Track chain link

Abstract

The invention relates to articulated connections between the links of flexible track chains. A link connects plates of a track chain that is designed to be mounted around the outer periphery of the tyres of a vehicle. The link comprises four elongate bodies connected to one another such that a closed contour is formed. Each elongate body is configured to be connectable to the plates of a track chain. To repair the track chain, at least two of the links are turned through 90°. The result is an increased service life and less labour-intensive track chain repair.

Description

Track link

[0001] The invention relates to transport engineering, primarily to wheeled vehicles, namely to articulated joints of links of flexible track chains intended for installation around the outer periphery of vehicle tires.

[0002] Track chains that can be installed around vehicle tires with the possibility of removal are known in several different designs. For example, a track chain is known that includes tracks with side stops and brackets, hingedly fastened by links [Patent RU 2530947 "Track chain link with two side support elements and a method for manufacturing a support element for such a track chain link", declared on 12.05.2010]. Such a track chain can be used to provide better friction and traction between the vehicle tires and the supporting surface, especially on wet, slippery or muddy ground. In logging, such track chains help reduce rutting and thereby reduce the negative impact on the forest environment. The harsh conditions of logging operations lead to gradual wear of the track chain elements, especially the links connecting the tracks.As the links wear out, the tension of the track chain decreases and it sags. This can lead to several negative aspects. Firstly, the track chain can slip off the vehicle wheels. This will require additional labor and time to reinstall it. For example, in logging conditions, since the operator of the logging machine may not determine the moment of track slippage, it will be necessary to initially find it in the felling area, which is complicated by the fact that, as a rule, the drag track is filled with water. In addition, the track chain will need to be extracted from this track. Secondly, a decrease in the tension of the track chain leads to its slipping on the wheels, which reduces the traction characteristics of the vehicle, and also leads to significant wear of the tires.

[0003] The main reason for the weakening of the track chain tension is related to the wear of the links. Replacing the links is a labor-intensive job that requires a significant investment of time. Depending on the design of the track chain, the repair process associated with replacing the links may include various operations, but all require welding and metal cutting.

[0004] Various designs of links connecting tracks in track chains intended for installation around the outer periphery of vehicle tires are known. For example, a track chain link intended for installation around the outer periphery of vehicle tires is known, comprising two lateral elongated elements connected at the ends to each other by transverse elongated elements, wherein the transverse elements are designed with the possibility of connecting to the tracks of the track chain, wherein the link is provided with an additional elongated transverse element [Connecting link of the track chain of the OLOFSFORS company, distributed under the designation PRO LITE 15, Small track product catalogue 2016, p. 6, https: / www.eco-tracks.se / media / 1663 / st_prod_cat_eng_web.pdf (published - September 2016)].

[0005] The disadvantage of the design of the above-described link is that after the wear of the cross-linked elements, the link requires replacement. Repair of a track chain (associated with the replacement of links) containing tracks with side stops and brackets, pivotally fastened by such links [Track chain of the OLOFSFORS company, distributed under the designation PRO LITE 15, Small track product catalogue 2016, p. 6, https: / www.eco-tracks.se / media / 1663 / st_prod_cat_eng_web.pdf (published - September 2016)], includes the following sequence of actions: cut off the bracket from the track, clean the track from welding residues, replace the worn link, install the bracket on the track with a new link on a tack, then weld the parts with their preliminary heating. Thus, the repair requires significant labor costs.

[0006] The closest analogue, which was chosen as a prototype, is a link connecting the tracks of a track chain, intended for installation around the outer periphery of the tires of a vehicle, including two lateral elongated elements connected at the ends to each other by transverse elongated elements, wherein the transverse elongated elements are designed with the possibility of connecting to the tracks of a track chain, wherein the lateral and transverse elements are made in one piece [US D801395 “Haggis link”, declared on 16.05.2016].

[0007] The disadvantage of the design of the above-described link is that after the transverse elongated elements wear out, the link requires replacement. Repair of a track chain containing tracks with side stops and brackets, pivotally fastened by such links [Tracks for forestry machines. User's guide. CLARK TRACKS. Page 15. https:www.clarktracks / com / uplods / pdf / Userguide / CT2001-RU-GEN-UserGuide_LR_compressed.pdf (published - 2017)], includes the following operations: cut off the side stop from the bracket and track, replace the worn link, clean the track and side stop from welding residues, install the side stop on the track, then weld the side stop to the track and bracket with their preliminary heating. Thus, repair of the track chain requires significant labor costs.

[0008] The objective of this invention is to develop a track link that would increase its service life and ensure that the track link can be repaired with less labor and greater convenience.

[0009] In order to solve this problem and achieve the specified result, the present invention proposes a link connecting the tracks of a track chain, intended for installation around the outer periphery of the tires of a vehicle, including four elongated bodies connected to each other or made as a single whole to form a closed contour, wherein each elongated body is made with the possibility of connecting to the tracks of a track chain.

[0010] A special feature of the link according to the present invention is also that the elongated bodies on the inner side of the contour are provided with an insert made of a material that differs in its properties from the material of the elongated bodies.

[0011] Another feature of the link according to the present invention is that at least one elongated body is provided with a mark.

[0012] Another feature of the link according to the present invention is that the conjugation of the elongated bodies has a straight section.

[0013] An example of a possible implementation of a track link according to the present invention is shown (isometry).

[0014] The diagram of the link attachment to the track of the caterpillar chain is shown.

[0015] Another example of a possible track link design is shown (top view).

[0016] Show off the A-A section.

[0017] The present invention can be implemented using a link, the diagram of which is shown in . An example of fastening the link to the track of a caterpillar chain is shown.

[0018] A link connecting the tracks of a track chain, intended for installation around the outer periphery of the tires of a vehicle, includes four elongated bodies 1, 2, 3, 4, connected to each other to form a closed loop, wherein each elongated body is designed with the possibility of connecting to the tracks of a track chain.

[0019] The track 5 () has a bracket 6, with which one of the elongated elements, for example 1, engages (contacts). In this case, the elongated element 2, lying opposite the elongated element 1, engages with the bracket of the track adjacent to the track 5 (not shown in the figure). In this way, a track chain is formed. As a rule, the track has two brackets, located approximately at its ends.

[0020] The possibility of connecting the elongated bodies 1, 2, 3, 4 with the tracks of the caterpillar chain is ensured by their dimensions. The size of the cross-section of the elongated body must not be greater than the width of the passage of the bracket. For example, the cross-section of the elongated body 3 must correspond to the width of the passage of the bracket 6 (). In addition, the length of the elongated bodies must not be less than the width of the bracket. For example, the length of the elongated body 3 is made greater than the width of the bracket 6.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, a link is proposed in which four elongated bodies 1, 2, 3, 4 are made as one piece. In this case, additional strength of the structure is ensured.

[0022] The production of elongated bodies 1, 2, 3, 4 as a single whole can be accomplished, for example, by casting a link.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, a link is proposed in which the elongated bodies 1, 2, 3, 4 are provided with an insert 7 from the inner side of the contour made of a material that differs in its properties from the material of the elongated bodies (and 4). For example, the elongated bodies 1, 2, 3, 4 are made of low-carbon high-strength steel to ensure the strength of the link, and the insert 7 is made of wear-resistant steel, in particular 65G.

[0024] Such a link can be manufactured as follows: a press mold is prepared, the said insert is placed in the press mold to form a model of the link and the gating system; the press mold with the insert is filled with a material that does not have a high melting point; the said model is removed from the press mold and covered with layers of a mixture of filler and binder until a dense shell is formed, and after applying each layer, drying is carried out; the material that does not have a high melting point is melted out of the shell; the shell is filled with the molten material of the link; the shell is cooled; then it is beaten off and the resulting blank is mechanically processed.

[0025] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a link is proposed in which at least one elongated body, for example 4 on, is provided with a mark 8. The function of the mark can be performed by a trademark (brand) made in the body of the elongated body. Mark 8 allows, in the process of repair, by its location, to determine which links were previously turned in the caterpillar chain.

[0026] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a link is proposed in which the conjugation of the elongated bodies 1, 2, 3, 4 has a rectilinear section 9, 10, 11, 12 (). The presence of rectilinear sections 9, 10, 11, 12 allows the link to be fixed in the track chain, preventing its displacement.

[0027] The proposed device works as follows.

[0028] When the track chain goes around the vehicle wheels, the tracks and links connecting the tracks are relative rotated. When the vehicle moves, the elongated bodies (e.g. 1 and 2) rub against the surface of the bracket (e.g. elongated body 1 with bracket 6). As a result of the friction, elongated bodies 1 and 2 wear out, the tension of the track chain weakens, which leads to its sagging. To restore the original characteristics of the track chain, the most worn links are rotated by 90° so that the elongated bodies, e.g. 3 and 4 (which had not previously interacted with the track brackets), are placed in the brackets (e.g. elongated body 3 in bracket 6). In some cases, this will require additionally weakening the tension of the track chain.

[0029] In the embodiment of the link with the mark 8, the worker who carries out repairs to the track, for example the operator of a logging machine, can determine which links were previously deployed based on the position of the said marks 8 in the track chain.

[0030] In the embodiment of the link with insert 7 made of a material that differs in its properties from the material of the elongated bodies, for example, from wear-resistant steel, the main contact spot of the elongated element, for example 1, with the bracket, for example 6, falls on insert 7. Due to this, the service life of the link is additionally increased.

[0031] Thus, the proposed link allows to increase its service life and ensure repair of the track chain with less labor costs and greater convenience.

[0032] The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, there are many possibilities for modification that will be obvious to an ordinary person skilled in the art without departing from the basic idea of ​​the invention described in the claims.

[0033] The invention can be used to connect tracks in track chain structures that can be installed around vehicle tires. Patent literature

[0034] Patent RU 2530947 “Track link with two lateral support elements and a method for manufacturing a support element for such a track link”, declared on 12.05.2010.

[0035] US D801395 "Haggis link", filed 05 / 16 / 2016 Non-patent literature

[0036] Connecting link of the track chain of the company OLOFSFORS, distributed under the designation PRO LITE 15, Small track product catalogue 2016, p. 6, https: / www.eco-tracks.se / media / 1663 / st_prod_cat_eng_web.pdf (published - September 2016)

[0037] Tracks for forestry machines. User's guide. CLARK TRACKS. Page 15. https:www.clarktracks / com / uplods / pdf / Userguide / CT2001-RU-GEN-UserGuide_LR_compressed.pdf (published - 2017)

Claims

A link connecting the tracks of a track chain intended for installation around the outer periphery of the tires of a vehicle, comprising four elongated bodies connected to each other or made in one piece to form a closed contour, wherein each elongated body is designed with the possibility of connecting to the tracks of the track chain. A link according to item 1, in which the elongated bodies on the inner side of the contour are provided with an insert made of a material that differs in its properties from the material of the elongated bodies. A link according to claim 1, wherein at least one elongated body is provided with a mark. A link according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the conjugation of the elongated bodies has a straight section.

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