Monitoring system and track link assembly

Abstract

Provided is a monitoring system comprising: a track bush; a track pin; a sleeve; a wireless communication device; and a controller. The track pin is disposed by being passed through a hole of the track bush. The sleeve is disposed between the track bush and the track pin so that a gap is provided between an inner peripheral surface of the track bush and an outer peripheral surface of the track pin. A sensor assembly is disposed in the gap. The sensor assembly generates wear data indicating the amount of wear of the track bush. The wireless communication device is disposed inside the track pin. The wireless communication device is communicatively coupled with the sensor assembly. The wireless communication device transmits the wear data. The controller receives the wear data and generates wear information indicating the amount of wear of the track bush on the basis of the wear data.

Description

Monitoring System and Track Link Assembly

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system and a track link assembly.

[0002] Some work machines such as bulldozers or shovels are equipped with crawler-type traveling devices. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a crawler-type traveling device includes a crawler, an idler, a tumbler, and a sprocket. The crawler is wound around the idler, the tumbler, and the sprocket, and the crawler is driven by the rotation of the sprocket.

[0003] The crawler includes a plurality of shoe plates and a plurality of track link assemblies that connect the respective shoe plates. The track link assembly includes a pair of track links, a track bushing, and a track pin. The pair of track links are fixed to the shoe plate. The track bushing and the track pin are fixed to the pair of track links. The track bushing includes a hole extending in the axial direction of the track bushing. The track pin of an adjacent track link assembly is passed through the hole of the track bushing. Thereby, the plurality of track link assemblies are connected to each other.

[0004] How to Measure the Wear of Track Bushings Japanese Patent No. 6756594

[0005] The above-described track bushing wears due to the driving of the crawler. When the wear of the track bushing progresses, it is necessary to replace the track bushing. Therefore, it is required to measure the wear amount of the track bushing. However, it is not easy to measure the wear amount of the track bushing. The object of the present disclosure is to easily measure the wear amount of the track bushing.

[0006] A monitoring system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a track bush, a track pin, a sleeve, a wireless communication device, and a controller. The track bush includes a hole extending axially in the track bush. The track pin is positioned through the hole in the track bush. The sleeve is positioned between the track bush and the track pin such that a gap is provided between the inner surface of the track bush and the outer surface of the track pin. A sensor assembly is positioned in the gap. The sensor assembly generates wear data indicating the amount of wear on the track bush. The wireless communication device is positioned inside the track pin. The wireless communication device is communicateably connected to the sensor assembly. The wireless communication device transmits the wear data. The controller receives the wear data and generates wear information indicating the amount of wear on the track bush based on the wear data.

[0007] A track link assembly according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a track bush, a track pin, a sleeve, and a wireless communication device. The track bush includes a hole extending axially through the track bush. The track pin is positioned through the hole in the track bush. The sleeve is positioned between the track bush and the track pin such that a gap is provided between the inner surface of the track bush and the outer surface of the track pin. A sensor assembly is positioned in the gap. The sensor assembly generates wear data indicating the amount of wear on the track bush. The wireless communication device is positioned inside the track pin. The wireless communication device is communicatively connected to the sensor assembly. The wireless communication device transmits the wear data.

[0008] According to this disclosure, the sensor assembly generates wear data indicating the amount of wear on the track bush. The wear data is transmitted externally via a wireless communication device. This allows for easy measurement of the wear on the track bush. The sensor assembly is positioned in the gap between the track bush and the track pin, provided by a sleeve. Therefore, the sensor assembly can be easily positioned near the track bush.

[0009] This is a side view of the work machine. This is a perspective view showing a part of the track. This is a perspective view showing the shoe plate and a part of the track link assembly. This is a front cross-sectional view of the track link assembly. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the track link assembly. This is a cross-sectional view of the track link assembly with the track pins omitted. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 6. This figure shows the load on the track bush and the wear of the track bush. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless communication device. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring system. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring system according to another embodiment.

[0010] The following describes an embodiment of a working machine with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a side view of the working machine 1. The working machine 1 is, for example, a bulldozer. Alternatively, the working machine 1 may be another machine such as an excavator. As shown in Figure 1, the working machine 1 comprises a vehicle body 2, a working machine 3, and a tracked running gear 4. The working machine 3 is operably mounted on the vehicle body 2. The vehicle body 2 is supported by the tracked running gear 4.

[0011] The tracked vehicle running gear 4 includes a track frame 5, a sprocket 6, an idler 7, an upper road wheel 8, a lower road wheel 9, and a track 10. The track frame 5 rotatably supports the sprocket 6, idler 7, upper road wheel 8, and lower road wheel 9. The track 10 is wrapped around the sprocket 6, idler 7, upper road wheel 8, and lower road wheel 9. The track 10 meshes with the sprocket 6, and the rotation of the sprocket 6 drives the track 10.

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the track 10. As shown in Figure 2, the track 10 includes a plurality of shoe plates 11 and a track link assembly 12. The track link assembly 12 is fixed to each of the plurality of shoe plates 11. In this way, the plurality of shoe plates are connected to each other.

[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the shoe plate 11 and a portion of the track link assembly 12. Note that in Figure 3, a portion of the track link assembly 12 is shown in cross-section. Figure 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the track link assembly 12. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the track link assembly 12 includes a plurality of pairs of track links 13, 14, a plurality of track bushings 15, and a plurality of track pins 16.

[0014] In the drawings, only one of each of the multiple shoe plates 11, multiple pairs of track links 13 and 14, multiple track bushings 15, and multiple track pins 16 is labeled with a reference numeral, while the reference numerals for the other shoe plates 11, pairs of track links 13 and 14, track bushings 15, and track pins 16 are omitted.

[0015] In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the surface of the shoe plate 11 to which the track link assembly 12 is fixed is defined as the vertical direction. In the vertical direction, the direction in which the track link assembly 12 is positioned relative to the shoe plate 11 is defined as upward, and the opposite direction is defined as downward. Also in the following description, the axial direction means the axial direction of the track bush 15. The axial direction of the track bush 15 is oriented in the left-right direction of the tracked running gear 4.

[0016] A pair of track links 13 and 14 are each fixed to the shoe plate 11. The pair of track links 13 and 14 are fixed to the shoe plate 11, for example, by bolts. The pair of track links 13 and 14 include a first track link 13 and a second track link 14. The first track link 13 and the second track link 14 are positioned axially apart from each other.

[0017] The first track link 13 includes a first inner link portion 21 and a first outer link portion 22. The first inner link portion 21 includes a first inner link hole 23. The first inner link hole 23 extends axially through the first inner link portion 21. The first outer link portion 22 includes a first outer link hole 24 and a first recess 25. The first outer link hole 24 extends axially through the first outer link portion 22. The first recess 25 is provided on the inner surface of the first outer link portion 22 around the first outer link hole 24.

[0018] The second track link 14 has a shape symmetrical to that of the first track link 13. The second track link 14 includes a second inner link portion 31 and a second outer link portion 32. The second inner link portion 31 includes a second inner link hole 33. The second outer link portion 32 includes a second outer link hole 34 and a second recess 35. The configuration of the first inner link portion 21 and the first outer link portion 22 is the same as that of the second inner link portion 31 and the second outer link portion 32 described above.

[0019] The first inner link portion 21 is positioned inside the first outer link portion 22 of an adjacent pair of track links 13 and 14. The second inner link portion 31 is positioned inside the second outer link portion 32 of an adjacent pair of track links 13 and 14.

[0020] The track bushing 15 is fixed to the first inner link portion 21 and the second inner link portion 31. For example, the track bushing 15 is press-fitted into the first inner link hole 23 and the second inner link hole 33. As shown in Figure 4, the track bushing 15 includes a hole 40 that extends in the axial direction. The inner circumferential surface 41 of the hole 40 of the track bushing 15 extends linearly in the axial direction. The track bushing 15 includes a first recess 26 and a second recess 36. The first recess 26 is provided at one end of the track bushing 15. The second recess 36 is provided at the other end of the track bushing 15. The first recess 26 and the second recess 36 are provided around the hole 40 of the track bushing 15.

[0021] The track pin 16 is fixed to the first outer link portion 22 and the second outer link portion 32. For example, the track pin 16 is press-fitted into the first outer link hole 24 and the second outer link hole 34. The track pin 16 is positioned through a hole 40 in a track bush 15 fixed to an adjacent pair of track links 13 and 14. As shown in Figure 4, the track pin 16 includes a cavity 42. The cavity 42 extends axially through the track pin 16.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the track link assembly 12 includes a first spacer 27, a first sleeve 28, and a first oil seal 29. The first spacer 27 is positioned on the outer circumference of the track pin 16. In the axial direction, the first spacer 27 is positioned between the first outer link portion 22 and the track bush 15. The first spacer 27 is positioned within the first recess 25.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the first sleeve 28 is positioned between the track bush 15 and the track pin 16 such that a gap 44 is provided between the inner circumferential surface 41 of the track bush 15 and the outer circumferential surface of the track pin 16. The first sleeve 28 is positioned in the first recess 26 of the track bush 15. The first sleeve 28 is positioned on the outer circumference of the track pin 16. The first sleeve 28 is made of a sliding material. The first sleeve 28 slidably supports the track bush 15.

[0024] The first oil seal 29 is positioned between the first outer link portion 22 and the track bush 15 in the axial direction. The first oil seal 29 is sandwiched between the first outer link portion 22 and the track bush 15 in the axial direction. The first oil seal 29 is positioned on the outer circumference of the spacer. The first oil seal 29 seals the space between the track bush 15 and the track pin 16.

[0025] The track link assembly 12 includes a second spacer 37, a second sleeve 38, and a second oil seal 39. The configuration of the second spacer 37, the second sleeve 38, and the second oil seal 39 is the same as that of the first spacer 27, the first sleeve 28, and the first oil seal 29.

[0026] The second spacer 37 is positioned on the outer circumference of the track pin 16. In the axial direction, the second spacer 37 is positioned between the second outer link portion 32 and the track bush 15. The second spacer 37 is positioned within the second recess 36.

[0027] The second sleeve 38 is positioned between the track bush 15 and the track pin 16 such that a gap 44 is provided between the inner circumferential surface 41 of the track bush 15 and the outer circumferential surface 43 of the track pin 16. The second sleeve 38 is positioned in the second recess 35 of the track bush 15. The second sleeve 38 is positioned on the outer circumference of the track pin 16. The second sleeve 38 is made of a sliding material. The second sleeve 38 slidably supports the track bush 15.

[0028] The second oil seal 39 is positioned between the second outer link portion 32 and the track bush 15 in the axial direction. The second oil seal 39 is sandwiched between the second outer link portion 32 and the track bush 15 in the axial direction. The second oil seal 39 is positioned on the outer circumference of the spacer. The second oil seal 39 seals the space between the track bush 15 and the track pin 16.

[0029] The cavity 42 of the track pin 16 is sealed by an oil plug 49 and a fixing plug 61 (described later), and the cavity 42 is filled with lubricating oil. The track pin 16 includes a lubrication hole 45. The lubrication hole 45 communicates with the cavity 42 and the gap 44 between the track bush 15 and the track pin 16. Lubricating oil is supplied from inside the cavity 42 through the lubrication hole 45 into the gap 44.

[0030] The track link assembly 12 includes a sensor assembly 50 and a wireless communication device 60. The sensor assembly 50 is positioned in the gap 44 between the inner circumferential surface 41 of the track bush 15 and the outer circumferential surface 43 of the track pin 16. The sensor assembly 50 is attached to the inner circumferential surface 41 of the track bush 15. The sensor assembly 50 generates wear data indicating the amount of wear on the track bush 15.

[0031] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the track link assembly 12 with the track pins 16 omitted. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, the sensor assembly 50 includes a film substrate 51, a plurality of sensors 52-54, and a first communication antenna 55.

[0032] The film substrate 51 is attached to the inner circumferential surface 41 of the track bush 15. Multiple sensors 52-54 are attached to the film substrate 51. Each of the multiple sensors 52-54 generates wear data. The multiple sensors 52-54 are, for example, ultrasonic sensors. The multiple sensors 52-54 irradiate the track bush 15 with an ultrasonic signal, detect the reflection of the ultrasonic signal, and generate wear data based on the reflected ultrasonic signal. The wear data indicates, for example, the thickness of the track bush 15.

[0033] Multiple sensors 52-54 are positioned at different locations in the circumferential direction of the track bush 15. For example, the multiple sensors 52-54 are positioned within the upper half of the inner circumferential surface 41 of the track bush 15. The multiple sensors 52-54 include a first sensor 52, a second sensor 53, and a third sensor 54. The first sensor 52 is positioned at the top of the inner circumferential surface 41 of the track bush 15. As shown in Figure 8, the first sensor 52 detects the amount of wear on the part of the track bush 15 that is worn by a load Fv applied perpendicularly to the track bush 15.

[0034] The second sensor 53 is positioned relative to the first sensor 52 on the forward side of the tracked running gear 4. As shown in Figure 8, the second sensor 53 detects the amount of wear on the part of the track bush 15 that wears down, based on the load Ff applied to the track bush 15 when the tracked running gear 4 is moving forward. The third sensor 54 is positioned relative to the first sensor 52 on the reverse side of the tracked running gear 4. As shown in Figure 8, the third sensor 54 detects the amount of wear on the part of the track bush 15 that wears down, based on the load Fr applied to the track bush 15 when the tracked running gear 4 is moving backward.

[0035] The first communication antenna 55 is attached to the film substrate 51. The first communication antenna 55 communicates with the wireless communication device 60 wirelessly. The first communication antenna 55 transmits wear data to the wireless communication device 60. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the track pin 16 includes a communication hole 46. The communication hole 46 is provided in the track pin 16 separately from the lubrication hole 45. The communication hole 46 connects the cavity 42 of the track pin 16 to the gap 44 between the track bush 15 and the track pin 16. The first communication antenna 55 is positioned opposite the communication hole 46.

[0036] The wireless communication device 60 is communicatively connected to the sensor assembly 50 and transmits wear data. The wireless communication device 60 is located inside the cavity 42 of the track pin 16. The wireless communication device 60 is fixed to a fixing plug 61. The wireless communication device 60 is attached to the track pin 16 by inserting and fixing the fixing plug 61 into the cavity 42 of the track pin 16.

[0037] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless communication device 60. The wireless communication device 60 includes a second communication antenna 62, a control unit 63, and an external communication module 64. The second communication antenna 62 communicates with the first communication antenna 55 wirelessly. As shown in Figure 4, the second communication antenna 62 is positioned opposite the communication hole 46. The second communication antenna 62 communicates with the first communication antenna 55 through the communication hole 46. The first communication antenna 55 and the second communication antenna 62 are, for example, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags. However, the first communication antenna 55 and the second communication antenna 62 may use a communication method other than RFID. The second communication antenna 62 receives wear data from the second communication antenna 62.

[0038] The control unit 63 stores wear data received from the sensor assembly 50. The control unit 63 transmits the stored wear data to the outside via the external communication module 64. The control unit 63 includes a processor 65, a memory 66, a power generation element 67, and a battery 68. The processor 65 stores the wear data received from the sensor assembly 50 in the memory 66. The power generation element 67 generates electricity, for example, by vibration. Alternatively, the power generation element 67 may be a thermoelectric element. The battery 68 is charged by the power generated by the power generation element 67. The external communication module 64 transmits the wear data stored in the control unit 63 to the outside.

[0039] The structure of the track link assembly 12 described above is provided on one set of track bushings 15 and track pins 16 on each of the left and right tracks 10. Alternatively, the structure of the track link assembly 12 described above may be provided on multiple sets of track bushings 15 and track pins 16 on each of the left and right tracks 10.

[0040] Next, a monitoring system for monitoring the wear of the track bush 15 will be described. Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring system 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, the monitoring system 100 comprises a machine receiver 70, a machine controller 71, a display 72, and a machine communication device 73. The machine receiver 70, machine controller 71, display 72, and machine communication device 73 are mounted on the work machine 1.

[0041] The mechanical receiver 70 receives wear data wirelessly from the external communication module 64 of the track link assembly 12. The mechanical receiver 70 and the external communication module 64 are, for example, RFID tags. However, the mechanical receiver 70 and the external communication module 64 may use a communication method other than RFID.

[0042] The machine controller 71 includes a processor 74 and a memory 75. The machine controller 71 accumulates the wear data received from each external communication module 64. The machine controller 71 generates wear information indicating the wear amount of the track bush 15 based on the wear data. The wear information includes, for example, the identifier and the wear amount of the track bush 15 corresponding to each external communication module 64.

[0043] The machine controller 71 causes the display 72 to display the wear information. Alternatively, the machine controller 71 may control the working machine 1 based on the wear information. For example, the machine controller 71 may stop the working machine 1 when the wear amount of at least one track bush 15 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value. Alternatively, the machine controller 71 may limit the operation of the working machine 1 when the wear amount of at least one track bush 15 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value.

[0044] The machine controller 71 may display recommendation information for the operator on the display 72 based on the wear information. For example, the machine controller 71 may display on the display 72 information recommending an inspection of the track bush 15 when the wear amount of at least one track bush 15 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value. Alternatively, the machine controller 71 may display on the display 72 information recommending that the operation of the working machine 1 be limited when the wear amount of at least one track bush 15 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value.

[0045] The machine controller 71 can communicate with an external server 76 via the machine communication device 73. The machine controller 71 communicates with the server 76 via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet, for example. The machine controller 71 may transmit wear information to the server 76. The server 76 may transmit the wear information to the computer 77 of the administrator of the working machine 1. For example, the server 76 may cause the wear information to be displayed on the display of the computer 77 of the administrator of the working machine 1. The server 76 may determine whether the track bush 15 needs to be replaced based on the wear information. If the server 76 determines that the track bush 15 needs to be replaced, it may notify the computer 77 of the administrator that the track bush 15 needs to be replaced.

[0046] In the monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment described above, wear data indicating the wear amount of the track bush 15 is generated by the sensor assembly 50. The wear data is transmitted to the outside via the wireless communication device 60. Thereby, the wear amount of the track bush 15 can be easily measured.

[0047] The sensor assembly 50 is disposed in the gap 44 provided between the track bush 15 and the track pin 16 by the sleeves 28 and 38. Therefore, the sensor assembly 50 can be easily disposed in the vicinity of the track bush 15.

[0048] As described above, an embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0049] The configuration of the track link assembly 12 is not limited to that of the above embodiment and may be changed. The configuration of the sensor assembly 50 and the wireless communication device 60 is not limited to that of the above embodiment and may be changed. For example, the number of sensors is not limited to three, but may be less than three or more than three. The sensors are not limited to ultrasonic sensors, but may be other sensors such as magnetic sensors. The arrangement of the sensors is not limited to that of the above embodiment and may be changed. The sensor assembly 50 and the wireless communication device 60 may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection.

[0050] The configuration of the monitoring system 100 is not limited to that of the embodiment described above and may be modified. Figure 11 shows the configuration of the monitoring system 100 according to another embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the external device 80 may receive wear data wirelessly from the external communication module 64 of the track link assembly 12. The external device 80 is an external device of the work machine 1 and may be, for example, a mobile computer such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer. The wear data may be transmitted to the server 76 via the external device 80.

[0051] According to this disclosure, the amount of wear on a track bush can be easily measured.

[0052] 15: Track bushing, 16: Track pin, 28: First sleeve, 40: Hole, 46: Communication hole, 50: Sensor assembly, 51: Film substrate, 52: First sensor, 55: First communication antenna, 60: Wireless communication device, 62: Second communication antenna, 71: Machine controller

Claims

1. A monitoring system comprising: a track bushing including a hole extending in the axial direction; a track pin disposed through the hole in the track bushing; a sleeve disposed between the track bushing and the track pin such that a gap is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the track bushing and the outer circumferential surface of the track pin; a sensor assembly disposed in the gap and generating wear data indicating the amount of wear of the track bushing; a wireless communication device disposed inside the track pin and communicatingly connected to the sensor assembly and transmitting the wear data; and a controller that receives the wear data and generates wear information indicating the amount of wear of the track bushing based on the wear data.

2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the track bush.

3. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes a plurality of sensors each generating the wear data, and the plurality of sensors are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the track bush.

4. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the track pin includes a communication hole that connects the inside of the track pin to the gap, and the wireless communication device communicates with the sensor assembly through the communication hole.

5. The monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor that generates the wear data and a first communication antenna that transmits the wear data, and the communication hole is positioned opposite the first communication antenna.

6. The monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the wireless communication device includes a second communication antenna for receiving the wear data, and the second communication antenna is positioned opposite the communication hole.

7. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes a film substrate attached to the inner circumferential surface of the track bush, and a sensor attached to the film substrate for generating the wear data.

8. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes an ultrasonic sensor that generates the wear data.

9. A track link assembly comprising: a track bushing having a hole extending in the axial direction; a track pin disposed through the hole in the track bushing; a sleeve disposed between the track bushing and the track pin such that a gap is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the track bushing and the outer circumferential surface of the track pin; a sensor assembly disposed in the gap and generating wear data indicating the amount of wear of the track bushing; and a wireless communication device disposed inside the track pin and communicatingly connected to the sensor assembly and transmitting the wear data.

10. The track link assembly according to claim 9, wherein the sensor assembly is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the track bush.

11. The track link assembly according to claim 9, wherein the sensor assembly includes a plurality of sensors each generating the wear data, the plurality of sensors being positioned at different locations in the circumferential direction of the track bush.

12. The track link assembly according to claim 9, wherein the track pin includes a communication hole that connects the inside of the track pin to the gap, and the wireless communication device is configured to communicate with the sensor assembly through the communication hole.

13. The track link assembly according to claim 12, wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor that generates the wear data and a first communication antenna that transmits the wear data, and the communication hole is positioned opposite the first communication antenna.

14. The track link assembly according to claim 13, wherein the wireless communication device includes a second communication antenna for receiving the wear data, the second communication antenna being positioned opposite the communication hole.

15. The track link assembly according to claim 9, wherein the sensor assembly includes a film substrate attached to the inner circumferential surface of the track bush, and a sensor attached to the film substrate for generating the wear data.

16. The track link assembly according to claim 9, wherein the sensor assembly includes an ultrasonic sensor that generates the wear data.

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