Intrusion prevention structure for crawler-type running gear, crawler-type running gear and vehicle

Abstract

This configuration provides a way to suppress the intrusion of mud and other debris from the connection between the crawler frame, on which the drive wheels of a crawler-type running device are provided, and the support member that supports the driven wheels. [Solution] The intrusion suppression device 60 equipped with an intrusion suppression structure S for a crawler-type running device includes a cover member 62 provided so as to cover at least a part of the connecting portion J between the crawler frame 34 and the support member 44, and a guide member 64 as a restricting means for restricting the movement of the cover member so that the cover member continues to extend toward the crawler frame and the support member when the crawler frame and the support member move relative to each other in a predetermined direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an intrusion prevention structure applicable to a crawler traveling device of a vehicle such as a crawler carrier, a crawler traveling device provided with the same, and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there is a crawler carrier equipped with a crawler traveling device composed of endless tracks for a carrier vehicle that transports wood, earth and sand, etc. in a forest. This crawler is not limited to carrier vehicles and is used for the undercarriage of vehicles used on rough ground such as construction machinery, agricultural machinery, and snowmobiles. Therefore, crawlers often pick up mud, etc., and various countermeasures have been proposed.

[0003] The traveling body of the hydraulic excavator disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a crawler that is a track wound around a drive wheel and a idler wheel held by a track frame forming a base body. The crawler is guided by a plurality of upper rollers attached to the upper position of the track frame and a plurality of lower rollers attached to the lower position of the track frame. And a track guard is detachably arranged near the lower roller on the track frame to restrict the movement of this crawler in the width direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the crawler. Each of the plurality of track guards includes a sediment removal member that removes sediments such as earth and sand, rocks, and concrete blocks on the crawler to the outside of the crawler. Therefore, the sediment deposited on the upper side of the lower part of the crawler is removed by the respective side plate parts of the sediment removal member as the crawler moves, and is discharged outward of the crawler.

[0004] Furthermore, the backhoe disclosed in Patent Document 2 mainly consists of a traveling device, a rotating body, and an excavating device. The traveling device has a pair of crawler traveling bodies on the left and right, around which rubber or iron crawlers are wrapped, and these traveling bodies are driven by a traveling motor. In other words, this traveling device has a track frame formed by connecting a pair of left and right side frames with a central bearing frame, drive wheels provided at the rear end of each side frame, idlers (freewheels) provided at the front end of each side frame, small wheels provided at the bottom of each side frame, and crawlers wrapped around the range from the drive wheels to the idlers, and is further equipped with a crawler tension adjustment device. A mudguard plate for the idler is fixed to the lower front end of the side frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-107547 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-91656 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Incidentally, the crawler tension adjustment device is provided to maintain the tension of the crawler. Specifically, the tension adjustment device is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the crawler frame, which corresponds to the side frame mentioned above, and has a spring or the like that biases the support member that supports the idler in a direction that increases the tension of the crawler. In order to maintain good sliding of this support member relative to the crawler frame, it is expected that, for example, mud and other debris will not enter the spring inside them and the area around them.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a configuration that makes it possible to suppress the intrusion of mud and other debris from the connection between the crawler frame on which the drive wheels of a crawler-type running device are provided and the support member that supports the driven wheels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure is, An intrusion prevention structure for a crawler-type running device, comprising a crawler frame on which the drive wheels of the crawler are provided, and a support member that supports a driven wheel that applies tension to the crawler and is movable in a predetermined direction relative to the crawler frame, A cover member is provided so as to cover at least a portion of the connection between the crawler frame and the support member, When the crawler frame and the support member move relative to each other in the predetermined direction, a restricting means is provided to restrict the movement of the cover member so that the cover member continues to extend toward the crawler frame and the support member. Intrusion prevention structure for crawler-type running devices, equipped with To provide.

[0009] According to one embodiment having the above configuration, the intrusion suppression structure comprises the cover member and the restricting means, so that even if the crawler frame and the support member move relative to each other in a predetermined direction, it can continue to cover at least a part of the connection between the crawler frame and the support member. Therefore, the intrusion suppression structure can suppress the intrusion of mud and the like from the connection between the crawler frame and the support member of the crawler-type running gear.

[0010] Preferably, the cover member extends from the upper surface of the crawler frame to the upper surface of the support member. With this configuration, for example, mud falling from above into the connection between the crawler frame and the support member as the crawler rotates can be effectively prevented from entering the interior through that connection.

[0011] Preferably, the support member is inserted into the crawler frame, and the cover member has a width wider than the width of the support member. With this configuration, the cover member can more reliably cover the connecting portion, that is, the portion into which the support member is inserted into the crawler frame. In particular, even when the cover member has only a simple configuration in which it extends to the upper surface of the crawler frame and the upper surface of the support member, if the cover member has a width wider than the width of the support member inserted into the crawler frame, the cover member can sufficiently cover the portion into which the support member is inserted into the crawler frame from above, and thus can effectively suppress the intrusion of mud and other debris from the insertion portion.

[0012] Preferably, the cover member is fixed to the support member, and the regulating means includes a guide member provided on the crawler frame that guides the cover member in the predetermined direction. With this configuration, when the crawler frame and the support member move relative to each other in the predetermined direction, the cover member can move relative to the crawler frame.

[0013] This disclosure also applies to crawler-type running gear equipped with the aforementioned intrusion prevention structure for crawler-type running gear. Furthermore, this disclosure also applies to vehicles such as crawler-type transport vehicles equipped with the aforementioned intrusion prevention structure for crawler-type running gear. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the above configuration makes it possible to suppress the intrusion of mud and other debris from the connection between the crawler frame and the support member of the crawler-type running device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a crawler-type transport vehicle according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a right side view of the crawler-type transport vehicle. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a left side view of a crawler-type transport vehicle. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the main body frame in the crawler carrier shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a right side view of the main body frame in the crawler carrier shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged view of a part behind the right side view of the crawler carrier shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] In the crawler traveling device of the crawler carrier shown in FIG. 1, with the illustration of the crawler omitted, it is a top view showing an intrusion prevention device having an intrusion prevention structure for the left rear part and its surroundings. [Figure 8] In the crawler traveling device of the crawler carrier shown in FIG. 1, with the illustration of the crawler omitted, it is a rear view showing an intrusion prevention device having an intrusion prevention structure for the left rear part and its surroundings. [Figure 9] In the crawler traveling device of the crawler carrier shown in FIG. 1, with the illustration of the crawler omitted, it is a perspective view showing an intrusion prevention device having an intrusion prevention structure for the left rear part and its surroundings. [Figure 10] In the crawler traveling device of the crawler carrier shown in FIG. 1, with the illustration of the crawler omitted, it is a perspective view from a different viewpoint showing an intrusion prevention device having an intrusion prevention structure for the left rear part and its surroundings. [Figure 11] It is an enlarged view of a part behind the right side view of the crawler carrier shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram for explaining the prevention of mud intrusion.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described based on the accompanying drawings. The same parts (or components) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0017] A crawler carrier 10 having an intrusion prevention structure S according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings.

[0018] Figures 1 to 3 are the front, right, and left side views of the crawler-type transport vehicle 10. Figures 4 and 5 are the top and right side views of the main frame 14 of the crawler-type transport vehicle 10. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the rear of the right side view of the crawler-type transport vehicle 10 and is a partial perspective view. Figures 7 and 8 are the top and rear views of the intrusion prevention device 60 equipped with an intrusion prevention structure S in the left rear portion and its surroundings, in which the crawler 16 is omitted from the illustration of the running gear 18 which is composed of the main frame 14 and the crawler 16. Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of the intrusion prevention device 60 equipped with an intrusion prevention structure S in the left rear portion and its surroundings. In the following description, "front," "rear," "up," "down," "right," and "left" are used to indicate direction or orientation, based on the assumption that the driver (or operator) is seated in the driver's seat 20 facing the front of the vehicle in the front-rear direction. In the diagram, the upper side in the vertical direction is denoted by the symbol "UP" and the lower side by the symbol "DW". In the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the front side is denoted by the symbol "FR" and the rear side by the symbol "RR". In the width direction of the vehicle, the right side is denoted by the symbol "RH" and the left side by the symbol "LH".

[0019] First, the general configuration of the crawler-type transport vehicle 10 will be described based on Figures 1 to 3. The crawler-type transport vehicle 10 comprises a crawler-type running device (hereinafter simply referred to as "running device") 18, which is composed of a main frame 14 and crawlers 16, and an engine E supported on the upper front side of the running device 18. The engine E is located inside a bonnet 19 on the upper front side of the running device 18. The engine E can have various configurations. Furthermore, the power source is not limited to the engine E, i.e., the engine body 22, but may have other configurations, such as an electric motor.

[0020] The crawler 16 comprises a left crawler (left crawler) 16L and a right crawler (right crawler) 16R, each forming a continuous track. The running gear 18 comprises a left running gear (left running gear) 18L having the left crawler 16L, and a right running gear (right running gear) 18R having the right crawler 16R. In the transport vehicle 10, the driver's seat 20 is located on the upper front side of the left running gear 18L, the engine body 22 of the engine E is located approximately in the center and on the upper front side of the left and right running gears 18L and 18R, and the exhaust purification device 24 of the engine E is located on the upper front side of the right running gear 18R. Note that this arrangement of the engine E and driver's seat 20 is merely an example, and they may be reversed, for example.

[0021] A cargo bed 26 is positioned above the running gear 18, behind the engine E and the driver's seat 20. The space behind the engine E and the driver's seat 20 is not limited to being used as the cargo bed 26, but can be used for various other purposes. Furthermore, while the cargo bed 26 is configured for transporting timber and the like, it is not limited to this and may also be configured for transporting soil and sand, for example.

[0022] Although not shown in the diagram, the transport vehicle 10 is equipped with a hydraulic control device having a hydraulic circuit. This hydraulic control device is driven by the engine E and outputs hydraulic pressure for travel to the left travel device 18L and the right travel device 18R, respectively, and includes a hydraulic pump that outputs hydraulic pressure for lifting to the hydraulic cylinder 28 of the cargo bed lifting device. The hydraulic pump is connected to the rear side of the engine body 22 of the engine E. By operating the hydraulic cylinder 28, the cargo bed 26 can be rotated or raised and lowered around the rear support shaft.

[0023] The main frame 14 of the running gear 18 will be described mainly based on Figures 4 and 5. The main frame 14 comprises a main frame 32 that is parallel to the left and right, and crawler frames 34 that are arranged on the left and right outer sides of the main frame 32. The crawler frames 34 are provided on the outside of the main frame 32 and may be called side frames. The main frame 32 comprises a left main frame (left main frame) 32L and a right main frame (right main frame) 32R. The crawler frame 34 has a crawler frame (left crawler frame) 34L to the left of the left main frame 32L and a crawler frame (right crawler frame) 34R to the right of the right main frame 32R. These left and right main frames 32L, 32R and left and right crawler frames 34L, 34R are parallel to each other. In this example, the main frame 14 is provided such that the left and right main frames 32L, 32R and the left and right crawler frames 34L, 34R extend substantially horizontally, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0024] Transverse frames 36 are further provided on the main frame 14, extending in directions that intersect the main frame 32 and crawler frame 34, which extend in the longitudinal direction, or more specifically, in the vehicle width direction or vehicle left-right direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The transverse frames 36 extend to connect at least the left and right main frames 32L and 32R. The transverse frames 36 include, in order from the front to the rear, a first transverse frame 36a located at the leading edge at the front end, a second transverse frame 36b, a third transverse frame 36c, a fourth transverse frame 36d, a fifth transverse frame 36e, and a sixth transverse frame 36f located at the rear end, but the number and arrangement of the transverse frames 36 are arbitrary. The first and sixth transverse frames 36a and 36f are located at the height of the main frame 32, but the second transverse frame 36a to the fifth transverse frame 36e are arranged to pass under the main frame 32 and are at substantially the same height as the crawler frame 34. Therefore, the main frame 32 is located higher than the crawler frame 34 in the vertical direction, and may be referred to as the upper frame, in which case the crawler frame 34 may be referred to as the lower frame 34. The main frame 14 also includes reinforcing or frame members 35a, 35b, 35c, etc.

[0025] Wheels, in this case drive wheels 40 (40L, 40R), are provided at the front end of each crawler 16 (16L, 16R). In other words, drive wheels 40 (40L, 40R) are provided at the front end of the crawler frame 34. A drive wheel mounting section 38 is provided at the front end of the crawler frame 34. The drive wheel mounting section 38 has a left drive wheel mounting section (left drive wheel mounting section) 38L for the left crawler 16L and a right drive wheel mounting section (right drive wheel mounting section) 38R for the right crawler 16R. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, drive wheels 40L and 40R are attached to each drive wheel mounting section 38L and 38R. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drive wheel 40 has a sprocket 40s and is configured as a drive sprocket. The drive wheel 40 rotates with power from a hydraulic motor whose supplied hydraulic pressure is controlled by the aforementioned hydraulic control device, and is therefore able to rotate the crawler 16 that is wrapped around it as described below.

[0026] Thus, the drive wheels 40 (40L, 40R) are positioned at the front end of each of the crawler frames 34 (34L, 34R). Each of the crawler frames 34 (34L, 34R) has multiple idler wheels 42 on the upper and lower sides, and a retractable slide holder (idler frame) 44 extends from the rear, with an idler 46 at its rear end. The crawler tracks 16 are then wrapped around the drive wheels 40, idler wheels 42, and idler 46. In other words, the crawler tracks 16 are wrapped around the drive wheels 40 and the idler wheels 46. At this time, each idler 46 is the wheel located at the rearmost end in the vehicle's longitudinal direction with respect to its corresponding crawler track 16 (16L, 16R). Here, the crawler tracks 16 are rubber crawler belts, but are not limited to these.

[0027] Now, with reference to Figures 6 to 10, we will describe the tension adjustment device 50 for adjusting the tension of the crawler 16 and the intrusion suppression device 60 having an intrusion suppression structure S. However, the tension adjustment device 50 and the intrusion suppression device 60 having an intrusion suppression structure S are provided on the left and right running devices 18L and 18R respectively, and the configurations of the left and right running devices 18L and 18R are symmetrical and have the same configuration. Therefore, we will describe the tension adjustment device 50 and the intrusion suppression structure S, i.e., the intrusion suppression device 60, which will be described later, with respect to the left running device 18L, and omit the description of the corresponding configuration of the right running device 18R.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the tension adjustment device 50 includes a recoil spring 54 and a recoil cylinder 56 that bias the aforementioned slide holder 44, which is a support member that is slidable relative to the crawler frame 34L and supports the idler 46, which is a driven wheel, in a direction that increases the tension of the crawler 16L. The recoil spring 54 and the recoil cylinder 56 are biasing means, respectively. Through the action of the tension adjustment device 50, the idler 46 can act to push the crawler 16L from the inside and apply tension to the crawler 16L.

[0029] Here, the recoil spring 54 is housed in the crawler frame 34L and the slide holder 44 so as to extend into the slide holder 44, which has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and has the function of pushing the slide holder 44 from the inside to the outside of the crawler frame 34L in the axial direction of the crawler frame 34L. The slide holder 44 has an axis 44A and comprises a bifurcated holding portion 44b that holds the idler 46 so as to be rotatable around its axis of rotation, and a biased portion 44c that is aligned with the holding portion 44b and has one end closed, in which the recoil spring 54 is positioned. Therefore, the closed end of the biased portion 44c of the slide holder 44, which is nested inside the crawler frame 34L, that is, the end on the side of the holding portion 44b of the idler 46, has the recoil spring 54 in contact with its interior and is pushed outwards from the crawler frame 34L by the recoil spring 54. The idler 46 is fixed to the retaining portion 44b with a bolt and nut 44d. Furthermore, protrusions 44e extending upward are formed at the left and right ends of the upper surface 44u of the slide holder 44. These protrusions 44e extend along the axis 44A of the slide holder 44 on the retaining portion 44b.

[0030] Furthermore, the recoil cylinder 56 adjusts the tension of the crawler 16L. Grease is injected into the cylinder through a nipple (not shown), and as a result, the recoil cylinder 56 extends, biasing the slide holder 44 from the inside to the outside of the crawler frame 34L, thereby adjusting the tension of the crawler 16L. Here, the recoil cylinder 56 transmits force to the slide holder 44 via the recoil spring 54.

[0031] In this configuration, the recoil spring 54 and the recoil cylinder 56 are provided in that order from the idler 46 side, but their order may be reversed.

[0032] An intrusion prevention device 60 having an intrusion prevention structure S is provided at the connection point J between the crawler frame 34L and the slide holder 44. The structure S of the intrusion prevention device 60 will be described below, mainly based on Figures 6 to 10.

[0033] The intrusion prevention device 60 comprises a cover member 62 and a guide member 64 that guides the cover member 62 to move in a predetermined direction PD (see Figure 6). The predetermined direction PD is the front-rear direction of the crawler-type transport vehicle 10, the axial direction of the crawler frame 34L, and the axial direction of the slide holder 44. The guide member 64 is provided as a restricting means.

[0034] The cover member 62 is provided so as to cover at least a portion of the connecting portion J between the crawler frame 34L and the slide holder 44. The cover member 62 is provided so as to extend from the crawler frame 34L to the slide holder 44. Here, the cover member 62 is configured to extend above the connecting portion J between the crawler frame 34L and the slide holder 44, and extends from the upper surface 34a of the crawler frame 34L to the upper surface 44u of the slide holder 44. This connecting portion J is specifically a nested portion, since the slide holder 44 is nested inside the crawler frame 34L.

[0035] The guide member 64 is configured to restrict the movement of the cover member 62 so that when the crawler frame 34L and the slide holder 44 move relative to each other in a predetermined direction PD, more specifically in the longitudinal direction, i.e., axial direction, the cover member 62 continues to extend toward the crawler frame 34L and the slide holder 44. Here, the predetermined direction PD is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Also, here, the cover member 62 is fixed to the slide holder 44 and can move toward the crawler frame 34L in the predetermined direction PD. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6, 7, 9, and 10, the extension of the cover member 62 toward the crawler frame 34L and the slide holder 44 means that the cover member 62 straddles the connecting portion J.

[0036] However, the cover member 62 may be fixed to the crawler frame 34L, and the cover member 62 may be configured to move in a predetermined direction relative to the slide holder 44. Alternatively, the cover member 62 may not be fixed to either the crawler frame 34L or the slide holder 44, but may be configured to move relative to either the crawler frame 34L or the slide holder 44 in a predetermined direction PD.

[0037] As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the cover member 62 here is mostly a flat plate portion 62a and has a width W1 that is roughly equivalent to the width of the crawler frame 34L. The flat plate portion 62a of the cover member 62 has a width W1 that is wider than the width W2 of the slide holder 44 (W1 > W2) (see Figure 7). The flat plate portion 62a of the cover member 62 is guided by the guide member 64 so as not to shift from side to side on the crawler frame 34L and is provided on the slide holder 44 so as to protrude roughly the same amount from both the left and right sides of the slide holder 44.

[0038] The cover member 62 has the aforementioned flat plate portion 62a and is constructed by bending the flat plate portion. One end of the flat plate portion 62a of the cover member 62 has a bent portion 62b that is bent at an angle. The bent portion 62b may be perpendicular to the flat plate portion 62a. The cover member 62 further has a mounting portion 62c that extends continuously from the bent portion 62b and extends away from the flat plate portion 62a, bending so as to be approximately parallel to the flat plate portion 62a. The mounting portion 62c consists of two extensions 62d. The extensions 62d of the mounting portion 62c extend from a point away from the corner portion 62e on the side of the bent portion 62b that is away from the flat plate portion 62a. Each extension 62d has a bolt hole and corresponds to each of the aforementioned bifurcated holding portions 44b of the slide holder 44, and is fixed to the corresponding holding portion 44b with a bolt B1 inserted through the bolt hole. The mounting location of the cover member 62 to the holding portion 44b of the slide holder 44 is the upper surface 44u of the slide holder 44. When the cover member 62 is fixed to the crawler frame 34 in this manner, the corner portions 62e of the bent portion 62b of the cover member 62 rest on the projections 44e that extend upward at the left and right ends of the upper surface 44u of the slide holder 44 (see, for example, Figures 9 and 10). When the cover member 62 is fixed to the slide holder 44, the extension portion 62d of the mounting portion 62c is positioned to sandwich a part of the idler 46 held by the holding portion 44b of the slide holder 44, and the mounting portion 62c, the bent portion 62b, and the flat portion 62a are arranged in order from the idler 46 side toward the front. When the cover member 62 is fixed to the slide holder 44 in this way, the flat portion 62a of the cover member 62 rests substantially on the upper surface 34a of the crawler frame 34L, and when the slide holder 44 moves relative to the crawler frame 34L, it can slide along the upper surface 34a of the crawler frame 34L in a predetermined direction PD.

[0039] The guide member 64 is provided so that when the flat plate portion 62a of the cover member 62 slides on the upper surface 34a of the crawler frame 34L, the cover member 62, particularly the flat plate portion 62a, continues to extend toward the crawler frame 34L and the slide holder 44. The guide member 64 has a main guide portion 64a and a side guide portion 64b. The guide member 64 has a structure formed by bending a single elongated plate. The main guide portion 64a is an elongated plate portion and is provided so as to extend in the width direction toward the upper surface 34a of the crawler frame 34L. The side guide portion 64b extends from the main guide portion 64a at a bend of approximately 90° and is provided so as to extend toward the outer surface 34b of the crawler frame 34L. The main guide portion 64a and the side guide portion 64b each have two bolt holes at their respective ends, away from the bends 64c of the main guide portion 64a and the side guide portion 64b. The guide member 64 is fixed to the crawler frame 34L by inserting bolts B2 through these bolt holes and screwing them into the bolt holes of bolt seats 64e and 64f provided at corresponding locations on the crawler frame 34L. At this time, the main guide portion 64a of the guide member 64 is positioned to extend in the vehicle width direction, i.e., in the left-right direction. When the guide member 64 is fixed to the crawler frame 34L, a gap G1 (see Figures 8 and 9) of a predetermined interval is formed between the inner surface of the main guide portion 64a and the upper surface 34a of the crawler frame 34L. The gap G1 opens in the vehicle longitudinal direction and closes in the vehicle width direction. The flat plate portion 62a of the cover member 62 is inserted into this gap G1 so as to be able to move relative to the guide member 64 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, which is a predetermined direction PD. Therefore, the distance from the inner surface of the side guide portion 64b to the bolt hole of the main guide portion 64a is longer than the width of the flat plate portion 62a of the cover member 62. Furthermore, when the intrusion prevention device 60 is provided at the connection portion J between the crawler frame 34L and the slide holder 44, the length of the flat plate portion 62a of the cover member 62 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the guide member 64 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, in that case, the flat plate portion 62a of the cover member 62 extends beyond the guide member 64 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. However, in this case, the length of the flat plate portion 62a of the cover member 62 in the vehicle longitudinal direction may be less than or equal to the length of the guide member 64 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0040] The effects and benefits of the intrusion prevention device 60 of the traveling device 18 having the above configuration will be explained below.

[0041] The above-described running gear 18 includes a crawler frame 34 on which the drive wheels 40 of the crawler 16 are provided, and a slide holder 44 that supports the idler 46, which is a driven wheel that applies tension to the crawler 16, and is movable in a predetermined direction A relative to the crawler frame 34. More specifically, the crawler 16 is wrapped around the drive wheel 40 and the idler 46, and the road wheel 42. The aforementioned tension adjustment device 50 is provided inside the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44. The intrusion prevention device 60 is provided to prevent mud and the like from entering the connection part J between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44. Note that mud and the like may be collectively referred to as "mud," and the intrusion prevention device 60 may be referred to as a mudguard device, or the intrusion prevention structure S may be referred to as a mudguard structure.

[0042] The intrusion prevention device 60 comprises a cover member 62 and a guide member 64 that restricts the movement of the cover member 62. The cover member 62 is provided so as to extend from the crawler frame 34 to the slide holder 44 so as to cover at least a portion of the connecting portion J between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44, in this case so as to cover the upper portion. The guide member 64 is configured as a restricting means that restricts the movement of the cover member 62 so that the cover member 62 continues to extend from the crawler frame 34 to the slide holder 44 when the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44 move relative to each other in a predetermined direction PD. For example, by providing the guide member 64, it is possible to suppress the cover member 62 from moving in a way that causes it to bend unintentionally or from becoming bent as a result.

[0043] Therefore, the intrusion prevention device 60 can continue to cover a portion of the connecting portion J2 between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44 even when the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44 move relative to each other in a predetermined direction PD. Thus, the intrusion prevention device 60 can prevent mud and other debris from reaching the connecting portion J between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44 in the crawler-type running gear 18 and entering its interior, and thus can prevent mud and other debris from entering, for example, the tension adjustment device 50 of the crawler 16.

[0044] Furthermore, in the intrusion prevention device 60, the cover member 62 extends to the upper surface 34a of the crawler frame 34 and the upper surface 44u of the slide holder 44. Therefore, with this configuration, mud and other debris falling from above to the connection part J between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44 as the crawler 16 rotates can be effectively prevented from reaching the connection part J and entering the interior from there.

[0045] Here, the prevention of mud M from entering the connecting section J will be further explained based on Figure 11. Mud M may adhere to the inside of the crawler 16L as it rotates in the direction of arrow CA. This mud M moves with the rotation of the crawlers 16 and 16L, as shown by the dashed lines from mud M1 to mud M3, and can pass around the idler 46. Once this mud M passes the idler 46, it turns downwards, making it easier to fall, and can fall at an appropriate time. If the mud M that has fallen in this way reaches the connecting section J between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44, it enters the interior of them from the connecting section J and increases the possibility of it entering, for example, the tension adjustment device 50. Therefore, the above-mentioned intrusion prevention device 60 is provided, and the cover member 62 continues to extend to the upper surface 34a of the crawler frame 34 and the upper surface 44u of the slide holder 44, so that mud M that falls from above toward the connecting section J between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44 as the crawler 16 rotates is caught by the cover member 62. Therefore, the intrusion prevention device 60 can effectively prevent mud M and other debris from reaching its connecting portion J and entering its interior from there.

[0046] The slide holder 44 is then inserted into the crawler frame 34, and the cover member 62 has a width W1 that is wider than the width W2 of the slide holder 44. With this configuration, the cover member 62 can more reliably cover the insertion portion J of the slide holder 44 into the crawler frame 34. In particular, despite having only a simple configuration in which the cover member 62 extends from the upper surface 34a of one end of the crawler frame 34 to the upper surface 44u of the slide holder 44, the cover member 62 has a width wider than the width of the slide holder 44 inserted into the crawler frame 34, so that the cover member 62 can sufficiently cover the insertion portion J of the slide holder 44 into the crawler frame 34, i.e., the insert portion, from above. Therefore, the intrusion prevention device 60 can effectively prevent mud and other debris from adhering to its insertion portion J and entering the interior of the crawler frame 34 from that insertion portion J.

[0047] When the cover member 62 is fixed to the slide holder 44, the corner portion 62e of the bent portion 62b of the cover member 62, which protrudes outward beyond the extension portion 62d for fixing to the slide holder 44, generally rests on the aforementioned protruding portion 44e of the upper surface 44u of the slide holder 44. As a result, the bent portion 62b of the cover member 62 extends beyond the width of the slide holder 44 so as to be relative to the rear or rear upper side of the connecting portion J. Therefore, even if mud M or the like falls towards the connecting portion J from the rear upper side, for example, the mud M or the like is caught not only by the flat portion 62a of the cover member 62 but also by the bent portion 62b, which can more effectively suppress the mud M or the like from reaching the connecting portion J.

[0048] Furthermore, in the side view of the crawler-type running device 18, i.e., in Figures 2, 3, 6, and 11, the cover member 62 has a gap G2 (see Figure 6) between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44. In other words, the cover member 62 has a structure in which a flat plate-shaped member is bent, and does not have a structure that covers the side of the connecting portion J. Although the cover member 62 has such a simple structure, as mentioned above, it can sufficiently suppress the adhesion of mud and other debris to the connecting portion J, and thus sufficiently suppress the intrusion of mud and other debris into the connecting portion J. Furthermore, since the cover member 62 has such a simple structure, and the guide member 64 also has a similarly simple structure, the intrusion suppression device 60 is easy to manufacture and install, and maintenance and cleaning of the connecting portion J between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44 and its surroundings can be performed more easily.

[0049] In this embodiment, the cover member 62 is fixed to the slide holder 44, and the guide member 64, which is a regulating means, is provided on the crawler frame 34 to guide the cover member 62 in a predetermined direction PD. Therefore, when the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44 move relative to each other in a predetermined direction PD, the cover member 62 can move appropriately relative to the crawler frame 34.

[0050] While embodiments and modifications relating thereto have been described above, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Various substitutions and modifications are possible, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the claims of this application.

[0051] For example, the cover member 62 may have a configuration that extends only to the upper surface 34a of one end of the crawler frame 34 and the upper surface 44u of the slide holder 44, but preferably it is provided so as to cover at least a part of the connecting portion J between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44, particularly preferably at least the upper portion. The cover member 62 may be configured to extend not only to the upper surface 34a of the crawler frame 34 and the upper surface 44u of the slide holder 44, but also to the sides thereof. In this case, in a side view of the crawler-type running device 18, the cover member 62 does not need to have a gap G2 between the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44. Similarly, the number and arrangement of bolts for fixing the cover member 62 are not limited to the above embodiment.

[0052] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the cover member 62 is not limited to being fixed to the slide holder 44, but may also be fixed to the crawler frame 34. In this case, the guide member 64 may be provided on the slide holder 44. Alternatively, the cover member 62 may not be fixed to either the slide holder 44 or the crawler frame 34, but may be guided, for example, by a guide member provided on the slide holder 44 and a guide member provided on the crawler frame 34 as a restricting means. The restricting means is not limited to the guide member 64, but may also be, for example, a groove or recess that guides the side edge of the cover member 62. Thus, the restricting means can be various guiding means that guide the cover member 62 so that it continues to extend to the crawler frame 34 and the slide holder 44, that is, so that it continues to cover at least a part of the connecting portion J. The restricting means may have configurations other than guiding means. Similarly, the number and arrangement of bolts for fixing the guide member 64 are not limited to the above embodiment.

[0053] Furthermore, although the cover member 62 is made of metal, it may be made of a material other than metal. For example, part or all of the cover member 62 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber, or a material made using, for example, chemical fibers, glass fibers, or carbon fibers. The same applies to the guide member 64.

[0054] For example, in the crawler-type transport vehicle 10 described above, the wheels at the front end of the crawler 16 were the drive wheels, but the wheels at the rear end of the crawler 16 may also be the drive wheels. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Crawler-type transport vehicles 14 Main frame 16 Crawler 18. Running gear 20 Driver's seat 22 Engine body 34 Crawler Frame 34a Top 40 drive wheels 42 road wheels 44 Slide holder 44u top 46 Idler (driven wheel) 50 Tension adjustment device 54 Recoil spring (biasing mechanism) 56 Recoil cylinder (biasing means) 60 Intrusion suppression device 62 Cover component 64 Guide members (regulating members) E-engine S Intrusion prevention structure

Claims

1. An intrusion prevention structure for a crawler-type running device, comprising a crawler frame on which the drive wheels of the crawler are provided, and a support member that supports a driven wheel that applies tension to the crawler and is movable in a predetermined direction relative to the crawler frame, A cover member is provided so as to cover at least a portion of the connection between the crawler frame and the support member, When the crawler frame and the support member move relative to each other in the predetermined direction, a restricting means is provided to restrict the movement of the cover member so that the cover member continues to extend toward the crawler frame and the support member. An intrusion prevention structure for crawler-type mobile devices, equipped with the above.

2. The cover member extends from the upper surface of the crawler frame to the upper surface of the support member, The intrusion prevention structure for a crawler-type traveling device according to claim 1.

3. The support member is inserted into the crawler frame. The cover member has a width wider than the width of the support member. The intrusion prevention structure for a crawler-type traveling device according to claim 2.

4. The cover member is fixed to the support member, The regulating means includes a guide member provided on the crawler frame for guiding the cover member in the predetermined direction. The intrusion prevention structure for a crawler-type traveling device according to claim 1.

5. A crawler-type running device comprising an intrusion prevention structure for a crawler-type running device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A vehicle equipped with an intrusion prevention structure for a crawler-type running device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images