Elastic crawler

Abstract

To provide an elastic crawler that is able to improve mud discharging performance.SOLUTION: An elastic crawler 1 includes: a crawler body 2 made of an endless belt-like elastic body; and a plurality of lugs 3 formed at intervals in a crawler circumferential direction a, on an outer peripheral surface 2a of the crawler body 2 in a crawler thickness direction c. Each of the plurality of lugs 1 has: a top portion 4 defining the outermost side in the crawler thickness direction c; and a cutout portion 5 dividing the top portion 4 in a crawler width direction b. The top portion 4 includes, in a lug longitudinal direction: a first top portion 4A located on one side of the cutout portion 5; and a second top portion 4B located on the other side of the cutout portion 5 and shorter in the crawler widthwise direction b than the first top portion 4A. The first top portion 4A includes: a first portion 4a extending parallel to the crawler width direction b, a second portion 4b inclined toward one side with respect to the crawler width direction b, and a third portion 4c inclined toward the other side with respect to the crawler width direction b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an elastic crawler.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an elastic crawler including a crawler body made of an endless belt-like elastic body and a plurality of lugs formed on the outer peripheral surface of the crawler body in the crawler thickness direction with intervals in the crawler circumferential direction is known. For example, Patent Document 1 below proposes a ladder-type crawler in which a crawler body made of an elastic material formed in an endless belt shape and lugs integrally formed on the ground contact surface side of the crawler body and having and not having extended portions toward one end side in the belt width direction are alternately arranged in the belt longitudinal direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The elastic crawler of Patent Document 1 has a problem that when moving from a soft ground such as a wet field to a paved road surface, mud clogged between the lugs scatters on the paved road surface, and there is a desire for further improvement in mud shedding property.

[0005] The present invention has been devised in view of the above actual situation, and the main object is to provide an elastic crawler capable of improving mud shedding property.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to an elastic crawler, comprising a crawler body made of an endless strip-shaped elastic body, and a plurality of lugs formed on the outer peripheral surface of the crawler body in the crawler thickness direction at intervals in the crawler circumferential direction, wherein each of the plurality of lugs has a top portion that defines the outermost part in the crawler thickness direction and a notch portion that divides the top portion in the crawler width direction, wherein the top portion includes a first top portion located on one side of the notch portion in the lug longitudinal direction and a second top portion located on the other side of the notch portion and having a shorter length in the crawler width direction than the first top portion, wherein the first top portion includes a first portion extending parallel to the crawler width direction, a second portion inclined to one side with respect to the crawler width direction, and a third portion inclined to the other side with respect to the crawler width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The elastic crawler of the present invention, by having the above-described configuration, can improve mud shedding performance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the elastic crawler of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the elastic crawler of this embodiment, as seen from the outer circumference of the crawler. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of line AA in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged plan view of the first vertex. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged plan view of the second peak. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the elastic crawler 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the elastic crawler 1 of this embodiment includes a crawler body 2 made of an endless strip of elastic material such as rubber, and a plurality of lugs 3 formed on the outer peripheral surface 2a of the crawler body 2 in the crawler thickness direction c, spaced apart in the crawler circumferential direction a. Such an elastic crawler 1 is suitable for use as a running body for agricultural machinery, construction machinery, etc., and can achieve both traversability on soft ground such as wet fields and comfort when running on paved roads.

[0010] In this specification, the crawler circumferential direction a is the rotational direction (longitudinal direction) of the elastic crawler 1, and the crawler width direction b is the axial direction of the drive wheel (not shown) when the elastic crawler 1 is mounted on the vehicle. The crawler thickness direction c is a direction perpendicular to the crawler circumferential direction a and the crawler width direction b. Within the crawler thickness direction c, the inner side of the endless strip-shaped elastic crawler 1 is defined as the crawler inner circumference side ci, and the outer side of the endless strip-shaped elastic crawler 1 is defined as the crawler outer circumference side co. The center position of the crawler body 2 in the crawler width direction b is the crawler center CL.

[0011] Each of the multiple lugs 3 in this embodiment has a top portion 4 that defines the outermost part in the crawler thickness direction c, and a notch portion 5 that divides the top portion 4 in the crawler width direction b. Such lugs 3 can suppress mud clogging and help improve the mud-shedding performance of the elastic crawler 1.

[0012] Figure 2 is a plan view of the elastic crawler 1 of this embodiment as seen from the outer circumference side co of the crawler, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the top portion 4 includes, for example, a first top portion 4A located on one side of the notch 5 in the longitudinal direction of the lug, and a second top portion 4B located on the other side of the notch 5. In this embodiment, the length of the second top portion 4B in the crawler width direction b is smaller than that of the first top portion 4A.

[0013] Such a lug 3 can improve traction on soft ground by including a long first top section 4A, and helps improve the mud shedding performance of the elastic crawler 1 by including a shorter second top section 4B.

[0014] The first apex 4A of this embodiment includes a first portion 4a extending parallel to the crawler width direction b, a second portion 4b inclined to one side with respect to the crawler width direction b, and a third portion 4c inclined to the other side with respect to the crawler width direction b.

[0015] The first apex 4A, with its first portion 4a, second portion 4b, and third portion 4c, can generate strain in different directions relative to the outer surface 2a of the crawler body 2 when bent, thereby allowing mud to be discharged between the lugs 3. For this reason, the elastic crawler 1 of this embodiment can improve mud drainage.

[0016] The second apex 4B preferably includes a fourth portion 4d extending parallel to the crawler width direction b, a fifth portion 4e inclined to one side with respect to the crawler width direction b, and a sixth portion 4f inclined to the other side with respect to the crawler width direction b, similar to the first apex 4A.

[0017] Such a second apex 4B, along with the fourth portion 4d, fifth portion 4e, and sixth portion 4f, can cause strain in different directions relative to the outer surface 2a of the crawler body 2 when bent, thereby allowing mud to be discharged between the lugs 3. Such an elastic crawler 1 can further improve mud drainage.

[0018] In a more preferred embodiment, the elastic crawler 1 includes a plurality of core bodies 6 embedded inside the crawler body 2 and a tensile body 7 for imparting tensile force F to the crawler body 2. Preferably, the tensile body 7 is embedded on the outer circumference side co of the crawler body 2, relative to the core bodies 6. The tensile body 7 is, for example, composed of a plurality of metal cords 7a extending in the circumferential direction a of the crawler and arranged in the width direction b of the crawler. Such a tensile body 7 can impart tensile force F evenly to the crawler body 2 in the width direction b of the crawler.

[0019] The core body 6 is preferably made of a material harder than the elastic body constituting the crawler body 2. The core body 6 is formed of, for example, a metal material such as steel or cast iron. The core body 6 may be formed of a hard resin. Such a core body 6 is suitably used for the elastic crawler 1, can reinforce the crawler body 2, and can maintain the shape of the crawler body 2.

[0020] Each of the plurality of core bodies 6 has, for example, a central portion 6a and a pair of wing portions 6b extending outward from the central portion 6a in the crawler width direction b. The central portion 6a is located, for example, on the crawler center CL and can transmit the driving force from a driving wheel (not shown) to the elastic crawler 1. A pair of guide protrusions 6c protruding toward the crawler inner peripheral side ci are provided on the central portion 6a of the core body 6. These guide protrusions 6c can regulate the position of the driving wheel and the idler wheel (not shown) in the crawler width direction b and prevent the crawler from coming off the wheels.

[0021] Each of the plurality of lugs 3 in the present embodiment includes the wing portion 6b in the crawler thickness direction c. That is, each of the plurality of lugs 3 has, for example, a portion where the top 4 is formed in a zigzag shape by the second portion 4b, the third portion 4c, the fifth portion 4e, and the sixth portion 4f, and also has a portion extending along the wing portion 6b on the crawler inner peripheral side ci.

[0022] Thereby, the entire wing portion 6b of the present embodiment is located within the range where the lug 3 is projected onto the crawler inner peripheral side ci. Such a lug 3 can suppress the thinning of the elastic body located on the crawler outer peripheral side co of the wing portion 6b and improve the durability of the elastic crawler 1.

[0023] The first portion 4a of the first top 4A of the lug 3 in the present embodiment is provided on the outermost side in the crawler width direction b. The first portion 4a is preferably provided at a position that does not overlap with the wing portion 6b in the crawler thickness direction c. Such a lug 3 can improve the traction force during travel on soft ground while suppressing clogging by the first portion 4a, and can achieve both the soft ground breaking performance and the mud shedding performance of the elastic crawler 1.

[0024] Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the first apex 4A. As shown in Figure 4, the inclination angle θ1 of the second portion 4b of the first apex 4A with respect to the crawler width direction b is preferably within 10°. By keeping the inclination angle θ1 within 10°, excellent traction force can be maintained when traveling on soft ground.

[0025] The inclination angle θ2 of the third portion 4c of the first apex 4A with respect to the crawler width direction b is preferably within 10°. Having an inclination angle θ2 within 10° allows for the maintenance of excellent traction when traveling on soft ground.

[0026] In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ2 of the third portion 4c is smaller than the inclination angle θ1 of the second portion 4b. Such a third portion 4c can increase the traction force on the center side of the crawler width direction b, and can improve the soft ground traversability of the elastic crawler 1. The first top portion 4A is not limited to this embodiment, and the inclination angle θ2 of the third portion 4c may be equal to the inclination angle θ1 of the second portion 4b, or it may be larger than the inclination angle θ1 of the second portion 4b.

[0027] The first apex 4A includes a first connecting portion 4g that connects the first portion 4a and the second portion 4b, and a second connecting portion 4h that connects the second portion 4b and the third portion 4c. Such a first apex 4A can form the first portion 4a, the second portion 4b, and the third portion 4c integrally, which helps to improve the durability of the elastic crawler 1.

[0028] The first connecting portion 4g is preferably formed in an arc shape with a radius of curvature R1 of 30 mm or more in a plan view of the crawler. By having a radius of curvature R1 of 30 mm or more, stress concentration on the first connecting portion 4g can be suppressed, and the durability of the elastic crawler 1 can be improved.

[0029] The second connecting portion 4h is preferably formed in an arc shape with a radius of curvature R2 of 30 mm or more in a plan view of the crawler. Having a radius of curvature R2 of 30 mm or more suppresses stress concentration on the second connecting portion 4h and improves the durability of the elastic crawler 1.

[0030] Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the second apex 4B. As shown in Figure 5, the inclination angle θ3 of the fifth portion 4e of the second apex 4B with respect to the crawler width direction b is preferably within 10°. An inclination angle θ3 of within 10° allows for the maintenance of excellent traction force when traveling on soft ground.

[0031] The inclination angle θ4 of the sixth portion 4f of the second apex 4B with respect to the crawler width direction b is preferably within 10°. Having an inclination angle θ4 within 10° allows for the maintenance of excellent traction when traveling on soft ground.

[0032] The inclination angle θ4 of the sixth section 4f is, for example, equal to the inclination angle θ3 of the fifth section 4e. Such a second apex 4B can suppress mud clogging by generating a well-balanced strain in the crawler width direction b, thereby improving the mud-clearing performance of the elastic crawler 1. The second apex 4B is not limited to this embodiment, and the inclination angle θ4 of the sixth section 4f may be, for example, smaller than the inclination angle θ3 of the fifth section 4e, or larger than the inclination angle θ3 of the fifth section 4e.

[0033] The second apex 4B includes a third connecting portion 4i that connects the fourth portion 4d and the fifth portion 4e, and a fourth connecting portion 4j that connects the fifth portion 4e and the sixth portion 4f. Such a second apex 4B can integrally form the fourth portion 4d, the fifth portion 4e, and the sixth portion 4f, which helps to improve the durability of the elastic crawler 1.

[0034] The third connecting portion 4i is preferably formed in an arc shape with a radius of curvature R3 of 30 mm or more in a plan view of the crawler. By having a radius of curvature R3 of 30 mm or more, stress concentration on the third connecting portion 4i can be suppressed, and the durability of the elastic crawler 1 can be improved.

[0035] The fourth connecting portion 4j is preferably formed in an arc shape with a radius of curvature R4 of 30 mm or more in a plan view of the crawler. Having a radius of curvature R4 of 30 mm or more suppresses stress concentration on the fourth connecting portion 4j and improves the durability of the elastic crawler 1.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the fourth portion 4d of the second apex 4B in this embodiment is provided on the virtual extension region of the first portion 4a of the first apex 4A. Similarly, it is desirable that the first portion 4a of the first apex 4A is provided on the virtual extension region of the fourth portion 4d of the second apex 4B. The first portion 4a and the fourth portion 4d in this embodiment are located at both ends of the lug 3 in the crawler width direction b. Such a lug 3 can improve the traction force when traveling on soft ground and helps to improve the soft ground traversability of the elastic crawler 1.

[0037] In this embodiment, the fifth portion 4e of the second apex 4B is inclined in the same direction as the second portion 4b of the first apex 4A. Such lugs 3 help to achieve both traction force and mud clogging suppression when traveling on soft ground, and enable the elastic crawler 1 to achieve both soft ground traversability and mud shedding capabilities.

[0038] In this embodiment, the sixth portion 4f of the second apex 4B is provided on the virtual extension region of the third portion 4c of the first apex 4A. Similarly, it is desirable that the third portion 4c of the first apex 4A be provided on the virtual extension region of the sixth portion 4f of the second apex 4B. In this embodiment, the third portion 4c and the sixth portion 4f are adjacent to each other via a notch 5. Such lugs 3 help to achieve both traction force and mud clogging suppression when traveling on soft ground, and enable the elastic crawler 1 to achieve both soft ground traversability and mud shedding performance.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is desirable that the crawler body 2 has a plurality of drive holes 8 for engaging with drive wheels (not shown). The drive wheels engage with the drive holes 8, for example, and transmit the driving force to the central part 6a of the core body 6. It is desirable that the drive holes 8 be located on the crawler center CL.

[0040] In this embodiment, the notch 5 has a portion that overlaps with the multiple drive holes 8 when projected in the crawler circumferential direction a in a plan view of the crawler. That is, the notch 5 in this embodiment has a portion that is closer to the crawler center CL than the outermost end of the drive hole 8 in the crawler width direction b. Such a notch 5 can work in cooperation with the drive holes 8 to discharge mud, thereby improving the mud-discharge performance of the elastic crawler 1.

[0041] The lugs 3 preferably include a first lug 3A whose first apex 4A is located on one side in the crawler width direction b, and a second lug 3B whose first apex 4A is located on the other side in the crawler width direction b. Such lugs 3 allow the first lug 3A and the second lug 3B to be balanced in the crawler width direction b, which helps to improve comfort when driving on paved surfaces.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first lug 3A and the second lug 3B are arranged alternately in the crawler circumferential direction a. In such a lug 3, the first portion 4a of the first top portion 4A, which is located on the outermost side in the crawler width direction b, can be arranged alternately in the crawler circumferential direction a. Therefore, the lugs 3 in this embodiment are arranged in a staggered pattern in the crawler circumferential direction a, which helps to achieve both soft ground traction and mud shedding performance for the elastic crawler 1.

[0043] The notch 5 of the first lug 3A is preferably located on one side in the crawler width direction b than the notch 5 of the second lug 3B. In this embodiment, the lugs 3 have notches 5 arranged in a staggered pattern in the crawler circumferential direction a. Such lugs 3 can suppress mud clogging with the notches 5 while exhibiting good traction when running on soft ground, thus achieving both soft ground traversability and mud shedding capabilities of the elastic crawler 1.

[0044] The crawler body 2 of this embodiment includes a crawler wing portion 9 that connects the first portions 4a of adjacent first lugs 3A in the crawler circumferential direction a. Similarly, the crawler body 2 includes a crawler wing portion 9 that connects the first portions 4a of adjacent second lugs 3B in the crawler circumferential direction a. That is, the crawler wing portion 9 is provided on the second apex 4B side of the lug 3.

[0045] Since the crawler wing section 9 does not have a core body 6 or tensile body 7 embedded inside, it has a large deformation range, which can improve the mud-shedding performance of the elastic crawler 1. Furthermore, the crawler body 2 having this crawler wing section 9 and lugs 3 can balance traction force and ground contact pressure when running on soft ground, which can improve the soft ground traction performance of the elastic crawler 1.

[0046] It is desirable that the crawler wing portion 9 has a crawler recess 9a that is recessed inward in the crawler width direction b. Such a crawler recess 9a helps to balance traction force and ground contact pressure when traveling on soft ground, and can further improve the soft ground traversability of the elastic crawler 1.

[0047] Although particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0048] [Note] The present invention is as follows:

[0049] [Invention 1] It is an elastic crawler, The crawler body is made of an endless band-shaped elastic material, and includes a plurality of lugs formed on the outer circumferential surface of the crawler body in the crawler thickness direction, spaced apart in the crawler circumferential direction. Each of the aforementioned lugs has a top portion that defines the outermost part in the crawler thickness direction and a notch that divides the top portion in the crawler width direction. The top portion includes a first top portion located on one side of the notch in the longitudinal direction of the lug, and a second top portion located on the other side of the notch and having a shorter length in the crawler width direction than the first top portion. The first apex includes a first portion extending parallel to the crawler width direction, a second portion inclined to one side with respect to the crawler width direction, and a third portion inclined to the other side with respect to the crawler width direction. Elastic crawler.

[0050] [Invention 2] The elastic crawler according to claim 1, wherein the second apex includes a fourth portion extending parallel to the crawler width direction, a fifth portion inclined to one side with respect to the crawler width direction, and a sixth portion inclined to the other side with respect to the crawler width direction.

[0051] [Invention 3] The elastic crawler according to claim 2, wherein the sixth portion is provided on the virtual extension region of the third portion.

[0052] [4th Invention] The first portion is provided at the outermost part in the width direction of the crawler, according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[0053] [5th ​​Invention] The elastic crawler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inclination angles of the second and third portions with respect to the crawler width direction are each within 10°.

[0054] [Invention 6] The first apex includes a first connecting portion that connects the first portion and the second portion, and a second connecting portion that connects the second portion and the third portion. The elastic crawler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are each formed in an arc shape with a radius of curvature of 30 mm or more in a plan view of the crawler.

[0055] [7th Invention] The crawler body includes a plurality of core bodies embedded inside at intervals in the circumferential direction of the crawler, Each of the aforementioned plurality of core bodies has a central part and a pair of wing portions extending outward from the central part in the crawler width direction, The elastic crawler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the plurality of lugs includes the wing portion in the crawler thickness direction.

[0056] [8th Invention] The crawler body has a plurality of drive holes for engaging the drive wheels, The elastic crawler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the notch has a portion that overlaps with the plurality of drive holes when projected in the circumferential direction of the crawler in a plan view of the crawler.

[0057] [Invention 9] The elastic crawler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of lugs include a first lug whose first apex is located on one side in the crawler width direction and a second lug whose first apex is located on the other side in the crawler width direction.

[0058] [Invention 10] The elastic crawler according to claim 9, wherein the first lug and the second lug are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the crawler.

[0059] [Invention 11] The elastic crawler according to claim 10, wherein the notch of the first lug is located on one side in the crawler width direction than the notch of the second lug.

[0060] [Invention 12] The crawler body includes crawler wing portions that connect the first portions of the first lugs that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the crawler, The elastic crawler according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the crawler wing portion has a crawler recess that is recessed inward in the crawler width direction. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1 Elastic crawler 2 Crawler body 2a Outer surface 3 rugs 4 Top 4A 1st top 4B 2nd top 4a Part 1 4b 2nd part 4c 3rd part 5 Notches

Claims

1. It is an elastic crawler, The crawler body is made of an endless band-shaped elastic material, and includes a plurality of lugs formed on the outer circumferential surface of the crawler body in the crawler thickness direction, spaced apart in the crawler circumferential direction. Each of the aforementioned lugs has a top portion that defines the outermost part in the crawler thickness direction and a notch that divides the top portion in the crawler width direction. The top portion includes a first top portion located on one side of the notch in the longitudinal direction of the lug, and a second top portion located on the other side of the notch and having a shorter length in the crawler width direction than the first top portion. The first apex includes a first portion extending parallel to the crawler width direction, a second portion inclined to one side with respect to the crawler width direction, and a third portion inclined to the other side with respect to the crawler width direction. The second apex includes a fourth portion extending parallel to the crawler width direction, a fifth portion inclined to one side with respect to the crawler width direction, and a sixth portion inclined to the other side with respect to the crawler width direction. Elastic crawler.

2. The elastic crawler according to claim 1, wherein the sixth portion is provided on the virtual extension region of the third portion.

3. The elastic crawler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion is provided at the outermost part in the crawler width direction.

4. The elastic crawler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inclination angles of the second and third portions with respect to the crawler width direction are each within 10°.

5. The first apex includes a first connecting portion that connects the first portion and the second portion, and a second connecting portion that connects the second portion and the third portion. The elastic crawler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are each formed in an arc shape with a radius of curvature of 30 mm or more in a plan view of the crawler.

6. The crawler body includes a plurality of core bodies embedded inside at intervals in the circumferential direction of the crawler, Each of the aforementioned plurality of core bodies has a central part and a pair of wing portions extending outward from the central part in the crawler width direction, The elastic crawler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of lugs includes the wing portion in the crawler thickness direction.

7. The crawler body has a plurality of drive holes for engaging the drive wheels, The elastic crawler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notch has a portion that overlaps with the plurality of drive holes when projected in the circumferential direction of the crawler in a plan view of the crawler.

8. The elastic crawler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of lugs include a first lug whose first apex is located on one side in the crawler width direction and a second lug whose first apex is located on the other side in the crawler width direction.

9. The elastic crawler according to claim 8, wherein the first lug and the second lug are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the crawler.

10. The elastic crawler according to claim 9, wherein the notch of the first lug is located on one side in the crawler width direction than the notch of the second lug.

11. The crawler body includes a crawler wing portion that connects the first portions of the first lugs that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the crawler, The elastic crawler according to claim 9, wherein the crawler wing portion has a crawler recess that is recessed inward in the crawler width direction.

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