Crawler transporter with self-adjusting module for track tension

Abstract

This invention discloses a tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module for use in the field of transport vehicles. Through the setup of a tensioning mechanism and a cleaning mechanism, when track tensioning is required, simply activating the drive cylinder causes the tensioning wheel to press down, thus tightening the track and enhancing the transmission effect. Simultaneously, it reduces the probability of excessive stress concentration due to a reduction in meshing points, ensuring that the teeth of the tensioned wheels and support wheels are less prone to damage and extending the service life of the entire track assembly. Furthermore, the cleaning mechanism can clean debris trapped on the track in real time, maintaining localized cleanliness of the track during movement and reducing slippage and excessive wear between the tensioning wheel and track caused by trapped debris. This further reduces the probability of damage to the tensioning wheel and track after tensioning, further extending the service life of the track assembly and the tensioning mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of transport vehicles, and in particular to a tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module. Background Technology

[0002] Tracked transport vehicles are transportation equipment that uses rubber or steel tracked chassis instead of traditional wheeled walking systems. They are designed for complex terrains that are difficult for ordinary vehicles to enter, such as mountains, paddy fields, deserts, and hills, and are widely used in agriculture, industry, engineering construction, military and other fields.

[0003] Existing technology (patent document with publication number "CN220465647U") discloses an adjustable tracked walking device, including a mounting bracket, a shock absorber mounted on the outer wall of the mounting bracket, and a driven wheel rotatably connected to one side of the shock absorber and located on the outer wall of the mounting bracket. This adjustable tracked walking device uses an electro-hydraulic cylinder to lift a top plate, causing the top plate to lift the drive track and suspend it in the air. Then, one end of the electro-hydraulic rod pulls a positioning block, causing one end of the positioning block to drive a guide rod to move. This causes the guide rod to drive the mounting bracket to rotate upward on the outer wall of the rotating rod, simultaneously causing the first and second rollers to move upward, causing them to lose their support force on the drive track. This causes the bottom of the drive track to lose support force and thus loosen its tension. Then, the controller controls the electro-hydraulic cylinder to operate, causing one end of the electro-hydraulic cylinder to move downward, causing the loosened drive track to adhere to the ground.

[0004] Furthermore, existing technology (patent document with publication number "CN116873065A") discloses a track tension adjustment device, adjustment method, track wheel, and operating machinery. The track tension adjustment device includes a tensioning device, a detection element, and a control device. The tensioning device is telescopically mounted on the track frame to adjust the track tension. The detection element detects the track sag value. The control device is communicatively connected to the tensioning device and the detection element. The control device controls the extension and retraction of the tensioning device based on the detection signal from the detection element. The control device is configured to: extend the tensioning device when the detection element detects a sag value greater than or equal to a first standard sag value; and retract the tensioning device when the detection element detects a sag value less than or equal to a second standard sag value, wherein the first standard sag value is greater than the second standard sag value. This track tension adjustment device, adjustment method, track wheel, and operating machinery can achieve automatic adjustment of track tension, improve adjustment accuracy, reduce costs, and prevent over-tensioning of the track.

[0005] Based on the above search and combined with existing technology, it is found that in existing technology, the tensioning wheel is usually set on the inside of the track, while at the same time it is located between two adjacent traveling wheels or between a traveling wheel and a support wheel. When tensioning, it usually extends outward to support the track, which causes the meshing angle between the track and the adjacent traveling wheel or support wheel to change after tensioning. This results in a reduction in the number of meshing teeth or a decrease in transmission strength. If the angle of tension change is large, it may also cause excessive stress concentration between the track and the traveling wheel or support wheel, causing accelerated damage to the teeth of the traveling wheel or support wheel, which poses certain safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The core of this invention lies in solving the problems in existing technologies where setting a tensioning wheel inside the track can easily lead to a reduction in the number of meshing teeth, decreased transmission strength, or excessive stress concentration, by using a tensioning mechanism in conjunction with a cleaning mechanism. Simultaneously, it can also clean the track, reducing damage caused by the tensioning wheel when tensioning the track.

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution.

[0008] A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module includes a vehicle body, a mounting assembly supporting the vehicle body, a track assembly mounted on the mounting assembly, and a tensioning mechanism. A bracket is detachably fixed to the mounting assembly. The top of the bracket is a horizontal plate located above the track assembly. The tensioning mechanism is mounted on the horizontal plate at the top of the bracket. The tensioning mechanism includes a tensioning wheel, a drive cylinder, and a mounting frame. The tensioning wheel is rotatably connected to the mounting frame. The drive cylinder is fixed to the horizontal plate at the top of the bracket. The lower end of the piston rod of the drive cylinder is fixed to the top of the mounting frame. The lower part of the tensioning wheel rolls against the top of the track of the track assembly. A fixed frame is fixed on one side of the support, and a cleaning mechanism is installed on the fixed frame. The cleaning mechanism is used to clean the debris stuck to the outside of the track.

[0009] The tensioning mechanism is mounted on the outside of the track via a bracket. When track tensioning is needed, simply activate the drive cylinder, which drives the tensioning wheel downwards. This external inward pressure increases the meshing area between the track and the traveling and support wheels, enhancing transmission efficiency. It also reduces the probability of excessive stress concentration due to fewer meshing points, ensuring the teeth of the traveling and support wheels are less prone to damage after tensioning and extending the service life of the entire track assembly. Simultaneously, the cleaning mechanism removes debris trapped on the track, keeping the track locally clean during movement. This reduces slippage and excessive wear between the tensioning wheel and track caused by debris, further lowering the probability of damage to the tensioning wheel and track after tensioning and extending the service life of the track assembly and tensioning mechanism. Furthermore, tracks with real-time debris removal are easier to clean after use, facilitating post-use cleaning of tracked transport vehicles and improving subsequent cleaning efficiency.

[0010] Furthermore, the cleaning mechanism includes a drive wheel, a transmission chain, a follower chain plate, and cleaning teeth. The drive wheel is rotatably connected to the fixed frame via a rotating shaft. Two sets of drive wheels are provided and horizontally spaced apart. The transmission chain is sleeved between the two sets of drive wheels. The follower chain plate is fixedly connected to the transmission chain. The cleaning teeth are slidably connected to the follower chain plate. When the cleaning teeth rotate with the follower chain plate to be inserted into the track, they slide from the middle of the track to the outside of the track along the width direction of the track. A drive motor is fixed on one side of the fixed frame. The output shaft of the drive motor is connected to the shaft corresponding to one of the drive wheels. The drive motor drives the cleaning teeth to move synchronously with the track when they are inserted into the track.

[0011] Furthermore, the follower chain plate has multiple evenly distributed long sliding holes, all of which extend along the width of the track. The cleaning teeth are provided in multiple pairs and are slidably installed in the multiple long sliding holes.

[0012] Furthermore, a fixing ring plate is also fixed on the fixing frame. The fixing ring plate is located inside the follower chain plate, and a guide groove is opened on the outer wall of the fixing ring plate near the follower chain plate to guide the cleaning teeth to slide along the width direction of the track.

[0013] Furthermore, the guide groove includes a straight groove section and an arc groove section. The straight groove section is a groove extending along the track movement direction and located on the two sides and top of the fixed ring plate. The arc groove section is an arc groove with both ends located in the middle of the fixed ring plate and protruding towards the side wall of the fixed ring plate. Both ends of the arc groove section are connected to both ends of the straight groove section. There are two guide grooves, which are used to guide the movement of the two cleaning teeth in the long sliding hole. The two guide grooves are symmetrically arranged about the middle of the fixed ring plate.

[0014] Furthermore, a fixing support plate is fixed to the inner side of the fixing ring plate, and both ends of the fixing support plate extend to both sides of the fixing ring plate. Both ends of the fixing support plate are fixed to the fixing frame by bolts.

[0015] Furthermore, the cleaning tooth includes a slider, a toothed cutter, and a follower rod. The slider is slidably embedded in the long sliding hole. The toothed cutter is integrally formed with the side of the slider away from the fixed ring plate. The slider is adapted to the external tooth groove of the track. The follower rod is fixed to the side of the slider close to the fixed ring plate. The slider is slidably inserted into the guide groove.

[0016] Optionally, a wear-resistant sleeve is fixedly fitted on the outer side of the tensioner wheel, and the wear-resistant sleeve abuts against the outer side of the track of the track assembly.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this invention are: (1) By setting up a tensioning mechanism and a cleaning mechanism, this solution allows the track to be tensioned when it is necessary to start the drive cylinder, which drives the tensioning wheel to press down. This tensioning wheel can press down on the track to make it tensioned. Compared with internal tensioning, external inward pressing can increase the meshing area between the track and the traveling wheel and support wheel after tensioning, thereby enhancing the transmission effect. At the same time, it also reduces the probability of excessive stress concentration due to the reduction of meshing points, thus ensuring that the teeth of the traveling wheel and support wheel are not easily damaged after tensioning, and extending the service life of the entire track assembly. Meanwhile, the cleaning mechanism can clean debris stuck to the outside of the tracks in real time, thus keeping the tracks locally clean during movement. This reduces slippage and excessive wear between the tensioner and the tracks caused by debris, further lowering the probability of damage to the tensioner and tracks after tensioning, and extending the service life of the track assembly and tensioning mechanism. In addition, tracks that are cleaned in real time are easier to clean after use, making it easier to clean tracked transport vehicles after use and improving subsequent cleaning efficiency.

[0018] (2) By setting a fixed ring plate, the follower rod is always slidably inserted into the guide groove during the rotation of the follower chain plate. When the follower rod moves in the straight groove section, the slider and the tooth cutter are both kept in the middle of the follower chain plate. When the follower rod moves in the arc groove section, the follower rod slides along the arc groove section. At the same time, the follower rod is also limited by the long sliding hole along with the slider. Therefore, the slider slides straight along the long sliding hole under the drive of the follower rod, so that the tooth cutter slides along the width direction of the track and completes the cleaning operation of the debris in the track tooth groove. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tensioning mechanism, cleaning mechanism, bracket, and drive motor structure of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the tensioning mechanism and support structure of the present invention; Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning mechanism, fixing frame, and drive motor structure of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning mechanism structure from another perspective of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning mechanism, the fixing frame, and the fixing ring plate of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the mating structure of the fixing ring plate and cleaning teeth of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning tooth structure of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0020] Explanation of the labels in the diagram: 1. Vehicle body; 2. Mounting assembly; 3. Track assembly; 4. Tensioning mechanism; 41. Tensioning wheel; 42. Drive cylinder; 43. Mounting bracket; 44. Wear-resistant sleeve; 5. Cleaning mechanism; 51. Drive wheel; 52. Transmission chain; 53. Follower chain plate; 531. Long sliding hole; 54. Cleaning tooth; 541. Slider; 542. Tooth cutter; 543. Follower rod; 6. Bracket; 61. Fixing bracket; 7. Drive motor; 8. Fixing ring plate; 81. Guide groove; 811. Straight groove section; 812. Arc groove section; 82. Fixing support plate. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] First implementation method: Please see Figures 1-8 A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module includes a vehicle body 1, a mounting assembly 2 supporting the vehicle body 1, a track assembly 3 mounted on the mounting assembly 2, and a tensioning mechanism 4. The mounting assembly 2 includes a base for mounting the vehicle body 1 and a suspension fixed to the base. The track assembly 3 includes a traveling wheel, a support wheel, a track, and a hydraulic motor for driving the traveling wheel to rotate. Its specific structure, layout, connection method, and working principle are all existing technologies and will not be described in detail here. A bracket 6 is detachably fixed on the mounting assembly 2. The top of the bracket 6 is a horizontal plate located above the track assembly 3. The tensioning mechanism 4 is mounted on the horizontal plate at the top of the bracket 6. The tensioning mechanism 4 includes a tensioning wheel 41, a drive cylinder 42, and a mounting frame 43. The tensioning wheel 41 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 43. The drive cylinder 42 is fixed to the horizontal plate at the top of the bracket 6. The lower end of the piston rod of the drive cylinder 42 is fixed to the top of the mounting frame 43. The lower part of the tensioning wheel 41 rolls against the top of the track of the track assembly 3. A mounting bracket 61 is fixed on one side of the support 6 (the top side of the track of the track assembly 3 that moves toward the support 6). A cleaning mechanism 5 is installed on the mounting bracket 61. The cleaning mechanism 5 is used to clean debris stuck to the outside of the track.

[0023] Based on the above structure, when track tensioning is required, simply activate the drive cylinder 42, causing it to push down the tensioning wheel 41. This tensioning wheel 41 then presses down on the track to tighten it. Compared to internal tensioning, external inward pressure increases the meshing area between the track and the traveling wheel and support wheel after tensioning, thereby enhancing the transmission effect. It also reduces the probability of excessive stress concentration due to a reduction in meshing points, ensuring that the teeth of the traveling wheel and support wheel are less prone to damage after tensioning, thus extending the service life of the entire track assembly 3. Simultaneously, the cleaning mechanism 5 can clean the track surface... The system cleans up debris in real time, keeping the track area (mainly the contact point between the track and the tensioner 41) clean during track movement. This reduces slippage and excessive wear between the tensioner 41 and the track caused by debris, further lowering the probability of damage to the tensioner 41 and track after tensioning, and extending the service life of the track assembly 3 and tensioning mechanism 4. In addition, the track is easier to clean after use, making it easier to clean the tracked transport vehicle after use and improving subsequent cleaning efficiency.

[0024] Furthermore, the cleaning mechanism 5 includes a drive wheel 51, a transmission chain 52, a follower chain plate 53, and cleaning teeth 54. The drive wheel 51 is rotatably connected to the fixed frame 61 via a rotating shaft. Two sets of drive wheels 51 are arranged horizontally at intervals. The transmission chain 52 is driven between the two sets of drive wheels 51. The follower chain plate 53 is fixedly connected to the transmission chain 52. The cleaning teeth 54 are slidably connected to the follower chain plate 53. Specifically, the follower chain plate 53 has multiple evenly distributed long sliding holes 531. The multiple long sliding holes 531 extend along the width direction of the track. The cleaning teeth 54 are provided in multiple pairs and are slidably installed in the multiple long sliding holes 531 respectively. When the cleaning tooth 54 rotates with the follower chain plate 53 (the rotation path is the same as the follower chain plate 53 in a circular path, part of which is parallel to the track) until it is inserted into the track, it slides from the middle of the track to the outside of the track along the width direction of the track. A drive motor 7 is fixed on one side of the mounting bracket 61. The drive motor 7 is a motor commonly used in the prior art and applicable to this application, such as an asynchronous motor of model Y100L1-4. Other motors that meet the drive requirements of this solution can also be selected according to actual usage needs and can be flexibly adjusted. The output shaft of the drive motor 7 is connected to the rotating shaft corresponding to one of the drive wheels 51. The drive motor 7 drives the cleaning teeth 54 to keep moving synchronously with the track when inserted into the track.

[0025] When it is necessary to clean the outside of the track, simply start the drive motor 7. The drive motor 7 drives the drive wheel 51 to rotate. When the drive wheel 51 rotates, it drives the cleaning teeth 54 to move along a circular path through the transmission chain 52 and the follower chain plate 53. When the cleaning teeth 54 move to the side close to the track, they are inserted into the corresponding tooth groove of the track. At this time, the cleaning teeth 54 move synchronously with the follower chain plate 53 and keep the same speed as the track. After being inserted into the track tooth groove, they slide along the long sliding hole 531 to both sides of the track, scraping and pushing out the debris stuck in the track tooth groove to the outside of the track, thus completing the cleaning operation. This makes it less likely for the track to slip or wear excessively when it comes into close contact with the tensioner wheel 41. It also ensures good contact between the tensioner wheel 41 and the track, making the tensioning more stable.

[0026] Furthermore, a fixing ring plate 8 is also fixed on the fixing frame 61. Specifically, a fixing support plate 82 is fixed on the inner side of the fixing ring plate 8. The two ends of the fixing support plate 82 extend to the two sides of the fixing ring plate 8 respectively. Both ends of the fixing support plate 82 are fixed to the fixing frame 61 by bolts. The fixing ring plate 8 is located inside the follower chain plate 53. A guide groove 81 for guiding the cleaning teeth 54 to slide along the width direction of the track is opened on the outer wall of the fixing ring plate 8 near the follower chain plate 53. Specifically, the guide groove 81 includes a straight groove section 811 and an arc groove section 812. The straight groove section 811 is a groove extending along the track movement direction and located on the two sides and the top of the fixed ring plate 8. The arc groove section 812 is an arc groove with both ends located in the middle of the fixed ring plate 8 and protruding towards the side wall of the fixed ring plate 8. Both ends of the arc groove section 812 are connected to both ends of the straight groove section 811. Two guide grooves 81 are provided, and the two guide grooves 81 are used to guide the movement of the two cleaning teeth 54 in the long sliding hole 531 respectively. The two guide grooves 81 are symmetrically arranged about the middle of the fixed ring plate 8. The cleaning tooth 54 includes a slider 541, a toothed cutter 542, and a follower rod 543. The slider 541 is slidably embedded in the elongated sliding hole 531. The toothed cutter 542 is integrally formed with the side of the slider 541 away from the fixed ring plate 8. The slider 541 is adapted to the outer tooth groove of the track. The follower rod 543 is fixed to the side of the slider 541 near the fixed ring plate 8. The slider 541 is slidably inserted into the guide groove 81.

[0027] With the fixed ring plate 8, as the cleaning tooth 54 rotates with the follower chain plate 53, the follower rod 543 is always slidably inserted into the guide groove 81. When the follower rod 543 moves in the straight groove section 811, the slider 541 and the tooth cutter 542 are both kept in the middle of the follower chain plate 53. When the follower rod 543 moves in the arc groove section 812, the follower rod 543 slides along the arc groove section 812. At the same time, the follower rod 543 is also limited by the long sliding hole 531 along with the slider 541. Therefore, the slider 541 slides linearly along the long sliding hole 531 under the drive of the follower rod 543, so that the tooth cutter 542 slides along the width direction of the track, completing the cleaning operation of the debris in the track tooth groove.

[0028] Second implementation method: Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 8 A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module differs from the first embodiment in that: A wear-resistant sleeve 44 is fixedly sleeved on the outer side of the tensioner 41, and the wear-resistant sleeve 44 abuts against the outer side of the track of the track assembly 3. The wear-resistant sleeve 44 is made of an elastic wear-resistant material commonly used in the prior art and applicable to this application, such as polyurethane rubber. Polyurethane rubber has excellent wear resistance and a certain degree of elasticity. When the tensioner 41 presses down to tension the track, the wear-resistant sleeve 44 can buffer the impact force transmitted from the track to the tensioner 41, reduce the wear caused by the unevenness of the track to the tensioner 41, and at the same time increase the friction between the tensioner 41 and the track, reduce the probability of slippage at the contact position between the tensioner 41 and the track, further reduce the wear rate of the tensioner 41, extend the service life of the tensioner 41, and reduce the frequency of replacement and maintenance of the tensioner.

[0029] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention; it encompasses all the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solutions and improved concepts of the present invention, should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module, comprising a vehicle body (1), a mounting assembly (2) supporting the vehicle body (1), a track assembly (3) mounted on the mounting assembly (2), and a tensioning mechanism (4), characterized in that: The mounting assembly (2) is detachably fixed with a bracket (6). The top of the bracket (6) is a horizontal plate located above the track assembly (3). The tensioning mechanism (4) is mounted on the horizontal plate at the top of the bracket (6). The tensioning mechanism (4) includes a tensioning wheel (41), a drive cylinder (42), and a mounting frame (43). The tensioning wheel (41) is rotatably connected to the mounting frame (43). The drive cylinder (42) is fixed to the horizontal plate at the top of the bracket (6). The lower end of the piston rod of the drive cylinder (42) is fixed to the top of the mounting frame (43). The lower part of the tensioning wheel (41) rolls against the top of the track of the track assembly (3). A fixing frame (61) is fixed on one side of the bracket (6), and a cleaning mechanism (5) is installed on the fixing frame (61). The cleaning mechanism (5) is used to clean the debris stuck to the outside of the track.

2. A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning mechanism (5) includes a drive wheel (51), a transmission chain (52), a follower chain plate (53), and cleaning teeth (54). The drive wheel (51) is rotatably connected to the fixed frame (61) via a rotating shaft. The drive wheel (51) is provided in two sets and is horizontally spaced apart. The transmission chain (52) is driven and sleeved between the two sets of drive wheels (51). The follower chain plate (53) is fixedly connected to the transmission chain (52). The cleaning teeth (54) are slidably connected to the follower chain plate (53). When the cleaning teeth (54) rotate with the follower chain plate (53) to be inserted into the track, they slide from the middle of the track to the outside of the track along the width direction of the track. A drive motor (7) is fixed on one side of the fixed frame (61). The output shaft of the drive motor (7) is connected to the rotating shaft corresponding to one of the drive wheels (51). The drive motor (7) drives the cleaning teeth (54) to move synchronously with the track when inserted into the track.

3. A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The follower chain plate (53) has a plurality of evenly distributed long sliding holes (531), and the plurality of long sliding holes (531) extend along the width direction of the track. The cleaning teeth (54) are provided in multiple pairs and are slidably installed in the plurality of long sliding holes (531).

4. A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module according to claim 3, characterized in that: A fixing ring plate (8) is also fixed on the fixing frame (61). The fixing ring plate (8) is located inside the follower chain plate (53). The fixing ring plate (8) has a guide groove (81) on the outer wall near the follower chain plate (53) for guiding the cleaning teeth (54) to slide along the width direction of the track.

5. A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide groove (81) includes a straight groove section (811) and an arc groove section (812). The straight groove section (811) is a groove extending along the track movement direction and located on the two sides of the arc-shaped surface and the top of the fixed ring plate (8). The arc groove section (812) is an arc-shaped groove with both ends located in the middle of the fixed ring plate (8) and protruding towards the side wall of the fixed ring plate (8). Both ends of the arc groove section (812) are connected to both ends of the straight groove section (811). Two guide grooves (81) are provided. The two guide grooves (81) are used to guide the movement of the two cleaning teeth (54) in the long sliding hole (531). The two guide grooves (81) are symmetrically arranged about the middle of the fixed ring plate (8).

6. A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module according to claim 4, characterized in that: A fixed support plate (82) is fixed on the inner side of the fixed ring plate (8). The two ends of the fixed support plate (82) extend to both sides of the fixed ring plate (8). Both ends of the fixed support plate (82) are fixed to the fixed frame (61) by bolts.

7. A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cleaning tooth (54) includes a slider (541), a tooth cutter (542), and a follower rod (543). The slider (541) is slidably embedded in the long sliding hole (531). The tooth cutter (542) and the slider (541) are integrally formed on the side away from the fixed ring plate (8). The slider (541) is adapted to the outer tooth groove of the track. The follower rod (543) is fixed on the side of the slider (541) close to the fixed ring plate (8). The slider (541) is slidably inserted into the guide groove (81).

8. A tracked transport vehicle with a self-adjusting track tension module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tensioning wheel (41) is fixedly fitted with a wear-resistant sleeve (44), which abuts against the outer side of the track of the track assembly (3).

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