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CN-122029097-A - Contact sensor for detecting loose sprocket segments of a final drive

CN122029097ACN 122029097 ACN122029097 ACN 122029097ACN-122029097-A

Abstract

A contact sensor (304) is provided for detecting and informing a separation of a first component (202) of a machine (100) from a second component (204) of the machine (100). The contact sensor (304) includes a probe (306) for detecting separation, wherein the first component (202) and the second component (204) are configured to rotate about a common rotational axis (206), and the probe (306) is configured to be electrically disconnected at the separated locations. The contact sensor (304) additionally includes a transmitter (308) coupled to the probe (306) and configured to transmit an alert (324) in response to the probe (306) being electrically disconnected.

Inventors

  • M. S. gallat

Assignees

  • 卡特彼勒公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20240918
Priority Date
20231023

Claims (10)

  1. 1. A contact sensor (304), the contact sensor comprising: a probe (306) for detecting a separation of a first component (202) of a machine (100) from a second component (204) of the machine, the first component (202) being fixedly attached to and contacting the second component (204), the first component (202) and the second component (204) being configured to rotate about a common rotational axis (206), the probe being configured to be electrically disconnected at the separated location, and A transmitter (308) coupled to the probe (306), the transmitter (308) configured to transmit an alarm (324) in response to the probe being electrically disconnected, the alarm (324) indicating that the first component (202) and the second component (204) have separated.
  2. 2. The touch sensor (304) of claim 1, further comprising: One or more processors (314) coupled to the probe (306) and the transmitter (308), the one or more processors (314) configured to: Detecting the separation based on the probe (306) being electrically disconnected, and Causing the transmitter (308) to transmit the alert (324) based on detecting the separation.
  3. 3. The touch sensor (304) of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors (314) are further configured to cause the transmitter (308) to transmit a separation status (328) of the first component (202) and the second component (204) at preselected time intervals, the separation status (328) including one of the alert (324) or a pass-through signal indicating that the first component (202) is securely attached to the second component (204) based on the probe (306) being electrically connected.
  4. 4. A contact sensor (304) according to claim 3, further comprising: A receiver (310) coupled to the one or more processors (314), the receiver (310) configured to receive a reminder signal (330) from an external device (326), Wherein the one or more processors (314) are further configured to cause the transmitter (308) to transmit the separation status (328) to the external device (326) based on the receiver (310) receiving the hint signal (330).
  5. 5. The touch sensor (304) of claim 1, wherein: the contact sensor (304) is arranged in the first part (202), and The probe (306) is further configured to: Is connected to the second component (204) at a contact region (316) of the second component (204) which is to be electrically grounded, and Disconnecting the contact area (316) to be electrically disconnected in response to the separating.
  6. 6. The touch sensor (304) of claim 1, wherein: the contact sensor (304) is arranged in the second part (204), and The probe (316) is further configured to: Is connected to the first component (202) at a contact region (316) of the first component (202) which is to be electrically grounded, and Disconnecting the contact area (316) to be electrically disconnected in response to the separating.
  7. 7. A sprocket segment (202) for engagement with a track (106) of a machine (100), the sprocket segment to be secured to a drive hub (204) of the machine (100), the sprocket segment (202) comprising: A contact sensor (304) for detecting a separation of the sprocket segment (202) from the drive hub (204), the contact sensor (304) comprising: A probe (306) configured to electrically connect to a contact area (316) of the drive hub (204) when the sprocket segment (202) is secured to the drive hub (204), and to electrically disconnect from the contact area (316) in response to the decoupling, the contact area (316) being electrically grounded via the drive hub (204); A transmitter (308) coupled to the probe (306), the transmitter (308) configured to transmit an alert (324) in response to the probe (306) being electrically disconnected, and One or more processors (314) coupled to the probe (306) and the transmitter (308), the one or more processors (314) configured to: Detecting the separation based on the probe (306) being electrically disconnected, and Causing the transmitter (308) to transmit the alert (324) based on detecting the separation.
  8. 8. The sprocket segment (202) as set forth in claim 7, wherein said contact sensor (304) further comprises: A receiver (310) coupled to the one or more processors (314), the receiver (310) configured to receive a reminder signal (330) from an external device (326), Wherein the one or more processors (314) are further configured to cause the transmitter (308) to transmit a detached state (328) of the sprocket segment (202) to the external device (326) based on the receiver (310) receiving the alert signal (330), the detached state (328) including one of the alert (324) indicating that the sprocket segment (202) is detached from the drive hub (204) or a pass-through signal indicating that the sprocket segment (202) is attached to the drive hub (204) based on the connection of the probe (306) to the contact area (316).
  9. 9. A drive hub (204), the drive hub comprising: A contact sensor (304) for detecting a separation of a sprocket segment (202) from the drive hub (204), the contact sensor (304) comprising: A probe (306) disposed flush with a front surface (404) of a rim (208) of the drive hub (204) and electrically isolated from the drive hub (204), the probe (306) configured to electrically connect to a contact area (316) of the sprocket segment (202) when the sprocket segment (202) is secured to the drive hub (204), and to electrically disconnect from the contact area (316) in response to the separation; A transmitter (308) coupled to the probe (306), the transmitter (308) configured to transmit an alert (324) in response to the probe (306) being electrically disconnected, and One or more processors (314) coupled to the probe (306) and the transmitter (308), the one or more processors (314) configured to: Detecting the separation based on the probe (306) being electrically disconnected, and Causing the transmitter (308) to transmit the alert (324) based on detecting the separation.
  10. 10. The drive hub (204) of claim 9, wherein the contact sensor (304) further comprises: A receiver (310) coupled to the one or more processors (314), the receiver (310) configured to receive a reminder signal (330) from an external device (326), Wherein the one or more processors (314) are further configured to cause the transmitter (308) to transmit a detached state (328) of the sprocket segment (202) to the external device (326) based on the receiver (310) receiving the alert signal (330), the detached state (328) including one of the alert (324) indicating that the sprocket segment (202) is detached from the drive hub (204) or a pass-through signal indicating that the sprocket segment (202) is attached to the drive hub (204) based on the connection of the probe (306) to the contact area (316).

Description

Contact sensor for detecting loose sprocket segments of a final drive Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a sensor for detecting loose sprocket segments of a final drive, and more particularly, for detecting that an attached sprocket segment of a final drive of a machine is separated from a drive hub. Background Machines may be used to perform various tasks at a worksite. For example, the machine may be used to excavate, move, shape, contour, and/or clean material (such as gravel, concrete, asphalt, soil, and/or other material) present at a worksite. Some of these machines utilize tracks rather than wheels to provide ground-engaging propulsion. Such tracks may be preferred in environments where it is difficult to generate sufficient traction, such as those commonly found in the worksites described above. In particular, rather than rolling on a work surface by means of wheels, a track-type machine utilizes one or more tracks that include an endless loop of coupled track links defining an outer surface that supports ground-engaging track shoes and an inner surface that travels around one or more rotatable track-engaging elements such as, for example, drive sprockets, final drive hubs or drive hubs, idlers, tensioners, and rollers. During machine operation, bolts securing the sprocket segments to the drive hub may loosen and enlarge bolt holes in the drive hub, thereby rendering the sprocket segments unusable. The process of changing the drive hub is labor intensive and can render the machine inoperable for a significant period of time. Blin published U.S. patent application publication No. 2021/0317861 at 10/14 of 2021 ("the' 861 application") describes a fastener having a transmitter that is powered via a switch contact that is designed to open when the fastener is properly installed and to close when the fastener is released, such that the transmitter is supplied with current and transmits a signal only when the electrical connection of the switch contact is closed. Although the' 861 application describes monitoring at least one mechanical fastening parameter, the mechanical fastening parameter appears to be limited to the characteristics of the fastener itself and does not include the status or characteristics of the element of the fastener for securement. The touch sensors described herein are directed to addressing one or more of the shortcomings set forth above. Disclosure of Invention According to a first aspect, a contact sensor is provided for detecting and informing a separation of a first part of a machine from a second part of the machine. The contact sensor includes a probe for detecting the separation, wherein the first and second members are configured to rotate about a common rotational axis, and the probe is configured to electrically disconnect at the separation location. The touch sensor additionally includes a transmitter coupled to the probe and configured to transmit an alert in response to the probe being electrically disconnected. According to another aspect, a sprocket segment is provided that is capable of detecting and reporting separation from a drive hub of a machine. The sprocket segment is to be secured to the drive hub to engage a track of the machine and includes a contact sensor for detecting the separation of the sprocket segment from the drive hub. The contact sensor includes a probe configured to electrically connect to a contact area of the drive hub when the sprocket segment is secured to the drive hub and to electrically disconnect from the contact area in response to the decoupling, wherein the contact area is electrically grounded via the drive hub. The touch sensor also includes a transmitter coupled to the probe and configured to transmit an alert in response to the probe being electrically disconnected, and one or more processors coupled to the probe and the transmitter, wherein the one or more processors are configured to detect the separation based on the probe being electrically disconnected and cause the transmitter to transmit the alert based on the detection of the separation. According to yet another aspect, a drive hub of a machine is provided, the drive hub being capable of detecting and reporting a separation of a sprocket segment from the drive hub. The drive hub includes a contact sensor for detecting the separation of the sprocket segment from the drive hub. The contact sensor includes a probe that is disposed flush with a front surface of a rim of the drive hub. The probe is electrically isolated from the drive hub and is configured to electrically connect to a contact area of the sprocket segment when the sprocket segment is secured to the drive hub and to electrically disconnect from the contact area in response to the decoupling. The touch sensor further includes a transmitter coupled to the probe and configured to transmit an alert in response to the probe being electrically disconnected, and one or more processors coupled to the pro