AXES DE PATINS POUR VEHICULES CHENILLES

TRACK-LINK CONNECTOR FOR TRACKED VEHICLES

Abrégé anglais

ABSTRACT
In track connector links for crawler vehicles, the pins in consec-
utive track-links are connected together positively and frictionally by means
of clamping connectors. To this end, known clamping connector comprises two
circular bearing-eyes and a flat stop-face located in the clamping area of
the connector, which interrupts the circular shape. The corresponding stop-
face on the pin extends axially approximately across the width of the clamp
and merges, through a transition radius into the circular cross-sectional
profile of the pin. As a result of the reduction in cross-section, produced
by the stop-race on the pin, and the notch-effect in the vicinity of the
transition radius, stresses may arise in service, in the above-mentioned
area, which may in time lead to fracture of the pins. This danger of cracks
occurring in the pins is eliminated by a pin and connector cross-section
which is non-circular and is stepless in the axial direction.

Revendications

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A device for connecting the track-links of a crawler-
track vehicle having pins mounted in rubber in eyes in said track-
links, connected positively and frictionally, wherein said pins,
and said eyes have peripherally stepless cross-sections of non-
circular form, the cross-section of said pins being constant
throughout the entire length thereof.
2. A device according to claim 1, the cross-section of said
eye consists of sections of arcs, the centres of curvature of which
are eccentric in relation to the geometric centre of area of the
cross-section and are spaced at angular intervals of 120° from
each other.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section
of the pin is formed by sections of arcs, the centres of curvature
which are eccentric in relation to the geometric center of area of
the cross-section, and are spaced at angular intervals of 120° to
each other, the end-faces of the pins having an alignment mark, to
facilitate assembly.
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said pin
cross-section is octagonal with transition-radii.
5. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said pin
cross-section is an ellipse.
6. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said pin
cross-section is a square with transition-radii.

Description

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The invention relates to a device for connecting the
track links on crawler-track vehicles.
It is known from German Patent 11 14 401 to provide a
clamping connector with octahedral recesses for receiving connect-
ing pins in a crawler track. ;
It is also known from German Patent 16 80 835 to providea clamping connector with circular bearing eyes, the circular
shape changing into a stop-face in the clamping area of the con-
nector. By means of this stop-face, the pins in the track are
positively and frictionally connected. The stop-face on the pin
extends axially, through a transition radius, to the circular
cross-sectional profile of the pin. Because of the reduction in
cross-section produced by the stop-surface on the pin, and the
notch-effect in the vicinity of the transition-radius, stress
cracks may occur in this area during operation, eventually causing
the pin to fracture.
It is the purpose of the invention to reduce the tendency
of such pins to crack,
The present invention provides a device for connecting
the track-links of a crawler-track vehicle having pins mounted in
rubber in eyes in said track-links, connected positively and
frictionally, wherein said pins, and said eyes have peripherally
stepless cross-sections of non-circular form, the cross-section of
said pins being constant throughout the entire length thereof.
As compared with ]snown tracks, the favourable bearing
profile, and elimination of the notch-effect, make it possible to
use pins substantially smaller in cross-section, which results in
correspondingly lighter tracks of

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lesser structural height. In addition to the advantages of cost and weight
saving, tracks of this kind also have a favourable effect upon the aesign of
all of the driving, steering and braking elements of a vehicle.
By selecting a cross~section formed by six arcuate sections which ;~
are alternately Or two differe~t radii, a bearing ratio close to the optimum
and a minimal risk of the pins fracturing as a result of notch-effect.
Embodimentsof the invention are illustrated, by way of example
only and in the drawing attached hereto, wherein:
Figures 1, la and lb show respectively a side elevation, an end-
elevation and a cross-section of a pin;
Figures 2 and 3 show a plan view in part-section and a side eleva-
tion o* a connector link for a two-hinge-pin track;
Figures 4 and 4a are two vlews in part section of a one-hinge-pin
track;
Figures 5-7 show different pin cross-sections.
The pin according to Figures 1, la, lb has a non-circular cross-
section 2, consisting of six sections of arcs with two different radii 3,~,
on centres displaced at an angle 5 = 120 in relation to each other and being
eymmetrical with respect to the geometric centre of area A of the cross sec-
tion 2.
According to Figure 1, the cross section 2 extends over the entire
length Or the pin 1. However, the cross-section 2 may also be provided only
at the connecting locations 7,8 of the connectors 9,~O shown in Figures 2,
3,4,~a
The end-faces of pins 1 are pro~ided with slots 12 used to set the
correct assembly-position in a track element. ~he pins are provided with
rubber bushings which are vulcanized-on in kno~n manner, so that the pins
pressed into the track elements "float" in rubber.

According to Figures 2~3, in a track of the two-hinge-pin type,
link 9 is in the form of a double clamp with eyes or recesses 13 correspond-
ing to predetermined cross-section 2 o~ pins 1. Furthermore, a continuous
recess 14 and a bore 15 are provided for the attachment o~ link 9 to pin 1
by means o* a ~astener or clamping device 17,19, as shown in Figure ~.
For fitting the link 9 to pins 1, ~hich are rubber-mounted in the
track elements in a manner not shown, the link 9 must be slipped onto the
pins 1, as shown in Figure 3~ after which it is secured by the clamping de-
vice 17,18. Pins 1 are thus securea and cannot rotate in the cormec-tor
link 9. -
A link 10 in Figures 4, 4a is in the form o~ a single clamp, havine
a bore 15 as described in connection with Figure 2 and a recess 13a, the
shape o~ which corresponds to that of pin cross-section 2 described in con-
nection with Figure lb.
Shown in dotted lines in Figure 4a are a pin 1 ~nd part of a track-
element 20, having a bore 197 o~ a kno~n one-hinge-pin type track. Pin 1 is
a good fit in recess 13a and in track element 20, whereas there is play on
each side between track-element 20 and link 10.
When the link 10 is tightened by means of the clamping device con-
sisting of bolt 17 and sleeve 18, the legs 24,25 take up the clearance 23 and
are pressed against the track-element 20. The wall o* recess 13a is also
applied under pressure to pin 1 which can now no longer rotate under load.
A stop for the sleeve 18, which has a hexagonal head 26, is provided on link
10 in the *orm of a rib 27. ;~
Figures 5 - 7 show pin cross-sections 30,31,32 in the form o~ an
octagon 33 with radii 34, an ellipse 35, and a square 36 with radii 37. The
recesses in the relevant connector links (not shown) are desiened to match
these cross-sections.
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