RU2819368C1 - Link of caterpillar chain - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: vehicles.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to hinged joints of links of flexible caterpillar chains. Link connects the tracks of the caterpillar chain intended for installation around the outer periphery of the vehicle tires. Link includes four elongated bodies connected to each other to form a closed circuit. Each elongated body is made with possibility of connection with tracks of caterpillar chain. To repair the caterpillar chain, at least two said links are turned by 90°.

EFFECT: increased service life and repair of the caterpillar chain with less labour costs.

4 cl, 4 dwg

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to transport engineering, mainly to wheeled vehicles, namely to articulated joints of flexible track chain links intended for installation around the outer periphery of vehicle tires.

Prior Art

Track chains that can be removably mounted around vehicle tires are known in several different designs. For example, a track chain is known, including tracks with side stops and brackets, hingedly connected by links [Patent RU 2530947 “A track chain link with two side support elements and a method for manufacturing a support element for such a track chain link,” declared 05/12/2010]. 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 operations, such track chains can reduce rutting and thereby reduce the negative impact on the forest environment. The harsh conditions of logging work lead to gradual wear of the elements of the track chain, especially the links connecting the tracks. As the links wear, the tension of the track chain decreases and sagging is observed. This can lead to several negative aspects. First, the track chain can come off the vehicle's wheels. This will require additional labor and time to install it back. For example, in logging conditions, since the operator of the logging machine may not determine the moment the caterpillar slides, it will be necessary to initially find it at the cutting site, which is complicated by the fact that, as a rule, the drag track is filled with water. In addition, the caterpillar chain will still need to be removed from this track. Secondly, a decrease in the tension of the track chain leads to its slipping over the wheels, which reduces the traction and grip characteristics of the vehicle, and also leads to significant wear of the tire rubber.

The main cause of loose track chain tension is due to wear on the links. Replacing 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 links may include various operations, but all require welding and metal cutting.

Various designs of links connecting tracks in track chains intended for installation around the outer periphery of vehicle tires are known. For example, a link of a track chain is known, intended for installation around the outer periphery of vehicle tires, containing two lateral elongated elements connected at the ends by transverse elongated elements, and the transverse elements are configured to be connected to the tracks of the track chain, while the link is equipped with an additional elongated transverse elements [Connecting link of the OLOFSFORS track chain, distributed under the designation PRO LITE 15, Small track product catalog 2016, P. 6, https://www.eco-tracks.se/media/1663/st_prod_cat_eng_web.pdf (published - September 2016)].

The disadvantage of the design of the link described above is that after the cross elements wear out, the link requires replacement. Repair of a track chain (associated with the replacement of links), containing tracks with side stops and brackets, hingedly connected by such links [Track chain of the OLOFSFORS company, distributed under the designation PRO LITE 15, Small track product catalog 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 one link on the tack, then the parts are welded with their preheating. Thus, repairs require significant labor costs.

The closest analogue, which was chosen as a prototype, is a link connecting the tracks of a caterpillar chain, intended for installation around the outer periphery of vehicle tires, including two lateral elongated elements connected at the ends by transverse elongated elements, and the transverse elongated elements are made with the possibility of connection with the tracks of the caterpillar chain, and the side and transverse elements are made in one piece [US D801395 “Haggis link”, announced 05/16/2016].

The disadvantage of the design of the link described above is that after the longitudinal oblong elements wear out, the link requires replacement. Repair of a track chain containing tracks with side stops and brackets, hingedly connected by such links [Tracks for forestry machines. User Guide. CLARK TRACKS. P.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 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 preheating. Thus, repairing a track chain requires significant labor costs.

Disclosure of the Invention

The objective of this invention is to develop a track chain link that would increase its service life and provide track chain repairs with less labor and greater convenience.

To solve this problem and achieve the specified result, the present invention proposes a link connecting the tracks of a track chain, designed for installation around the outer periphery of the tires of a vehicle, including four elongated bodies connected to each other or made integral to form a closed contour, each elongated body made with the possibility of connection with the tracks of the caterpillar chain.

A feature of the link according to the present invention is also that the oblong bodies on the inner side of the contour are equipped with an insert made of a material that differs in its properties from the material of the oblong bodies.

Another feature of the link of the present invention is that at least one oblong body is provided with a mark.

Another feature of the link according to the present invention is that the mating of the elongated bodies has a straight section.

Brief description of drawings

In fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a possible design of a track chain link according to the present invention (isometry).

In fig. Figure 2 shows a diagram of fastening the link to the track of the track chain.

In fig. Figure 3 shows another example of a possible track chain link (top view).

In fig. 4 shows section A-A in Fig. 3.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

The present invention can be implemented using a link, the diagram of which is shown in Fig. 1. In FIG. Figure 2 shows an example of attaching a link to a track track.

The link connecting the tracks of the track chain, intended for installation around the outer periphery of the tires of the vehicle, includes four elongated bodies 1, 2,3, 4, interconnected to form a closed loop, and each elongated body is configured to connect with the tracks of the track chain.

Track 5 (Fig. 2) has a bracket 6, into engagement (contact) with which one of the oblong elements, for example 1, enters. In this case, the elongated element 2, lying opposite the oblong element 1, engages with the track bracket of the adjacent track 5 ( not shown in Fig.) This creates a track chain. As a rule, the track has two brackets located approximately at its ends.

The possibility of connecting oblong bodies 1, 2, 3, 4 with the tracks of the caterpillar chain is ensured by their size. The cross-sectional size of the oblong body should be no larger than the width of the staple passage. For example, the cross section of the oblong body 3 must correspond to the width of the passage of the bracket 6 (Fig. 2). In addition, the length of the oblong bodies must be no less than the width of the staple. For example, the length of the oblong body 3 is greater than the width of the bracket 6.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, a link is proposed in which four oblong bodies 1, 2, 3, 4 are made as one piece. In this case, additional structural strength is provided.

Making the oblong bodies 1, 2, 3, 4 as one piece can be done, for example, by casting a link.

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

Such a link can be manufactured as follows: prepare a mold, place the mentioned insert in the mold to form a model of the link and gating system; fill the mold with the insert with a material that does not have a high melting point; remove the mentioned model from the mold and cover it with layers of a mixture of filler and binder until a dense shell is formed, and after applying each layer, drying is carried out; a material that does not have a high melting point is melted from the shell; filling the shell with molten link material; cool the shell; then it is beaten and the resulting workpiece is mechanically processed.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a link in which at least one elongated body, for example 4 in FIG. 1, is equipped with a mark 8. The function of the mark can be performed by a trademark (stamp) made in the body of the oblong body. Mark 8 allows, during the repair process, by its location, to determine which links were previously rotated in the track chain.

In another embodiment of the invention, a link is proposed in which the mating of the elongated bodies 1, 2, 3, 4 has a straight section 9, 10, 11, 12 (Fig. 1). The presence of straight sections 9, 10, 11, 12 allows you to fix the link in the track chain, preventing its displacement.

The proposed device works as follows.

When a caterpillar chain bends around the wheels of a vehicle, a relative rotation of the tracks and links connecting the tracks occurs. When the vehicle moves, friction occurs between the oblong bodies (for example, 1 and 2) with the surface of the bracket (for example, the oblong body 1 with the bracket 6). As a result of friction, the oblong 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 90° so that oblong bodies, for example 3 and 4 (which previously did not interact with the track brackets), are placed in the brackets (for example, oblong body 3 in bracket 6 ). In some cases, this will require further loosening of the track chain tension.

In the embodiment of the link with mark 8, the worker repairing the track, for example the operator of a forestry machine, can determine from the position of said marks 8 in the track chain which links were previously deployed.

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

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

The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, there are many possibilities for modification that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the basic idea of the invention as described in the claims.

Claims (4)

1. A link connecting the tracks of a track chain intended for installation around the outer periphery of tires of a vehicle, including four elongated bodies connected to each other or made in one piece to form a closed contour, and each elongated body is configured to be connected to the tracks of the track chain. 2. The link according to claim 1, in which the oblong bodies on the inside of the contour are equipped with an insert made of a material that differs in its properties from the material of the oblong bodies. 3. The link according to claim 1, in which at least one oblong body is equipped with a mark. 4. A link according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the conjugation of oblong bodies has a straight section.