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BR-112023012278-B1 - GUIDE WHEEL SEGMENT

BR112023012278B1BR 112023012278 B1BR112023012278 B1BR 112023012278B1BR-112023012278-B1

Abstract

GUIDE WHEEL SEGMENT. This is a guide wheel assembly (200) comprising a cylindrical hub (202) and defining a geometric axis of rotation (204), a radial direction (206) and a circumferential direction (208). A stepped circumferential surface (210) of the cylindrical hub (202) has a first radially inner face (212) and a radially outer cylindrical face (214). Mounting holes (215) extend radially on the radially outer cylindrical face (214). A first guide wheel segment (300) is attached to the cylindrical hub (202) and includes a body that is at least partially flattened and has a first flat chain-link contact surface (302). The cylindrical hub (202) has a first set of metallurgical properties that is different from the second set of metallurgical properties of the first guide wheel segment (300).

Inventors

  • KEVIN L. STEINER
  • DONOVAN STUART CLARKE
  • ROBERT DONALD BIERMAN
  • ERIC B. WEISBRUCH
  • JASON L. SEBRIGHT
  • MARTIN TAGORE JOSEPH XAVIER
  • DANIEL I. KNOBLOCH
  • PHILIP STEFFEN RICKETTS

Assignees

  • CATERPILLAR INC

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20211115
Priority Date
20201221

Claims (10)

  1. 1. Guide wheel segment (300) characterized in that it comprises: a body at least partially flattened that defines a longitudinal direction (316), a lateral direction (318) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (316) and a vertical longitudinal direction (316) that is perpendicular to the lateral direction (318) and to the vertical direction (320), wherein the body further defines a first longitudinal end (322), a second longitudinal end (324), a first lateral end (326), a second lateral end (328), a first vertical end (330) and a second vertical end (332), wherein the body at least partially flattened includes a first flattened guide surface (302) that extends laterally from the first lateral end (326) towards the second lateral end (328); a second flattened guide surface (302a) that extends laterally from the second lateral end (328) towards the first lateral end (326); a guide protrusion (306) that laterally connects the first flattened guide surface (302) to the second flattened guide surface (302a).
  2. 2. Guide wheel segment (300), according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide protrusion (306) includes a convex arched surface (312) in the vertical direction that defines the first vertical end (330).
  3. 3. Guide wheel segment (300), according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a first concave arched surface (334) in the vertical direction or a first parallel flattened surface (344) parallel to the first flattened guide surface (302a) which is arranged vertically below the first flattened guide surface (302) and which defines the second vertical end (332).
  4. 4. Guide wheel segment (300), according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises a second concave arched surface (334a) in the vertical direction or a second flattened surface parallel to the second surface which is arranged vertically below the second flattened guide surface (302a) and which is coextensive with the first concave arched surface.
  5. 5. Guide wheel segment (300), according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least partially flattened body defines a groove (304) interposed laterally between the first concave arched surface and the second concave arched surface, wherein the groove (304) is also arranged vertically below the guide protrusion (306), and the guide protrusion (306) defines a plurality of fastener receiving openings (308) that extend completely vertically through the guide protrusion (306).
  6. 6. Guide wheel segment (300) characterized in that it comprises: at least one partial body of revolution defining a circumferential direction (208), a radial direction (206) and a geometric axis of rotation (204), wherein the at least partial body of revolution includes a guide protrusion (306) extending axially, radially and circumferentially; a first flat contact surface (302) extending axially from the guide protrusion (306); and a second flat contact surface (302a) extending axially from the guide protrusion (306); wherein the first flat contact surface (302) comprises a first material zone (336) with a first property and a remaining portion of the at least partial body of revolution comprises a second material zone (338) with a second property that is different from the first property.
  7. 7. Guide wheel segment (300), according to claim 6, characterized in that the first property is a first material and the second property is a second material that is different from the first material, or the first property is a coating, and the second property is a lack of coating, or the first property is a first material hardness, and the second property is a second material hardness that is different from the first material hardness.
  8. 8. Guide wheel segment (300), according to claim 6, characterized in that the second flat contact surface (302a) includes a third material zone (336a) that has a third property that is equal to the first property of the first material zone of the first flat contact surface (302).
  9. 9. Guide wheel segment (300), according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide protrusion (306) further comprises a radially external circumferential surface (312), a first radially extending surface (340) connecting the first flat contact surface (302) to the radially external circumferential surface (312), a second radially extending surface (342) connecting the second flat contact surface (302a) to the radially external circumferential surface (312).
  10. 10. Guide wheel segment (300), according to claim 9, characterized in that the first flat contact surface (302), the first radially extending surface (340), the radially outer circumferential surface (312), the second radially extending surface (342) and the second flat contact surface (302a) share the same first material zone 336 that extends axially and circumferentially to include the entirety of the first flat contact surface (302), the first radially extending surface (340), the radially outer circumferential surface (312), the second radially extending surface (342) and the second flat contact surface (302a).

Description

FIELD OF TECHNIQUE [001] The present disclosure relates to a guide wheel used to guide a track assembly of a continuous undercarriage unit employed by earthmoving, construction and mining equipment, and the like. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to such a guide wheel that is assembled using guide wheel segments that can decrease the likelihood of ripple development in the track assembly links. BACKGROUND [002] Earthmoving, construction, and mining equipment, and similar equipment, are frequently used in rugged off-road terrain. These machines often employ a continuous drive unit with track shoes that are better able to propel the machines in such environments over obstacles and uneven terrain, etc. Track assemblies, which include shoes, are held together by a series of interconnected linkages, pins, and track bushings that are supported by the drive sprocket, idler wheel, and support rollers of the machine. The drive sprocket is so called because it can drive or transmit power to the track assembly, causing it to rotate around the idler wheels, resulting in linear motion of the machine. The idler wheels provide guidance to the track assembly, which helps keep the track assembly on the undercarriage. [003] Heavy loads are often exerted on the guide wheel, which is typically round, that comes into contact with the flattened surfaces of the track assembly links. Over time, rippling can occur in the track assembly links at the interface between the round guide wheel and the links. This rippling can cause uneven travel and eventually result in unwanted maintenance and downtime for the machine. [004] For example, the links and/or the conveyor belt assembly as a whole may need to be replaced or repaired. SUMMARY [005] A guide wheel assembly, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise a cylindrical hub that defines a geometric axis of rotation, a radial direction and a circumferential direction, and may include a stepped circumferential surface that has a first radially inner face and a radially outer cylindrical face. A plurality of mounting holes may extend radially on the radially outer cylindrical face. The guide wheel assembly may also have a first guide wheel segment that includes a body that is at least partially flattened and has a first flat chain-link contact surface. The cylindrical hub may have a first set of metallurgical properties that is different from the second set of metallurgical properties of the first guide wheel segment. [006] A guide wheel segment, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise a body that is at least partially flattened, including the definition of a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a vertical direction that is perpendicular to both the lateral and vertical directions. The body may further define a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, a first lateral end, a second lateral end, a first vertical end, and a second vertical end. A first flattened guide surface may extend laterally from the first lateral end toward the second lateral end, while a second flattened guide surface may extend laterally from the second lateral end toward the first lateral end. A guide projection may laterally connect the first flattened guide surface to the second flattened guide surface. [007] A guide wheel segment, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise at least one partial body of revolution which includes the definition of a circumferential direction, a radial direction, and a geometric axis of rotation. A guide protrusion may extend axially, radially, and circumferentially, while a first planar contact surface may extend axially from the guide protrusion on one side and a second planar contact surface may extend axially from the guide protrusion on the other side. The first planar contact surface may comprise a first material zone with a first property and a remaining portion of the at least partial body of revolution comprises a second material zone with a second property that is different from the first property. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [008] The attached drawings, which are incorporated into this descriptive report and form a part thereof, illustrate various embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a machine, such as a bulldozer, which may use flattened guide wheel segments in its undercarriage, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [009] Figure 2 is a front view of a guide wheel assembly with flattened guide wheel segments that can be used on the undercarriage of the machine in Figure 1. [0010] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a guide wheel assembly with flattened guide wheel segments similar to those shown in Figure 2, shown in isolation. [0011] Figure 4 is a detailed enl