WO2023025991A1 - Support element for supporting a continuous track as well as arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle - Google Patents

Support element for supporting a continuous track as well as arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023025991A1
WO2023025991A1 PCT/FI2022/050547 FI2022050547W WO2023025991A1 WO 2023025991 A1 WO2023025991 A1 WO 2023025991A1 FI 2022050547 W FI2022050547 W FI 2022050547W WO 2023025991 A1 WO2023025991 A1 WO 2023025991A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
track
support
support plate
support element
tracked vehicle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2022/050547
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jani Karvanen
Original Assignee
Reformet Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Reformet Oy filed Critical Reformet Oy
Priority to EP22860692.7A priority Critical patent/EP4392312A1/en
Publication of WO2023025991A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023025991A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/18—Tracks
    • B62D55/20—Tracks of articulated type, e.g. chains
    • B62D55/205—Connections between track links
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/18—Tracks
    • B62D55/26—Ground engaging parts or elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C27/00—Non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tyres or resiliently-tyred wheels
    • B60C27/20—Non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tyres or resiliently-tyred wheels having ground-engaging plate-like elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/18—Tracks
    • B62D55/26—Ground engaging parts or elements
    • B62D55/28—Ground engaging parts or elements detachable

Definitions

  • Support element for supporting a continuous track as well as arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle
  • the invention relates to a support element provided in a track unit of a tracked vehicle ' s undercarriage and supporting a continuous track .
  • the invention relates to an arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle .
  • 360 -degree rotating tracked chassis comprising a lower body and an upper body are used in excavators and similar heavy working machines .
  • the lower bodies are equipped with two track units , both of them including a continuous track and a track body supporting turning and support rollers .
  • the track pads of the continuous track may turn in such a way that the working machine loses some of its ability to move and of its stability . Therefore , different kinds of support elements , so-called support skis , have been developed to support the continuous tracks towards the driving surface as the track pads tend to incline .
  • the current support elements have been found to pose problems , especially concerning their operability .
  • the idea of the invention is to provide a novel and improved support element and arrangement for a track unit of a tracked vehicle ' s undercarriage .
  • the characteristics of the support element according to the invention are set forth in the characteri zing part of the first independent apparatus claim .
  • the characteristics of the arrangement according to the invention are set forth in the characteri zing part of the second independent apparatus claim .
  • the support element comprises a support plate having several fastening openings .
  • the support element is intended to be fastened in a substantially vertical position .
  • the support element comprises several separate fastening pins transversal to the support plate .
  • the first ends of the fastening pins are fastened to the track body while their second ends compri se fasteners to be fastened in the fastening openings of the support plate .
  • the support element provides a simple and easily modifiable fastening solution .
  • the support element has a rigid structure and it can give good protection to the track unit as well as improve the tracked vehicle ' s operability .
  • any loads to which the support element is subj ected through the continuous track are distributed over the entire structure of the support plate and, through the fastening pins , over the track body .
  • the support plate has a lower edge comprising a bottom rail .
  • the bottom rail may comprise a plate transversal to the lateral surface of the support plate , or a portion whose outer surface can be positioned to face the continuous track .
  • the support plate has a lower edge adapted to directly act as a supporting surface towards the track pads in a situation where support is needed .
  • the support plate is j oined to the second end of each fastening pin by a screw j oint , the support plate thus being a removable piece .
  • the support plate can be fixed in place and removed without breaking the structure .
  • the attachment between the support plate and the fastening pins comprises a screw attachment .
  • the support plate is j oined to the fastening pins by bolts .
  • the support plate of the support element is easily removable for repairing, replacing and servicing the rollers as well as for cleaning and servicing the entire track unit .
  • the support plate of the support element is easily removable and movable to another tracked vehicle . This allows the support element to be used not only in one tracked vehicle but in many similar working machines , provided that they are equipped with an identical set of fastening pins .
  • the support plate is equipped with two or more alternative sets of fastening openings to allow it to be attached to two track units having different sets of fastening pins .
  • the fastening pins are fixedly connected to the track body .
  • the first ends of the fastening pins are j oined to the track body by welded j oints .
  • the distal second ends of the fastening pins are provided with threaded holes for fastening bolts .
  • both the fastening pins and the fastening openings per support element are 5 to 10 in number .
  • the second ends of the fastening pins comprise a shoulder adapted to be placed against the inner lateral surface of the support plate .
  • the free end of the fastening pin may have a reduced-diameter portion extending through the fastening opening of the support plate and over a limited axial distance , as well as an increased-diameter portion, wherein an axial shoulder surface is provided between the reduced-diameter and the increased-diameter portions .
  • the fastening pins of the support plate do not extended, in the lateral direction of the track unit , beyond the continuous tracks . Therefore , the fastening pins are protected by the track pads or track shoes of the continuous track .
  • the continuous track protects them against rocks , stumps and other obstacles even where the tracked vehicle is used without the support plate and the fastenings pins are free .
  • the support element compri ses a cup-shaped washer between the fastening screw and the outer face of the support plate .
  • the cup-shaped washer comprises a space or seat to receive the head of the fastening bolt , the head of the bolt being protected by the washer .
  • the support element is dimensioned to extend over the entire length of the continuous track between the turning rollers .
  • the support element is dimensioned to vertically extend at least beyond the center line of the track body .
  • the support element is dimensioned to vertically extend at least to the height of the upper surface of the track body .
  • the elongated support plate comprises , in a side view, arched ends .
  • the support plate is adapted to laterally protect at least the lower support rollers but it may also protect the turning rollers and the upper support rollers .
  • the support plate is made of a steel sheet having a thickness of at least 20 mm. Typically, the thickness of the plate is 20 to 50 mm .
  • the support element weighs at least 500 kg, whereby the support element is also adapted to act as an additional weight .
  • the support element can be intentionally made large in mass to increase the mass of the tracked vehicle . This allows the capacity of the working machine to be increased without j eopardi zing its stability . This is due to the fact that the center of gravity of the additional mass created by the support element is located low, in close proximity to the ground . Further, since the additional weight is provided in the lower body, it does not strain the bearings and transmission between the lower and upper body . This solution makes it possible to easi ly and variably increase the tracked vehicle ' s mass by up to thousands of kilos .
  • the solution relates to an arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle .
  • the tracked vehicle comprises a lower body and an upper body turnably provided thereon .
  • the lower body comprises two parallel track units at a transversal distance from each other, each track unit comprising a continuous track formed as a closed loop and adapted to travel via turning rollers .
  • the track unit also comprises several upper support rollers and lower support rollers on that side of the continuous track where its inner surfaces are located . Said turning rollers and support rollers are supported by the track body of the track unit .
  • At least one track unit is equipped, on at least one side of the track body, with a support element attached to the track body in the longitudinal direction of the track unit and at a vertical distance from the inner surface of the lower portion of the track unit .
  • the track unit comprises several transversal , fixedly installed fastening pins
  • the support element comprises a vertical support plate removably attached to the free ends of said fastening pins .
  • the track unit only comprises a support element on one side of its track body .
  • the lower body of the tracked vehicle only comprises , in its both track units , support elements on the inner sides of the track bodies .
  • the lower body of the tracked vehicle only comprises , in its both track units , support elements on the outer sides of the track bodies .
  • the track unit comprises support elements on both sides of its track body .
  • the lower body of the tracked vehicle has two or four support elements in total .
  • the lower body of the tracked vehicle comprises , in its both track units , support elements on both sides of the track units .
  • the lower body has four support elements in total .
  • the tracked vehicle is an excavator wherein at least one of the track units of its lower body is equipped with at least one support element presented in this document .
  • the tracked vehicle is an excavator especially intended to be used for forest work or ditch digging and whose boom is equipped with a forest work device , such as a harvester head or a mounding device , or a ditching bucket .
  • a forest work device such as a harvester head or a mounding device , or a ditching bucket .
  • the support element comprises at least two support plates mountable to the fastening pins removably so that weight of the support element can be adj usted by using only one support plate or several support plates .
  • weight of the tracked vehicle can be adj usted in a versatile manner .
  • the support plates in the support plate set comprising several mountable plates can be similar or they can be different in weight and thickness . Number of the support plates can be selected case by case . Since the tracked vehicle may have support plate sets on both tracks and on both sides of each track, there are good opportunities to influence to the weight . The use of different settings does not require modifications to the fastening pins wherefore the adj ustments are easy and quick to execute .
  • the support element comprises a bottom rail .
  • the bottom rail is mounted to the support plate unsymmetrically so that the bottom rail is offset in relation to the support plate .
  • the bottom rail extends dif ferent lateral distances on opposite sides of the support plate .
  • the support element can be mounted so that the longer portion of the bottom rail faces inwards , or it can be alternatively mounted to face outwards on the opposite s ide of the tracked vehicle . This way it is possible to select the mounting method of the support element and to thereby provide support for tracks with different widths .
  • the same support element can be used for at least two track widths without making modifications to the fastening pins and other fixed structures .
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of a tracked vehicle whose chassis includes track units which can be equipped with support elements as disclosed herein,
  • Figure 2 is a schematic and lateral view of a track unit without a support plate for the support element ,
  • Figure 3 is a schematic and lateral view of a support plate for the support element .
  • Figure 4 is a schematic and lateral view of a track unit equipped with a support element as disclosed herein
  • Figure 5 shows , schematically and viewed from the driving direction, an arrangement where a bolt j oins a support plate to a fastening pin provided on one side of the track body,
  • Figure 6 shows , schematically and viewed from the driving direction, another arrangement where support plates are attached to both sides of the track body,
  • Figure 7 is a schematic view of the fastening principle of the support element .
  • Figure 8 is a schematic and lateral view of an alternative support plate
  • Figure 9 shows a possible cross-section of the support plate of Figure 8 which has a bottom rail on one side thereof and a substantially L-shaped profile ,
  • Figure 10 shows a possible cross-section of the support plate of Figure 8 which has no bottom rail ,
  • Figure 11 is a schematic and cross-sectional view of a support plate provided with an offset mounted bottom rail ,
  • Figure 12 is a schematic and cross-sectional view of a support plate arrangement comprising two support plates and provided with an offset mounted bottom rail ,
  • Figure 13 is a schematic and cross-sectional view of a support plate arrangement comprising two support plates having different thicknesses and provided with an offset mounted bottom rail , and
  • Figure 14 is a schematic view illustrating two mounting principles of a support plate .
  • FIG. 1 shows a tracked vehicle 1 which, herein, is an excavator whose boom 2 is equipped with a forest work device 3 intended for forest work .
  • the vehicle 1 comprises a chassis 4 that may include an upper body 5 , or an upper carriage , and a lower body 6, or an under carriage , as well as a slewing ring for turning the upper carriage 5 with respect to the under carriage 6 .
  • a powering unit 8 with auxiliary devices is provided on top of the upper carriage 5 .
  • the under carriage 6 comprises two adj acent track units 9 at a transversal distance from each other .
  • the track unit 9 comprises a continuous track 10 which may comprise a track with a large number of track pads attached thereto , or, alternatively the continuous track may consist of pivotably interconnected track shoes .
  • the continuous track 10 is formed as a closed loop and adapted to run around turning rollers I la, 11b . Further, the continuous track 10 is supported, on the inner side thereof , by upper support rollers 12 and lower support rollers 13 .
  • Figure 2 shows a track unit 9 wherein a high load F is directed to the continuous track 10 thereof , pushing the track pads or the like of the continuous track 10 inwards and inclining them .
  • a load situation like this may occur when crossing rocks and stumps , for example , and also when operating on a slanted or uneven surface .
  • the track unit 9 can be equipped with a support element described in this document .
  • the support plate 17 of Figure 3 has fastening openings 18 as well as a bottom rail 19 which is provided on the lower surface of the support plate 17 .
  • the bottom rail 19 may have end sections 19a, 19b which are directed upwards .
  • the ends of the support plate 17 can be rounded .
  • Figure 4 shows the track unit 9 after it has been equipped with a support element 20 comprising the support plate 17 and the fastening pins 16 .
  • Figure 5 is a highly simplified view of a support element 20 fastened to a lateral surface of the track body 15 by a transversal fastening pin 16 and fasteners .
  • the fasteners comprise a fastening bolt 21 and a washer 22 .
  • the washer 22 may be cup-shaped .
  • a shoulder surface 23 against which the support plate 17 is tightened, can be provided in the outer end of the fastening pin 16 .
  • Figure 5 shows the continuous track 10 in a simplified form and it may comprise track pads 24a, 24b which can be attached to a track section 25 , the chain section being supportable by the upper support rollers 12 and the lower support rol lers 13 .
  • the lower surface of the support plate 17 comprises the bottom rail 19 spaced from the inner surface of the track pad 24 a, whereby between the bottom rail 19 and the track pad 24a is a gap 26 to prevent the bottom rail 19 from continuously dragging against the track pads .
  • the support plate 17 may extend, in the vertical direction, beyond than the track body 15 and towards the upper track pad 24b .
  • Figure 6 illustrates a solution where the outer part 15a of the track body 15 and the outer part 15b of the track body 15 are equipped with a first support element 20a and a second support element 20b, respectively .
  • the dimensions of the support plates 17a, 17b may differ from each other , and, likewise , the fastening points of the fastening pins 16a, 16b can be positioned differently from each other .
  • the dimens ions of the fastening pins 16a , 16b can be selected case by case .
  • Figure 7 shows the components and the fastening principle of the support element 20 .
  • the fastening pin 16 is j oined to the track body 15 by weld j oints 27 .
  • Figure 8 shows an alternative support plate 17 whose lower edge is provided with a transversal bottom rail 19 extending on one side .
  • the whole has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional profile at A-A, as shown in Figure 9 .
  • Figure 10 shows an alternative cross-sectional profile of the support plate 17 of Figure 8 whose lower surface is adapted to act as a direct support surface without a bottom rail .
  • a bottom rail in the structure . If the lower surface wears out later during use , a bottom rail or the like can be attached to the support plate .
  • the washer may di ffer from the one shown in the figures .
  • the fastening pins can be shoulderless .
  • the ends of the support plate can be unrounded . It is also possible to construct a support plate only extending, as an integral piece , over a portion of the distance between the turning rollers . This allows a portion of said distance to be unsupported, or two or more support plates can be used one after another and to cover all , or a significant portion, of the distance .
  • Figure 11 discloses a support plate 17 provided with an offset mounted bottom rail 19 .
  • Figure 12 discloses a support plate arrangement comprising two support plates 17a and 17b .
  • a first support plate 17a is provided with an offset mounted bottom rail 19 .
  • Number of the support plates may in some cases be more than two .
  • the support plates 17a, 17b can be easily removed and replaced for adj usting properties of the arrangement . By combining different support plates weight of a tracked vehicle can be adj usted .
  • Figure 13 discloses that a support plate arrangement may comprise two support plates having different thicknesses and weights .
  • the disclosed structures with the two or more support plates can be implemented also in designs which have no offset mounted bottom rails , or any kind of bottom rails .
  • Figure 14 illustrates two mounting principles of a support plate 17 .
  • a track 24 has track width W1 and an offset mounted bottom rail 19 of the support plate 17 is orientated so that a longer branch is towards centre of the track 24 , i . e . , faces inwards . I f needed, the same support plate 17 can be moved M to an opposite side of the tracked vehicle .
  • This situation is shown on the right side , wherein the same longer branch faces outwards and can thereby provide support for another track 24 with greater track width W2 .
  • An advantage of this embodiment is that different tracks with different track widths can be supported by changing positions of the support plates . There is no need to make amendments to fastening pins or the support plates .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A support element for supporting a continuous track of a tracked vehicle and an arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle. The support element (20) is an elongated piece fastened, by fasteners, to a track body (15) belong- ing to a track unit (9) of the tracked vehicle (1) to support the continuous track (10) towards the driving surface. The support element comprises a support plate (17) having several fastening openings (18) and several separate fastening pins (16) which are transversal to the support plate (17) and whose first ends are attachable to the track body (15). The second ends of the pins comprise fasteners to be fastened in the fastening openings of the support plate.

Description

Support element for supporting a continuous track as well as arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle
Background of the invention
The invention relates to a support element provided in a track unit of a tracked vehicle ' s undercarriage and supporting a continuous track .
Further, the invention relates to an arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle .
The subj ect of the invention wil l be described in more detail in the preambles of the independent claims of this application .
Typically, 360 -degree rotating tracked chassis comprising a lower body and an upper body are used in excavators and similar heavy working machines . The lower bodies are equipped with two track units , both of them including a continuous track and a track body supporting turning and support rollers . Especially when used in terrain and on an uneven driving surface , the track pads of the continuous track may turn in such a way that the working machine loses some of its ability to move and of its stability . Therefore , different kinds of support elements , so-called support skis , have been developed to support the continuous tracks towards the driving surface as the track pads tend to incline . The current support elements have been found to pose problems , especially concerning their operability .
Brief description of the invention
The idea of the invention is to provide a novel and improved support element and arrangement for a track unit of a tracked vehicle ' s undercarriage .
The characteristics of the support element according to the invention are set forth in the characteri zing part of the first independent apparatus claim . The characteristics of the arrangement according to the invention are set forth in the characteri zing part of the second independent apparatus claim .
The idea of the disclosed solution is that the support element comprises a support plate having several fastening openings . The support element is intended to be fastened in a substantially vertical position . For the fastening, the support element comprises several separate fastening pins transversal to the support plate . The first ends of the fastening pins are fastened to the track body while their second ends compri se fasteners to be fastened in the fastening openings of the support plate .
An advantage of the disclosed solution i s that the support element provides a simple and easily modifiable fastening solution . Besides , the support element has a rigid structure and it can give good protection to the track unit as well as improve the tracked vehicle ' s operability .
As the sheet-like structure of the support plate gives it a high flexural rigidity in the direction of forces coming from the driving surface , any loads to which the support element is subj ected through the continuous track are distributed over the entire structure of the support plate and, through the fastening pins , over the track body . This makes the support plate highly capable of taking point loads without bending, when crossing rocks , for example .
According to an embodiment , the support plate has a lower edge comprising a bottom rail . The bottom rail may comprise a plate transversal to the lateral surface of the support plate , or a portion whose outer surface can be positioned to face the continuous track .
According to an embodiment , the support plate has a lower edge adapted to directly act as a supporting surface towards the track pads in a situation where support is needed .
According to an embodiment , the support plate is j oined to the second end of each fastening pin by a screw j oint , the support plate thus being a removable piece . The support plate can be fixed in place and removed without breaking the structure .
According to an embodiment , the attachment between the support plate and the fastening pins comprises a screw attachment .
According to an embodiment , the support plate is j oined to the fastening pins by bolts .
According to an embodiment , the support plate of the support element is easily removable for repairing, replacing and servicing the rollers as well as for cleaning and servicing the entire track unit .
According to an embodiment , the support plate of the support element is easily removable and movable to another tracked vehicle . This allows the support element to be used not only in one tracked vehicle but in many similar working machines , provided that they are equipped with an identical set of fastening pins .
According to an embodiment , the support plate is equipped with two or more alternative sets of fastening openings to allow it to be attached to two track units having different sets of fastening pins .
According to an embodiment , the fastening pins are fixedly connected to the track body .
According to an embodiment , the first ends of the fastening pins are j oined to the track body by welded j oints .
According to an embodiment , the distal second ends of the fastening pins are provided with threaded holes for fastening bolts .
According to an embodiment , both the fastening pins and the fastening openings per support element are 5 to 10 in number .
According to an embodiment , the second ends of the fastening pins comprise a shoulder adapted to be placed against the inner lateral surface of the support plate . According to an embodiment , the free end of the fastening pin may have a reduced-diameter portion extending through the fastening opening of the support plate and over a limited axial distance , as well as an increased-diameter portion, wherein an axial shoulder surface is provided between the reduced-diameter and the increased-diameter portions .
According to an embodiment , the fastening pins of the support plate do not extended, in the lateral direction of the track unit , beyond the continuous tracks . Therefore , the fastening pins are protected by the track pads or track shoes of the continuous track . The continuous track protects them against rocks , stumps and other obstacles even where the tracked vehicle is used without the support plate and the fastenings pins are free .
According to an embodiment , the support element compri ses a cup-shaped washer between the fastening screw and the outer face of the support plate . The cup-shaped washer comprises a space or seat to receive the head of the fastening bolt , the head of the bolt being protected by the washer .
According to an embodiment , the support element is dimensioned to extend over the entire length of the continuous track between the turning rollers .
According to an embodiment , the support element is dimensioned to vertically extend at least beyond the center line of the track body .
According to an embodiment , the support element is dimensioned to vertically extend at least to the height of the upper surface of the track body .
According to an embodiment , the elongated support plate comprises , in a side view, arched ends .
According to an embodiment , the support plate is adapted to laterally protect at least the lower support rollers but it may also protect the turning rollers and the upper support rollers . According to an embodiment , the support plate is made of a steel sheet having a thickness of at least 20 mm. Typically, the thickness of the plate is 20 to 50 mm .
According to an embodiment , the support element weighs at least 500 kg, whereby the support element is also adapted to act as an additional weight .
According to an embodiment , the support element can be intentionally made large in mass to increase the mass of the tracked vehicle . This allows the capacity of the working machine to be increased without j eopardi zing its stability . This is due to the fact that the center of gravity of the additional mass created by the support element is located low, in close proximity to the ground . Further, since the additional weight is provided in the lower body, it does not strain the bearings and transmission between the lower and upper body . This solution makes it possible to easi ly and variably increase the tracked vehicle ' s mass by up to thousands of kilos .
According to an embodiment , the solution relates to an arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle . The tracked vehicle comprises a lower body and an upper body turnably provided thereon . The lower body comprises two parallel track units at a transversal distance from each other, each track unit comprising a continuous track formed as a closed loop and adapted to travel via turning rollers . The track unit also comprises several upper support rollers and lower support rollers on that side of the continuous track where its inner surfaces are located . Said turning rollers and support rollers are supported by the track body of the track unit . Further, at least one track unit is equipped, on at least one side of the track body, with a support element attached to the track body in the longitudinal direction of the track unit and at a vertical distance from the inner surface of the lower portion of the track unit . The track unit comprises several transversal , fixedly installed fastening pins , while the support element comprises a vertical support plate removably attached to the free ends of said fastening pins .
According to an embodiment , the track unit only comprises a support element on one side of its track body .
According to an embodiment , the lower body of the tracked vehicle only comprises , in its both track units , support elements on the inner sides of the track bodies .
According to an embodiment , the lower body of the tracked vehicle only comprises , in its both track units , support elements on the outer sides of the track bodies .
According to an embodiment , the track unit comprises support elements on both sides of its track body . Thus , the lower body of the tracked vehicle has two or four support elements in total .
According to an embodiment , the lower body of the tracked vehicle comprises , in its both track units , support elements on both sides of the track units . Thus , the lower body has four support elements in total .
The idea of an embodiment is that the tracked vehicle is an excavator wherein at least one of the track units of its lower body is equipped with at least one support element presented in this document .
The idea of an embodiment is that the tracked vehicle is an excavator especially intended to be used for forest work or ditch digging and whose boom is equipped with a forest work device , such as a harvester head or a mounding device , or a ditching bucket .
According to an embodiment , the support element comprises at least two support plates mountable to the fastening pins removably so that weight of the support element can be adj usted by using only one support plate or several support plates . This way weight of the tracked vehicle can be adj usted in a versatile manner . The support plates in the support plate set comprising several mountable plates can be similar or they can be different in weight and thickness . Number of the support plates can be selected case by case . Since the tracked vehicle may have support plate sets on both tracks and on both sides of each track, there are good opportunities to influence to the weight . The use of different settings does not require modifications to the fastening pins wherefore the adj ustments are easy and quick to execute .
According to an embodiment , the support element comprises a bottom rail . The bottom rail is mounted to the support plate unsymmetrically so that the bottom rail is offset in relation to the support plate . In other words , the bottom rail extends dif ferent lateral distances on opposite sides of the support plate . The support element can be mounted so that the longer portion of the bottom rail faces inwards , or it can be alternatively mounted to face outwards on the opposite s ide of the tracked vehicle . This way it is possible to select the mounting method of the support element and to thereby provide support for tracks with different widths . The same support element can be used for at least two track widths without making modifications to the fastening pins and other fixed structures .
The above-described embodiments and the features thereof can be combined to achieve desired solutions .
Brief description of the figures
Embodiments of the presented solution will be described in more detail in the following figures wherein
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a tracked vehicle whose chassis includes track units which can be equipped with support elements as disclosed herein,
Figure 2 is a schematic and lateral view of a track unit without a support plate for the support element ,
Figure 3 is a schematic and lateral view of a support plate for the support element ,
Figure 4 is a schematic and lateral view of a track unit equipped with a support element as disclosed herein, Figure 5 shows , schematically and viewed from the driving direction, an arrangement where a bolt j oins a support plate to a fastening pin provided on one side of the track body,
Figure 6 shows , schematically and viewed from the driving direction, another arrangement where support plates are attached to both sides of the track body,
Figure 7 is a schematic view of the fastening principle of the support element ,
Figure 8 is a schematic and lateral view of an alternative support plate ,
Figure 9 shows a possible cross-section of the support plate of Figure 8 which has a bottom rail on one side thereof and a substantially L-shaped profile ,
Figure 10 shows a possible cross-section of the support plate of Figure 8 which has no bottom rail ,
Figure 11 is a schematic and cross-sectional view of a support plate provided with an offset mounted bottom rail ,
Figure 12 is a schematic and cross-sectional view of a support plate arrangement comprising two support plates and provided with an offset mounted bottom rail ,
Figure 13 is a schematic and cross-sectional view of a support plate arrangement comprising two support plates having different thicknesses and provided with an offset mounted bottom rail , and
Figure 14 is a schematic view illustrating two mounting principles of a support plate .
For clarity, some of the embodiments of the presented solutions are simplified in the figures . The figures employ the same reference numerals to refer to the same elements and features .
Detailed description of embodiments
Figure 1 shows a tracked vehicle 1 which, herein, is an excavator whose boom 2 is equipped with a forest work device 3 intended for forest work . The vehicle 1 comprises a chassis 4 that may include an upper body 5 , or an upper carriage , and a lower body 6, or an under carriage , as well as a slewing ring for turning the upper carriage 5 with respect to the under carriage 6 . In addition to a driver ' s cab 7 , a powering unit 8 with auxiliary devices is provided on top of the upper carriage 5 . The under carriage 6 comprises two adj acent track units 9 at a transversal distance from each other . The track unit 9 comprises a continuous track 10 which may comprise a track with a large number of track pads attached thereto , or, alternatively the continuous track may consist of pivotably interconnected track shoes . The continuous track 10 is formed as a closed loop and adapted to run around turning rollers I la, 11b . Further, the continuous track 10 is supported, on the inner side thereof , by upper support rollers 12 and lower support rollers 13 .
Figure 2 shows a track unit 9 wherein a high load F is directed to the continuous track 10 thereof , pushing the track pads or the like of the continuous track 10 inwards and inclining them . This is illustrated by a broken line 14 . A load situation like this may occur when crossing rocks and stumps , for example , and also when operating on a slanted or uneven surface . To prevent this inclining and to enhance the stability, the track unit 9 can be equipped with a support element described in this document .
Several fastening pins 16 , to which a support plate 17 as shown in the following Figure 3 can be attached, are fastened to the track body 15 of the track unit 9 of Figure 2 .
The support plate 17 of Figure 3 has fastening openings 18 as well as a bottom rail 19 which is provided on the lower surface of the support plate 17 . The bottom rail 19 may have end sections 19a, 19b which are directed upwards . The ends of the support plate 17 can be rounded . Figure 4 shows the track unit 9 after it has been equipped with a support element 20 comprising the support plate 17 and the fastening pins 16 .
Figure 5 is a highly simplified view of a support element 20 fastened to a lateral surface of the track body 15 by a transversal fastening pin 16 and fasteners . The fasteners comprise a fastening bolt 21 and a washer 22 . The washer 22 may be cup-shaped . A shoulder surface 23 , against which the support plate 17 is tightened, can be provided in the outer end of the fastening pin 16 .
Figure 5 shows the continuous track 10 in a simplified form and it may comprise track pads 24a, 24b which can be attached to a track section 25 , the chain section being supportable by the upper support rollers 12 and the lower support rol lers 13 . The lower surface of the support plate 17 comprises the bottom rail 19 spaced from the inner surface of the track pad 24 a, whereby between the bottom rail 19 and the track pad 24a is a gap 26 to prevent the bottom rail 19 from continuously dragging against the track pads .
As appears from Figure 5 , the support plate 17 may extend, in the vertical direction, beyond than the track body 15 and towards the upper track pad 24b .
Figure 6 illustrates a solution where the outer part 15a of the track body 15 and the outer part 15b of the track body 15 are equipped with a first support element 20a and a second support element 20b, respectively . The dimensions of the support plates 17a, 17b may differ from each other , and, likewise , the fastening points of the fastening pins 16a, 16b can be positioned differently from each other . Besides , the dimens ions of the fastening pins 16a , 16b can be selected case by case .
Figure 7 shows the components and the fastening principle of the support element 20 . In the Figure 7 , the fastening pin 16 is j oined to the track body 15 by weld j oints 27 . Figure 8 shows an alternative support plate 17 whose lower edge is provided with a transversal bottom rail 19 extending on one side . Thus , the whole has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional profile at A-A, as shown in Figure 9 .
Figure 10 shows an alternative cross-sectional profile of the support plate 17 of Figure 8 whose lower surface is adapted to act as a direct support surface without a bottom rail . Thus , in some cases , it is not necessary to employ a bottom rail in the structure . If the lower surface wears out later during use , a bottom rail or the like can be attached to the support plate .
It shall be pointed out that the washer may di ffer from the one shown in the figures . Further, the fastening pins can be shoulderless . In some cases , the ends of the support plate can be unrounded . It is also possible to construct a support plate only extending, as an integral piece , over a portion of the distance between the turning rollers . This allows a portion of said distance to be unsupported, or two or more support plates can be used one after another and to cover all , or a significant portion, of the distance .
Figure 11 discloses a support plate 17 provided with an offset mounted bottom rail 19 .
Figure 12 discloses a support plate arrangement comprising two support plates 17a and 17b . A first support plate 17a is provided with an offset mounted bottom rail 19 . Number of the support plates may in some cases be more than two . The support plates 17a, 17b can be easily removed and replaced for adj usting properties of the arrangement . By combining different support plates weight of a tracked vehicle can be adj usted .
Figure 13 discloses that a support plate arrangement may comprise two support plates having different thicknesses and weights . The disclosed structures with the two or more support plates can be implemented also in designs which have no offset mounted bottom rails , or any kind of bottom rails .
Figure 14 illustrates two mounting principles of a support plate 17 . On the left side a track 24 has track width W1 and an offset mounted bottom rail 19 of the support plate 17 is orientated so that a longer branch is towards centre of the track 24 , i . e . , faces inwards . I f needed, the same support plate 17 can be moved M to an opposite side of the tracked vehicle . This situation is shown on the right side , wherein the same longer branch faces outwards and can thereby provide support for another track 24 with greater track width W2 . An advantage of this embodiment is that different tracks with different track widths can be supported by changing positions of the support plates . There is no need to make amendments to fastening pins or the support plates .
The figures and the description thereof are solely intended to illustrate the inventive idea . The scope of protection is defined by the claims of this application .

Claims

Claims
1. A support element (20) for supporting a continuous track (10) of a tracked vehicle (1) ; the support element (20) being an elongated piece fastenable, by fasteners, to a track body (15) belonging to a track unit (9) of the tracked vehicle (1) to support the continuous track (10) towards the driving surface, cha ra ct e r i z ed in that the support element (20) comprises : a support plate (17) having several fastening openings (18) ; and several separate fastening pins (16) which are transversal to the support plate (17) and whose first ends are fastenable to the track body (15) and whose second ends comprise fasteners to be fastened in the fastening openings (18) of the support plate (17) .
2. A support element as defined in claim 1, char a ct e r i z ed in that the support plate (17) has a lower edge comprising a bottom rail (19) with a portion which is transversal to the lateral surface of the support plate (17) and whose outer surface can be positioned to face the continuous track (10) .
3. A support element as defined in claim 1 or 2, cha ra ct e r i z ed in that the support plate (17) is fastened to the second end of each fastening pin (16) by a screw joint, the support plate (17) being a removable piece.
4. A support element as defined in any of claims 1- 3, cha ra ct e r i z ed in that the support element (20) is dimensioned to extend over the entire length of the continuous track (10) between turning rollers (11, 11b) and dimensioned to extend, in the height direction, at least beyond the center line of the track body (15) ; the support plate (17) is made of a steel sheet having a thickness of at least 20 mm; and the support element (20) weighs at least 500 kg, the support element (20) also being adapted to act as an additional weight.
5. An arrangement in a track unit (9) of a tracked vehicle ( 1 ) , the tracked vehicle (1) comprising a lower body (6) and an upper body (5) turnably provided thereon; the lower body (6) including two parallel track units (9) at a transversal distance from each other; each of the track units (9) comprising a continuous track (10) formed as a closed loop and adapted to run via turning rollers (Ila, 11b) , as well as several upper support rollers (12) and several lower support rollers (13) on that side of the continuous track (10) where its inner surfaces are located, the turning rollers (Ila, 11b) and the support rollers (12, 13) being supported by the track body (15) of the track unit (9) ; on cha ra ct e r i z ed in that at least one of the track units (9) is equipped, on at least one side of the track body (15) , with a support element (20) attached to the track body (15) in the longitudinal direction of the track unit (9) and at a vertical distance from the inner surface of the lower portion of the continuous track (10) ; the track body (15) comprises several transversal, fixedly installed fastening pins (16) ; and 15 the support element (20) comprises a vertical support plate (17) removably attached to the free ends of said fastening pins (16) .
PCT/FI2022/050547 2021-08-25 2022-08-24 Support element for supporting a continuous track as well as arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle WO2023025991A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22860692.7A EP4392312A1 (en) 2021-08-25 2022-08-24 Support element for supporting a continuous track as well as arrangement in a track unit of a tracked vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FIU20214087 2021-08-25
FIU20214087U FI13035Y1 (en) 2021-08-25 2021-08-25 Support element for supporting a caterpillar track and arrangement in a caterpillar unit of a caterpillar vehicle

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WO2023025991A1 true WO2023025991A1 (en) 2023-03-02

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EP (1) EP4392312A1 (en)
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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1992702A (en) * 1934-04-16 1935-02-26 Marion T Koop Dirt guard for track type tractors
US4082371A (en) * 1976-08-02 1978-04-04 Deere & Company Support and guide for a track of a track-laying vehicle
JP3354044B2 (en) * 1996-03-08 2002-12-09 日立建機株式会社 Undercarriage of tracked vehicle

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1992702A (en) * 1934-04-16 1935-02-26 Marion T Koop Dirt guard for track type tractors
US4082371A (en) * 1976-08-02 1978-04-04 Deere & Company Support and guide for a track of a track-laying vehicle
JP3354044B2 (en) * 1996-03-08 2002-12-09 日立建機株式会社 Undercarriage of tracked vehicle

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EP4392312A1 (en) 2024-07-03
FI13035Y1 (en) 2021-10-14

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