Crawler chassis and method for levelling thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a tracked chassis and its leveling method. The tracked chassis includes a frame, a track assembly, and a leveling mechanism. The track assembly has two sets, respectively hinged to both sides of the frame in the width direction via support shafts. The leveling mechanism includes a fixed part and an adjusting part that allows the frame to rotate relative to the support shafts. The fixed part is also fixedly connected to the track assembly, and the adjusting part is connected to the frame. The fixed part and the adjusting part are movably connected. The method is applied to the aforementioned tracked chassis. In this application, when the frame cannot maintain a horizontal state due to uneven load, the leveling mechanism is adjusted to allow the frame to rotate back to a horizontal state, ensuring the frame maintains stability without affecting the normal operation of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tracked vehicle technology, and more particularly to a tracked chassis and its leveling method. Background Technology

[0002] In order to maintain the stability of the vehicle, the chassis of commonly used tracked engineering vehicles are equipped with corresponding elastic shock absorption mechanisms. For example, when loading goods, as long as the goods are evenly laid out, the vehicle chassis will remain level. If the superstructure installed on the chassis is a crane, the load will cause uneven stress on the chassis's elastic shock absorption mechanism, making it unable to maintain the chassis's level. In this case, support legs will be installed around the chassis to replace the chassis's elastic shock absorption mechanism and support the chassis to maintain its level.

[0003] However, in some engineering vehicle applications, the superstructure needs to maintain a level chassis while the vehicle is in motion. Simultaneously, the superstructure requires adjustments to its front and rear positions according to the task requirements, resulting in an imbalance in the chassis's elastic damping mechanism and preventing the chassis from remaining level. The method of installing support legs around the chassis to replace the chassis's elastic damping mechanism for maintaining levelness is unsuitable for use while the vehicle is in motion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a tracked chassis and its leveling method, which can be leveled when the vehicle is in normal driving.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A tracked chassis, characterized in that it includes a frame, a track assembly, and a leveling mechanism; the track assembly is provided in two sets, which are respectively hinged to both sides of the frame in the width direction via support shafts; the leveling mechanism includes a fixed part and an adjusting part that allows the frame to rotate relative to the support shafts through adjustment, the fixed part is fixedly connected to the track assembly, the adjusting part is connected to the frame, and the fixed part is movably connected to the adjusting part.

[0007] As a further improvement to the above solution:

[0008] The leveling mechanism also includes a shock-absorbing part, which can apply an elastic force to the frame when the frame tilts.

[0009] The fixing part includes a lower support plate, the adjusting part includes a leveling screw, and the damping part includes an upper support plate and a spring. The spring is vertically arranged, the lower support plate is fixedly connected to the lower end of the spring, and the upper support plate is fixedly connected to the upper end of the spring. The leveling screw also passes through the upper support plate and is threadedly connected to the upper support plate.

[0010] Each track assembly includes two sets of leveling mechanisms, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the support shaft along the length of the frame; each set of leveling mechanisms is provided with at least two springs, and the leveling screw is located in the middle of the upper support plate.

[0011] A gap is provided between the lower support plate and the leveling screw to prevent interference between them when the frame tilts.

[0012] The track assembly includes a traveling bracket, a bearing seat is fixedly connected to the frame, and a bearing is provided on the bearing seat; one end of the support shaft is connected to the traveling bracket, and the other end is connected to the bearing.

[0013] The track assembly also includes a drive wheel and an idler wheel, which are respectively disposed at both ends of the traveling bracket along the length of the vehicle. The central axes of the support shaft, the drive wheel, and the idler wheel are located on the same horizontal plane, and the support shaft is equally spaced between the central axes of the drive wheel and the idler wheel.

[0014] The lower support plate is fixedly connected to the walking bracket; the spring is installed inside the frame, and the frame is provided with avoidance holes to prevent interference with the lower support plate when it rotates.

[0015] The leveling screw has a threaded middle section, and both ends of the leveling screw pass through the vehicle frame. The upper end of the leveling screw has a shoulder that is engaged with the upper part of the vehicle frame. The shoulder has a square structure for rotating and adjusting the leveling screw. The lower end of the leveling screw has an annular groove, and a retaining ring is engaged in the annular groove. A gasket is provided between the retaining ring and the vehicle frame.

[0016] A leveling method for a tracked chassis, characterized in that it is applied to the aforementioned tracked chassis and includes the following steps:

[0017] S1. Determine the leveling mechanism that needs adjustment and the adjustment direction of the leveling screw in the leveling mechanism by the direction of the frame imbalance; when the frame tilts downward, the spring of the leveling mechanism is in a compressed state; when the frame tilts upward, the spring of the leveling mechanism is in a stretched state.

[0018] S2. For a leveling mechanism where the spring is in a compressed state, the leveling screw of the leveling mechanism is rotated to move the leveling screw upward relative to the upper support plate; for a leveling mechanism where the spring is in a stretched state, the leveling screw of the leveling mechanism is rotated in the opposite direction to move the leveling screw downward relative to the upper support plate until the frame is restored to a horizontal position, thus completing the leveling.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0020] This invention proposes a tracked chassis and its leveling method. A support shaft is installed between the chassis and the track assembly to form a hinge, allowing the chassis to swing relative to the chassis via the support shaft. Simultaneously, a leveling mechanism is provided between the chassis and the track assembly. When the chassis cannot maintain a horizontal state due to uneven load, the leveling mechanism is adjusted to allow the chassis to rotate back to a horizontal state, ensuring the chassis maintains stability without affecting the normal operation of the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic side perspective view of the tracked chassis structure in the embodiment of the device, where C represents the rotation direction of the chassis.

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial sectional view at point AA.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial sectional view at point BB.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the frame shifts in the embodiment of the device, where G represents the direction of frame shift.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram of the vehicle frame after leveling in the embodiment of the device.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the leveling mechanism in the embodiment of the device.

[0027] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the FF direction.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a top view of the structure of the leveling screw in the embodiment of the device.

[0029] The labels in the diagram represent:

[0030] 1. Chassis; 11. Bearing housing; 12. Bearing; 13. Clearance hole; 2. Track assembly; 21. Traveling bracket; 22. Drive wheel; 23. Idler wheel; 24. Trailer wheel; 25. Road wheel; 26. Track; 3. Leveling mechanism; 31. Lower support plate; 32. Upper support plate; 33. Spring; 34. Leveling screw; 341. Shoulder; 342. Annular groove; 343. Retaining ring; 344. Shim; 345. Square structure; 346. Clearance; 4. Support shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] Device Example:

[0033] Figures 1 to 8 An embodiment of a tracked chassis according to the present invention is shown, including a frame 1, a track assembly 2, and a leveling mechanism 3. The track assembly 2 has two sets of supports hinged to both sides of the frame 1 in the width direction via support shafts 4. The leveling mechanism 3 includes a fixing part and an adjusting part that allows the frame 1 to rotate relative to the support shafts 4. The fixing part is movably connected to the adjusting part and is also fixedly connected to the track assembly 2. The adjusting part is connected to the frame 1. In this structure, the frame 1 and the track assembly 2 are hinged by the support shafts 4, allowing the frame 1 to swing relative to the support shafts 4. Figure 1 As shown in direction C. At the same time, a leveling mechanism 3 is provided between the frame 1 and the track assembly 2. When the frame 1 cannot maintain a horizontal state due to uneven load, the leveling mechanism 3 is adjusted to make the frame 1 rotate back to a horizontal state, so that the frame 1 can maintain stability without affecting the normal driving of the vehicle.

[0034] In this embodiment, the leveling mechanism 3 also includes a shock-absorbing part, which can apply an elastic force to the frame 1 when the frame 1 tilts. Specifically, the fixing part includes a lower support plate 31, the adjusting part includes a leveling screw 34, and the shock-absorbing part includes an upper support plate 32 and a spring 33. The spring 33 is vertically arranged and its lower end is fixedly connected to the lower support plate 31, and its upper end is fixedly connected to the upper support plate 32. The lower support plate 31 is fixedly connected to the track assembly 2, the leveling screw 34 is vertically arranged and hinged to the frame 1, and the leveling screw 34 is also threadedly connected to the upper support plate 32. In this structure, the spring 33 acts as an elastic shock absorber, ensuring the stability of the vehicle. For details, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 When the chassis load center of gravity deviates in the direction of arrow F, the track assembly 2 remains unchanged under the support of the ground, while the frame 1, which bears the load of the shifted center of gravity, swings in direction G around the support shaft 4. This causes the leveling screw 34 to move the upper support plate 32 in direction G until the elastic force of the spring 33 and the load weight are balanced. At this point, the frame 1 is no longer level. Please refer to [link / reference] for details. Figure 4 If the chassis needs to be leveled at this time, simply adjust the leveling screw 34. The leveling screw 34 will move the upper support plate 32, causing the frame 1 to rotate in the opposite direction of G until the frame 1 returns to level.

[0035] In this embodiment, a set of leveling mechanisms 3 is provided with at least two springs 33, and a leveling screw 34 is set in the middle of the upper support plate 32; each spring 33 is independently configured with a lower support plate 31; a set of track assemblies 2 includes two sets of leveling mechanisms 3, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the support shaft 4 along the vehicle length direction. In this structure, by setting multiple springs 33 in a set of leveling mechanisms 3, the shock absorption effect of the leveling device is improved; a gap 346 is left between each lower support plate 31 and the leveling screw 34 to avoid interference between the leveling screw 34 and the lower support frame 31 during the tilting process of the frame 1; by setting the leveling screw 34 in the middle of the upper support plate 32, the uniformity of the force on the support plate is improved, ensuring the structural stability of the leveling mechanism 3; by symmetrically arranging the leveling mechanisms 3 on both sides of the support shaft 4 along the vehicle length direction, when the frame 1 is unbalanced, only the leveling screws 34 on both sides need to be adjusted to make the frame 1 rotate until the frame 1 is horizontal.

[0036] In this embodiment, the track assembly 2 includes a traveling bracket 21, a bearing seat 11 is fixedly connected to the frame 1, and a bearing 12 is provided on the bearing seat 11; one end of the support shaft 4 is fixedly connected to the traveling bracket 21, and the other end is connected to the bearing 12. Through this structure, the track assembly 2 and the frame 1 are hinged together.

[0037] In this embodiment, the track assembly 2 further includes a drive wheel 22 and an idler wheel 23. The drive wheel 22 and the idler wheel 23 are respectively disposed at both ends of the traveling bracket 21 along the length of the vehicle. The central axes of the support shaft 4, the drive wheel 22, and the idler wheel 23 are located on the same horizontal plane, and the support shaft 4 is evenly spaced between the central axes of the drive wheel 22 and the idler wheel 23. Specifically, several track rollers are provided above the traveling bracket 21, and several load-bearing rollers 25 are provided below the traveling bracket 21. The track 26 covers the outer side of the track rollers and the load-bearing rollers 25. Through this structure, the support shaft 4 is located at the center of the track assembly 2, and the leveling mechanisms 3 on both sides of the support shaft 4 are subjected to more balanced forces and are easier to adjust.

[0038] In this embodiment, the lower support plate 31 is fixedly connected to the traveling bracket 21; the spring 33 is disposed inside the frame 1, and the frame 1 is provided with a clearance hole 13 to prevent interference with the lower support plate 31 when it rotates. Through this structure, the spring 33 can be disposed inside the frame 1, so that the frame 1 has a certain protective effect on the leveling mechanism 3, and it is convenient for the leveling mechanism 3 to apply force to the frame for leveling.

[0039] In this embodiment, the middle section of the leveling screw 34 is threaded, and both ends of the leveling screw 34 pass through the frame 1. The upper end of the leveling screw 34 is provided with a shoulder 341 that is engaged with the upper part of the frame 1. The shoulder 341 is provided with a square structure 345 for rotating and adjusting the leveling screw 34. The lower end of the leveling screw 34 is provided with an annular groove 342. A retaining ring 343 is engaged in the annular groove, and a gasket 344 is provided between the retaining ring 343 and the frame 1.

[0040] In this structure, the middle section of the leveling screw 34 is threaded to connect with the upper support plate 32. Both the upper and lower ends of the leveling screw 34 are hinged to the frame 1, so that the upper support plate 32 can be adjusted up and down on the leveling screw 34 by rotating the leveling screw 34. The shoulder 341 and the retaining ring 343 are used to limit the axial movement of the leveling screw 34. The square structure 345 is a prism with a square cross-section, which facilitates the rotational adjustment of the leveling screw 34 through the square structure 345.

[0041] Method Implementation Examples:

[0042] A leveling method for a tracked chassis, applied to the tracked chassis in the device embodiment, specifically includes the following steps:

[0043] S1. Based on the unbalanced direction of the frame 1, determine the leveling mechanism 3 that needs to be adjusted, and the adjustment direction of the leveling screw 34 in the leveling mechanism 3. Among them, the spring 33 of the leveling mechanism 3 that is closer to the tilt direction of the frame 1 is in a compressed state, and the spring 33 of the leveling mechanism 3 that is farther from the tilt direction of the vehicle body is in a stretched state.

[0044] S2. For the leveling mechanism 3 in the compressed state of the spring 33, the leveling screw 34 of the leveling mechanism 3 is rotated to move the leveling screw 34 upward relative to the upper support plate 32; at the same time, for the leveling mechanism 3 in the stretched state of the spring 33, the leveling screw 34 of the leveling mechanism 3 is rotated in the opposite direction to move the leveling screw 34 downward relative to the upper support plate 32 until the frame 1 returns to level, thus completing the leveling.

[0045] The adjustment schemes for the chassis 1 when tilted forward or backward relative to the track assembly are shown in the table below:

[0046]

[0047] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solutions of the present invention, or modify them into equivalent embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention, without departing from the scope of the present invention, should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tracked chassis, characterized in that: The vehicle includes a frame (1), a track assembly (2), and a leveling mechanism (3). The track assembly (2) has two sets, which are respectively hinged to both sides of the frame (1) in the width direction via a support shaft (4). The leveling mechanism (3) includes a fixed part and an adjusting part that allows the frame (1) to rotate relative to the support shaft (4) through adjustment. The fixed part is fixedly connected to the track assembly (2), the adjusting part is connected to the frame (1), and the fixed part is movably connected to the adjusting part. The leveling mechanism (3) also includes a shock-absorbing part, which can apply an elastic force to the frame (1) when the frame (1) tilts. The fixing part includes a lower support plate (31), the adjusting part includes a leveling screw (34), and the damping part includes an upper support plate (32) and a spring (33). The spring (33) is vertically arranged. The lower support plate (31) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the spring (33), and the upper support plate (32) is fixedly connected to the upper end of the spring (33). The leveling screw (34) also passes through the upper support plate (32) and is threadedly connected to the upper support plate (32). The single track assembly (2) includes two sets of leveling mechanisms (3), which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the support shaft (4) along the length direction of the frame (1); Both ends of the leveling screw (34) pass through the frame (1). The upper end of the leveling screw (34) is provided with a shoulder (341) that is engaged with the frame (1). The lower end of the leveling screw (34) is provided with an annular groove (342). A retaining ring (343) is engaged in the annular groove. A gasket (344) is provided between the retaining ring (343) and the frame (1).

2. The tracked chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The leveling mechanism (3) is provided with at least two springs (33), and the leveling screw (34) is located in the middle of the upper support plate (32).

3. The tracked chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gap (346) is reserved between the lower support plate (31) and the leveling screw (34) to prevent interference between the two when the frame (1) tilts.

4. The tracked chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The track assembly (2) includes a walking bracket (21), a bearing seat (11) is fixedly connected to the frame (1), and a bearing (12) is provided on the bearing seat (11); one end of the support shaft (4) is connected to the walking bracket (21), and the other end is connected to the bearing (12).

5. The tracked chassis according to claim 4, characterized in that: The track assembly (2) further includes a drive wheel (22) and an idler wheel (23). The drive wheel (22) and the idler wheel (23) are respectively disposed at both ends of the walking bracket (21) along the length of the vehicle. The central axes of the support shaft (4), the drive wheel (22) and the idler wheel (23) are located on the same horizontal plane, and the support shaft (4) is equally spaced between the central axes of the drive wheel (22) and the idler wheel (23).

6. The tracked chassis according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lower support plate (31) is fixedly connected to the walking bracket (21); the spring (33) is set inside the frame (1), and the frame (1) is provided with a clearance hole (13) to avoid interference with the lower support plate (31) when it rotates.

7. The tracked chassis according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The middle section of the leveling screw (34) is threaded, and the shoulder (341) is provided with a square structure (345) for rotating and adjusting the leveling screw (34).

8. A leveling method for a tracked chassis according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1. Determine the leveling mechanism (3) that needs to be adjusted and the adjustment direction of the leveling screw (34) in the leveling mechanism (3) by the imbalance direction of the frame (1); wherein, when the frame (1) tilts downward, the spring (33) of the leveling mechanism (3) is in a compressed state; when the frame (1) tilts upward, the spring (33) of the leveling mechanism (3) is in a stretched state. S2. For the leveling mechanism (3) in the compressed state of the spring (33), the leveling screw (34) of the leveling mechanism (3) is rotated to move the leveling screw (34) upward relative to the upper support plate (32); for the leveling mechanism (3) in the stretched state of the spring (33), the leveling screw (34) of the leveling mechanism (3) is rotated in the opposite direction to move the leveling screw (34) downward relative to the upper support plate (32) until the frame (1) is restored to level, and the leveling is completed.

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