is disclosed. The press-fit collar includes two axial cutouts that align with cutout portions (holes) of a track roller pin. The collar and the cutout portions of the track roller pin receive a dowel pin that aids in retention / endplay control of the track roller pin (also referred to as a track roller axle). The press-fit collar also includes a guide block that engages with a guide slot of the track roller pin. The guide block aids in maintaining the proper orientation of the bolt holes to allow the track roller to be installed onto a track roller frame.

[0019] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurations of track roller assemblies, track roller axles, and track roller collars are possible in addition to those specifically shown and described herein.

[0020] Figure 1 Embodiments of a track-type machine 20 in the form of an excavator are shown that include embodiments of track roller assemblies 200 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. In other uses, the excavator can be used to remove material from a work site using a bucket.

[0021] More specifically, Figure 1A machine 20 including an undercarriage system 22 having a track assembly 24 is illustrated in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that while the machine 20 is illustrated as a hydraulic excavator, the machine 20 can be any other type including a tracked undercarriage system 22. As used herein, the term "machine" refers to a mobile machine that performs a driving operation involving physical movement associated with a particular industry, such as earthmoving, construction, landscaping, forestry, mining, agriculture, etc.

[0022] While the device is illustrated in connection with an excavator, the device disclosed herein has universal applicability in various other types of machines that typically employ track systems rather than wheels. The term "machine" can refer to any machine that performs some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining, earthmoving, or construction or any other industry known in the art. For example, the machine can be a hydraulic mining shovel, a wheel loader, a cable shovel, a tracked tractor, a bulldozer, or a dragline, etc. In addition, one or more implements can be connected to the machine. Such implements can be used for a variety of tasks including, for example, lifting and loading.

[0023] The undercarriage system 22 can be configured to support the machine 20 and move the machine 20 along the ground, roadways, and other types of terrain. As Figure 2 and Figure 3 illustrated, the track assembly 24 of the undercarriage system 22 can include a track shoe frame 26, various guide components connected to the track shoe frame 26, and an endless track 28 that engages the guide components. The guide components can guide the track 28 and include drive sprockets 30, idlers 32, carrier rollers 34, track shoes 36, and carriers 38, although other components can be used.

[0024] The track 28 can include link assemblies 40 having a plurality of shoes 42 secured thereto. The link assemblies 40 can form a flexible backbone of the track 28, and the shoes 42 can provide traction over various types of terrain. The link assemblies 40 can extend in an endless chain around the drive sprockets 30, the carrier rollers 34 that support the machine's weight, the idlers 32, and the carriers 38.

[0025] As Figure 3 illustrated, the track shoes 42 can be secured to the periphery of the link assemblies 40. For example, one shoe 42 can be attached to each pair of laterally spaced links 44. The track shoes 42 can be connected to the links 44 via various methods, such as welding, fastening, etc., as Figure 3 illustrated.

[0026] Turning now to Figure 4 and Figure 5A track roller assembly 200 constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed. The track roller assembly 200 can include a track roller housing 202 that includes a revolved body (so called because the track roller housing can be modeled in CAD (computer aided drafting) or at least partially manufactured by revolving the geometry of the body (e.g., using a lathe, etc.)) that defines an axis of rotation 204, a circumferential direction 206 disposed about the axis of rotation 204, a radial direction 208 that extends perpendicular to the axis of rotation 204, a first axial end 209 disposed along the axis of rotation 204, and a second axial end 210 disposed along the axis of rotation 204 (best shown in Figure 3 ). A first edge portion 212 can be disposed at a location proximate the first axial end 209, while a second edge portion 214 can be disposed at a location proximate the second axial end 210 (best shown in Figure 3 ). This can not be the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Still referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a through hole 216 can extend axially through the revolved body of the track roller housing 202 (this can not be the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure). As shown, a track roller axle 300 can be disposed in the through hole 216, and a press fit collar 400 can define an axle-receiving bore 402 that defines a press fit portion 404 (also see Figure 6 ) that is configured to receive and retain the axle 300 in a robust manner. The axle 300 is intended to allow the track roller housing 202 to rotate about its axis, while the collar 400 is intended to attach the track roller assembly 200 to a chassis.

[0028] More particularly, the axle 300 can include a cylindrical body that defines a cylindrical diameter 302, while the press fit portion 404 of the axle-receiving bore 402 of the collar 400 can define an inner diameter 406 (see Figure 6 ) that is less than or equal to the cylindrical diameter 302 (thus creating an interference fit). In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the axle can have a stepped cylindrical body, a tapered body, etc.

[0029] As Figure 4As can be seen, the swivel body of the track carrier housing 202 can define a first end face seal receiving cavity 218 disposed radially inward from the first edge portion 212, while the press-fit collar 400 can include an L-shaped flange 408 defining a second end face seal receiving cavity 410 in communication with the first end face seal receiving cavity 218. An end face seal 220 (e.g., a metal-to-metal end face seal, a double cone end face seal, etc.) can be disposed in the first end face seal receiving cavity 218 and the second end face seal receiving cavity 410. This arrangement allows the track carrier housing 202 to rotate while the track carrier axle 300 and the collar 400 remain stationary, sealed in lubricant to facilitate low-friction rotation of the track carrier housing 202.

[0030] To this end, the bearing member 222 can be disposed radially between the track carrier housing 202 and the axle 300 (see radial bearing portion 222a), and axially between the press-fit collar 400 and the track carrier housing 202 (see thrust ring portion 222b).

[0031] Referring to Figure 6 , the press-fit portion 404 of the axle-receiving bore 402 of the press-fit collar 400 can be disposed axially adjacent the bearing member 222, and the axle-receiving bore 402 can be radially enlarged to form a slip-fit portion 412 that extends axially away from the press-fit portion 404 (e.g., toward an axial end of the axle, as described in greater detail later herein).

[0032] Further, the press-fit collar 400 can define a through-hole 414 that extends radially through the slip-fit portion 412 of the axle-receiving bore 402, and an axially extending slot 416 in communication with the press-fit portion 404 of the axle-receiving bore 402 of the press-fit collar 400 (so-called because the slot’s greatest dimension is in the axial direction).

[0033] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the axle 300 can define a guide member receiving cavity 304 in communication with the axially extending slot 416 of the press-fit collar 400. The guide member 224 can be disposed in the axially extending slot 416 and the guide member receiving cavity 304.

[0034] The axle 300 can further define a transverse hole 306 radially and axially aligned with the through-hole 414 of the press-fit collar 400. The dowel pin 226 can be disposed in the transverse hole 306 and the through-hole 414.

[0035] During assembly, the shaft is inserted into the collar with the guide member aligned with the axially extending slot. Thus, the guide member acts like a key and the slot acts like a keyway. This helps ensure that when the shaft is pressed into the collar, the transverse bore of the shaft will align with the through bore of the collar, allowing a dowel pin to be inserted to help hold the assembly together under high loads, reducing the risk of damage to the O-ring or other seal in use. Moreover, this alignment feature helps ensure that the bolt holes are pointed straight up to allow the track roller assembly to be attached to the track roller frame.

[0036] Next, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a track roller shaft 300 that can be supplied as part of the track roller assembly 200 just mentioned or as a replacement component will now be described.

[0037] In Figure 5 , the track roller shaft 300 can include a body including a revolved surface 308 (so termed for the same reasons given above herein for revolved bodies, e.g., a conical surface, a cylindrical surface, etc.) defining a rotational axis (which can coincide with 204), a radial direction (which can coincide with 206), and a circumferential direction disposed about the rotational axis (which can coincide with 208). The body can define a proximal axial end 310 disposed along the rotational axis, and a radially extending bore 306a disposed axially adjacent the proximal axial end 310. Moreover, a guide member-receiving recess (e.g., see 304) is disposed axially further from the proximal axial end 310 than the radially extending bore 306a.

[0038] More particularly, the guide member-receiving recess (e.g., 304) includes a first radially extending wall 312, a second radially extending wall 314 axially spaced apart from the first radially extending wall 312, and a floor wall 316 extending axially between the first radially extending wall 312 and the second radially extending wall 314. A first junction 318 (e.g., a radius) can connect the first radially extending wall 312 to the floor wall 316, and a second junction 320 connects the floor wall 316 to the second radially extending wall 314.

[0039] As Figure 5 can be seen and according to Figure 6 it can be extrapolated that the guide member-receiving recess can define a rectangular periphery 322 (complementarily shaped to the guide member 224) in a plane parallel to a tangent plane of the revolved surface 308. Moreover, the floor wall 316 can be flat and can have a floor wall surface area that is greater than a surface area of the first radially extending wall 312 or the second radially extending wall 314.

[0040] In some embodiments, the revolved surface 308 can define a constant diameter (e.g., 302) from the guide member-receiving recess (e.g., 304) to the proximal axial end 310.

[0041] Now, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a track carrier bushing 400 that can be supplied as part of a track carrier assembly 200 or as a replacement component will now be described.

[0042] In Figure 6 the track carrier bushing can include a body including a concave cambered surface 418 defining an axis of rotation 420, a radial direction 422, and a circumferential direction 424 disposed about the axis of rotation 420. The body can also have a first axial end 426 disposed along the axis of rotation 420 and a second axial end 428 disposed along the axis of rotation 420. A bore (see, e.g., 402) can be formed by the concave cambered surface 418 that extends axially through the first axial end 426 toward the second axial end 428.

[0043] As described earlier herein, the concave cambered surface 418 can include a press-fit portion 404 defining a press-fit diameter (see, e.g., 406) and a slip-fit portion 412 defining a slip-fit diameter 430 that is greater than the press-fit diameter (e.g., 406). The slip-fit portion 412 of the concave cambered surface 418 can extend axially from the press-fit portion 404 to the second axial end 428, but need not necessarily do so.

[0044] With continued reference to Figure 6 the body of the track carrier bushing 400 can define a guide member receiving slot (see, e.g., 416) extending from the first axial end 426 toward the second axial end 428.

[0045] Further, a transverse bore (see, e.g., 414) can extend radially through the body, the transverse bore being disposed axially at a circumferential boundary 432 disposed axially between the press-fit portion 404 and the slip-fit portion 412 of the concave cambered surface 418. The guide member receiving slot (e.g., 416) can extend past the circumferential boundary 432 in communication with the transverse bore (e.g., 414).

[0046] The guide member receiving slot (e.g., 416) can be defined by a first planar surface 434 extending parallel to a plane tangent to the concave cambered surface 418 and a second planar surface 436 extending perpendicular to the first planar surface 434. The L-shaped flange 408 can be disposed axially between the first axial end 426 and the circumferential boundary 432 and can extend radially outwardly from the body, terminating at a free end 438 axially facing the first axial end 426. The flange can at least partially form an end face seal receiving cavity (e.g., 410) disposed radially between the concave cambered surface 418 and the free end 438 of the L-shaped flange 408.

[0047] As used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with the phrase "one or more." Where only one item is intended, the term "one" or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms "has," "have," "having," "with," or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based, at least in part, on" unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0048] Any of the foregoing features can be changed to differ from what is described herein or shown in the drawings.

[0049] For many embodiments, the components of the track roller assembly can be cast using iron, gray iron, steel, or other suitable materials. Other materials can be used, as well as other manufacturing processes, such as any type of machining, forging, etc., to manufacture these components. Also, the configurations of any of the features discussed herein, as well as their dimensions, and / or their dimensional ratios, can vary depending on the intended application.

[0050] Industrial applicability

[0051] In fact, track roller assemblies, track roller collars, and track roller shafts according to any of the embodiments described herein can be sold, purchased, manufactured, or otherwise obtained in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or aftermarket environment.

[0052] Various embodiments of the track roller assembly, track roller collar, or track roller shaft can improve the wear life of the assembly or its various components by providing a more robust connection that reduces the likelihood of seal damage and associated lubrication loss. This provides the benefit that the frequency of maintenance can be reduced, increasing the profitability of the economic efforts using the machines described herein.

[0053] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments of devices and assembly methods discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the application. Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some of the devices can be constructed and function differently than has been described herein, and certain steps of any of the methods can be omitted, performed in a different order than specifically mentioned, or in some cases simultaneously or in sub-steps. Furthermore, changes or modifications can be made to certain aspects or features of various embodiments to yield further embodiments, and features and aspects of various embodiments can be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments to provide further embodiments.

[0054] Accordingly, the specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the application indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A track support roller collar (400), comprising: The main body includes a concave rotating surface (418) defining a rotation axis (420), a radial direction (422), and a circumferential direction (424) surrounding the rotation axis (420). A first axial end (426) and a second axial end (428) disposed along the rotation axis (420); and A borehole (402) is formed by the concave rotating surface (418) extending axially through the first axial end (426) toward the second axial end (428); The concave rotating surface (418) includes a press-fit portion (404) defining a press-fit diameter (406) and a sliding fit portion (412) defining a sliding fit diameter (430) larger than the press-fit diameter (406). The main body defines a transverse hole (414) extending radially through the main body, the transverse hole (414) being axially disposed at a circumferential boundary (432), the circumferential boundary (432) being axially disposed between the press-fit portion (404) and the sliding fit portion (412) of the concave rotary surface (418).

2. The track support roller collar (400) according to claim 1, wherein the sliding fit portion (412) of the concave rotating surface (418) extends axially from the press fit portion (404) to the second axial end (428).

3. The track support roller collar (400) according to claim 1, wherein the main body defines a guide member receiving groove (416) extending from the first axial end (426) toward the second axial end (428).

4. The track support roller collar (400) according to claim 3, wherein the guide member receiving groove (416) extends through the circumferential boundary (432) and communicates with the transverse hole (414).

5. The track support roller collar (400) according to claim 4, wherein the guide member receiving groove (416) is defined by a first flat surface (434) and a second flat surface (436), the first flat surface (434) extending parallel to a plane tangent to the concave rotating surface (418) of the borehole (402), the second flat surface (436) extending perpendicular to the first flat surface (434), and the track support roller collar (400) further includes L-shaped flange (408), which is axially disposed between the first axial end (426) and the circumferential boundary (424) and extends radially outward from the body, terminating at a free end (438) axially facing the first axial end (426), at least partially forming an end face seal receiving cavity (410), which is radially disposed between the concave rotating surface (418) and the free end (438) of the L-shaped flange (408).

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