AXLE AND CHAIN ​​DRIVE ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

Axle and chain drive arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: an axle housing (240); a drive shaft (242) extending through the axle housing (240), the drive shaft (242) being rotatable in the forward and reverse directions; a hub (244) rotating with the drive shaft (242); a chain support member (250) rigidly connected to the axle housing (240), the drive shaft (242) extending through the chain support member (250); a drive wheel (210) coupled to the hub (244); a drive frame (200) coupled to the chain support member (250); a plurality of rollers (220, 230) coupled to the drive frame (200); a crawler track (132) connected to the drive wheel (210) and the plurality of rollers (220, 230); wherein the rotation of the drive shaft (242) rotates the hub (244) and the drive wheel (210), thereby rotating the crawler chain (132) around the drive wheel (210) and the plurality of rollers (220, 230) wherein the track support member (250) is a single integrated part comprising a mounting ring (310) and first and second chassis support arms (320); wherein the mounting ring (310) is connected to the axle housing (240) and the drive frame (200) is connected to the first and second chassis support arms (320); and wherein the chain support member (250) comprises the fastening ring (310) for connecting the chain support member (250) to the axle housing (240), and the axle housing (240) and the drive shaft (242) extend through the fastening ring (310).

Description

Area of ​​Revelation

[0001] The present disclosure relates to track driven machines and, more particularly, to track support arms for use with tracked machines. background

[0002] A track support element is used to connect a vehicle's axle assembly to a track assembly. Current track support elements are integrated into another axle housing, restricting access and assembly. This requires the track support element to be installed and removed along with the integrated structural components, which can prove cumbersome during manufacturing and maintenance. This may also require the disruption of a wet connection to remove the track support element.

[0003] If track supports are part of the axle housing, the track support arms extend from the axle housing during installation, making the axle housing heavier and bulkier during internal and external installation of axle components. If track supports are part of the axle housing, removing the track supports also requires removing the axle housing, exposing lubricant and other internal axle components during maintenance of the track support. Working on the track support may also cause oil or other fluid to spill or leak onto the floor.

[0004] The chassis support arms of the track support member support the weight of the vehicle and experience the tractive forces of the vehicle's drive over a terrain and the stress effects of uneven terrain. To withstand these forces, the track support member is typically constructed from ductile iron or another robust, impact-resistant material, rather than gray cast iron, which is more brittle and prone to cracking / fracture. When the track support member and axle housing form a single piece, the entire component must be constructed of the same robust and more expensive material. When the track support member is separate from the axle housing, the axle housing does not have to withstand the extreme forces of the track support member and can be constructed of a less expensive material.

[0005] US 2017 / 0 305 483 A1 relates to a tractor having a frame with an axle comprising an axle shaft and a carrier element. The frame is supported by first and second ground-engaging mechanisms configured as a track assembly, comprising a chassis frame, a carrier housing, a sprocket, and a track. The axle shaft and the carrier element are adjustably connected to the carrier housing within an outer diameter defined by the sprocket. JP 2000-16 356 A discloses a tracked vehicle having front and rear track devices. A front axle device comprises an axle housing, a drive shaft, a hub, a vehicle brake, and a reduction gear. Steering knuckles are rotatably mounted at the left and right ends of the axle housing.The drive shaft is connected at one end to a differential gear, and at the other end, the drive shaft extends axially through the axle housing, passes through the steering knuckle, and is connected to the reduction gear. EP 2 727 802 A1 relates to a work vehicle, e.g., a tractor, for simplifying and reducing the weight of a support structure for a crawler frame and a traveling machine body. The crawler frame is constructed such that a pair of steel plate bodies are detachably secured by fasteners and wide surfaces of the steel plate bodies.EP 2 727 803 A2 discloses a tracked suspension comprising a drive wheel, a yoke plate carrier, front and rear wishbone elements, front and rear rocker arm assemblies, front and rear suspension spring assemblies, wherein the drive wheel is rotatably mounted to and driven by a vehicle final drive axle assembly, wherein the yoke plate carrier is mounted to a yoke assembly, wherein the rear wishbone element is rotatably mounted to the yoke assembly and the yoke plate carrier via a rear wishbone joint.US 3 841 424 A discloses an arrangement for supporting and driving a vehicle having a crawler track, wherein the crawler track is mounted on a pair of spaced-apart idler wheels and a drive sprocket disposed between and upwardly of the idler wheels, the sprocket and drive elements being located well above the abrasive conditions near the ground, and the entire arrangement being pivotable relative to the associated vehicle.

[0006] It would be desirable if the track support member and arms were separate from the axle housing or other axle or track components.

[0007] An axle and track drive assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The axle and track drive assembly includes an axle housing, a drive shaft, a hub, a track support member, a drive sprocket, a track drive frame, a plurality of rollers, and a track. The drive shaft extends through the axle housing, and the drive shaft is rotatable in a forward and reverse direction. The hub may be mechanically coupled or integral with the drive shaft to rotate with the drive shaft. The track support member is rigidly connected to the axle housing, and the drive shaft extends through the track support member. The drive sprocket is connected to the hub. The track drive frame is connected to the track support member, and the plurality of rollers are connected to the drive frame. The track is connected to the drive sprocket and the plurality of rollers.The rotation of the drive shaft rotates the hub and drive sprocket, causing the track to rotate around the drive sprocket and the multitude of rollers.

[0008] The track support member includes a mounting ring for connecting the track support member to the axle housing, with the axle housing and drive shaft extending through the mounting ring. The track support member includes a chassis support arm, with the track drive frame attached to the chassis support arm. The chassis support arm may include a plurality of armholes providing a plurality of attachment points for connecting the track drive frame to the track support member.

[0009] The track support member may be made of a first material, and the axle housing may be made of a second material, wherein the first material is less brittle than the second material. The track support member may be a single, integrated part comprising the mounting ring and the first and second chassis support arms.

[0010] The axle housing and drive shaft may extend through the mounting ring. Both the first and second chassis support arms may include a plurality of armholes for connecting the track drive frame to the first and second chassis support arms. When the mounting ring is connected to the axle housing and the track drive frame is connected to the first and second chassis support arms, the center point of the mounting ring may be located above the first and second chassis support arms.

[0011] A track support member for an axle assembly of a vehicle having a track drive assembly is disclosed. The track support member includes a mounting ring and a first chassis support arm. A drive shaft of the vehicle extends through the mounting ring, the drive shaft being rotatable in a forward and reverse direction. The track drive assembly is connected to the first chassis support arm. Rotation of the drive shaft of the vehicle rotates a track of the track drive assembly.

[0012] The mounting ring may include a plurality of mounting holes for connecting the mounting ring to an axle housing of the vehicle, with the drive shaft extending through the interior of the axle housing. The first chassis support arm may include a plurality of arm holes for connecting the track drive assembly to the track support member. The mounting ring may be generally circular and have a center point such that, when the mounting ring is connected to an axle housing and the chassis support arm is connected to the track drive assembly, the center point of the mounting ring is located above the chassis support arm. The track support member may be a single, integrated part including the mounting ring and the first chassis support arm.

[0013] The track support member may also include a second chassis support arm, with the track drive assembly connected to the first and second chassis support arms. Both the first and second chassis support arms may include a plurality of armholes for connecting the track drive assembly to the track support member. The track support member may be a single, integrated part including the mounting ring and the first and second chassis support arms. The track support member may be made of spheroidal graphite. Short description of the drawings

[0014] The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of achieving them will become increasingly clear. The disclosure itself will also become more clearly understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure, together with the accompanying drawings: Fig. shows an example vehicle with chain drives; Fig. shows an external view of an exemplary chain drive arrangement and connection to the axle assembly of the vehicle; Fig. shows an interior view of the exemplary chain drive assembly and connection to the axle assembly of the vehicle; Fig. shows an external view of an exemplary axle arrangement without a chain arrangement; Fig. shows an interior view of an exemplary axle arrangement without a chain arrangement; Fig. shows an external view of an exemplary embodiment of a chain support element; and Fig. shows an interior view of an exemplary embodiment of a chain support element.

[0015] The same datum symbols are used to indicate the same parts in the different views. Detailed description

[0016] Fig. shows an exemplary tracked vehicle 100, in this example a tractor, including a chassis 102, a cab 110, an engine compartment with an engine 120, and track drive assemblies 130 with tracks 132. Fig. shows only the left side of the vehicle 100 with front and rear track drive assemblies 130; the right side of the vehicle 100 also includes front and rear track drive assemblies 130. The chassis 102 supports the operator's cab 110 and the engine 120. The track drive assemblies 130 support the chassis 102 above the ground and provide motive power to the vehicle 100. The track support member disclosed herein can be used for the front or rear track drive assembly 130, or both. The operator's cab 110 provides the operator with a clear view of the area being worked by the vehicle 100. The operator's cab 110 includes controls for the operator to control the engine 120 and the track drive assemblies 130.

[0017] Fig. shows an exterior view and Fig. shows an interior view of an exemplary track drive assembly 130 and a connection to the axle assembly of the vehicle 100 (with the track 132 removed for clarity). The track drive assembly 130 includes a drive frame 200, a drive sprocket 210, support rollers 220, center rollers 230, and a track 132 (in Fig. (shown). The track drive assembly 130 is coupled to the vehicle 100 via a track support member 250, an axle housing 240, a drive shaft 242, and a hub 244. The drive shaft 242 is driven by power from the engine 120.

[0018] Power is transmitted to the drive shaft 242, which extends through the axle housing 240 and the track support member 250 to drive the hub 244; and the drive gear 210 of the track drive assembly 130 is coupled to the hub 244. The axle housing 240 may be mechanically coupled to a differential case of the vehicle 100. The track support member 250 may be mechanically coupled to the axle housing 240 and the differential case of the vehicle 100 using a plurality of attachment bolts 252 that extend through the track support member 250 and the axle housing 240 into the connections on the differential case of the vehicle 100. The drive frame 200 of the track drive assembly 130 is connected to the track support member 250 by a plurality of arm bolts 254. The support rollers 220 and the center rollers 230 are connected to the drive frame 200.The track 132 moves around the drive sprocket 210, the idler rollers 220, and the center rollers 230. The track support member 250 and the drive frame 200 support the components of the track drive assembly 130. The drive sprocket 210 is coupled to the hub 244, which rotates with the drive shaft 242. The drive sprocket 210 rotates the track 132 clockwise or counterclockwise around the drive sprocket 210, the idler rollers 220, and the center rollers 230 to propel the vehicle 100.

[0019] Fig. shows an exterior view and Fig. shows an interior view of components of an exemplary axle arrangement without a chain arrangement. Fig. show the track support member 250, the axle housing 240, the drive shaft 242, the hub 244, and the plurality of mounting bolts 252 that rigidly connect the axle housing 240 and the track support member 250 to the vehicle 100.

[0020] Fig. shows an exterior view and Fig. shows an interior view of an exemplary embodiment of the track support member 250. The exemplary track support member 250 is a single integrated part that includes a mounting ring 310 and integrated chassis support arms 320. The mounting ring 310 includes a plurality of mounting holes 312 through which the mounting bolts 252 pass to connect the track support member 250 to the vehicle 100. The assembly may include one or more spacers between the axle housing 240 and the differential housing in the vehicle 100 for different track settings. Each of the integrated chassis support arms 320 includes a plurality of arm holes 322 through which the arm bolts 254 pass to connect the track support member 250 to the track assembly 130.

[0021] The drive shaft 242 extends through the axle housing 240, which passes through the mounting ring 310 of the track support member 250, with the drive shaft 242 coupled to the hub 244 and the drive sprocket 210. Rotation of the drive shaft 242 provides rotational power to the hub 244 and the drive sprocket 210 to drive the track 132 and the vehicle 100 forward and backward. The connection between the hub 244 and the drive sprocket 210 may include drive sprocket spacers for various track adjustments.

[0022] The integrated chassis support arms 320 may include a plurality of armholes 322 for connecting the drive frame 200 of the track drive assembly 130 to the track support member 250. Track tension, as well as vertical, front / rear, and lateral loads on the chassis, are absorbed by the support arms 320. The armholes 322 of the integrated chassis support arms 320 may be evenly spaced or randomly spaced to accommodate various profile settings or profile widths. For example, the drive frame 200 may be mounted to a plurality of inner or outer mounting holes 322 of the support arms 320 to space the track assembly 130 at specific intervals according to the desired profile setting.

[0023] A separate chain support member 250 from the axle housing 240 offers advantages during vehicle assembly and maintenance. Previous chain support members were part of the axle housing, meaning the chain support arms extended from the axle housing during assembly, making the axle housing heavier and bulkier during internal and external assembly of axle components. However, with the chain support member 250 separated from the axle housing 240, axle assembly can be performed without the weight or interference of the chain support arms. After completing the axle assembly, the chain support member 250 can be connected to the axle housing. With a few bolts, the axle housing can be attached to the differential housing to complete the axle assembly and seal the internal hydraulics and other axle components.The track support member can then be slid over the axle housing, and a variety of mounting bolts can be used to connect the track support member to the axle housing and the vehicle. A separate track support member is also advantageous during vehicle maintenance, as it allows the track support member to be removed without first removing the axle housing. This prevents lubricant and other internal components of the axle from being exposed during maintenance of the track support member. This also prevents oil or other fluids from spilling or leaking onto the ground when working on the track support member 250.

[0024] The chassis support arms 320 of the track support member 250 support the weight of the vehicle and experience the traction forces of the vehicle's drive over a terrain and the loading effects of rough terrain. To withstand these forces, the track support member is typically constructed of ductile iron or another robust, impact-resistant material, rather than gray cast iron, which is more brittle and prone to cracking / fracture. When the track support member 250 is separate from the axle housing 240, the axle housing does not necessarily need to use the same robust, more expensive material. Therefore, the track support member 250 can be constructed of an expensive, robust, less brittle material, and the axle housing can be constructed of a less expensive material, such as gray cast iron.

[0025] A track support member 250 separate from the axle housing can also assist in aligning the axle centerline above the ground. In a wheeled vehicle, the axle centerline typically passes through the center of the wheel, which typically places the chassis at or near the axle centerline. With the generally triangular shape of the track drive assembly 130, the axle centerline passes through the drive wheel 210, and the desired geometry is typically achieved when the chassis is below this level. Placing the chassis support arms 320 of the track support member 250 slightly below the center of the mounting ring 310 helps maintain the desired geometry for the track drive assembly 130.

Claims

[1] Axle and chain drive arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: an axle housing (240); a drive shaft (242) extending through the axle housing (240), the drive shaft (242) being rotatable in the forward and reverse directions; a hub (244) rotating with the drive shaft (242); a chain support member (250) rigidly connected to the axle housing (240), the drive shaft (242) extending through the chain support member (250); a drive wheel (210) coupled to the hub (244); a drive frame (200) coupled to the chain support member (250); a plurality of rollers (220, 230) coupled to the drive frame (200); a crawler track (132) connected to the drive wheel (210) and the plurality of rollers (220, 230); wherein the rotation of the drive shaft (242) rotates the hub (244) and the drive wheel (210), thereby rotating the crawler chain (132) around the drive wheel (210) and the plurality of rollers (220, 230) wherein the track support member (250) is a single integrated part comprising a mounting ring (310) and first and second chassis support arms (320); wherein the mounting ring (310) is connected to the axle housing (240) and the drive frame (200) is connected to the first and second chassis support arms (320); and wherein the chain support member (250) comprises the fastening ring (310) for connecting the chain support member (250) to the axle housing (240), and the axle housing (240) and the drive shaft (242) extend through the fastening ring (310). [2] The axle and track drive assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the chassis support arms (320) includes a plurality of armholes (322) providing a plurality of attachment points for connecting the drive frame (200) to the track support member (250). [3] The axle and chain drive assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the chain support member (250) is made of a first material and the axle housing (240) is made of a second material. [4] The axle and track drive assembly of any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second chassis support arms (320) includes a plurality of armholes (322) for connecting the drive frame (200) to the first and second chassis support arms (320). [5] The axle and track drive assembly of any preceding claim, wherein, when the mounting ring (310) is connected to the axle housing (240) and the drive frame (200) is connected to the first and second chassis support arms (320), the center of the mounting ring (310) is located above the first and second chassis support arms (320).

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