Dirt deflector for an axle drive

Abstract

Dirt deflector (500, 500a) for preventing contamination of an axle drive (200), wherein the dirt deflector (500, 500a) comprises: a ring-segment-shaped body (518) defining a central axis (A), a radial direction (R) and a circumferential direction (C) about the central axis (A), wherein the ring-segment-shaped body (518) comprises: a radial outer surface (520); a radial inner surface (522); a first surface (524) defining a first circumferential end; and a second surface (526) defining a second circumferential end.wherein the ring-segment-shaped body (518) has a first deflection surface (510) adjoining the first surface (524) defining a first circumferential end, and defines a first surface normal (514) pointing away from the central axis (A), characterized in that the first surface normal (514) forms an angle of less than 30.0 degrees with a tangent to the circumferential direction (C) and forms an angle in the range of 30.0 degrees to 45.0 degrees with the radial direction (R) and with the central axis (A), and wherein the first deflection surface (510) has a flat triangular shape.

Description

Technical FieldThe present disclosure relates generally to power steering machines for off-road driving the machine, and more particularly to a debris deflector that serves to prevent debris from fouling the power steering mechanism or mechanisms by ingress of debris or other debris into the power steering.Prior ArtTracked machines are used in construction, agricultural, earth-mining, mining, etc. for moving earth, rock and other soil material. Generally, track machines include a final drive that provides torque to a drive sprocket that in turn drives a track assembly with shoes to drive the machine over the terrain.Debris such as stones, dirt, wire, mud, etc., tends to enter the final drive, which can result in damage to the components and the mechanism / mechanisms of the final drive, requiring unwanted maintenance work and associated downtime, and resulting in loss of revenue to an economical enterprise employing the track machine.U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,680 B2 discloses a final drive assembly which is used to support a track chain on a track-type machine. The final drive assembly includes a sprocket hub rotatably mounted on a fixed hub. A seal is disposed between the fixed hub and the sprocket hub. The fixed hub and the sprocket hub define a seal protection channel extending between an outer surface and the seal.The seal protection channel includes a labyrinth disposed between an annular mounting flange and the seal along an axis of rotation of the sprocket hub. The outer surface includes a recess between a sprocket mount of the sprocket hub and a machine mount of the fixed hub. The seal protection channel opens with a larger radius than the minimum radius of the depression.As can be seen, U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,680 B2 contributes to preventing the ingress of dirt at the interface between final drive and transmission. However, there remains a need for debris deflections to prevent the onset of such intrusion. In addition, other dirt penetration points may also have to be protected.The generic JP 2017-52 312 A discloses the provision of a tracked vehicle for reducing the sediment pressure exerted on a floating seal between a fixed and a rotating side housing. At the rear side of a side frame, a drive wheel is longitudinally provided, which is rotated via a reduction gear. On the radially inner side of a gap, a face seal for sealing the gap between a fixed-side case and a rotating side case of the reduction gear is provided. In the fixed-side housing, a cover is provided which covers the gap from the radial outer side. The cover passes by the rotation center of the drive wheel at an engagement portion where a crawler and the drive wheel are engaged with each other in the circumferential direction of the gap, and is disposed on the upper side of a virtual line extending in the longitudinal direction of the side frame. A portion below the virtual line is open radially outward from the gap.JP 2008-201 356 A discloses a traveling drive device of a crawler vehicle that transmits the torque of a traveling motor from a fixed side housing to a sprocket via a reduction gear and the rotating side housing. In a protection plate having a flange protection part on the outer surface of an annular body, the inner circumferential surface comes close to the outer surface of the sealing part of the rotating side case to cover the protection plate, and a body part is provided with an anti-chain surface in the flange part in such a state that the flange protection part covers the outer circumferential surface of the flange part. The protection plate can be inserted and detached in the diameter direction of the flange part by the plurality of division pieces in the circumferential direction, and is detachably mounted on the chain protection surface of the flange part.SummaryA final drive for use with a machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fixed inner hub, an outer rotating hub, a sprocket fixed to the outer rotating hub, a shaft housing extending between the fixed inner hub and the outer rotating hub, a transmission housing extending between the shaft housing and the outer rotating hub, and a debris deflector assembly fixed to the inner fixed hub. The debris deflector assembly may include a pair of screwable mounting rings and a pair of debris deflectors attached to the pair of screwable mounting rings.According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a dirt deflector having the features of claim 1. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a debris deflector subassembly for preventing debris from a final drive having the features of claim 8. Preferred embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims.Brief Description of the DrawingsThe accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings, the following applies: FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a track machine, such as a dozer or the like, showing its internal final drive with a debris deflector to protect the final drive, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the final drive of FIG. 1, more clearly illustrating the right dirt deflector and its screwable mounting ring. FIG. 3 illustrates a left-hand dirt deflector and its screwable mounting ring, which is illustrated in isolation from the final drive of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a front view of the screwable mounting ring from FIG. 3, which is shown in isolation. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the screwable mounting ring of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the screwable mounting ring of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the screwable mounting ring of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is an isolated front view of the debris deflector of FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is a rear view of the debris deflector of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a left side view of the dirt deflector of FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the dirt deflector of FIG. 8. FIG. 12 is an image of a debris deflector assembly threaded about a shaft housing of a final drive of a track machine in exterior use.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. As far as possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings to designate the same or similar parts. In some cases, a reference numeral is given in this specification and the drawings show the reference numeral followed by a letter, for example 100a, 100b or a prime such as 100', 100", etc. It will be understood that the use of letters or primes immediately after a reference numeral indicates that these features are similarly shaped and have a similar function as is often the case when the geometry is mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification, letters and primes are often not included herein, but may be represented in the drawings to indicate duplications of the features discussed in this written specification that are discussed in this written specification.Various embodiments of a screw-on debris deflector are discussed herein that can deflect or push potentially harmful material away from the sensitive areas of the final drive, thereby ultimately protecting the final drive from debris that may enter the internal components and result in damage or failure to the hardware. One or more mounting rings are also described which are used to attach the dirt deflector to the final drive or to the machine. Beginning with FIG. 1, a machine 100, which may be a track tractor or dozer, etc., is now described that includes a machine body 102 that may use a screwable debris deflector 500, a debris deflector assembly 300, a debris deflector subassembly 400, and a final drive 200 configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that other types of machines, including wheeled machines, may employ various embodiments of the present disclosure and are included within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the illustrated final drive is connected to an elevated drive sprocket, which may not be the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g., an inline final drive may be used, etc.).The machine may also include a track 104 driven by the sprocket 202 of the final drive 200 to move the machine 100 over the terrain in a manner known in the art.More specifically, the final drive 200 (typically an assembly) may be similar or identical to that shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,680 B2, except for the following differences in the dirt deflector / s and mounting ring(s) described herein. It is also conceivable that other machines and drive systems use various embodiments of the debris deflector, etc., as discussed herein, including those using wheels or the like, etc.For example, as best seen in FIG. 2, the final drive 200 may include a fixed inner hub 204 (so-called because it no longer rotates after attachment to the machine body 102) shown in hidden lines because it is hidden by the mounting rings 402, 402 a, a rotating outer hub 206, a sprocket 202 attached to the rotating outer hub 206, and a shaft housing 208 extending between the fixed inner hub 204 and the rotating outer hub 206, as generally in accordance with the disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,680 B2.The shaft housing 208 is so called as to radially surround a shaft (not shown, but understood to be present in view of U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,680 B2) driven by the transmission (not shown) of the engine 100. Accordingly, the shaft housing defines an axis of rotation A, a radial direction R, and a circumferential direction C. Additionally, although not shown in the figures of the present application, but shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,680 B2, metal-to-metal face seals (e.g., duo-cone seals) may be provided within the shaft housing 208 to allow the shaft housing to rotate relative to the fixed inner hub 204 without loss of lubricant.Additionally, a transmission housing 210 may extend between the shaft housing 208 and the outer rotating hub 206. The transmission housing is so called because it can radially surround a planetary gear or the like (see again U.S. Pat. No. 8 356 680 B2). The transmission housing can be separate, integral or integrated with the shaft housing.Referring to FIGS. 2 and 12, a debris deflector assembly 300 may be secured to the stationary inner hub 204. This debris deflector assembly 300 may include a pair of screwable mounting rings 402, 402a and a pair of debris deflectors 500, 500a attached to the pair of screwable mounting rings 402, 402a.More specifically, each of the pair of screwable mounting rings 402, 402a may be secured to the machine 100 as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,680 B2, and at least one of the pair of debris deflectors 500, 500a may also be screwed to the machine 100 while being seated flush on at least one of the pair of screwable mounting rings 402, 402a.In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 12, at least one of the pair of debris deflectors 500 and at least one of the pair of screwable mounting rings 402 form a left debris deflector subassembly 400, and the other of the pair of debris deflectors 500 aand the other of the pair of screwable mounting rings 402 aform a right debris deflector subassembly 400 a. In other embodiments, the deflectors may be simultaneously mounted to upper and lower mounting rings, and so forth.In some embodiments, the pair of debris deflectors 500, 500 aare identically configured, and the pair of screwable mounting rings 402, 402 aare also identically configured. This can reduce the costs of storage and manufacturing. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, this may not be the case.Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the pair of debris deflectors 500, 500 aincludes a first deflection surface 502 spaced apart (e.g., radially) from the shaft housing 208 and a second deflection surface 504 extending directly from the first deflection surface 502 to an outer circumferential surface 506 of the debris deflector 500, 500 a.As best understood with reference to FIG. 12, the first deflection surface 502 may be configured to deflect debris from the shaft housing 208 (and / or the seam 212 (may also be referred to as a joint or joint) located between the mounting ring and the shaft housing, and the second deflection surface 504 may be configured to deflect debris from the fixed inner hub 204 (and / or the seam 214 (or joint or joint) located between the mounting ring and the machine body)). In other embodiments of the present disclosure, this may not be the case.Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a debris rejector subassembly 400, 400a that may be provided as a retrofit kit or replacement kit will be described. Such a debris deflector subassembly 400, 400 amay include a spin-on mounting ring 402, 402 awith a ring segment shaped body (404) defining a center or axis of rotation (which may match or at least nearly match the center or axis of rotation A of the shaft housing when attached to the machine 100 or the final drive 200), a radial direction (which may also match or nearly match R of the shaft housing), and a circumferential direction (which may approximately match C) about the center or axis of rotation.With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the ring segment shaped body 404 may include a circumferentially extending outer (e.g., radially outer) surface 406, a circumferentially extending inner (e.g., radially inner) surface 408, a first circumferential end defining surface 410 (may be flat, but need not be), and a second circumferential end defining surface 412 (may also be flat, extend vertically parallel to the surface 410 or within 10.0 degrees of parallelism, but need not be). Additionally, an axially front surface 414 and an axially rear surface 416 (see FIG. 5 ) form the body 404.With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the ring segment shaped body defines a first fastener receiving counterbore 418 on the axially front surface 414 that is circumferentially disposed adjacent the first circumferential end defining surface 410 and a first straight fastener through-hole 420 or threaded bore that is circumferentially spaced from the first fastener receiving counterbore 418 (i.e., center-to-center) by a predetermined angle 422 about the center or axis of rotation A, which in some embodiments is in a range from 50.0 degrees to 70.0 degrees (e.g., about 60.0 degrees).Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8, the subassembly 400 may further include a dirt deflector 500 defining a first circumferential extension 508 that is less than a second circumferential extension 424 of the screwable mounting ring 400. More specifically, the first circumferential extension 508 of the debris deflector 500 may be less than 90.0 degrees and the second circumferential extension 424 of the screwable mounting ring 400 may be 180.0 degrees or less. Thus, the ring is designed for mounting and dismounting around the shaft housing in two parts with almost complete 360 degree coverage of the shaft housing and the fixed inner hub, while the dirt deflector is positioned only at locations where dirt frequently enters the final drive.As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the threaded mounting ring 402 may define at least one slot 426 on an axially rearward surface 416 of the ring segment shaped body 404 (which may also be referred to as a shell body because it has a uniform wall thickness to facilitate casting during manufacture) and a plane of symmetry 428 that includes the center or axis of rotation A and the radial direction R (shown to bisect the body approximately 90.0 degrees in half). Two semicircular slots are shown which, when mounted side by side, provide evacuation (especially when mounted near the bottom of the final drive), or can be used as break-open slots, etc. Other configurations and a different number of slots are possible (e.g., partially rectangular, etc.). The mounting plates 430, on which the fastener receiving apertures (e.g., see 418, 420) are centered, are provided for resting on or contacting the machine or machine body during assembly. Ribs 432 are also provided on the axially rearward surface 416 to aid in strength.Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the debris deflector 500 may include a pair of deflection surfaces (e.g., first deflection surface 510, second deflection surface 512, etc.) defining a pair of surface normals (e.g., first surface normal 514, second surface normal 516) that are non-parallel to each other, to the center or axis of rotation A, to the radial direction R, and to the circumferential direction C. This may not be the case with other embodiments of the present disclosure.However, as indicated herein, these surfaces are tapered in a certain manner to protect the connections between the assembly / subassembly and the engine / fixed inner hub and housing shaft.Referring now to Figs. 8 to 11, a dirt deflector 500 which can be separately provided as a replacement part will be described.Such a debris deflector 500 may include a ring segment shaped body 518 defining a central axis (which may approximately coincide with A when mounted to the machine or final drive), a radial direction R, and a circumferential direction C about the central axis.The ring segment shaped body 518 may include a radially outer surface 520 (may be shaped as a convex cylindrical or convex conical surface, etc.), a radially inner surface 522 (may be shaped as a concave cylindrical or concave conical surface, etc.), a first circumferential end defining surface 524 (may be flat and extend horizontally or lie within 10.0 degrees of horizontal), and a second circumferential end defining surface 526 (may be flat and extend horizontally or lie within 10.0 degrees of horizontal, may form an included angle facing toward the central axis).As best seen in FIG. 8, a first deflection surface 510 may extend from the first surface 524 defining the first circumferential end and define a first surface normal 514 that faces away from the central axis (see A). More specifically, the first surface normal 514 may point mainly in the radial direction R and along the central axis (see A). That is, this surface normal may have a circumferential component that is less than 30.0 degrees and radial and axial components that are in a range of 30.0 degrees to 45.0 degrees. As shown, the first deflection surface 510 has a flat, triangular shape.Similarly, a second baffle 512 extends radially outward from the first baffle 510 and circumferentially adjoins the first circumferential end defining surface 524. The second deflection surface defines a second surface normal 516 that is non-parallel (i.e., oblique) to the first surface normal 514. Specifically, the second surface normal 516 points mainly along the circumferential direction C and along the central axis (may be expressed in circumferential and axial components that are in a range of 30.0 degrees to 60.0 degrees, or about 40.0 degrees to 50.0 degrees). This means that this surface normal does not point very strongly radially. As shown, the second deflection surface 512 has a flat, quadrangular shape (or a quadrilateral shape with a round outer edge at its intersection with the surface 520). More specifically, the flat quadrilateral shape may have an upper edge 528 remote from the first circumferential end defining surface (524) and an opposing lower edge 530 adjacent the first circumferential end defining surface (524), the lower edge 530 being shorter than the upper edge 528. Other configurations for these various surfaces and edges are possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 9 illustrates that the ring segment shaped body defines a plane of symmetry 532 (which may be horizontal when installed) that includes the central axis (see A) and the radial direction R.Looking together at FIGS. 8 and 9, the ring segment shaped body defines a first fastener receiving opening 534 (e.g., a counterbore) that is circumferentially adjacent to the second deflection surface 512 and that defines a center 536 that is circumferentially spaced from the plane of symmetry 532 by a first angle 538 about the central axis, which in some embodiments of the present disclosure is in a range from 25.0 degrees to 35.0 degrees (e.g., about 30.0 degrees).Any of the rings or deflectors described herein may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, iron, cast iron, gray cast iron, and thermoplastics. Each of these components may be machined. In particular, the angled baffles may be formed by milling, grinding, electrode discharge machining, etc.All dimensions, angles, ratios, configurations, materials, etc. discussed herein may be varied as needed or desired to be different from the values or features expressly mentioned herein or shown in the drawings for each of the embodiments.Industrial applicabilityIn practice, a machine, debris deflector assembly, debris deflector subassembly, and / or rejector or replacement kit (which may include one or more of these elements) constructed in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein may be sold, purchased, manufactured, or otherwise obtained in an OEM (First Out Of Market) or in a retrofit market context. If necessary, various components can be provided as a kit for repair or retrofitting a machine in the exterior insert. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates how a replacement or retrofitting on a machine may look at the exterior.As illustrated, a deflector may be provided that may be screwed or otherwise secured to the final drive of a vehicle or an engine to assist in preventing debris from entering the interior regions of the engine. This deflector can prevent damage or failure of machine parts, contamination of mechanisms, etc. Again, other embodiments and configurations of the deflector or mounting ring are conceivable and are within the scope of the present application. For example, a plurality of smaller deflectors may be provided with more or fewer baffles. Or, larger deflectors (e.g., having a larger circumferential extension) etc. may be provided.The indication of ranges of values is intended to serve merely as a shorthand notation for reference to each individual value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each individual value is included in the specification as if individually set forth.It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus as described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art having regard to the description and practice of the various embodiments. For example, a portion of the equipment may be designed differently and function differently than what is described herein, and in addition, certain steps of any method may be omitted and performed in a different order from which what has been specifically stated, or in some cases performed simultaneously or in underrun. Moreover, variations or modifications may be made to certain aspects or features of various embodiments to provide further embodiments and features, and aspects of various embodiments may be added to or replaced with other features or aspects of other embodiments to provide still further embodiments.Accordingly, the description and embodiments are to be considered as exemplary only, the scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

A debris deflector (500, 500a) for preventing debris from becoming contaminated on a final drive (200), the debris deflector (500, 500a) comprising: a ring segment shaped body (518) defining a central axis (A), a radial direction (R) and a circumferential direction (C) about the central axis (A), the ring segment shaped body (518) comprising: a radially outer surface (520); a radially inner surface (522); a first circumferential end defining surface (524); and a second circumferential end defining surface (526); wherein the ring segment-shaped body (518) has a first deflection surface (510) adjoining the first surface (524) defining a first circumferential end and defines a first surface normal (514) pointing away from the central axis (A), characterized in that the first surface normal (514) encloses an angle of less than 30.0 degrees with a tangent to the circumferential direction (C) and encloses an angle in the range of 30.0 degrees to 45.0 degrees with the radial direction (R) and with the central axis (A), and wherein the first deflection surface (510) has a flat triangular shape.The debris deflector (500, 500a) of claim 1, wherein the ring segment shaped body (518) has a second deflection surface (512) extending radially outward from the first deflection surface (510) and circumferentially adjoining the first surface (524) defining a first circumferential end, and wherein the second deflection surface (512) defines a second surface normal (516) that is non-parallel to the first surface normal (514).The debris deflector (500, 500a) of claim 2, wherein the second surface normal (516) having a tangent to the circumferential direction (C) and having the central axis (A) each include an angle in the range of 30.0 degrees to 60.0 degrees, and wherein the second deflection surface (512) has a flat quadrangular shape or a flat quadrilateral shape having a curved outer edge.The dirt deflector (500, 500a) according to claim 3, wherein the second surface normal (516), having a tangent to the circumferential direction (C) and having the central axis (A), each includes an angle in the range from 40.0 degrees to 50.0 degrees.The debris deflector (500, 500a) of claim 3 or 4, wherein the flat quadrilateral shape or the flat quadrilateral shape has an upper edge (528) remote from the first circumferential end defining surface (524) and an opposing lower edge (530) adjacent the first circumferential end defining surface (524), the lower edge (530) being shorter than the upper edge (528).The debris deflector (500, 500a) of claim 1, wherein the ring segment shaped body (518) defines a plane of symmetry (532) that includes the central axis (A) and the radial direction (R).The debris deflector (500, 500a) of claim 6, wherein the ring segment shaped body (518) defines a first fastener receiving opening (534) circumferentially disposed adjacent the second deflection surface (512) and defining a center (536) circumferentially spaced from the plane of symmetry (532) by a first angle (538) about the central axis (A) that is in a range from 25.0 degrees to 35.0 degrees.A debris deflector subassembly (400, 500; 400a, 500a) for preventing debris from a final drive (200), the debris deflector subassembly (400, 500; 400a, 500a) comprising: a debris deflector (500, 500a) according to any preceding claim; and a screwable mounting ring (402, 402a) comprising at least one ring segment shaped body (404) defining a central axis (A), a radial direction (R) and a circumferential direction (C) about the central axis (A), the at least one ring segment shaped body (404) comprising: a radially outer surface (406); a radially inner surface (408); a first surface (410) defining a first circumferential end; a second circumferential end defining surface (412); an axially front surface (414); and an axially rear surface (416); wherein the at least one ring segment shaped body (404) includes a first fastener receiving counterbore (418) on the axially front surface (414) circumferentially disposed adjacent the first circumferential end defining surface (410) and a first straight fastener passage opening (420) circumferentially spaced from a center of the first fastener receiving counterbore (418) by an angle (422) about the central axis (A) in a range of 50.0 degrees to 70.0 degrees.The debris deflector subassembly (400, 500; 400a, 500a) of claim 8, wherein the debris deflector (500, 500a) defines a first circumferential extension (508) that is less than a second circumferential extension (424) of the screwable mounting ring (402, 402a).The debris rejector subassembly (400, 500; 400a, 500a) of claim 9, wherein the first circumferential extension (508) is less than 90.0 degrees and the second circumferential extension (424) is 180.0 degrees or less.

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