WO1983001234A1

WO1983001234A1 - Flexible cleaner and guard for an idler wheel of a track assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1983001234A1
Application number: PCT/US1981/001362
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tractor Co. Caterpillar
Original assignee: Christensen, Jon, C.; Boggs, Roger, L.; Krone, John, J.
Priority date: 1981-10-09
Filing date: 1981-10-09
Publication date: 1983-04-14
Also published as: IT8223626A0; IT8223101V0; IT1191023B

Abstract

A flexible cleaner-guard member (42) for a track assembly (12) of a vehicle (10) is connected to the vehicle (10) with a rigid portion (46) of the cleaner-guard (42) maintained in cleaning relationship with an idler wheel (20) of the track assembly (12). The idler wheel (20) is moveable relative to the track frame (14) and in order for the cleaner-guard (42) to remove material from the surface (38) of the idler wheel (20), the cleaner-guard (42) must also be moveable. A flexible portion (44) of the cleaner-guard (42) forces the cleaner-guard (42) to move and follow the idler wheel (20). The cleaner-guard member (42) is particularly useful in cleaning dirt, snow, and debris from the idler wheel (20) of a resilient track assembly (12) of a track type vehicle (10).

Description

Flexible Cleaner and Guard For An Idler Wheel . of a Track Assembly

Technical Field-

This invention relates generally to a cleaner and guard member for an idler wheel of an endless track assembly and more particularly to a flexible cleaner which moves with the idler wheel as the idler and track assembly flex during operation.

Background Art

Track type vehicles, which use endless track assemblies to support and propel the vehicles, have exceptionally good traction and generally generate low ground pressure. For these reasons, track type vehicles are advantageously operated in areas of soft soil conditions, such as sandy and swampy areas, and in rocky and uneven terrain where damage to tires of rubber tired vehicles is a problem.

However, because of the plurality of moving parts in an endless track assembly, sand, mud, rock and other debris can cause rapid wear and high loading of the track components unless they are protected.

Various seals are used to seal out the undesirable material from many of the moving components, and guards are used to help keep the track assembly relatively free of larger pieces of debris. On some of the rotatable parts, such as the idler wheels, it is desirable to prevent mud and other material from building up on the circumferential surface. If left to build up, this material is constantly frictionally engaged by the track components and recirculated throughout the track assembly, which produces rapid wear and ultimately down time on the machine. Fixed scraper members have been used to clean and scrape material from rotatable wheels. One type of fixed scraper is shown in U.S. Patent 3,861,762, issued to A. L. Freedy et al. on Jan. 21, 1975. This scraper is bolted to a bearing bracket which supports a rotatable idler wheel. The scraper has a v-shaped scraping edge which extends adjacent the side of the idler wheel and is intended to scrape material from the side wall of the idler. However, the scraper does not clean material from the circumferential surface of the idler wheel, such surface being the one in rotatable frictional contact with the track components.

Another type of fixed scraper is shown in U.S. Patent 2,157,253, issued to H. G. Yetter on May 9, 1939. This scraper is used to clean mud and trash from the front wheels of a tractor. The scraper is a curved plate which extends along the side and behind the pneumatic tire and is bolted by brackets to the axle. This scraper would appear to remove material from one side and part of the circumferential surface of the tire, but it will not clean the entire circumferential surface.

With the advent of resilient undercarriage for track type vehicles, previously used rigid guards and scrapers were not satisfactory owing to the movement of the track components, including the idler wheels. Resiliently suspended undercarriages for track type vehicles are shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,774,708 issued to R. J. Purcell et al. on November 27, 1973 and U.S. Patent No. 3,826,325 issued to R. J. Purcell et al. on July 30, 1974, both assigned to the assignee of this application.

Another problem presented by the resiliently suspended undercarriage in conjunction with the elevated sprocket track, with respect to guards and cleaning members, is the location of the sprocket close to and directly above the rear idler wheel. Any guard and cleaning member in this area must be protected from contact with the sprocket or it might be torn off or damaged. The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Disclosure Of The Invention in one aspect of the present invention, a track assembly for a vehicle has a track frame, an endless track, and an idler wheel connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame. A cleaner blade which has a flexible portion and a rigid portion is connected to the vehicle adjacent the idler wheel. It is advantageous to provide guards and cleaning members for certain parts of an undercarriage. However, in view of the movement of a resiliently mounted undercarriage, rigidly mounted guards and cleaners do not function satisfactory. The subject invention provides a solution to these problems by utilizing a flexible cleaner and guard member which is constructed to follow the movement of the idler wheel.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a track type vehicle embodying the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention taken generally from the area indicated in Fig. 1, and on a somewhat large scale.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the present invention taken generally along the lines IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic end view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side elevational view, similar to Fig. 2, of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of a portion of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7.

Best Mode For Carrying Out The Invention Referring to Figure 1, a track type vehicle 10 includes a track assembly 12 having a track frame 14 and an endless track 16 rotatably connected to the frame 14. The assembly 12 further includes a power driven sprocket wheel 18, rear and front idler wheels 20,22, and roller assemblies 24,26,28,30. The sprocket wheel 18 propels the vehicle 10 by driving the endless track 16 around the idler wheels 20,22 and the roller assemblies 24,26,28,30.

The idler wheel 20 is rotatably connected to a pivot arm 32 by a shaft 34 and the pivot arm 32 is pivotally connected to the track frame 14 by a pivot shaft 36. This arrangement provides movement of the idler wheel 20 relative to the frame 14. The idler wheels 20,22 have circumferential surfaces 38,40 which contact the track 16.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 4, a cleaner-guard 42 is connected to the track frame 14 at a location adjacent the idler wheel 20. The cleaner-guard 42 has a flexible portion 44, a rigid portion 46, and a mounting portion 48. The cleaner-guard 42 is of a size sufficient for following

the moveable idler wheel 20 and maintaining the rigid portion 46 in cleaning relationship with the outer surface 38 of the idler wheel 20.

The rigid portion 46 and the flexible portion 44 of the cleaner-guard 42 are bonded or otherwise secured together at a joint 50. The rigid portion 46 has a forward edge 52 which is of a configuration which is substantially mateable with the outer surface 38 of the idler wheel 20. More specifically, the forward edge 52 has first and second extending portions 54,56 and a recessed portion 58. The extending portions 54,56 are adapted to mate with the side rail portions of the outer surface 38 of the idler 20 and the recessed portion 58 is adapted to mate with the central portion of the outer surface 38, which is between the rail portions.

The cleaner-guard 42 is connected to a plate 60 by a plurality of threaded fasteners 62 which extend through the mounting portion 48 and into the plate 60. The plate 60 forms a portion of the track frame 14 and the track frame 14 has an upper surface 64. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the cleaner-guard 42 is connected to the track frame 14 at a location lower in elevation than the track frame upper surface 64. This position of the cleaner-guard 42 protects it from flexing into contact with the sprocket wheel 18. A clamping plate 66 can be used to clamp the mounting portion 48 between the plate 60 and the clamping plate 66.

A stop member 68 is connected to the track frame 14 at a position adjacent the cleaner-guard 42. The stop member 68 is in the pathway of the cleaner-guard 42 during deflection of the cleaner-guard 42 and limits the downward travel of the cleaner-guard 42. Referring particularly to Figures 3 and 4, the flexible portion 44 of the cleaner-guard 42 is positioned between the rigid portion 46 and the mounting portion 48. Preferably, the flexible portion 44 is formed of an elastomeric material or rubber and the rigid portion 46 is metal. However, the rigid portion 46 can be made of a non-metallic substance, such as plastic or ultra high molecular weight- polymer. To prolong the life of the flexible portion 44, a reinforcement material 70, such as nylon, steel cable or fiberglass can be bonded within the flexible portion 44, preferably near the upper and lower surfaces 72,74.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the mounting portion 48 is an extension of the flexible portion 44. However, a separate mounting portion 48, made of a. metal material, can be provided and bonded to the flexible portion 44.

Referring to Figure 5, an alternate embodiment of a cleaning-guard is shown. In this embodiment, the cleaner-guard 76 has a forward edge 78 similar to the forward edge 52 of cleaner-guard 42. Cleaner-guard 76, however, has first and second angled wall portions 80,82 and a base 84. The wall portions 80,82 and the base 84 form a generally triangular shape. The angled wall portions will function to shed material which is deposited on the blade 76.

Referring to Figures 6, 7, and 8, an alternate embodiment to the subject invention is shown. In this embodiment, identical reference numerals have been used to identify previously described similar structures. A cleaner-guard assembly 86 is connected to a track roller frame 14 adjacent an idler wheel 20 and a sprocket wheel 18. The cleaner-guard assembly 86 has a cleaner portion 88 and a guard portion 90. The cleaner portion 88 has a flexible portion 92, a rigid portion 94, and a mounting portion 96. The rigid portion 94 has a recessed central portion 98, which is adapted to mate with an outer surface 38 of the idler wheel 20, and first and second laterally extending ears or tangs 100,102.

The guard portion 90 includes first and second generally triangular shaped plate members 104,106. The first plate 104 has a mounting edge 108 and an end portion 110 which has a first slot 112, and the second plate 106 has a mounting edge 114 and an end portion 116 which has a second slot 118. The plates 104,106 are secured to an upper surface 64 of the track frame 14 along the mounting edges 108,114 and as shown in Figure 7, the plates 104,106 are laterally spaced one from the other.

The cleaner portion 88 is connected through the mounting portion 96 to a plate 60 by a plurality of threaded fasteners 62. The cleaner portion 88 mates with the guard portion 90 with the ears or tangs 100,102 positioned within the first and second slots

112,118. With the cleaner portion 88 connected to the plate 60 and the guard portion 90 secured to the upper surface 64 of the track frame 14, the recessed central portion 98 is in close cleaning proximity to the outer surface 38 of the idler wheel 20.

A first reinforcing member 120 is secured, as by welding, to the first plate member 104 and to the surface 64 of the track frame 14. Likewise, a second reinforcing member 122 is secured to the second plate member 106 and to the surface 64.

Industrial Applicability

The subject flexible cleaner-guard 42 and cleaner-guard assembly 86 are particularly useful for cleaning material from the outer surface 38 of the idler wheel 20 and for preventing entry of material

OMPI into the track assembly 12. As the idler wheel 20 rotates, the forward edge 52 of the cleaner-guard 42 and rigid portion 94 of cleaner 88 scrape material away from the surface 38 and prevent the material from being recirculated within the track assembly 12.

As the vehicle travels over uneven ground, or passes over an obstacle, the resilient track assembly 12 flexes and the idler wheel 20 moves relative to the track frame 14. The cleaner-guard 42, with its flexible portion 44, and assembly 86 with its flexible portion 92, follow the movement of the idler wheel 20 and continues to clean the surface 38 of the idler 20. Since the cleaner-guard 42 and assembly 86 are recessed within the track frame 14 they are protected from being damaged in response to contact with the sprocket 18.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

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Claims

1. In a track assembly (12) for a vehicle (10) having a track frame (14) , an endless track (16) rotatably connected to said frame (14) , and an idler wheel (20) having an outer circumferential surface (38) and being connected to and moveable relative to the frame (14) , the improvement comprising: a cleaner-guard (42,88) having a flexible portion (44,92), a rigid portion (46,94), and a mounting portion (48,96) and being of a size sufficient for following said moveable idler wheel (20) and maintaining said rigid portion (46,94) in cleaning relationship with the outer surface (38) of said moveable idler wheel (20) ; and, means (62) for connecting said cleaner-guard (42,86) to said vehicle (10) at a location adjacent said idler wheel (20) .

2. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigid portion (46,94) has a forward edge (52,98) , said edge (52,98) having a configuration substantially mateable with the surface (38) of said idler wheel (20) .

3. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigid portion (46,94) and said flexible portion (44,92) are secured together.

4. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said track frame (14) has an upper surface (64) and said cleaner-guard (42,88) is connected to said frame (14) at a location lower in elevation than_. said upper surface (64) .

5. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a stop member (68) connected to said vehicle (10) at a position adjacent said cleaner-guard (42) and in the pathway of the cleaner-guard (42) during deflection of said cleaner-guard (42) .

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes a plurality of threaded fasteners (62) extending through said mounting portion (48,96) .

7. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flexible portion (44,92) is positioned between said rigid portion (46,94) and said mounting portion (48,96).

8. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cleaner-guard (42) has angled wall portions (80,82) and a base portion (84) .

9. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigid portion (46,94) is non-metallic.

10. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said flexible portion (44,92) is an elastomer.

11. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 10, wherein said mounting portion (48,96) is metal.

12. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including first and second plates (104,106) having a generally triangular shape, said plates (104,106) being secured to the track frame (14) in laterally spaced relation, said first plate (104) having an end portion (110) having a first slot (112) , said second plate

(106) having an end portion (116) having a second slot (118), and said rigid portion (46,94) of said cleaner-guard (42,86) has first and second ears (100,102) with said first ear (100) positioned in said first slot (112) and said second ear (102) positioned in said second slot (118) .

13. A cleaner-guard assembly (86) having a cleaner portion (88) having a flexible portion (92) , a rigid portion (94) , and a mounting portion (96) , said rigid portion having first and second laterally extending tangs (100,102) and a guard portion (90) including first and second triangular shaped plates (104,106) , said first plate (104) having a mounting edge (108) and an end portion (110) having a first slot (112) , said second plate (106) having a mounting edge (114) and an end portion (116) having a second slot (118) , said first tang (100) being positioned within said first slot (112) and said second tang (102) being positioned within said second slot (118) .

14. The cleaner-guard assembly (86) as set forth in claim 13, including a first reinforcing member (120) secured to said first plate (104) , and a second reinforcing member (122) secured to said second plate (106).