Tension management system for an endless track of a work machine
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B62D-055/30
B62D-055/08
출원번호
UP-0771248
(2007-06-29)
등록번호
US-7520575
(2009-07-01)
발명자
/ 주소
Johnson, Gary Dean
출원인 / 주소
AGCO Corporation
대리인 / 주소
Schneider, Esq., Ryan A.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
3인용 특허 :
7
초록▼
A tension management system for generating tension in an endless track of a tracked work machine. The tension management system comprises a biasing element, an idler wheel, a swing link, an idler arm, and a pivotal bracket linking the biasing element with the idler arm. The biasing element generates
A tension management system for generating tension in an endless track of a tracked work machine. The tension management system comprises a biasing element, an idler wheel, a swing link, an idler arm, and a pivotal bracket linking the biasing element with the idler arm. The biasing element generates force that is translated via the biasing arm to the pivotal bracket. The pivotal bracket provides a mechanical advantage in the translation of the force that enables the force exerted upon the swing link to be greater than the force generated by the biasing element. The idler arm connects the pivotal bracket to the swing link and exerts force on the swing link causing it to pivot. The idler wheel is mounted on the swing link and exerts force, generating tension, in the endless track as the swing link pivots. The tension management system enables a greater force to be exerted on the swing link than is generated by the biasing element, allowing for the use of smaller biasing elements than previously possible in conventional designs.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A tension management system for an endless track comprising: a biasing element generating a first force; a swing link having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion; a pivotal bracket, pivotally connected to a drive mechanism frame; a biasing arm, having a centr
What is claimed is: 1. A tension management system for an endless track comprising: a biasing element generating a first force; a swing link having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion; a pivotal bracket, pivotally connected to a drive mechanism frame; a biasing arm, having a central longitudinal axis, a first end of the biasing arm connected to the biasing element and a second end connected to the pivotal bracket; an idler arm, having a central longitudinal axis, a first end of the idler arm connected to the pivotal bracket and a second end connected to the swing link; and an idler wheel, connected to the swing link; wherein a second force exerted by the idler arm at the connection between the swing link and the idler arm is greater than the first force generated by the biasing element; wherein the shape of the pivotal bracket is triangular and the idler arm, biasing arm, and drive mechanism frame are each connected to the pivotal bracket at a different corner; wherein the swing link is pivotally connected to the drive mechanism frame; and wherein the bottom portion of the swing link is pivotally connected to the drive mechanism frame, and the second end of the idler arm is pivotally connected to the top portion of the swing link. 2. The tension management system according to claim 1, wherein the swing link and the idler arm, idler arm and pivotal bracket, and pivotal bracket and biasing arm are in pivotal communication. 3. The tension management system according to claim 1, wherein the biasing element is an air spring. 4. The tension management system according to claim 1, wherein the minimum distance between the connection point of the pivotal bracket to the drive mechanism frame and the central longitudinal axis of the biasing arm is greater than the minimum distance between the connection point of the pivotal bracket to the drive mechanism frame and the central longitudinal axis of the idler arm. 5. A tension management system for an endless track comprising: a biasing element generating a first force; a swing link; a pivotal bracket, pivotally connected to a drive mechanism frame; a biasing arm, having a central longitudinal axis, a first end of the biasing arm connected to the biasing element and a second end connected to the pivotal bracket; an idler arm, having a central longitudinal axis, a first end of the idler arm connected to the pivotal bracket and a second end connected to the swing link; and an idler wheel, connected to the swing link; wherein the force exerted at the connection between the swing link and the biasing element is greater than the force generated by the biasing element; wherein the shape of the pivotal bracket is triangular and the idler arm, biasing arm, and drive mechanism frame are each connected to the pivotal bracket at a different corner; wherein the swing link is pivotally connected to a drive mechanism frame; and wherein a second force exerted by the idler arm on the swing link is greater than the first force exerted by the biasing element on the pivotal bracket. 6. The tension management system according to claim 5, wherein the swing link and the idler arm, idler arm and pivotal bracket, and pivotal bracket and biasing arm are in pivotal communication. 7. The tension management system according to claim 5, wherein the biasing element is an air spring. 8. A tension management system for an endless track comprising: a biasing element generating a first force; a swing link; a pivotal bracket, pivotally connected to a drive mechanism frame; a biasing arm, having a central longitudinal axis, a first end of the biasing arm connected to the biasing element and a second end connected to the pivotal bracket; an idler arm, having a central longitudinal axis, a first end of the idler arm connected to the pivotal bracket and a second end connected to the swing link; and an idler wheel, connected to the swing link; wherein a second force exerted by the idler arm at the connection between the swing link and the idler arm is greater than the first force generated by the biasing element; wherein the shape of the pivotal bracket is triangular and the idler arm, biasing arm, and drive mechanism frame are each connected to the pivotal bracket at a different corner; wherein the swing link is pivotally connected to a drive mechanism frame; and wherein the ratio of the force exerted on the swing link by the idler arm to the force generated by the biasing element is equal to the ratio of a first distance, the first distance defined by the minimum distance between the connection point of the pivotal bracket to the drive mechanism frame and the central longitudinal axis of the biasing arm, to a second distance, the second distance defined by the minimum distance between the connection point of the pivotal bracket to the drive mechanism frame and the central longitudinal axis of the idler arm. 9. The tension management system according to claim 8, wherein the swing link and the idler arm, idler arm and pivotal bracket, and pivotal bracket and biasing arm are in pivotal communication. 10. The tension management system according to claim 8, wherein the biasing element is an air spring. 11. A method of adjusting the tension in an endless track comprising: connecting a biasing element to a drive mechanism frame; pivotally connecting a swing link having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion to the drive mechanism frame; connecting the biasing element to a pivotal bracket, using a biasing arm having a central longitudinal axis; pivotally connecting the pivotal bracket to the drive mechanism frame; connecting the swing link to the pivotal bracket, using an idler arm having a central longitudinal axis; translating a first force generated by the biasing element to the pivotal bracket, causing the pivotal bracket to pivot about its connection to the drive mechanism frame; translating the force exerted up on the pivotal bracket to a second force exerted upon the swing link, causing it to pivot about its connection to the drive mechanism frame; connecting a first end of the biasing arm to the biasing element; connecting a second end of the biasing arm to the pivotal bracket; connecting a first end of the idler arm to the swing link; connecting a second end of the idler arm to the pivotal bracket; boring three holes in the pivotal bracket; boring holes in the biasing arm and idler arm; aligning coaxially a hole in the pivotal bracket with a hole in the biasing arm and a hole in the pivotal bracket with a hole in the idler arm; inserting pins through the coaxially aligned holes to establish a pivotal connection; and inserting a pin integral to the drive mechanism through a hole in the pivotal bracket to establish a pivotal connection; wherein the shape of the pivotal bracket is triangular and the idler arm, biasing arm, and drive mechanism frame are each connected to the pivotal bracket at a different corner; and wherein the force exerted upon the connection between the biasing element and the swing link is greater than the force generated by the biasing element. 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: a first distance, the first distance defined by the minimum distance between the connection point of the pivotal bracket to the drive mechanism frame and the central longitudinal axis of the biasing arm, and a second distance, the second distance defined by the minimum distance between the connection point of the pivotal bracket to the drive mechanism frame and the central longitudinal axis of the idler arm, wherein the first distance and second distance vary as the pivotal bracket pivots. 13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: translating the first force into a moment force; translating the moment force into a second force; exerting the second force on the swing link; wherein the ratio of the first force to the second force is equal to the ratio of the second distance to the first distance, and varies as the first and second distances vary. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: pivotally connecting the bottom portion of the swing link directly to the drive mechanism frame; connecting the top portion of the swing link to the pivotal bracket; and rotatably connecting an idler wheel to the middle portion of the swing link.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Crabb Elmer R., Castering swing link for a track sub-assembly.
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