KR20030005263A - Wheel for a tracked vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel 10 for a tracked vehicle, mounted on a vehicle wheel hub 12. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight wheel having optimum damping properties and desirable thermal properties. To this end, the wheel 10 is provided with a plastic wheel ring 14. The wheel ring 14 is made of polyamide having an elastic modulus of 2000 N / mm 2 or more and a tearing elongation of 2% or more, and has a rigid configuration having an elephant foot shape in cross section.

Description

Wheels for Tracked Vehicles {WHEEL FOR A TRACKED VEHICLE}

EP 0 159 934 A2 describes runner wheels made of aluminum or fiber reinforced resin for lightening track vehicles. The runner wheel includes two annular disks, and rings are formed on the two annular disks. The ring supports the rubber tire on the outside. The disc forms a guide channel for centering the guide teeth of the track member of the track of the tracked vehicle. In particular, the cross section of all runner wheels in the shoulder region, ie the region where the vertical disk is in contact with the cylindrical ring, is of relatively thin cross section. When driving on slopes or passing over obstacles such as lumps of stone, the shoulder area withstands certain loads because the protruding rings act as relatively long levers. This intermittent stress only slightly affects the life of the runner wheel made of aluminum. Runner wheels contain fibre-reinforced resin, but there is a risk of breakage in the shoulder area. Irregular deformation of the heavily loaded shoulder area has a heating effect, causing microcracks to break down the fiber plastic matrix. Therefore, such wheels cannot last long.

The present invention relates to a wheel for a tracked vehicle according to claim 1. Such wheels are for example runner wheels, support wheels or directional rollers for tracked vehicles.

1 is a partial sectional view of a first embodiment of a wheel for a tracked vehicle in combination with a vehicle wheel hub portion of a tracked vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of a wheel for a tracked vehicle. FIG.

3 shows a third embodiment of a tracked vehicle.

4 is a view showing the front of a wheel for a tracked vehicle.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in the wheel for the tracked vehicle of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to the principle of FIG. 5 showing another embodiment of a wheel for a tracked vehicle. FIG.

7 is a view showing an embodiment of a wheel having an integrated hub for wheel mounting purposes.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing a wheel connected to a hub for wheel mounting purposes.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 to 3 showing another embodiment of a wheel for a tracked vehicle.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a wheel for a tracked vehicle similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with wear protection.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing another embodiment of the wear protection unit.

12 is a view similar to FIGS. 10 and 11, showing another embodiment of the wear protection unit.

As discussed in EP 0 159 934 A2, the object of the present invention is to reduce the weight of the wheel as described at the beginning of the present specification to extend its life.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Preferred configurations of the wheel according to the invention are described in the claims.

The wheel according to the invention has the advantage that a significant weight reduction is possible compared to a tracked vehicle wheel made of metal. In addition to weight reduction, the inherent damping behavior of the material in relation to the reduced weight has the advantage of reducing the vibrations transmitted to the body or shell of the tracked vehicle, for example by rolling the wheel over the track and thereby creating a track gap. In addition, the configuration according to the invention has the advantage that the heat signature is small so that the wheel and the tracked vehicle are difficult to be detected by the heat imaging equipment. In addition, the tracked vehicle having the wheel according to the present invention has the advantage that the inelastic material is reduced, and thus the reduction of the part weight brings about a reduction in inventory and prevention of transportation of heavy materials and corrosion.

Polyamide is a suitable plastic material for wheels. Polyamides are inherently stronger than materials for runner wheels, ie fibre-reinforced resins, which have a fairly high strength and impact resistance and are known for their heat resistance.

Polyamides have a tensile modulus of at least 2000 N / mm 2 and can be used within the range of -40 ° C to + 120 ° C. Notch impact strength in the above temperature range is at least 10 kJ / m 2. Water absorption is less than 1% in the standard climate 23/50.

Cast polyamide PA12G has a tearing elongation of at least 20% at a tearing rate of 5 mm / min.

Partially aromatized polyamides comprising 20-50% glass fibers have a tearing elongation of at least 2% at a tearing rate of 50 mm / min.

Hereinafter, the features and advantages of the wheel according to the present invention will be clearly understood.

1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wheel 10 for a tracked vehicle. The wheel 10 is provided on the wheel hub 12 partially shown. The wheel 10 has a wheel ring 14 comprising two ring 16 portions. The wheel ring 14, ie the two ring portions 16 of the wheel ring 14, comprise a plastic material. This plastic material is PA (Polyamide). In order to obtain a high level of mechanical strength and heat resistance, the two ring portions 16 of the wheel ring 14 may be fiber reinforced.

Each ring portion 16 is divided into a disk 15 having a predetermined width 17 and a ring 19 integrally formed with a predetermined width 21 and thickness 23. Reference numeral 25 denotes a radius of curvature.

Each of the two ring portions 16 is fixedly connected to an associated flange ring 18. Such a connection may be a connection including a securely locked coupling and / or a forced locking coupling and / or an adjacent coupling of the included material. The two flange rings 18 have an L-shaped cross section and are fixedly connected to the vehicle wheel hub 12 by a connecting member 20 formed by the bolt 22 and the nut 24.

The flange ring 18 comprises, for example, steel or light metal or light metal alloy.

The two ring portions 16 of the wheel ring 14 of the wheel 10 are provided such that a guide channel 26 is formed therebetween extending in the circumferential direction. The guide channel 26 is bounded by guide faces 28 facing each other of the ring portion 16. The guide face 28 of the ring portion 16 of the wheel ring 14 of the wheel 10 serves to guide the wheel 10 on the guide teeth of each track member of the tracked vehicle.

Each outer circumference of the ring portion 16 of the wheel ring 14 is provided with a chemically coupled runner ring 30. The runner ring 30 comprises, for example, rubber or plastic material or other suitable elastic material. The runner ring 30 rolls on the inside of the running surface of the corresponding track member.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the circumferential outer side of the ring portion 16 and runner ring 30 is provided with a mirror symmetrical cross section with respect to the guide channel 26. This plane of symmetry is represented by a dashed line 32.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 1, in which the runner ring 30 is integrally formed with each ring portion 16 and the wheel ring 14 is made of plastic material, which is different from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. .

The same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals and need not be described again with respect to all parts in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 with a flange associated with each of the two ring portions 16 in a wheel 10 having a wheel ring 14 comprising two ring portions 16 of plastic material. An embodiment formed integrally with the ring 34 is shown. On the outer circumference of one of the two ring portions 16 of plastic material, a runner ring 30 is provided in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The ring part 16 shown on the right represents the deformation of the ring part 16 as long as the runner ring 30 is a part which is integral with the wheel ring 14 or the ring 19 in accordance with FIG. 2.

The flange ring 34, which is integrally connected to the ring portion 16, may be jointly fixed to the vehicle wheel hub 12 by the support ring member 36. The support ring member 36 is a steel ring with a bore for the connecting member 20 with a bolt 22 and a nut 24, for example as shown in FIG. 2.

3 is given the same reference numerals for the same parts as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and need not be described again with respect to all parts.

4 shows the front view of the wheel 10 in a reduced scale, in which the wheel ring 14 has a spoke-shaped arm 38 and only a part of the wheel ring 14 is shown. The spoke shaped arm 38 alternates with the opening 40 in the wheel ring 14 and only a portion thereof is shown in the drawing. The opening 40 and the arm 38 are uniformly distributed along the pitch circle 42 of the wheel ring 14 as can be seen in FIG. 5. This configuration results in a reduction in the weight of the wheel 10. In order to increase the rigidity in the shape of the wheel 10 or the wheel ring 14 made of plastic, the wheel ring 14 may be designed to be corrugated in the circumferential direction, for example, as shown in FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a vehicle wheel hub 12 with a wheel 10. The wheel 10 has a single wheel 14 of plastic material. The wheel ring 14 is symmetric in cross-sectional shape and is represented by a symmetric line 44 of a dashed line. A circumferential outer side of the wheel ring 14 is provided with a channel 46 extending in the circumferential direction facing the vehicle wheel hub 12, the channel 46 being concentric with the vehicle wheel hub 12 and bearing It serves to receive the member 48. The bearing member 48 is a rolling bearing, for example in the form of a wheel mounting arrangement 50.

FIG. 8 is a similar view showing a wheel 10 different from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, in particular in the form of rolling bearings forming a wheel mounting arrangement 50, as long as the wheel ring 14 is symmetrical. It has a hub member 52 provided to receive the member 48. The annular hub portion 52 is connected with the wheel ring 14. Such a connection may be a connection including a securely locked coupling and / or a forced locking coupling and / or an adjacent coupling of the included material. Hub portion 52 comprises a metal or metal alloy.

FIG. 8 is given the same reference numerals for the same parts as in FIG. 7, and therefore need not be described again for all parts.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the wheel 10 as a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the wheel ring 14 has two ring portions 16, each of which is symmetrical in cross-sectional shape. This symmetry is represented by dashed line 54. In other respects, the embodiment of FIG. 9 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, and like reference numerals denote like parts, and need not be described again. However, a symmetrical configuration is not necessary.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ring portion 16, similar to FIGS. 1 and 3, with wear protection 56 provided on the corresponding guide face of each ring portion 16. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the wear protection 56 is formed of a wear ring 58 that is secured to the associated guide face 28. This fixing is for example made by adhesive 60. Another possibility is that for example the wear ring 58 hardens the ring portion 16. The ring segment 62 may be used instead of the wear ring 58 (see FIG. 11).

11 shows a ring portion 16 with wear protection 56 on its associated guide face 28, which is formed from a ring segment 64. The fixed protection 64 of the ring segment 62 is cast inside the associated ring portion 16 of plastic material. Compared with the wear ring 58 (see FIG. 10), the ring segment 62 can compensate for variations in thermal expansion due to the material contained between the wear protections 56 associated with each ring portion 16. That has the advantage. The ring segment 62 may be replaceably mounted to the ring portion 11.

FIG. 12 shows a ring portion 16 with wear protection 56 on a guide face 28, which is associated with a view similar to FIGS. 10 and 11. The wear protection 56 is formed from a wear ring 58 that is cast inside the associated ring portion 16. The wear protection 56 may also be formed from a separate ring segment 62 described above with reference to FIG. 11.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 3, and 9, the ring portions 16 are each provided with a runner ring 30 outside its circumference.

To summarize the dimensional relationship of the disk 15 and the ring 19, it is formed on the basis that the width 17 of the disk 15 is 100%.

drawing One 2 3 7 8 9 Width 17 of disc 15 when 100% [mm] 22 22 22 40 40 23 Width of ring 19 [mm] 40 35 43 50 50 39 Width (21) Percentage of Width (17) 181 159 195 125 125 169 Thickness of ring 19 [23] [mm] 24 24 30 28 28 20 Thickness (23) / width (17) ratio 1: 1.1 1: 1.1 1: 1.36 1: 0.7 1: 0.7 1: 0.87 Thickness (23) Percentage of Disk (15) Width (17) 110 110 136 70 70 87 Thickness (23) / width (21) ratio 1: 1.67 1: 1.45 1: 1.43 1: 1.78 1: 1.78 1: 1.95 Width (21) Percentage of Thickness (23) 167 145 143 178 178 195

reference mark

10 wheel

12 vehicle wheel hub

14 wheel ring

15 disc

16 ring parts

17 width

18 flange ring

20 connection member

21 width

22 volts

23 thickness

24 nuts

25 curvature radius

26 guide channels

28 guide face

30 runner ring

32 day dashed line

34 flange ring

36 support ring

38 spoke-shaped arm

40 openings

42 Pitch One

Dotted line

46 channels

48 Bearing member

50-wheel mounting arrangement

52 Hub member

Dotted line

56 wear protection

58 wear ring

60 adhesive

62 ring segment

64 fixed protrusion

Claims (10)

In the wheel 10 for a tracked vehicle provided to a wheel hub 12 for a vehicle, The wheel 10 contains a plastic material, The wheel 10 is formed of a wheel ring 14 comprising a vertical disk 15 and a wider ring 19 in the circumferential direction, and the ring 19 and the disk 15 protruding laterally. A radius of curvature 25 is provided between The wheel ring 14 contains a polyamide having a tensile modulus of at least 2000 N / mm 2 and a tearing elongation of at least 2%, The wheel ring 14 has a rigid contour in the form of an elephant foot in cross section, and the thickness 23 is the disk 15 width when the width 21 of the ring 19 is 1.0 to 2.5 times the thickness 23. 0.5 to 1.5 times (17), the disc 15 is fixedly connected to a metal base ring 18, 34, 52, and the base ring 18, 34, 52 is connected to the vehicle wheel hub 12 Connected to Wheels for tracked vehicles. The method of claim 1, When the width 17 of the disk 15 is 100%, the width 21 of the ring 19 is 100% to 210%. The method of claim 1, The polyamide is a cast polyamide PA12G having a tearing elongation of at least 20% at a tearing rate of 5 mm / min, or 20% having a tearing at least 20% at a tearing rate of 50 mm / min. A wheel for a tracked vehicle that contains from about 50% glass fibers and is a partially aromaticized polyamide. The method of claim 1, The wheel ring 14 has two ring portions 16, and between the two ring portions 16, guide channels 26 bounded by guide surfaces 28 facing each other extend in the circumferential direction. The wheel for track vehicles formed. The method of claim 4, wherein The guide face 28 is a wheel for a tracked vehicle provided with wear protection (55, 56). The method of claim 5, The wear protection part 56 is a wheel for a track vehicle comprising a wear-resistant synthetic material embedded in plastic or metal or ceramic material in the form of fibers or hair. The method of claim 5, The wear protection part (56) is a wheel for a tracked vehicle formed of a wear ring (58) or a ring segment (62) fixed to the guide face (28). The method of claim 5, The wear protection part (56) is a wheel for a tracked vehicle formed by covering the guide surface (28). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, Runner ring 30 is provided on the outer circumference of the ring 19, respectively. The method of claim 9, The runner ring (30) is a wheel for a tracked vehicle, which is integral with each ring (19) or is fixed to a ring (19) containing an elastic material and coupled thereto.