Track tension measurement apparatus for tracked vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a measurement apparatus used to improve the process of measuring track tension after mounting the track on tracked vehicles, to reduce the human error factor, to reduce potential errors that may occur and to speed up the process. In particular, the invention relates to a track tension measurement apparatus which comprises at least one apparatus (10) that is attached to the link pins (30) of the track, and at least one string (20) that is connected to these apparatuses (10) and which allows the measurement between the track and string to be read by remaining tensioned between the two apparatuses (10).

Description

[0001] TRACK TENSION MEASUREMENT APPARATUS FOR TRACKED VEHICLES TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention relates to a measurement apparatus used to improve the process of measuring track tension after mounting the track on tracked vehicles, to reduce the human error factor, to reduce potential errors that may occur and to speed up the process.

[0003] In particular, the invention relates to a track tension measurement apparatus which comprises at least one apparatus that is attached to the link pins of the track, and at least one string that is connected to these apparatuses, and which allows the measurement between the track and string to be read by remaining tensioned between the two apparatuses.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] A track or running gear used in tanks, armored vehicles and heavy duty machinery is a vehicle movement mechanism consisting of more than one row of wheels or rollers and a belt that is tensioned around them. The fact that the ground contact surface of the belt is much larger than that of a single wheel, together with the very low surface pressure, provides better weight transfer to the ground, thus a tracked vehicle is much less likely to get stuck on soft surfaces and sink into the ground than a wheeled vehicle.

[0006] In the present technique, the vehicle is left in neutral on a flat, solid surface, allowing it to be stationary without brakes and without steering. Track tension is measured from the rear of the vehicle with a suitable string or wire through the links between the 2- support wheel and the tensioner wheel. It is placed in such a way that the end of the string corresponds to the midpoint of the pin of the third link connection, from the level of the 2-support wheel towards the rear of the vehicle. Starting from the first pin where the string is located, 10 link pins are counted, while the other end of the string is placed in such a way that it reaches the midpoint of the tenth link pin, and the string is tensioned. The distance between the tensioned string and the midpoint of the fifth link pin should be measured as 8-10 mm. This method used in the state of the art is prone to human error, such as miscounting the number of tracks, measuring from the wrong point, etc. In addition to these, the margin of error increases since the string passed over the link pins will move during the measurement, and problems such as the string slipping off the formed surfaces of the pins are encountered.

[0007] As a result, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the state of the art, the need for a novel, affordable, convenient, practical track tension measurement apparatus and the inadequacy of the existing solutions have made it necessary to make an improvement in the related technical field.

[0008] OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a measurement apparatus, which is used to improve the process of measuring track tension after mounting the track on tracked vehicles, to reduce the human error factor, to reduce potential errors that may occur and to speed up the process in order to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide new advantages to the related technical field, .

[0010] The most important objective of the invention is to ensure reducing the human error factor when adjusting the track tension. By adjusting the track tension correctly, the mobility performance of the vehicle and the life of the track and suspension system are increased, and fuel consumption, noise and sound are reduced. Furthermore, the suspension capacity of the vehicle is improved. The structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the invention will more clearly understood via drawings given below and the detailed description written with reference to said drawings, and for this reason, the evaluation should be made in consideration of these drawings and the detailed description.

[0011] DRAWINGS PROVIDED FOR THE BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE INVENTION

[0012] FIGURE -1 is a view showing the track tension measurement apparatus according to the present invention.

[0013] FIGURE -2 is a view showing the track tension measurement apparatus according to the present invention.

[0014] FIGURE -3 is a view showing the track tension measurement apparatus according to the present invention.

[0015] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0016] 10. Apparatus

[0017] 11. Magnet

[0018] 12. Tension Spring

[0019] 20. String

[0020] 30. Pin

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] This detailed description discloses the preferred embodiments of the track tension measurement apparatus only for a better understanding of the subject matter and no limitations should be construed. After completing the mounting of the suspension system on tracked military armored vehicles, the tension of the tracks must be adjusted in accordance with the procedures before the vehicle is prepared for driving or on a periodic basis in the troops. In the suspension system, the designed parts are adjusted according to a certain track tension designed for vehicle performance, fuel consumption, vehicle mobility, and suspension capacities. Therefore, the track tension must be kept constant.

[0023] Figures 1-3 show the track measurement apparatus and details thereof according to the present invention. In the present invention, the apparatus (10) is attached to the pin (30) of the third link from the level of the double support wheel of the vehicle towards the rear of the vehicle. Then, starting from the first pin (30) where the apparatus (10) is placed, 10 link pins are counted and the other apparatus (10) is attached to the tenth link pin (30). Herein, the inner surface of the apparatus (10) is designed to fit precisely onto the surfaces of the links. By means of the magnet (11) inside the apparatus (10), falling and slipping are prevented. Furthermore, the tension of the string wound around the tension spring (12) in both apparatuses (10) is also provided by the tension springs (12). By means of the magnet (11) inside the apparatus (10) and the formed surface, the fixation and stability of the apparatus (10) and the rope (20) during the measurement is ensured, and falling and incorrect measurements are prevented. In the present invention, the measurement process is completed by measuring the distance between the tensioned string (20) and the track.

[0024] The scope of protection of this application is set out in the claims and is by no means limited to those described above for illustrative purposes. It is evident that a person skilled in the art can establish the novelty set forth in the invention by using similar embodiments and / or can apply this embodiment to other fields with similar purposes used in the relevant art. It is therefore obvious that such structures will lack the criterion of innovation and particularly the criterion of exceeding the prior art.

Claims

CLAIMS1- The invention relates to a measurement apparatus used to improve the process of measuring track tension after mounting the track on tracked vehicles, to reduce the human error factor, to reduce potential errors that may occur and to speed up the process, characterized in that it comprises at least one apparatus (10) which is attached to the link pins (30) of the track, and at least one string (20) which is connected to these apparatuses (10) and which allows the measurement between the track and string to be read by remaining tensioned between the two apparatuses (10).2- Track tension measurement apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the said apparatus comprises a magnet (11) for keeping the link pin tight.3- Tracktension measurement apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a tension spring (12) which ensures that the string (20) is kept tensioned between the two apparatuses (10).

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