Track roller, track roller assembly and military tracked vehicle

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a track roller for a military tracked vehicle, a track roller assembly comprising such a track roller, and a military tracked vehicle comprising such a track roller and / or such a track roller assembly.

[0002] Military tracked vehicles, such as infantry fighting vehicles, comprise a tracked drive train with a track driven by a drive roller and several spring-loaded rollers that keep the track in contact with the surface on which the tracked vehicle is moving. Such rollers have a roller bandage, made of rubber, for example, that runs around each roller. The roller bands prevent direct contact between the track and the rollers, thereby preventing excessive wear on the track and rollers. When the tracked vehicle is in operation, these roller bands heat up due to flexion. If metallic materials are used for the rollers, this heat can be dissipated from the roller bands via thermal conduction.

[0003] However, for weight savings, it is advantageous to use fiber-reinforced plastic materials for the rollers. However, according to internal findings, when using fiber-reinforced plastic materials for the rollers, the heat generated during flexing cannot be adequately dissipated from the roller tires. This can lead to damage to the roller tires or to them detaching from the roller. This needs to be improved.

[0004] US 10 272 959 B2 shows a track assembly with a track for engagement with the ground and a plurality of wheels having a drive wheel for driving the track around the wheels.

[0005] US 5 171 074 A describes a lightweight wheel with a low moment of inertia having inner, back-to-back metal discs secured to a hub by a plurality of circumferentially spaced hub pins.

[0006] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved track roller for a military tracked vehicle.

[0007] Accordingly, a track roller for a military tracked vehicle is proposed. The track roller comprises a track roller body, which is made at least in sections from a fiber-reinforced plastic material, a track roller bandage encircling the track roller body, and a cooling device for cooling the track roller bandage during operation of the track roller. The cooling device has a fan wheel for actively cooling the track roller bandage during operation of the track roller, wherein the fan wheel is arranged within the track roller body.

[0008] The cooling system allows heat to be dissipated from the roller bandage, preventing excessive heating of the roller bandage. This prevents or at least delays damage and / or detachment of the roller bandage from the roller body. Significant weight savings can be achieved by using a fiber-reinforced plastic material for the roller body. The weight savings per chain roller can be up to 10 kg.

[0009] Furthermore, cooling the track roller tire allows for a lower temperature level when using rubber tracks. Because the rubber tracks heat up less due to the flexing during operation, the cooling system enables the use of relatively lightweight rubber tracks even for military tracked vehicles with a combat weight of over 50 tons, where the use of rubber tracks was previously impossible. The use of rubber tracks can result in a weight saving of approximately 70 kg per meter of track.

[0010] The military tracked vehicle can, for example, be an infantry fighting vehicle or the like. However, the military tracked vehicle can also be a main battle tank or an armored recovery vehicle. However, the track roller can also be used for civilian purposes or any government purpose. The military tracked vehicle can be armed or unarmed. The track roller can also be referred to as a military track roller or military track roller. The "operation" of the track roller refers, in particular, to its intended use. The track roller rotates during operation, particularly when the military tracked vehicle is moving.

[0011] The military tracked vehicle comprises a tracked chassis with a chain driven by a drive roller and several track rollers over which the chain runs. Furthermore, the tracked chassis can have any number of support rollers and a deflection roller. The support rollers are not mandatory. The drive roller can be located at the front of the military tracked vehicle. The deflection roller can be located at the rear of the military tracked vehicle. Conversely, the drive roller can also be located at the rear and the deflection roller at the front.

[0012] Unlike the drive roller, the track rollers are not driven. The drive roller is coupled, for example, to a drive of the military tracked vehicle. The tracked drive preferably comprises several track rollers. Each track roller can be assigned a swing arm on which the track roller is rotatably mounted. Accordingly, a tracked drive comprising at least one track roller and at least one swing arm is also proposed, on which the at least one track roller is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis. The tracked drive can comprise any number of track rollers. The swing arm is not mandatory.

[0013] The roller body is particularly constructed rotationally symmetrically to the aforementioned rotational axis. The roller body and a roller axle, on which the chain roller or the roller body is rotatably mounted, are arranged coaxially to one another. The roller axle itself is preferably also constructed rotationally symmetrically to the rotational axis. The roller body can be made entirely of the fiber-reinforced plastic material. Such a fiber-reinforced plastic material comprises reinforcing fibers embedded in a plastic matrix. The plastic matrix can, for example, comprise an epoxy resin or any other thermosetting plastics or thermoplastics. Preferably, the roller body is made, at least in sections, from a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic material. However, glass fibers, aramid fibers, boron fibers, or the like can also be used as reinforcing fibers.A mixture of different reinforcing fibers can also be used.

[0014] The roller body preferably comprises a first roller half and a second roller half, which are firmly connected to one another, in particular by a material bond, for example, glued together. The roller halves are preferably arranged coaxially with one another. The roller body can also be a one-piece component, in particular a single-piece component. "Single-piece" or "one-piece" in this case means that the roller body is not constructed from different individual components, but rather forms a single component. In this case, this means that the two roller halves form a common component, namely the roller body. "Single-piece" in this case means that the roller body is made entirely of the same material.

[0015] However, the roller body can also be constructed from multiple parts. For example, the roller body can comprise the aforementioned roller halves that are integrally bonded to one another. In integral bonds, the connecting parts are held together by atomic or molecular forces. Integral bonds are non-detachable connections that can only be separated by destroying the connecting elements and / or the connecting parts. For example, the roller halves are glued together. Alternatively or additionally, the roller halves can also be pinned, screwed, and / or riveted together. The roller halves themselves can be integral parts or components, particularly parts made of one piece material.

[0016] The track roller bandages are designed as ring-shaped components that completely encircle the track roller body. In particular, the track roller bandages are firmly bonded to the outer surfaces of the track roller body or the track roller halves. For example, the track roller bandages are glued or vulcanized onto the outer surfaces. The outer surfaces are designed to be rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation around which the chain roller or track roller body rotates during operation. The track roller body or track roller halves are each designed to be rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation.

[0017] The roller bandage(s) are preferably made of a plastic material. The plastic material used for the roller bandage preferably differs from the fiber-reinforced plastic material from which the roller body is made. "Differentiated" in this context means, in particular, that the plastic materials are chemically different from one another. For example, the fiber-reinforced plastic material, as mentioned above, comprises an epoxy resin as the plastic matrix, while the plastic material used for the roller bandage can be an elastomer.

[0018] In particular, the roller bandage is made of an elastomer. The roller bandages can be made of synthetic or natural rubber, for example. "Elastomers" or "elastomeric plastic materials" are understood here to mean, in particular, dimensionally stable, yet elastically deformable plastic materials whose glass transition point is below the operating temperature. An elastomer can deform elastically under tensile and compressive loads, but subsequently returns to its original, undeformed geometry. For example, each roller half is assigned a roller bandage.

[0019] However, the plastic material used for the roller bandage can also be a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic material. "Thermoplastics" or "thermoplastic materials" in this context refer in particular to plastic materials that can be deformed within a specific temperature range. This process is reversible, meaning it can be repeated as often as desired by cooling and reheating to the molten state, as long as the so-called thermal decomposition of the plastic material does not occur due to overheating. Furthermore, the roller bandage can also be made of a silicone, especially a castable one, such as a silicone rubber or a silicone elastomer. A natural material, such as cork, can also be used.The roller bandage can also be made of a composite material, for example comprising a combination of the aforementioned materials.

[0020] The roller bands can be perforated so that cooling air can be passed through them. Alternatively, the roller bands can also be unperforated. The cooling device is particularly suitable for actively cooling the roller band. "Active cooling" in this context refers in particular to cooling in which cooling air is forced past or through the roller band to dissipate heat from the roller band. This means, in particular, that a cooling air flow is actively generated.

[0021] "Passive cooling" would therefore be understood, for example, as cooling based purely on heat conduction. However, this does not preclude active cooling from also utilizing the principle of heat conduction. For example, by using cooling air to dissipate heat from the cooling fins of the chain roller. In this case, the heat can be transferred from the roller tire to the respective cooling fin by means of heat conduction.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the roller body has cooling air nozzles for supplying cooling air to the roller bandage.

[0023] The cooling air can be supplied to the roller body, for example, via the swing arm on which the chain roller is rotatably mounted. The swing arm can have an internal cooling air duct for this purpose. The roller body is preferably hollow and encloses an interior space. The cooling air nozzles are preferably truncated cone-shaped or conical and taper from the interior of the roller body towards the area surrounding the chain roller. This allows a higher flow velocity of the cooling air to be achieved. The cooling air nozzles preferably run radially or in a radial direction of the roller body or the chain roller. The cooling air nozzles can therefore also be referred to as radial cooling air nozzles or radial cooling air nozzles. The radial direction is oriented from the axis of rotation towards the outer surface of the roller body or the roller halves.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the roller bandage has cooling air passages into which the cooling air nozzles open.

[0025] In this case, the roller bands are perforated. In particular, any number of cooling air outlets is provided, evenly distributed around the circumference of the respective roller band. The number of cooling air outlets corresponds to the number of cooling air nozzles. This means that each cooling air nozzle is assigned a cooling air outlet. Viewed along the radial direction, a cooling air nozzle is thus located below each cooling air outlet. The cooling air outlets run radially through the roller bands. The cooling air outlets can therefore also be referred to as radial cooling air outlets or radial cooling air outlets.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, a flow direction of the cooling air is oriented from an interior of the roller body towards an environment of the chain roller.

[0027] This reliably prevents dust or other contaminants from the environment from entering the interior and thus contaminating the chain roller. In particular, there is an overpressure in the interior relative to the environment. This overpressure can be generated by a blower or a fan wheel. The blower can be part of the cooling system.

[0028] The cooling device has a fan wheel for actively cooling the roller bandage during operation of the chain roller.

[0029] The fan wheel preferably comprises any number of fan blades or vanes. The fan wheel ensures a forced cooling air flow from the interior to the environment through the cooling air nozzles. The forced cooling air flow actively cools the roller tire.

[0030] The fan wheel is located inside the roller body.

[0031] Preferably, the fan wheel is completely housed within the roller body. The fan wheel is preferably completely enclosed by the roller body. The fan wheel is located in the interior of the roller body. The fan wheel is preferably made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material, in particular a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic material. However, any other reinforcing fibers may also be used. The fan wheel can also be made of a metallic material, for example, an aluminum alloy.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the chain roller comprises a planetary gear for driving the fan wheel.

[0033] The planetary gear is located inside the track roller body. This means that the planetary gear is located inside the track roller body. The track roller body thus completely encloses the planetary gear. With the help of the planetary gear, the fan wheel rotates at a higher speed than the track roller itself when the track roller is in operation. This allows the cooling capacity to be achieved even at low driving speeds of the military tracked vehicle.

[0034] According to a further embodiment, the chain roller comprises a fan wheel carrier which carries the fan wheel, wherein the fan wheel carrier has a ring gear of the planetary gear.

[0035] The planetary gear further comprises a fixed sun gear provided on the fixed roller axle. The chain roller is rotatably mounted on the roller axle. A plurality of planet gears can be provided between the ring gear and the sun gear. For example, three planet gears are provided. The planet gears can, for example, be rotatably mounted on a roller carrier of the chain roller. By using a planetary gear, a particularly compact installation space can be achieved. The fan carrier is preferably rotatably mounted on the roller axle by means of a bearing. The planetary gear rotates around the roller axle. This means that the planetary gear encloses the roller axle.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, the cooling device has cooling fins for dissipating heat from the roller bandage, wherein the cooling fins project radially into the roller body.

[0037] Only one cooling fin can be provided. If cooling fins are provided, the track roller bandage is preferably unperforated. "Radial" in this case means toward the rotational axis of the track roller. In particular, the cooling fins protrude into the interior of the track roller body, where cooling air flows around them. The cooling fins are, for example, disc-shaped and run rotationally symmetrically to the rotational axis. For example, the cooling fins can be made of an aluminum alloy or a copper alloy. The cooling fins can also be so-called heat pipes or include heat pipes. A "heat pipe" or "heat pipe" is understood here to be a heat exchanger that utilizes the evaporation heat of a medium to achieve a high heat flux density. In this way, large amounts of heat can be transported over a small cross-sectional area.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, the chain roller comprises a heat-conducting layer arranged between an outer surface of the roller body and the roller bandage, wherein the heat-conducting layer is connected to the cooling fins in a heat-conducting manner.

[0039] In particular, the thermally conductive layer is also thermally conductively connected to the roller bandage. The thermally conductive layer can be, for example, a thermally conductive paste. For example, the thermally conductive layer is a copper paste or contains a copper paste. The thermally conductive layer ensures good heat transfer between the roller bandage and the cooling fins. The thermally conductive layer can also be a coating, such as an electroplated coating, deposited on the outer surface.

[0040] Furthermore, a track roller assembly for a military tracked vehicle is proposed. The track roller assembly comprises a swing arm and a track roller as previously explained, which is mounted on the swing arm so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis.

[0041] The track roller assembly can be a support roller drive or be referred to as such. This means, in particular, that the track roller assembly can have support rollers as mentioned above. However, the track roller assembly can also be a so-called Christie drive. A Christie drive does not have support rollers. The track roller assembly can be part of the aforementioned track drive. The track drive can comprise multiple track roller assemblies. The track roller assembly can have any number of swing arms and track rollers. Each swing arm is assigned a track roller. The swing arms are, for example, spring-mounted on a trough of the tracked vehicle. Torsion bars or torsion springs can be used for this purpose.Each swing arm is assigned a torsion bar or torsion spring so that the respective chain roller can compress in a vertical or y-direction and rebound in the opposite direction when overcoming uneven ground. The swing arms can be moved from an extended state to a compressed state and vice versa. When moving the respective swing arm from the extended state to the compressed state, the respective torsion bar is twisted. This means that a force or torque is required to move the respective swing arm from the extended state to the compressed state. In the compressed state, the torsion bar is therefore preloaded, in particular spring preloaded. This means that the swing arms are spring-loaded in the direction of the extended state.Accordingly, when no force or torque acts on the respective swing arm, the swing arms move automatically from the compressed state back to the extended state.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the swing arm has an internal cooling air guide channel for supplying cooling air to the chain roller.

[0043] In other words, the swing arm is hollow, at least in sections, so that the cooling air can be guided through the swing arm. For example, a fan as mentioned above can be assigned to the swing arm, with the help of which the cooling air is forcibly guided through the swing arm. In the event that the cooling device has the fan wheel that is housed in the track roller, the fan can be omitted. In this case, the fan wheel draws the cooling air in through the swing arm. The cooling air is preferably drawn in from an interior of the tracked vehicle. Compared to drawing in from the environment, this has the advantage that no contaminants are introduced into the track roller.

[0044] According to a further embodiment, the cooling air guide channel is in fluid connection with the chain roller by means of flexible cooling air guide bellows.

[0045] The cooling air guide bellows can be made of rubber or another elastomeric material, for example. Because the cooling air guide bellows are flexible, relative movements of the chain roller to the swing arm can be compensated.

[0046] According to a further embodiment, the chain roller arrangement comprises a roller cover which closes the chain roller in the direction of the swing arm, wherein the roller cover is made at least in sections from a fiber-reinforced plastic material.

[0047] The track roller cover can, for example, be made from a carbon fiber reinforced plastic material. However, any other reinforcing fibers can also be used. Furthermore, the track roller cover can also be made from a metallic material, for example an aluminum alloy. The track roller cover can be part of the chain roller. Preferably, the track roller cover is firmly connected to the swing arm and cannot move relative to the swing arm. This means that the chain roller can rotate relative to the track roller cover. A sealing element, for example in the form of a shaft seal, can be provided between the track roller cover and the chain roller so that even when the chain roller rotates relative to the track roller cover, no dirt can get between the track roller cover and the chain roller into the interior of the chain roller.The roller cover preferably comprises a plurality of cooling air inlets, which are in fluid connection with the cooling air guide channel of the swing arm by means of the cooling air guide bellows.

[0048] Furthermore, a military tracked vehicle with such a track roller and / or such a track roller arrangement is proposed.

[0049] As previously mentioned, a military tracked vehicle can be armed or unarmed. The military tracked vehicle can be an infantry fighting vehicle, a main battle tank, an armored recovery vehicle, or any other military tracked vehicle. For example, a military tracked vehicle includes a rotating turret with armament.

[0050] The embodiments and features described for the proposed track roller apply accordingly to the proposed track roller assembly and / or the proposed military tracked vehicle and vice versa.

[0051] "One" in this case is not necessarily limited to a single element. Rather, multiple elements, such as two, three, or more, may also be included. Any other counting term used here should not be understood as implying a limitation to the exact number of elements mentioned. Rather, numerical deviations upwards and downwards are possible, unless otherwise stated.

[0052] Further possible implementations of the track roller, track roller assembly, and / or military tracked vehicle also include combinations of features or embodiments described previously or below with respect to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In this case, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the track roller, track roller assembly, and / or military tracked vehicle.

[0053] Further advantageous configurations and aspects of the track roller, the track roller assembly, and / or the military tracked vehicle are the subject of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the track roller, the track roller assembly, and / or the military tracked vehicle described below. The track roller, the track roller assembly, and / or the military tracked vehicle are explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a military tracked vehicle; Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a track roller arrangement for the military tracked vehicle according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a track roller arrangement for the military tracked vehicle according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a track roller arrangement for the military tracked vehicle according to Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a track roller arrangement for the military tracked vehicle according to Fig. 1 .

[0054] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference numerals unless otherwise stated.

[0055] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a military tracked vehicle 1. The military tracked vehicle 1 is hereinafter referred to simply as a tracked vehicle. The tracked vehicle 1 is a highly protected tracked vehicle. For this purpose, the tracked vehicle 1 has armor plating. In particular, the tracked vehicle 1 can be an infantry fighting vehicle. However, the tracked vehicle 1 can also be a main battle tank, an armored recovery vehicle, or the like. The tracked vehicle 1 can be armed or unarmed.

[0056] Tracked vehicle 1 is assigned a coordinate system with a width direction or x-direction x, a height direction or y-direction y, and a depth direction or z-direction z. The directions x, y, and z are oriented perpendicular to each other.

[0057] The tracked vehicle 1 comprises a protected passenger compartment 2, which accommodates the crew of the tracked vehicle 1. The passenger compartment 2 is protected against gunfire, booby traps, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mines, or the like. The passenger compartment 2 encloses an interior space 3 in which the crew can stay. The interior space 3 of the passenger compartment 2 can be entered and exited from an area 4 of the tracked vehicle 1 via hatches or doors.

[0058] The tracked vehicle 1 can have a turret 5 with armament 6. The turret 5 is rotatably mounted on the passenger compartment 2. The turret 5 can include an electric or hydraulic drive to rotate the turret 5. However, the turret 5 can also be operated manually if the drive fails. The armament 6 can be a machine gun or the like. The armament 6 can be a primary armament or main armament. A secondary armament, for example, in the form of a machine gun, can also be provided.

[0059] The tracked vehicle 1 further comprises a tracked drive 7, with the aid of which the tracked vehicle 1 can move on a surface 8 in a direction of travel 9. However, this does not exclude the possibility that the tracked vehicle 1 can also move in the opposite direction to the direction of travel 9, for example in reverse gear. In the orientation of the Fig. 1 the direction of travel 9 is oriented opposite to the x-direction x.

[0060] The chain drive 7 comprises a revolving chain 10, which is driven by a drive roller 11. The drive roller 11 is located at the front. In the orientation of the Fig. 1 When the tracked vehicle 1 moves in the direction of travel 9, the chain 10 rotates counterclockwise. The chain 10 can have a plurality of interconnected chain links that are movably connected to one another. The chain links are made of a metallic material, such as steel. However, the chain 10 can also be a rubber track.

[0061] The drive roller 11 is operatively connected to a drive of the tracked vehicle 1. The drive can, for example, comprise an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine, and a transmission. Furthermore, the track drive 7 comprises a plurality of track rollers 12, of which Fig. 1 only one is provided with a reference symbol. For example, six such track rollers 12 are provided on each side of the tracked vehicle 1. However, the number of track rollers 12 is fundamentally arbitrary.

[0062] Each track roller 12 is assigned a swing arm 13, on which the respective track roller 12 is mounted for rotation about a rotation axis 14. Each swing arm 13, in turn, is mounted on a trough 16 of the tracked vehicle 1 for rotation about a rotation axis 15. The trough 16 can be part of the passenger compartment 2 or be permanently connected to it.

[0063] The swing arms 13 are each operatively connected to the trough 16 by means of a torsion spring or a torsion bar, so that the chain rollers 12 can compress in the y-direction y and rebound in the opposite direction y when overcoming uneven ground. The swing arms 13 can be rebounded from a rebounded state, which is in the Fig. 1 shown, into a compressed state in which the respective chain roller 12 is moved upwards along the y-direction y.

[0064] When the respective swing arm 13 is moved from the extended state to the compressed state, the respective torsion bar is twisted. This means that a force or torque is required to move the respective swing arm 13 from the extended state to the compressed state. In the compressed state, the torsion bar is therefore subject to a preload, in particular a spring preload. This results in the swing arms 13 being spring-loaded towards the extended state. Accordingly, when no force or torque acts on the respective swing arm 13, the swing arms 13 move automatically from the compressed state back to the extended state.

[0065] Furthermore, the chain drive 7 comprises several support rollers 17, of which in the Fig. 1 only one is provided with a reference number. For example, three such support rollers 17 are provided. The support rollers 17 are optional. Furthermore, the track drive 7 comprises a deflection roller 18. The deflection roller 18 is provided at the rear. Conversely, the drive roller 11 can also be arranged at the rear and the deflection roller 18 at the front. Fig. 1 The direction of gravity 19, indicated by an arrow, is oriented opposite to the y-direction y. The track drive 7 can be covered, at least in sections, by a cover not shown in Fig. 7. The cover covers the track drive 7 laterally. For example, the cover covers the track drive 7 up to approximately the level of the rotation axis 14.

[0066] The tracked vehicle 7 preferably comprises two tracks 10, which are arranged on either side of the tracked vehicle 1, viewed along the direction of travel 9. Accordingly, the tracked vehicle 7 also comprises a pair of drive rollers 11 arranged on either side of the tracked vehicle 1, any desired number of track rollers 12 with swing arms 13, which are also arranged on either side of the tracked vehicle 1, a pair of support rollers 17, and a pair of deflection rollers 18.

[0067] The Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a track roller assembly 20A for the tracked vehicle 1. The track roller assembly 20A comprises a track roller 12A and a swing arm 13, as mentioned above, which is connected to the trough 16 by means of a torsion spring or a torsion bar. The track roller 12A is mounted on the swing arm 13 for rotation about the aforementioned axis of rotation 14. The track drive 7 comprises a plurality of such track roller assemblies 20A, which are arranged on both sides of the tracked vehicle 1.

[0068] The chain roller 12A comprises a roller body 21, which is made at least in sections from a fiber-reinforced plastic material. For example, the roller body 21 is made from a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic material. "At least in sections" here means that the roller body 21 is at least partially made from the fiber-reinforced plastic material. However, this does not preclude the possibility that the roller body 21 may also have metallic components. Preferably, however, the roller body 21 is made entirely from the fiber-reinforced plastic material.

[0069] The fiber-reinforced plastic material comprises reinforcing fibers, such as carbon fibers, and a matrix in which the reinforcing fibers are embedded. Epoxy resins, any other thermosetting plastics, or even thermoplastics are used as the matrix. The reinforcing fibers are preferably continuous fibers. In addition to carbon fibers, the reinforcing fibers can also include glass fibers, aramid fibers, boron fibers, or the like. A mixture of different reinforcing fiber types can also be used.

[0070] The roller body 21 is constructed rotationally symmetrically to the rotational axis 14. The roller body 21 comprises an inner or first roller half 22 and an outer or second roller half 23. "Inner" and "outer" are used here in relation to the swing arm 13. The first roller half 22 is positioned closer to the swing arm 13 than the second roller half 23. This means that the first roller half 22 is arranged between the swing arm 13 and the second roller half 23. The roller halves 22, 23 are also each constructed rotationally symmetrically to the rotational axis 14. The two roller halves 22, 23 are arranged coaxially to one another.

[0071] The roller halves 23, 22 are constructed mirror-symmetrically to a plane 24. The plane 24 is oriented perpendicular to the rotation axis 14. For example, the plane 24 is spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction. The roller halves 22, 23 can be firmly connected to one another at an interface 25. The interface 25 rotates in a disc-like manner around the rotation axis 14.

[0072] The roller halves 22, 23 are thus joined together at the interface 25 to form the roller body 21.

[0073] In particular, the roller halves 22, 23 can be firmly bonded to one another at the interface 25. In firmly bonded connections, the connecting partners are held together by atomic or molecular forces. Firmly bonded connections are non-detachable connections that can only be separated by destroying the connecting elements and / or the connecting partners. Firmly bonded connections can be achieved, for example, by gluing. This means that the roller halves 22, 23 can be glued to one another at the interface 25. Additionally or alternatively, the roller halves 22, 23 can also be screwed or riveted to one another at the interface 25.

[0074] Each roller half 22, 23 forms a single-piece component, in particular a single-piece component. "Single-piece" or "one-piece" in this case means that the roller halves 22, 23 are not constructed from several individual parts or components, but rather form a single part or component. "Single-piece" in this case means that the roller halves 22, 23 are each made entirely of the same material. The two roller halves 22, 23 are then joined at the interface 25 to form a single component, namely the roller body 21.

[0075] Alternatively, the roller body 21 itself can also be a one-piece component, in particular a one-piece component made of a single material. In this case, it is not necessary to first manufacture the roller halves 22, 23 as separate components and then join them to the roller body 21 at the interface 25; instead, the roller body 21 is manufactured as a one-piece component comprising the two roller halves 22, 23. Subsequent joining of the roller halves 22, 23 is therefore unnecessary.

[0076] Between the roller halves 22, 23, a V-shaped guide groove 26 is provided, which completely surrounds the rotational axis 14, for guiding the chain 10. The chain 10 is accommodated in the guide groove 26, at least in sections.

[0077] The roller body 21 encloses an interior space 27 of the chain roller 12A. The chain roller 12A is thus hollow. On the outside, i.e. facing away from the swing arm 13 or the trough 16, the chain roller 12A comprises a plate-shaped roller carrier 28. The roller carrier 28 is also made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material, in particular of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic material. The roller carrier 28 delimits the interior space 27 in the orientation of the Fig. 2 to the right. The second roller half 23 is positioned between the first roller half 22 and the roller carrier 28.

[0078] The roller carrier 28 can, for example, be integrally connected, in particular glued, to the second roller half 23. For this purpose, the second roller half 23 has an annular flange 29 extending around the rotational axis 14, to which the roller carrier 28 is firmly connected. The roller carrier 28 is, in particular, integrally connected to the flange 29. The second roller half 23 and the roller carrier 28 can also be designed as a single-piece component, in particular as a single-piece component.

[0079] The roller body 21 or the roller halves 22, 23 have cylindrical outer surfaces 30, 31 that completely encircle the rotation axis 14. A first outer surface 30 is assigned to the first roller half 22. Accordingly, a second outer surface 31 is assigned to the second roller half 23.

[0080] The outer surfaces 30, 31 are penetrated by a plurality of cooling air nozzles 32, 33 extending through the roller body 21 or the roller halves 22, 23. The cooling air nozzles 32, 33 extend radially. "Radial" in this case means perpendicular to the axis of rotation 14 and oriented away from it. The cooling air nozzles 32, 33 preferably have a truncated cone-shaped or conical geometry and taper from the interior space 27 toward the outer surfaces 30, 31. "Tapering" here means that a cross-section or cross-sectional area of the cooling air nozzles 32, 33 decreases from the interior space 27 toward the outer surfaces 30, 31.

[0081] The number of cooling air nozzles 32, 33 is arbitrary. The cooling air nozzles 32, 33 are preferably arranged evenly distributed around a circumference of the respective outer surface 30, 31. The cooling air nozzles 32, 33 fluidically connect the interior space 27 to the environment 4. In other words, the cooling air nozzles 32, 33 ensure a fluid connection between the interior space 27 and the environment 4. The fact that the cooling air nozzles 32, 33 "fluidically" connect the interior space 27 to the environment 4, or that a "fluid connection" exists between the interior space 27 and the environment 4, means in this case in particular that a fluid, for example, cooling air, can flow from the interior space 27 through the cooling air nozzles 32, 33 to the environment 4.

[0082] The chain roller 12A further comprises two roller bands 34, 35, which encircle the roller body 21 and are made of an elastomer, in particular rubber. For example, the roller bands 34, 35 are made of natural or synthetic rubber. A "roller band" is understood here to mean a circumferentially closed, annular component that completely encircles the rotational axis 14. The roller bands 34, 35 can be fiber-reinforced.

[0083] A first roller bandage 34 is assigned to the first outer surface 30 of the first roller half 22. A second roller bandage 35 is correspondingly assigned to the second outer surface 31 of the second roller half. The roller bandages 34, 35 are integrally bonded to the respective outer surfaces 30, 31. In particular, the roller bandages 34, 35 are glued or vulcanized onto the outer surfaces 30, 31.

[0084] The roller bands 34, 35 are perforated. This means that the roller bands 34, 35 have cooling air openings or cooling air outlets 36, 37, which are assigned to the cooling air nozzles 32, 33. In particular, each cooling air outlet 36, 37 is assigned a cooling air nozzle 32, 33. The cooling air nozzles 32, 33 open into the cooling air outlets 36, 37. Any number of cooling air outlets 36, 37 is provided, which are evenly distributed over a circumference of the respective roller band 34, 35. The number of cooling air outlets 36, 37 corresponds to the number of cooling air nozzles. This means that each cooling air nozzle 32, 33 is assigned a cooling air outlet 36, 37.

[0085] The chain roller 12 is mounted on a roller axle 38 for rotation about the rotation axis 14. The roller axle 38, in turn, is mounted in the swing arm 13 in a rotationally fixed manner. This means that the roller axle 38 cannot rotate relative to the swing arm 13. The swing arm 13 includes a recess 39 for receiving a first end portion 40 of the roller axle 38. For example, the first end portion 40 is pressed into the recess 39.

[0086] However, the first end section 40 can also be positively connected to the swing arm 13. A positive connection is created by the interlocking or engaging of at least two connection partners. For example, the recess 39 and the first end section 40 can each have suitable teeth. These teeth engage with each other to fix the roller axle 38 to the swing arm 13. A sun gear 42 is formed on a second end section 41 of the roller axle 38, facing away from the first end section 40. The sun gear 42 is formed in one piece, in particular in one piece, with the roller axle 38. The sun gear 42 can also be shrunk onto the roller axle 38.

[0087] Furthermore, the chain roller 12A comprises a cooling device 43 for cooling the roller bands 34, 35 during operation of the chain roller 12A. In particular, the cooling device 43 is configured to actively cool the roller bands 34, 35. "Active" in this case means that the cooling device 43 is capable of generating or forcing a cooling air flow that flows through the cooling air nozzles 32, 33 and the cooling air passages 36, 37 to cool the roller bands 34, 35 by dissipating heat.

[0088] The cooling device 43 comprises a fan wheel 44 arranged in the interior space 27 of the chain roller 12A. This means that the fan wheel 44 is located within the chain roller 12A or within the roller body 21. The fan wheel 44 is adapted to rotate around the stationary roller axle 38. The fan wheel 44 is supported by a fan wheel carrier 45. The fan wheel carrier 45, in turn, is rotatably mounted on the roller axle 38 by means of a bearing 46. Several such bearings 46 can be provided. The bearing 46 can be a rolling bearing or a plain bearing.

[0089] Furthermore, a ring gear 47 is formed on the fan wheel carrier 45. The ring gear 47 rotates with the fan wheel 44 around the stationary sun gear 42. Several planetary gears 48, 49 are provided between the sun gear 42 and the ring gear 47. For example, three such planetary gears 48, 49 are provided. The planetary gears 48, 49 are rotatably mounted, for example, on the roller carrier 28. The sun gear 42, the ring gear 47, and the planetary gears 48, 49 are part of a planetary gear 50 of the cooling device 43. The planetary gear 50 is also located in the interior 27, so that the chain roller 12A or the roller body 21 encloses the planetary gear 50.

[0090] The chain roller 12A is rotatably mounted on the roller axle 38 by means of a bearing 51. In particular, the roller carrier 28 is rotatably mounted on the roller axle 38 by means of the bearing 51. The bearing 51 can be a rolling bearing or a plain bearing. More than one bearing 51 can be provided.

[0091] The chain roller assembly 20A or the chain roller 12A further comprises a roller cover 52, which is preferably also made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material, in particular a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic material. The roller cover 52 is fixed relative to the chain roller 12A. In particular, the roller cover 52 does not rotate relative to the roller axis 38.

[0092] The roller cover 52 includes cooling air inlets 53, 54. The cooling air inlets 53, 54 extend through the roller cover 52. The number of cooling air inlets 53, 54 is arbitrary. Preferably, the cooling air inlets 53, 54 are evenly distributed around the rotational axis 14. The roller cover 52 is preferably designed to be rotationally symmetrical to the rotational axis 14.

[0093] The roller cover 52 is sealed against the chain roller 12A or the roller body 21, in particular against the first roller half 22, by means of a sealing element 55. For this purpose, the first roller half 22 can have a circumferential flange 56, against which the sealing element 55 seals. The sealing element 55 can be, for example, a shaft seal or the like.

[0094] Furthermore, an opening 57 provided centrally on the roller cover 52, through which the roller axle 38 passes, is sealed against the roller axle 38 by means of a sealing element 58. The sealing element 58 is, for example, a shaft seal. The roller cover 52 is connected to the swing arm 13 in a rotationally fixed manner by means of fastening elements 59, 60.

[0095] The swing arm 13 has an internal cooling air guide channel 61. The cooling air guide channel 61 is fluidly connected to the cooling air inlets 53, 54 of the roller cover 52 by means of cooling air guide bellows 62, 63. The cooling air guide bellows 62, 63 thus lead from the cooling air guide channel 61 to the cooling air inlets 53, 54. The number of cooling air guide bellows 62, 63 corresponds to the number of cooling air inlets 53, 54.

[0096] The functionality of the track roller 12A or the track roller assembly 20A is explained below. During operation of the tracked vehicle 1, cooling air 64 is supplied to the swing arm 13. For this purpose, a fan or the like can be provided within the tracked vehicle 1, for example. Alternatively, the cooling air 64 can also be drawn in by the cooling device 43 through the swing arm 13, in particular through the cooling air guide duct 61.

[0097] The cooling air 64 is supplied to the interior 27 of the track roller 12A or the track roller body 21 via the cooling air guide duct 61, the cooling air supply bellows 62, 63, and the cooling air inlets 53, 54. Since the track roller 12A rotates about the track roller axis 38 when the tracked vehicle 1 is in motion, the fan wheel 44 is set in rotation about the rotational axis 14 via the planetary gear 50. The planetary gear 50 ensures a suitable gear ratio so that the fan wheel 44 rotates, for example, faster about the rotational axis 14 than the track roller 12A itself. This ensures that a sufficient amount of cooling air 64 is supplied even at low speeds of the tracked vehicle 1.

[0098] The cooling air 64 is conveyed from the interior 27 into the environment 4 by means of the fan wheel 44 through the cooling air nozzles 32, 33 and the cooling air passages 36, 37. The roller bands 34, 35 are cooled by dissipating heat from the roller bands 34, 35 with the aid of the cooling air 64.

[0099] A flow direction 65 of the cooling air 64 is always oriented from the interior space 27 toward the surrounding area 4. This prevents, for example, dust or other contaminants from entering the interior space 27 and thus contaminating the chain roller 12A. In particular, the pressure in the interior space 27 is higher than in the surrounding area 4. The flow direction 65 is directed radially away from the rotational axis 14. The flow direction 65 is oriented, in particular, from the rotational axis 14 toward the outer surfaces 30, 31.

[0100] By actively cooling the track roller tires 34, 35 with the aid of the flowing cooling air 64, overheating and thus detachment of the track roller tires 34, 35 from the outer surfaces 30, 31 can be prevented or at least delayed. Furthermore, a lower temperature level of the chain 10 can be achieved. This is particularly advantageous when rubber or the like is used as the material for the chain 10. This results in less heating of the chain 10 due to the flexion during operation of the tracked vehicle 1.

[0101] This allows the use of lightweight rubber tracks 10 even for tracked vehicles 1 with a combat weight of over 50 t. Using a rubber track 10 results in a weight saving of approximately 70 kg per meter of track 10 compared to a steel track 10. Furthermore, using the fiber-reinforced plastic material to manufacture the track roller 12A results in a weight saving of approximately 10 kg per track roller 12A compared to using a metallic material, such as steel.

[0102] The Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a chain roller assembly 20B with a chain roller 12B. The chain roller assembly 20B or the chain roller 12B differs from the chain roller assembly 20A or the chain roller 12A only in that the chain roller 12B does not have a fan wheel 44 or a planetary gear 50. Only the differences between the chain rollers 12A, 12B will be discussed below.

[0103] The chain roller 12B comprises a cooling device 43, which is implemented solely by the cooling air nozzles 32, 33 of the roller body 21 and the cooling air passages 36, 37 of the roller bands 34, 35. The cooling device 43 can, for example, further comprise an external fan 66, which supplies the cooling air nozzles 32, 33 with cooling air 64 via the cooling air guide channel 61 of the swing arm 13, the cooling air guide bellows 62, 63, the cooling air inlets 53, 54, and the interior 27. However, the fan 66 is optional and does not have to be part of the cooling device 43. One fan 66 can supply several swing arms 13 with cooling air 64. The use of the blower 66 has the advantage that cooling air 64 can be supplied to the chain roller 12B even when the tracked vehicle 1 is stationary.

[0104] The Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a chain roller assembly 20C with a chain roller 12C. The chain roller assembly 20C or the chain roller 12C corresponds in its construction essentially to that of the chain roller assembly 20A or the chain roller 12A.

[0105] The chain roller 12C comprises a fan wheel 44 and a planetary gear 50 as previously explained. In contrast to the chain rollers 12A, 12B, the chain roller 12C or the roller body 21 of the chain roller 12C does not comprise cooling air nozzles 32, 33. The roller bandages 34, 35 are also not perforated, although perforation of the roller bandages 34, 35 is not fundamentally excluded.

[0106] Instead, cooling fins 67, 68, which are part of the cooling device 43, are assigned to the roller bandages 34, 35. A first cooling fin 67 is assigned to the first roller half 22. A second cooling fin 68 is assigned to the second roller half 23. The cooling fins 67, 68 can be disc-shaped and extend from the outer surfaces 30, 31 into the interior 27 of the roller body 21. The cooling fins 67, 68 can be made, for example, of a metallic material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper. For weight reasons, aluminum is preferred.

[0107] The cooling fins 67, 68 can also be so-called heat pipes or have heat pipes. A "heat pipe" or "heat pipe" in this context refers to a heat exchanger that utilizes the latent heat of a medium to achieve a high heat flux density. This allows large amounts of heat to be transported over a small cross-sectional area. The heat can therefore be easily dissipated by the roller bands 34, 35.

[0108] During operation of the chain roller 12C, the cooling air 64 is supplied to the cooling fins 67, 68 with the aid of the fan wheel 44 in order to dissipate heat from the cooling fins 67, 68. The cooling fins 67, 68 are coupled to the roller bandages 34, 35 by means of heat-conducting layers 69, 70. A first heat-conducting layer 69 is assigned to the first cooling fin 67, and a second heat-conducting layer 70 is assigned to the second cooling fin 68. The heat-conducting layers 69, 70 can comprise, for example, a heat-conducting paste, in particular a copper paste. Furthermore, the heat-conducting layers 69, 70 can also be metallic coatings, for example made of aluminum or copper, applied to the outer surfaces 30, 31.

[0109] The Fig. 5shows a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a chain roller assembly 20D with a chain roller 12D. In contrast to the chain roller assembly 20C or the chain roller 12C, the chain roller assembly 20D or the chain roller 12D does not include a fan wheel 44 or a planetary gear 50.

[0110] In this case, the cooling fins 67, 68 are supplied with cooling air 64 via the cooling air duct 61 of the swing arm 13, the cooling air duct bellows 62, 63, the cooling air outlets 53, 54 of the roller cover 52, and the interior space 27. The cooling air 64 can be forced in via a fan 66, as previously explained. Eliminating the fan wheel 44 and the planetary gear 50 results in a weight saving.

[0111] Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0112] 1Tracked vehicle 2Passenger compartment 3Interior 4Surroundings 5Turret 6Armament 7Track drive 8Subsurface 9Direction of travel 10Track 11Drive roller 12Track roller 12ATrack roller 12BTrack roller 12CTrack roller 12DTrack roller 13Swing arm 14Pivot axis 15Pivot axis 16Tub 17Support roller 18Deflection roller 19Direction of gravity 20ATrack roller arrangement 20BTrack roller arrangement 20CTrack roller arrangement 20DTrack roller arrangement 21Track roller body 22Track roller half 23Track roller half 24Plane 25Interface 26Guide groove 27Interior 28Track roller carrier 29Flange 30Outer surface 31Outer surface 32Cooling air nozzle 33Cooling air nozzle 34Track roller bandage 35Track roller bandage 36Cooling air passage 37Cooling air passage 38Track roller axle 39Recess 40End section 41End section 42Sun gear 43Cooling device 44Fan wheel 45Fan wheel carrier 46Bearing 47Ring gear 48Planet gear 49Planet gear 50Planetary gear 51Bearing 52Track roller cover 53Cooling air inlet 54Cooling air inlet 55Sealing element 56Flange57Perforation 58Sealing element 59Fastening element 60Fastening element 61Cooling air duct 62Cooling air duct bellows 63Cooling air duct bellows 64Cooling air 65Flow direction 66Fan 67Cooling fin 68Cooling fin 69Heat-conducting layer 70Heat-conducting layer xx-direction yy-direction zz-direction

Claims

1. Continuous track roller (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) for a military tracked vehicle (1), comprising a roller body (21), which is made at least in sections from a fiber-reinforced plastic material, a roller bandage (34, 35) running around the roller body (21), and a cooling device (43) for cooling the roller bandage (34, 35) during operation of the continuous track roller (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D), wherein the cooling device (43) comprises a fan wheel (44) for actively cooling the roller bandage (34, 35) during operation of the continuous track roller (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D), and wherein the fan wheel (44) is arranged within the roller body (21).

2. Continuous track roller according to claim 1, characterized in that the roller body (21) comprises cooling air nozzles (32, 33) for supplying cooling air (64) to the roller bandage (34, 35).

3. Continuous track roller according to claim 2, characterized in that the roller bandage (34, 35) comprises cooling air passages (36, 37) into which the cooling air nozzles (32, 33) open.

4. Continuous track roller according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a flow direction (65) of the cooling air (64) is oriented from an interior (27) of the roller body (21) towards a surroundings (4) of the continuous track roller (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D).

5. Continuous track roller according to any one of claims 1 - 4, characterized by a planetary gear (50) for driving the fan wheel (44).

6. Continuous track roller according to claim 5, characterized by a fan wheel carrier (45) which carries the fan wheel (44), wherein the fan wheel carrier (45) comprises a ring gear (47) of the planetary gear (50).

7. Continuous track roller according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the cooling device (43) comprises cooling fins (67, 68) for dissipating heat from the roller bandage (34, 35), wherein the cooling fins (67, 68) project radially into the roller body (21).

8. Continuous track roller according to claim 7, characterized by a heat-conducting layer (69, 70) which arranged between an outer surface (30, 31) of the roller body (21) and the roller bandage (34, 35), wherein the heat-conducting layer (69, 70) is connected to the cooling fins (67, 68) in a heat-conducting manner.

9. Continuous track roller assembly (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) for a military tracked vehicle (1), comprising a swing arm (13), and a continuous track roller (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) according to one of claims 1 - 8, which is mounted on the swing arm (13) so as to be rotated about an axis of rotation (14).

10. Continuous track roller assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the swing arm (13) comprises an internal cooling air duct (61) for supplying cooling air (64) to the continuous track roller (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D).

11. Continuous track roller assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the cooling air duct (61) is in fluid connection with the continuous track roller (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) by means of flexible cooling air guide bellows (62, 63).

12. Continuous track roller assembly according to any one of claims 9 - 11, characterized by a track roller cover (52) which closes the continuous track roller (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) in the direction of the swing arm (13), wherein the track roller cover (52) is made at least in sections from a fiber-reinforced plastic material.

13. Military tracked vehicle (1) comprising a continuous track roller (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) according to any one of claims 1 - 8 and / or a continuous track roller assembly (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) according to any one of claims 9 - 12.