Caterpillar track section assembly, caterpillar track system and engineering machinery

Abstract

The invention relates to a caterpillar track section assembly and a caterpillar track system and engineering machinery comprising the caterpillar track section assembly. The caterpillar track section assembly comprises a left caterpillar track section, a right caterpillar track section, two bushings and a pin shaft connected with the left caterpillar track section and the right caterpillar track section. The left chain track section is provided with a first left hole and a second left hole; the right chain track section is provided with a first right hole and a second right hole; the two bushings are respectively mounted in the second left hole and the second right hole; the pin shaft comprises a middle section as well as a first section and a second section which are positioned on the two sides of the middle section, and the first section and the second section are respectively arranged in the first left hole and the first right hole in a penetrating manner in an interference fit manner and are jointed with the two bushings of the other chain track section assembly in a clearance fit manner; wherein the intermediate section has a projection configured to be engageable with a drive wheel of the construction machine. According to the caterpillar track section assembly, the protrusions are directly meshed with the driving wheel of the engineering machine, the number of manufacturing procedures of a caterpillar track system and even the whole engineering machine is reduced, and therefore the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to ground engaging track systems for work machines, and more particularly to track link assemblies for use with track systems. Background Art

[0002] Engineering machinery such as bulldozers and excavators often use crawler tracks as ground-engaging propulsion elements. Such crawler tracks usually include multiple pairs of track links connected in a ring shape and track shoes fixed to the track links, each pair of track links includes left and right track links arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner, and the two track links are connected to each other and to an adjacent pair of track links through a pin shaft.

[0003] In the prior art, the symmetrically arranged left and right track links are connected at one end by a pin sleeve fixed in their corresponding pin sleeve holes, and the pin shaft can be inserted into the pin sleeve. The other ends of the left and right track links are respectively provided with through holes, and the pin shaft extends from both ends of the pin sleeve and passes through the through holes to connect a pair of adjacent track links. However, this structure of the track link, the pin shaft, and the pin sleeve cannot directly meet the requirements of the engagement with the driving wheel of the engineering machinery, but needs to be engaged with the driving wheel by setting up another component on the basis of the structure, resulting in a cumbersome manufacturing process of the entire crawler and high costs.

[0004] In addition, in the prior art, the pin sleeve holes all penetrate the left track segment and the right track segment, so that during the long-term use of the crawler track, the lubricating oil between the pin sleeve and the pin shaft is easily lost, resulting in a continuous decrease in the lubrication effect. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure is to solve at least one of the above problems and / or other problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] On the one hand, the present disclosure provides a track link assembly, the track link assembly comprising a left track link, a right track link, two bushings and a pin connecting the left track link with the right track link. The left track link comprises a first left segment having a first left hole and a second left segment connected to the first left segment and having a second left hole; the right track link comprises a first right segment having a first right hole and a second right segment connected to the first right segment and having a second right hole, wherein the left track link and the right track link are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner and are configured such that the distance between the first left segment and the first right segment is less than the distance between the second left segment and the second right segment. The two bushings are respectively installed in the second left hole and the second right hole. The pin comprises a middle section and a first section and a second section located on both sides of the middle section, the first section and the second section respectively pass through the first left hole and the first right hole in an interference fit manner, and are configured to be engaged with two bushings of another track link assembly in a clearance fit manner. The middle section of the pin shaft has a protrusion protruding outward perpendicularly to the central axis of the pin shaft, and the protrusion is configured to engage with a driving wheel of a construction machine.

[0007] In the track link assembly disclosed in the present invention, the left and right track links are connected by a shaped pin shaft with a protrusion formed in the middle section. The protrusion of the shaped pin shaft can be used to directly engage with the gear teeth of the driving wheel of the engineering machinery, and there is no need to set other features for engaging with the driving wheel of the engineering machinery in the crawler system, which reduces the manufacturing process of the crawler system and even the entire engineering machinery, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. This solution is particularly suitable for the working conditions of small and medium-sized engineering machinery, such as excavators.

[0008] In addition, in the track link assembly of the present disclosure, the holes for receiving the two bushings, i.e., the second left hole of the left track link and the second right hole of the right track link, can be configured as blind holes, thereby forming an end face packaging structure. In this way, when the pin shaft and the sleeve are matched, a sealed lubrication cavity can be formed through sealing by the sealing ring, thereby reducing the loss of lubricating medium between the pin sleeve and the pin shaft and avoiding the deterioration of the lubrication effect.

[0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a track system, the track system comprising the track link assemblies as described above, the track link assemblies being connected in series with each other.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a construction machine, the construction machine comprising the track link assembly or the crawler system as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be clearly understood through the detailed description provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following drawings are only schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale, and thus cannot be regarded as limiting the present invention, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 A side view of a construction machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 2 A perspective view of a track link assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 A perspective view of the pin of the track link assembly is shown.

[0015] Figure 4 Show multiple Figure 2 The shown figure is a top view of the track link assemblies connected in series into a ring and cut away at the joints.

[0016] Figure 5 Show Figure 4 The shown section is a sectional view of the track link assembly along line AA. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth so that those skilled in the art can more fully understand and implement the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be implemented without some of these specific details. In addition, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, it is contemplated that any combination of the features and elements described below may be used to implement the present invention, regardless of whether they relate to different embodiments. Therefore, the following aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are intended for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as elements or limitations of the claims unless explicitly stated in the claims.

[0018] In the following, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used to describe the elements of the present application. These terms are only used to distinguish the various elements, and are not used to limit the nature, order or number of these elements. The terms "including" and "having" are used to express an open-ended inclusive meaning, and mean that there may be additional elements / components in addition to the listed elements / components.

[0019] See also Figure 1, which shows a construction machine 100 including a track-type ground-engaging propulsion element. The construction machine 100 is shown as a track-type tractor, but it can also be a track-type excavator, loader or any of a variety of other machines. The construction machine 100 can include a track system 110, which can be one of two separate track systems arranged on opposite sides of a frame 120 of the construction machine 100 in a conventional manner. The track system 110 can include a track roller frame 130 connected to the frame 120 and a plurality of rotatable track engagement elements 140, 150 and 160. In one embodiment, the track engagement elements 140 and 150 can be rotatable idler wheels that are passively rotated during operation of the track system 110, and the track engagement element 160 can be a drive wheel for driving the track system 110, which can have teeth for engaging and, in particular, inserting between the track links of the track system. Track system 110 may further include a plurality of track rollers 170 mounted to track roller frame 130. Track system 110 may further include a track 180 extending around track engaging elements 140, 150, and 160 and track rollers 170. Track 180 may include a plurality of pairs of track links and a plurality of track shoes 181 connected to the pairs of track links. Track roller 170 may abut against left track link 1 and / or right track link 2 adjacent thereto.

[0020] Figure 2 A track link assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The track link assembly according to this embodiment mainly includes a left track link 1, a right track link 2, two bushings 3, and a pin 4 connecting the left track link 1 and the right track link 2. The track link assembly can be connected to another track link assembly having the same structure via the pin 4. The right track link 2 and the left track link 1 are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner with the plane perpendicular to the central axis of the pin 4 as the symmetry plane.

[0021] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4 The left chain track section 1 may include a substantially longitudinal direction (ie, the traveling direction of the engineering machinery, Figure 2 The first left segment 12 and the second left segment 14 are connected to the first left segment 12. The two left segments can be connected by a connecting plate or can be formed in one piece. The first left segment 12 and the second left segment 14 are connected in a transverse direction (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Figure 2 The left track segment 1 is offset relative to each other in the vertical direction (in the vertical direction), so that the left track segment 1 as a whole presents a substantially reverse "Z"-shaped profile. On this basis, the left track segment 1 can also include an intermediate left segment connected between the first left segment 12 and the second left segment 14, and the intermediate left segment has an approximately flat upper surface and a lower surface ( Figure 2The first left segment 12 and the second left segment 14 are respectively provided with a first left hole 11 for the pin shaft 4 to pass through and a second left hole 13 for the pin shaft 4 of the next adjacent track link assembly to pass through.

[0022] Continue to refer Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the right track link 2 may also include a first right segment 22 and a second right segment 24 extending approximately in the longitudinal direction and connected to each other. Similar to the construction of the first left segment 12 and the second left segment 14, the first right segment 22 and the second right segment 24 are offset relative to each other in the transverse direction, thereby making the right track link 2 as a whole present a substantially "Z"-shaped profile. Similarly, the right track link 2 may also include an intermediate right segment connected between the first right segment 22 and the second right segment 24, the intermediate right segment having an approximately flat upper surface and a lower surface to respectively combine the track roller 170 and the track shoe 181. The first right segment 22 and the second right segment 24 are respectively provided with a first right hole 21 for the pin shaft 4 to pass through and a second right hole 23 for the pin shaft 4 of the next adjacent track link assembly to pass through.

[0023] Here, it should be pointed out that the left track link 1 and the right track link 2 can also be constructed without an intermediate left segment and an intermediate right segment, but only include the first left segment 12 and the second left segment 14, and the first right segment 22 and the second right segment 24 that smoothly transition from the middle part of the left track link 1 and the right track link 2 to both ends along the longitudinal direction, and the first left segment 12 and the second left segment 14 smoothly transition to the side close to and away from the right track link 2 relative to the middle part of the left track link 1, respectively, and the first right segment 22 and the second right segment 24 smoothly transition to the side close to and away from the middle part of the right track link 2, respectively.

[0024] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, in the track link assembly of the present embodiment, the second left segment 14 of the left track link 1 is offset on the left side of the first left segment 12 thereof in the direction away from the right track link 2, and the second right segment 24 of the right track link 2 is offset on the left side of the first right segment 22 thereof in the direction away from the left track link 1, so that the distance between the first left segment 12 and the first right segment 22 is smaller than the distance between the second left segment 14 and the second right segment 24.

[0025] Continue to refer Figure 2 and Figure 4, the first left segment 12 has a first left hole 11, and the second left segment 14 has a second left hole 13. The first right segment 22 has a first right hole 21, and the second right segment 24 has a second right hole 23. The two bushings 3 are respectively installed in the second left hole 13 and the second right hole 23, and when the left track link 1 and the right track link 2 are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner, the second left hole 13 and the second right hole 23 are also mirror-symmetrical, so that the two bushings 3 are also mirror-symmetrical. The diameter of the second left hole 13 and the diameter of the second right hole 23 can be designed to allow the bushing 3 to be fixed therein in a press-fit manner. Preferably, the axial dimension of the bushing 3 is less than or equal to the axial dimension of the corresponding second left hole 13 or second right hole 23.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the pin shaft 4 includes a middle section 41, and a first section 42 and a second section 43 located on both sides of the middle section 41. The outer diameter of the first section 42 and the second section 43 can be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the bushing 3, so that the two bushings 3 of another track link assembly can be engaged with the first section 42 and the second section 43 in a clearance fit manner.

[0027] Advantageously, the middle section 41 of the pin 4 has a protrusion 411 protruding outwardly perpendicular to the central axis of the pin 4, and the protrusion 411 is configured to engage with the driving wheel of the construction machine. In this case, the middle section 41 also has a groove 412 located on the opposite side of the protrusion 411, and the groove 412 can be located on the same diameter of the pin 4 as the protrusion 411.

[0028] Preferably, the groove 412 and the protrusion 411 are formed by forging the middle section 41 along a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin 4. To this end, the pin 4 can be placed between the upper and lower anvils of a forging device and an external force perpendicular to the central axis of the pin 4 can be directly applied to the pin 4, so that the middle section 41 of the pin 4 forms the groove 412 and the protrusion 411 along the direction of application of the external force. This can also be called a free forging process. In this embodiment, the gear teeth of the driving wheel can be engaged in the groove 412 one by one, or two adjacent gear teeth can be engaged with the protrusion 411.

[0029] Of course, the groove 412 and the protrusion 411 may also be formed so as not to be aligned on the same diameter of the pin 4, and the formation of the protrusion 411 and the groove 412 includes but is not limited to the forging process mentioned above.

[0030] Preferably, the first section 42 of the pin 4 may include a first inner section and a first outer section connected in sequence, wherein the first inner section is adjacent to the middle section 41 and is used for interference fit connection with the first left section 12 of one track link assembly, and the first outer section is used for clearance fit connection with the bushing 3 in the second left hole 13 of another track link assembly. Thus, the diameter of the first inner section and the diameter of the second inner section depend on the diameter of the first left hole of the left track link 1 and the inner diameter of the bushing 3 in the second left hole. The first inner section and the first outer section may have the same or different diameters. Similarly, the second section 43 may include a second inner section and a second outer section connected in sequence, and its structure is similar to that of the first section 42, which will not be repeated here.

[0031] In a more preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the second left hole 13 and the second right hole 23 are both configured as blind holes. The opening end of the second left hole 13 faces the right track link 2, and the opening end of the second right hole 23 faces the left track link 1. In this way, when the first section 42 and the second section 43 of the pin 4 pass through the first left hole 11 and the first right hole 21 respectively to connect the left track link 1 and the right track link 2 to form a track link assembly, and are inserted into the second left hole and the second right hole of another track link assembly adjacent to the track link assembly (especially into the bushing 3 in these holes), a closed gap can be formed in the corresponding second left hole and the second right hole. The gap can be used to accommodate a lubricating medium so as to lubricate the bushing 3 and the pin 4 that can rotate relative to each other.

[0032] In a further preferred embodiment, the track link assembly further comprises two sealing rings 5. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a sealing ring 5 (located at Figure 5 The left side of the second left hole 13 is arranged at the axial end of the second right hole 23, and another sealing ring 5 (located at Figure 5 The second right hole 23 is provided at the axial end of the second right hole 23 facing the second left hole 13. By providing two sealing rings 5, the gaps formed in the second left hole 13 and the second right hole 23 as described above can be sealed to prevent the lubricating medium filled in the gaps from being lost.

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment, continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5The second left segment 14 of the left track link 1 is provided with a left sealing groove 141 for installing a sealing ring 5 at a position corresponding to the axial end of the second left hole 13. The left sealing groove 141 is annular and coaxial with the second left hole 13. The sealing ring 5 can be made of silicone, plastic and other materials, and preferably has a "W"-shaped cross-section and has the characteristics of elastic expansion and contraction along its axial direction. When the sealing ring 5 is set in the sealing groove, it can be squeezed and deformed by the first left segment of another adjacent track link assembly (for the left track link), thereby ensuring reliable sealing. Similarly, the second right segment 24 is provided with a right sealing groove 241 for installing another sealing ring 5 at a position corresponding to the axial end of the second right hole 23. The structure of the right sealing groove 241 is similar to that of the left sealing groove 141, which will not be repeated here.

[0034] The present disclosure also provides a track system and engineering machinery including the above-mentioned track link assembly. The track system may include a plurality of track link assemblies as described above. These track link assemblies may be connected in series with each other, such as Figure 4 As shown, the pin 4 of the first left track link assembly also connects the second left segment 14 and the second right segment 24 of the second track link assembly adjacent to the right side thereof to form a long chain-shaped crawler track 180 instead of an annular crawler track 180 .

[0035] It is worth noting that Figure 4 The figure shows the treatment of the long chain-like annular crawler 180 at its two end joints. The figure shows three pins arranged from left to right. The pin in the middle is still connected by a conventional pin plus a pin sleeve structure. The left and right track segments located on the end side of the pin can adopt a conventional structure (that is, the second left hole of the left track segment and the second right hole of the right track segment are constructed as through holes). The conventional pin can completely penetrate the second left hole and the second right hole, which is convenient for first connecting the middle left track segment and the right track segment to the conventional pin sleeve. The second left hole of the left track segment on the right side and the second right hole of the right track segment can be aligned with the hole position of the conventional pin sleeve, so that the pin 4 is directly connected by Figure 4 The upper or lower side of the crawler track 180 is pressed into the pin sleeve, thereby conveniently configuring the long chain-like crawler track 180 into an endless crawler track 180.

[0036] Industrial Applicability

[0037] The track link assembly according to the present disclosure is applicable to crawler-type engineering machinery, and is particularly applicable to crawler-type tractors, crawler-type excavators, crawler-type loaders or other engineering machinery that require crawler systems for support and walking.

[0038] In the prior art, the bushing is arranged between the pin shaft and the first left segment and the first right segment, respectively, so that the pin shaft cannot directly engage with the driving wheel of the engineering machinery. However, the first left segment 12 and the first right segment 22 of the present application are respectively fixed with the first segment 42 and the second segment 43 of the pin shaft 4 by interference fit, and the bushing 3 is arranged between the second left segment 14 and the second right segment 24 and the pin shaft 4, respectively, so that Figure 4 The second left segment 14 and the second right segment 24 in the middle are respectively connected with the first segment 42 and the second segment 43 of the left adjacent track link assembly through the bushing 3 in a clearance fit manner, which ensures that the track 180 has a certain degree of freedom and can also vacate the position of the middle segment 41 of the pin 4, so that the protrusion 411 and the groove 412 can be set in the middle segment 41, and one of the groove 412 or the protrusion 411 is used to mesh with the gear teeth of the driving wheel to meet the rotation of the track. By replacing the pin and the pin sleeve of the prior art with this structure, the manufacturing process can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0039] The present disclosure configures the holes (i.e., the second left hole 13 and the second right hole 23) of the chain track link for accommodating the bushing as blind holes, so that after the bushing 3 is installed in these holes in a press-fit manner and the pin 4 is inserted into the bushing 3, a space or gap for accommodating a lubricating medium can be formed in these holes, so that the bushing and the pin that rotate relatively can be lubricated. Moreover, the provision of the sealing ring 5 ensures the sealing of the gap, thereby ensuring the long-term lubrication effect on the bushing 3 and the pin 4.

[0040] When assembling the crawler 180, the first track link assembly can be assembled first. That is, the protrusion 411 or the groove 412 of the pin 4 is directed toward the side of the gear teeth to be connected to the driving wheel, and the left track link 1 and the right track link 2 are respectively connected to the first section 42 and the second section 43 by means of interference fit.

[0041] Then, the second track link is assembled directly on the basis of the first track link assembly. That is, the second left hole 13 of the left track link 1 and the second right hole 23 of the right track link 2 of the second track link assembly are aligned with the first section 42 and the second section 43 of the pin 4 of the first track link assembly respectively, and the first section 42 of the pin 4 of the second track link assembly is aligned with the first left hole 11 and the first right hole 21 of the track link assembly, and the left track link 1 and the right track link 2 are pressed onto the pin 4 of the first track link assembly by a press machine, and the left track link 1 and the right track link 2 are pressed onto the pin 4 of the second track link assembly. In this way, multiple track link assemblies are connected to form a long chain-shaped crawler 180. The last track link assembly of the crawler 180 adopts a conventional track link assembly structure, that is, the second left hole of the left track link and the second right hole of the right track link are through holes, and the left track link and the right track link of the track link assembly are respectively connected with the pin sleeve in an interference fit manner, such as Figure 4 As shown in .

[0042] Finally, the long chain-like crawlers 180 are connected in series to form a ring-shaped crawler 180. The second left hole 13 and the second right hole 23 of the first track link assembly are aligned with the pin sleeve of the last conventional track link assembly, and a conventional pin shaft is sequentially passed through the second left hole of the first track link assembly, the pin sleeve, and the second right hole of the first track link assembly by a press, so that the conventional pin shaft is connected with the last conventional left track link and right track link by interference fit, the pin sleeve is connected with the first pair of left track link and right track link by interference fit, and the pin sleeve is connected with the pin shaft by clearance fit to ensure the freedom of the crawler 180 in this section of the connection.

[0043] For those skilled in the art, various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments disclosed above without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the practice of the present invention disclosed in this specification. This specification and the examples disclosed therein should be considered to be illustrative only, and the true scope of the present invention is specified by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A track link assembly, comprising: A left chain track segment (1), the left chain track segment (1) comprising a first left segment (12) having a first left hole (11) and a second left segment (14) connected to the first left segment (12) and having a second left hole (13); A right track link (2), the right track link (2) comprising a first right segment (22) having a first right hole (21) and a second right segment (24) connected to the first right segment (22) and having a second right hole (23), wherein the left track link (1) and the right track link (2) are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner and are configured such that the distance between the first left segment (12) and the first right segment (22) is smaller than the distance between the second left segment (14) and the second right segment (24); two bushings (3), the two bushings (3) being installed in the second left hole (13) and the second right hole (23) respectively; and a pin shaft (4) for connecting the left chain track link (1) with the right chain track link (2), the pin shaft (4) comprising a middle section (41) and a first section (42) and a second section (43) located on both sides of the middle section, the first section (42) and the second section (43) respectively passing through the first left hole (11) and the first right hole (21) in an interference fit manner, and being configured to engage with two bushings (3) of another chain track link assembly in a clearance fit manner; The middle section (41) has a protrusion (411) protruding outward perpendicularly to the central axis of the pin shaft, and the protrusion (411) is configured to be engageable with a driving wheel of an engineering machine.

2. The track link assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle section (41) further has a groove (412) located on the opposite side of the protrusion (411) in the radial direction of the pin shaft (4).

3. The track link assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The protrusion (411) and the groove (412) are formed by forging the middle section (41) in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the pin shaft (4).

4. The track link assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The second left hole (13) and the second right hole (23) are both configured as blind holes.

5. The track link assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The two bushings (3) are respectively installed in the second left hole (13) and the second right hole (23) in a press-fit manner, and the axial dimensions of the two bushings (3) are smaller than or equal to the axial dimensions of the corresponding second left hole (13) or second right hole (23).

6. The track link assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The invention also comprises two sealing rings (5), wherein the two sealing rings (5) are respectively arranged at a first left axial end of the second left hole (13) facing the second right hole (23) and a first right axial end of the second right hole (23) facing the second left hole (13), so as to form a sealed gap in the second left hole (13) and the second right hole (23).

7. The track link assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second left segment (14) is provided with a left sealing groove (141) at the first left axial end for installing one of the sealing rings (5), and the second right segment (24) is provided with a right sealing groove (241) at the first right axial end for installing the other sealing ring (5).

8. The track link assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The gap is filled with a lubricating medium.

9. A crawler track system comprising a plurality of track link assemblies according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the track link assemblies are connected in series with each other. 10 . An engineering machine, comprising the track link assembly according to claim 1 or the crawler system according to claim 9 .

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