Press-fit roller collar

Abstract

A press-fit roller collar is provided. The track roller shaft (300) includes a body including a surface of revolution defining an axis of rotation (204), a radial direction (208), and a circumferential direction (206) disposed about the axis of rotation (204). The body also defines an axially proximal end (310) disposed along the axis of rotation (204), a radially extending bore (306) disposed axially adjacent the axially proximal end (310), and a guide member receiving pocket (304) disposed axially further from the axially proximal end (310) than the radially extending bore (306).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to track rollers used on undercarriages of heavy equipment using endless track drives. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to press-fit roller collars that provide a stronger track roller assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] In many modern applications, track rollers support the weight of heavy machinery, such as equipment that uses endless track drives in the earthmoving, construction, and mining industries. O-rings or other seals are often provided as part of the track roller assembly to prevent lubricant leakage. Over time, the pressures placed on the track roller assembly can cause the O-rings and other seals to deteriorate.

[0003] Eventually, the track roller assemblies can begin to leak lubricant. As a result, the machine is often taken out of service to replace various parts of the worn track roller assemblies and / or replace seals or to maintain the machine carriage. This can lead to unnecessary increased costs and reduced production for an economical machine approach.

[0004] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0050687 A1 discloses a locking collar for a track roller assembly, including a hole through which the locking collar can be attached to a fixed shaft of the track roller. The locking collar can have a unique asymmetric design in which a first portion of the locking collar is different from a second portion of the locking collar. This asymmetric design helps prevent foreign objects from entering the track roller assembly. Furthermore, the asymmetric design can make it easier for the track roller to remove foreign objects while in operation. As can be seen, the '687 patent application publication is silent on lubricant leakage that may occur over time due to high loads, etc. This may warrant a more robust design to prevent lubricant leakage in some applications. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A track roller assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a track roller shell including a rotating body having a rotation axis, a circumferential direction disposed about the rotation axis, a radial direction extending perpendicular to the rotation axis, a first axial end disposed along the rotation axis, and a second axial end disposed along the rotation axis. The first rim portion may be disposed proximate the first axial end, and the second rim portion may be disposed proximate the second axial end. A through hole may extend axially through the rotating body, and a shaft may be disposed in the through hole. The press-fit collar may define a shaft-receiving opening defining a press-fit portion configured to receive the shaft.

[0006] A track roller shaft according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a body including a surface of revolution defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction disposed about the axis of rotation. The body may further define an axially proximal end disposed along the axis of rotation, a radially extending bore disposed axially adjacent the axially proximal end, and a guide member receiving packet disposed axially farther from the axially proximal end than the radially extending bore.

[0007] A track roller collar according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a body including a concave surface of revolution defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction disposed about the axis of rotation. The body may define a first axial end disposed along the axis of rotation, a second axial end disposed along the axis of rotation, and an opening extending axially through the first axial end toward the second axial end and formed by the concave surface of revolution. The concave surface of revolution may include a press-fit portion defining a press-fit diameter and a slip-fit ​​portion defining a slip-fit ​​diameter larger than the press-fit diameter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] The drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a track-type machine (for example, a hydraulic excavator) using a press-fit roller ring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 is a side view of the carriage assembly of FIG. 1 including a track roller assembly having a press-fit roller collar according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 3 is a perspective view showing the track roller assembly, idler, and track chain assembly separated from the undercarriage assembly of FIG. 2. The top roller is shown in place of the carrier. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a track roller assembly with press-fit roller collars removed from the chassis of FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a track roller assembly having a press-fit roller collar similar to FIG. 4, except that the guide members and guide member receiving packets are shown within the roller shafts. FIG. 6 shows the track roller assembly of FIG. 5 with the roller shafts removed, the dowel pins removed, and the assembly rotated 90 degrees about the axis of rotation to expose the axially extending guide member receiving slots in the roller collars. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. In some cases, reference numerals will be presented herein and the drawings will show the reference numeral followed by a letter, e.g., 100a, 100b, or a prime, such as 100\', 100", etc. The use of a letter or prime immediately following a reference number should be understood to indicate that these features have similar shapes and similar functions, as is often the case when geometric shapes surround a symmetrical planar mirror image. For ease of description herein, letters and primes are not typically included herein, but may be shown in the drawings to indicate repetition of features having similar or identical functions or geometric shapes described herein.

[0010] The following describes track roller assemblies, track roller collars, and track roller shafts according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the track roller shell is a solid body (e.g., having a unitary construction). In other embodiments, the tracker roller shell is divided into two or more track roller members that are assembled together to form the track roller shell, etc.

[0011] In some embodiments, a press-fit collar for a roller of a track-type work machine is disclosed. The press-fit collar includes two axial cutouts that align with the cutouts (holes) of the roller pin. The collar and the cutouts of the roller pin accept a dowel pin to facilitate retention / end gap control of the roller pin (also called the roller shaft). The press-fit collar further includes a guide block that engages with the guide slot of the roller pin. The guide block helps maintain the correct orientation of the bolt holes so the roller can be attached to the roller frame.

[0012] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurations of track roller assemblies, track roller shafts, and track roller collars are possible than those specifically shown and described herein.

[0013] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a track-type machine 20 in the form of an excavator that includes an embodiment of a track roller assembly 200 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. In other applications, excavators can be used to remove material from a work site using a bucket.

[0014] 1 illustrates a machine 20 including an undercarriage system 22 having a track assembly 24, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. While machine 20 is illustrated as a hydraulic excavator, it should be understood that machine 20 may be of any other type that includes a track-carriage system 22. As used herein, the term "machine" refers to a mobile machine that performs driving operations involving physical motion associated with particular industries, such as earthmoving, construction, landscaping, forestry, mining, agriculture, and the like.

[0015] Although this arrangement is shown in connection with an excavator, the arrangement disclosed herein is versatile for various other types of machines that typically employ track systems rather than wheels. The term "machine" may refer to a machine that performs some type of operation associated with industries such as mining, earthmoving, construction, or other industries known in the art. For example, the machine may be a hydraulic mining shovel, wheel loader, cable shovel, truck tractor, bulldozer, or dragline. Additionally, one or more tools may be connected to the machine. The tools may be used for various tasks, such as lifting and loading.

[0016] Carriage system 22 may be configured to support machine 20 and move machine 20 along ground, roads, and other types of terrain. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, track assembly 24 of carriage system 22 may include a track roller frame 26, various guide components connected to track roller frame 26, and an endless track 28 that engages the guide components. The guide components may guide track 28 and include drive sprocket 30, idlers 32, rollers 200, track guides 36, and carriers 38, although other components may also be used.

[0017] The track 28 may include a link assembly 40 having a plurality of shoes 42 secured thereto. The link assembly 40 may form a flexible skeleton for the track 28, and the shoes 42 may provide traction over various types of terrain. The link assembly 40 may extend in an endless chain around the drive sprocket 30, the rollers 34, idlers 32, and carrier 38 that support the machine's heavy load. As shown in Figure 3, the track shoes 42 may be secured to the periphery of the link assembly 40. For example, one shoe 42 may be attached to each of a pair of laterally spaced links 44. The track shoes 42 may be connected to the links 44 in a variety of ways (e.g., by welding, fastening, etc., as shown in Figure 3).

[0018] 4 and 5, a track roller assembly 200 configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The track roller assembly 200 may include a track shell 202 (best seen in FIG. 3) including a rotating body (so called because it is modeled in computer-aided drafting (CAD) or manufactured at least in part by the geometry of the rotating body (e.g., using a lathe, etc.)) defining a rotational axis 204, a circumferential direction 206 disposed about the rotational axis 204, a radial direction 208 extending perpendicular to the rotational axis 204, a first axial end 209 disposed along the rotational axis 204, and a second axial end 210 disposed along the rotational axis 204. A first rim portion 212 may be disposed proximate the first axial end 209, and a second rim portion 214 may be disposed proximate the second axial end 210 (best seen in FIG. 3). This may not be the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] 4 and 5, the through-hole 216 may extend axially through the rotating body of the track roller shell 202 (although it may not in other embodiments of the present disclosure). As shown, the track roller shaft 300 may be disposed within the through-hole 216, and a press-fit collar 400 may define a bearing opening 402 that defines a press-fit portion 404 (see also FIG. 6) configured to securely receive and retain the shaft 300. The shaft 300 is designed to allow rotation of the track roller shell 202 about its axis, while the collar 400 is designed to mount the track roller assembly 200 to a bogie.

[0020] More specifically, the shaft 300 may include a cylindrical body defining a cylindrical diameter 302, while the press-fit portion 404 of the shaft-receiving opening 402 of the collar 400 may define an inner diameter 406 (see FIG. 6 ) that is smaller than the cylindrical diameter 302 (thus potentially creating an interference fit). In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the shaft may have a stepped cylinder, a cone, or the like.

[0021] 4 , the rotating body of the track roller shell 202 can define a first face seal receiving cavity 218 disposed radially inward from the first rim portion 212, and the press-fit collar 400 can include an L-shaped flange 408 defining a second face seal receiving cavity 410 in communication with the first face seal receiving cavity 218. Face seals 220 (e.g., metal-to-metal face seals, duo-cone face seals, etc.) can be disposed within the first face seal receiving cavity 218 and the second face seal receiving cavity 410. This configuration allows the track roller shell 202 to rotate, while the track roller shaft 300 and collar 400 can remain stationary, surrounded by lubricant, to aid in low-friction rotation of the track roller shell 202.

[0022] Further to this end, bearing members 222 may be disposed radially between the track roller shell 202 and the shaft 300 (see radial bearing portion 222a) and axially between the press-fit collar 400 and the track roller shell 202 (see thrust ring portion 222b).

[0023] Referring to FIG. 6 , the press-fit portion 404 of the shaft-receiving opening 402 of the press-fit collar 400 is positioned axially adjacent to the bearing member 222, and the shaft-receiving opening 402 may expand radially to form a slip-fit ​​portion 412 that extends axially away from the press-fit portion 404 (e.g., toward the axial end of the shaft, as described in more detail herein).

[0024] The press-fit collar 400 may also define a through hole 414 extending radially through the snug-fit portion 412 of the shaft-receiving opening 402, and an axially extending slot 416 (so called because the largest dimension of the slot is along the axial direction) that communicates with the press-fit portion 404 of the shaft-receiving opening 402 of the press-fit collar 400.

[0025] 5 and 6, the shaft 300 can define a guide member receiving cavity 304 that communicates with the axially extending slot 416 of the press-fit collar 400. The guide member 224 can be disposed within the axially extending slot 416 and the guide member receiving cavity 304.

[0026] The shaft 300 may also define a lateral bore 306 that is radially and axially aligned with the through bore 414 of the press-fit collar 400. The lateral bore 306 and the through bore 414 may include a dowel pin 226 disposed therein.

[0027] During assembly, the shaft is inserted into the collar and the guide member aligns with the axially extending slot. This allows the guide member to act like a key and the slot like a key slot. This ensures that when the shaft is press-fit into the collar, the shaft's transverse hole aligns with the collar's through hole, allowing dowel pins to be inserted to hold the assembly together under high loads and reducing the risk of damaging O-rings or other seals in use. This alignment feature also allows the track roller assembly to be mounted to the roller frame with the bolt holes oriented vertically.

[0028] A track roller shaft 300 will now be described that may be provided as part of or as a replacement for the previously described track roller assembly 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] 5, the track roller shaft 300 may include a body including a surface of revolution 308 (for the same reasons as the rotating bodies described herein, a so-called surface of revolution, such as a conical surface or a cylindrical surface) that defines an axis of rotation (which may coincide with 204), a radial direction (which may coincide with 206), and a circumferential direction (which may coincide with 208) disposed about the axis of rotation. The body may define an axially proximal end 310 disposed along the axis of rotation and a radially extending bore 306a disposed axially adjacent to the axially proximal end 310.

[0030] Additionally, guide member receiving pockets (see, eg, 304) are positioned axially farther from axially proximal end 310 than radially extending bore 306a.

[0031] More specifically, the guide member receiving packet (e.g., 304) includes a first radially extending wall 312, a second radially extending wall 314 axially spaced from the first radially extending wall 312, and a bottom wall 316 extending axially between the first radially extending wall 312 and the second radially extending wall 314. A first blend 318 (e.g., a radius) may connect the first radially extending wall 312 to the bottom wall 316, and a second blend 320 may connect the bottom wall 316 to the second radially extending wall 314.

[0032] 5 and as can be inferred from FIG. 6 , guide member receiving packet can define a rectangular perimeter 322 (complementarily formed with guide member 224) in a plane parallel to the tangent plane of surface of rotation 308. Additionally, bottom wall 316 can be flat and have a bottom wall surface area that is greater than the surface area of ​​first radially extending wall 312 or second radially extending wall 314.

[0033] In some embodiments, the surface of revolution 308 can define a constant diameter (eg, 302 ) from the guide member receiving pocket (eg, 304 ) to the axially proximal end 310 .

[0034] A track roller collar 400 that may be provided as part of or as a replacement for track roller assembly 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described.

[0035] 6, the track roller collar may include a body including a concave surface of revolution 418 that defines an axis of rotation 420, a radial direction 422, and a circumferential direction 424 disposed about the axis of rotation 420. The body may also have a first axial end 426 disposed along the axis of rotation 420 and a second axial end 428 disposed along the axis of rotation 420. An opening (see, e.g., 402) may be formed by the concave surface of revolution 418, extending axially through the first axial end 426 toward the second axial end 428.

[0036] As previously described herein, the concave surface of rotation 418 may include a press-fit portion 404 (see, e.g., 406) that defines a press-fit diameter, and a slip-fit ​​portion 412 (see, e.g., 406) that defines a slip-fit ​​diameter 430 that is larger than the press-fit diameter. The slip-fit ​​portion 412 of the concave surface of rotation 418 may, but need not, extend axially from the press-fit portion 404 to a second axial end 428.

[0037] With continued reference to FIG. 6, the body of the track roller collar 400 can define a guide member receiving slot (see, for example, 416 ) extending from a first axial end 426 toward a second axial end 428 .

[0038] Additionally, a side hole (see, e.g., 414) can extend radially through the body, the side hole being axially disposed in a circumferential edge 432 that is axially disposed between the press-fit portion 404 and the slip-fit ​​portion 412 of the rotating concave surface 418. A guide member receiving slot (e.g., 416) can extend through the circumferential edge 432 and communicate with the side hole (e.g., 414).

[0039] The guide member receiving slot (e.g., 416) can be defined by a first flat surface 434 extending parallel to a plane tangent to the concave rotating surface 418 and a second flat surface 436 extending perpendicular to the first flat surface 434. The L-shaped flange 408 can be axially positionable between the first axial end 426 and the circumferential edge 432 and can extend radially outward from the body toward the first axial end 426, terminating in a free axial end 438. The flange can at least partially define a face seal receiving cavity (e.g., 410) radially positioned between the concave rotating surface 418 and the free end 438 of the L-shaped flange 408.

[0040] As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." Where only one item is intended, the term "one" or similar term is used. Also, as used herein, the terms "has," "have," "having," "with," and the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Furthermore, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on," unless otherwise specified.

[0041] Any of the foregoing features may be varied differently from what is described herein or shown in the drawings.

[0042] In many embodiments, the components of the track roller assembly can be cast using iron, gray cast iron, steel, or other suitable materials. These components can be manufactured using other materials and other manufacturing processes, such as any type of machining, forging, etc. Additionally, the configuration of any feature described herein, and its dimensions and / or dimensional ratios, can vary depending on the anticipated application. [Industrial Applicability]

[0043] Indeed, track roller assemblies, track roller collars, and track roller shafts according to any of the embodiments described herein may be sold, purchased, manufactured, or otherwise obtained in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or aftermarket setting. Various embodiments of the track roller assembly, track roller collar, or track roller shaft may extend the wear life of the assembly or its various components by providing a stronger connection that reduces the likelihood of seal damage and associated lubrication loss, which has the advantage of reducing the frequency of maintenance and increasing the return on economic efforts using the machines described herein.

[0044] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments of the apparatus and assembly methods described herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some devices may have configurations and functions different from those described herein, and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in a different order than previously specifically mentioned, or in some cases performed simultaneously or in substeps. Furthermore, specific aspects or features of the various embodiments may be changed or modified to create further embodiments, and features and aspects of the various embodiments may be in addition to, or substituted for, other features or aspects of other embodiments to provide still further embodiments.

[0045] It is therefore intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. a track roller collar (400) including a concave surface of revolution (418) defining an axis of rotation (420), a radial direction (422), and a circumferential direction (424) disposed about the axis of rotation (420), the track roller collar (400) including a first axial end (426) disposed along the axis of rotation (420) and a second axial end (428) disposed along the axis of rotation (420) and opposite the first axial end (426); an opening (402) extending axially through the first axial end (426) toward the second axial end (428) and formed by the concave surface of revolution (418); and a guide member receiving slot (416) extending from the first axial end (426) toward the second axial end (428); a track roller shaft (300) disposed in the opening (402) of the track roller collar (400) and including a guide member receiving pocket (304); a guide member (224) disposed in the guide member receiving slot (416) and the guide member receiving pocket (304); Including, The concave surface of rotation (418) includes a press-fit portion (404) defining a press-fit diameter (406) and a slip-fit ​​portion (412) defining a slip-fit ​​diameter (430) larger than the press-fit diameter (406).

2. The track roller assembly (200) of claim 1, wherein the track roller shaft (300) has a diameter (302), and the press-fit diameter (406) is smaller than the diameter (302).

3. 3. The track roller assembly of claim 2, wherein the slip-fit ​​portion of the concave surface of rotation extends axially from the press-fit portion to the second axial end.

4. the track roller collar (400) defines a transverse hole (414) extending radially through the track roller collar (400), the transverse hole (414) being disposed axially on one side of a circumferential edge (432) disposed between the press-fit portion (404) and the slip-fit ​​portion (412) of the concave rotation surface (418), the guide member receiving slot (416) extending beyond the circumferential edge (432) and communicating with the transverse hole (414); 3. The track roller assembly of claim 2, wherein the track roller shaft includes a radially extended hole disposed axially adjacent to an axially proximal end of the track roller shaft, the radially extended hole being axially aligned with the transverse hole.

5. the guide member receiving slot (416) is defined by a first planar surface (434) extending parallel to a plane tangent to the concave surface of revolution (418) of the opening (402), and a second planar surface (436) extending perpendicular to the first planar surface (434); the track roller collar (400) further includes an L-shaped flange (408), the L-shaped flange (408) being disposed between the first axial end (426) and the circumferential edge (432) and extending radially outward from the track roller collar (400); the L-shaped flange (408) has an end that extends away from the track roller collar (400) and toward the first axial end (426) to form a free end (438); The track roller assembly (200) of claim 4, wherein the L-shaped flange (408) and the track shell (202) form a face seal receiving cavity (410).

6. The track roller shaft (300) a surface of revolution (308) defining an axis of rotation (204), a radial direction (206), and a circumferential direction (208) disposed about the axis of rotation (204); The track roller shaft (300) an axially proximal end (310) disposed along said axis of rotation (204); a radially extending hole (306a) disposed axially adjacent to the axially proximal end (310); The track roller assembly (200) of claim 1, further comprising: the guide member receiving pocket (304) positioned axially farther from the axially proximal end (310) than the radially extended hole (306a).

7. 7. The track roller assembly of claim 6, wherein the guide member receiving pocket includes a first radially extending wall, a second radially extending wall axially spaced from the first radially extending wall, and a bottom wall extending axially between the first radially extending wall and the second radially extending wall.

8. 8. The track roller assembly (200) of claim 7, wherein the guide member receiving pocket (304) further defines a first blend (318) connecting the first radially extending wall (312) to the bottom wall (316) and a second blend (320) connecting the bottom wall (316) to the second radially extending wall (314).

9. 9. The track roller assembly of claim 8, wherein the guide member receiving pocket defines a rectangular periphery in a plane parallel to a tangent plane of the surface of rotation, and the bottom wall is flat and defines a bottom wall surface area greater than a surface area of ​​the first radially extending wall.

10. The track roller assembly (200) of claim 9, wherein the surface of rotation (308) defines a diameter (302) from the guide member receiving pocket (304) to an axially proximal end (310).

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