Shim for track roller frame

A shim for a track roller frame is provided. The shim includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are laterally spaced apart from each other. The first surface and the second surface define a thickness of the shim therebetween. The shim further includes a retention element formed on it. The retention element is configured to position the shim on the track roller frame. The retention element is also configured to restrict a movement of the shim relative to the track roller frame. The retention element is further configured to couple the shim to the track roller frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase application of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2016/023508 filed Mar. 22, 2016, which claims priority to Great Britain Patent Application No. 1504826.7 filed Mar. 23, 2015, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an undercarriage assembly of a machine, and more particularly to a shim for a track roller frame associated with the undercarriage assembly.

BACKGROUND

Track type machines, for example dozers, excavators, and skid-steer loaders, are commonly used in applications where traction is critical or low ground pressure is important. These machines include a frame that supports an internal combustion engine. The machines include left and right undercarriages that are powered by the engine and enable movement of the machine along a ground surface. The left and right undercarriages are rigidly mounted at one end to the frame and are free to pivot in a vertical direction about the mounting location. Each of the undercarriages includes one or more sprockets driven by the engine, and an idler wheel operatively connected to either the frame of the machine or to the sprocket via an idler frame assembly. The idler frame assembly includes a plurality of upper carriers and lower rollers that support an endless track wrapped in a loop around the sprocket and idler.

During operation of a track type machine, components of the undercarriage undergo wear, which may cause a decrease in distance between a bottom surface of the lower rollers and a periphery of the idler wheel. In some instances, this wear can be significant enough that the idler wheel does not engage the track properly and may consequently disrupt engagement of the lower rollers with the track. To avoid such a scenario, removable spacer members or shims are provided for improved spacing between worn components of the assembly. The shims may be used to assist positioning of the idler wheel of a track roller frame associated with the track type machine. The shims may also allow for the idler wheel to slide within the shims for tensioning of the track of the machine. Such shims or spacer members are used as a sacrificial part to avoid wearing of the track roller frame.

However, use of such spacer members is less than optimal, as the spacer members are difficult to install and difficult to retain in position as the components continue to wear and as the idler translates longitudinally relative to a sprocket of the machine. Further, as the machine operates, the shims may easily get lost if they are not secured to the track roller frame, for example via fastening through bolts, welds, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a shim for a track roller frame is provided. The shim includes a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surfaces are laterally spaced apart from each other. The first and second surfaces define a thickness of the shim therebetween. The shim further includes a retention element formed on it. The retention element is configured to position the shim on the track roller frame. The retention element is also configured to restrict a movement of the shim relative to the track roller frame. The retention element is further configured to couple the shim to the track roller frame.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a shim for a track roller frame is provided. The shim includes a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surfaces are laterally spaced apart from each other. The first and second surfaces define a thickness of the shim therebetween. The shim further includes a plurality of retention elements. The plurality of retention elements includes a flange, a first tab, second tab. The plurality of retention elements is configured to position the shim on the track roller frame, restrict a movement of the shim relative to the track roller frame, and couple the shim to the track roller frame.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an undercarriage assembly for a machine is disclosed. The undercarriage assembly includes a track roller frame, an idler, a cover member removably coupled to the track roller frame, and a shim coupled to the track roller frame. The shim includes a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surfaces are laterally spaced apart from each other. The first and second surfaces define a thickness of the shim therebetween. The shim further includes a retention element formed on it. The retention element is configured to position the shim on the track roller frame. The retention element is also configured to restrict a movement of the shim relative to the track roller frame. The retention element is further configured to couple the shim to the track roller frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts.FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary machine100. The machine100is embodied as a dozer. It should be understood that the machine100may alternatively include any other machine used in various industries, such as, mining, transportation, construction, forestry, agriculture, and the like. Further, the machine100may be, for example, but not limited to, an excavator, a backhoe loader, and a mining machine.

The machine100has a track roller assembly102located within an undercarriage assembly103positioned on each side of the machine100(only one undercarriage assembly103is shown inFIG. 1). The machine100may include a machine frame104at least partially defining an operator station106and supporting a front-mounted engine108and a work tool110operatively supported by the track roller assembly102present at a front end of the machine frame104and proximate to the engine108. Alternatively, in some other machines the work tool110may not be supported on the track roller assembly102. The engine108may generate a power output that can be directed through a sprocket112and a track114of the undercarriage assembly103to propel the machine100and/or move the work tool110. The design and construction of the undercarriage assembly103shown in the accompanying figures is exemplary and does not limit the scope of present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, each track roller assembly102may include a plurality of components configured to support the track114. In particular, the track roller assembly102may include, a track roller frame202, a plurality of lower rollers204supported by the track roller frame202at a lower surface206, an upper carrier208supported by the track roller frame202at an upper surface210opposite the lower rollers204, and an idler assembly212operatively connected to an end of the track roller frame202opposite the sprocket112. The design and construction of the undercarriage assembly103shown in the accompanying figures is exemplary and does not limit the scope of present disclosure. The arrangement of the idler assembly212and the positioning and number of sprockets112may vary without any limitation.

The idler assembly212may be constrained from movement in a vertical direction relative to the track roller frame202(i.e., constrained from moving in a direction between the lower and upper surfaces206,210) and constrained from moving transversely relative to the track roller frame202(i.e., in an axial direction of the sprocket112) through a suitable biasing means. However, the idler assembly212may be allowed to move somewhat in a longitudinal direction of the track roller frame202and may be urged away from the track roller frame202by a biasing member214, for example a spring, a grease ram, a gas cylinder, or another track recoil device, as desired. In an embodiment, the idler assembly212is provided with a vertical idler adjuster216on the track roller frame202. The track114(seeFIG. 1) may wrap around the sprocket112, the lower rollers204, the idler assembly212, and the upper carriers208.

The track roller frame202may form a hollow support structure that may partially house the remaining components of the track roller assembly102and transfer load from the track114and from the work tool110to the machine frame104(seeFIG. 1). In the accompanying figures, the track roller frame202is shown as a single fabricated or cast component. In an alternative embodiment, the track roller frame202may include a rear component that supports and partially houses the lower rollers204, the upper carriers208, and the biasing member214. The track roller frame202may additionally include a separate front component that supports and partially houses the idler assembly212. In another embodiment, the rear and front components may be joined through any method known in the art, for example, through welding or mechanical fastening.

The track roller frame202may include a pivot opening218for receiving a pivot bearing (not shown) through which a pivot shaft (not shown) may extend. The pivot shaft may be rigidly connected at a proximal end to the machine frame104(seeFIG. 1), and the pivot bearing may rotationally connect the track roller frame202to a distal end of the pivot shaft. In one embodiment, support arms of the work tool110may connect to the machine frame104via the pivot shaft. Accordingly, the work tool110may pivot about the shaft during lifting and may transfer loads directly to the machine frame104. In other embodiments, the support arms of the work tool110may connect to the track roller frame202at another location (e.g., at a location forward of the pivot shaft) such that loads from the work tool110can be transferred to the pivot shaft indirectly via the track roller frame202. The biasing member214may also be connected at one end to the machine frame104via the pivot bearing and the pivot shaft.

FIG. 3depicts a partial side perspective exploded view of various components of the track roller frame202, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The idler assembly212includes the vertical idler adjuster216mounted on an idler yoke member302. An idler304is mounted on the idler yoke member302via one or more support blocks306. It would be appreciated that an idler adjuster similar to the vertical idler adjuster216can be provided at the first and second sides of the idler assembly212.FIG. 3illustrates the first side thereof, and the present description should be understood to apply similarly to the vertical idler adjusters216disposed at both sides of the idler assembly212.

The vertical idler adjuster216includes a cover member308. The cover member308may be L-shaped, and includes a first wall312configured to be engaged about the shims310, and a second wall314configured to be engaged about a lateral side320of the track roller frame202. The cover member308is further provided with a number of fasteners316configured to secure the cover member308to the idler yoke member302from the first side of the idler assembly212. The fasteners316are configured to be received into a number of receptacles318, the receptacles318being provided on the idler yoke member302. Alternatively, the cover member308may be C-shaped. The vertical idler adjuster216further includes one or more shims310configured to be received into the track roller frame202, such that the shim310is disposed between the support block306and the cover member308. The shims310are preferably identical to one another, and may include elongate metal, plastic, fiber, or the like having at least one edge that is configured to be complimentary to the at least one support block306and the cover member308.

The present disclosure relates to a retention assembly associated with the shim310for controlling, restricting or eliminating a movement of the shim310relative to the track roller frame202. Further, the retention assembly is configured to couple the shim310to the track roller frame202and assist in a positioning of the shim310with respect to the track roller frame202. The structure of the retention assembly will now be described in detail.

As shown inFIGS. 3, 4 and 5, in one embodiment, each of the shims310include one or more protrusions, embodied as retention elements406, that fit with a complementary structure provided on the idler yoke member302of the track roller frame202. Accordingly, the shims310are prevented from readily slipping out or moving from their respective positions between the support blocks306and the cover member308. Referring toFIG. 4, the shim310includes a first surface402and a second surface404. The first surface402and the second surface404are provided laterally spaced apart from each other. The first surface402and the second surface404define a thickness “T” of the shim310therebetween.

The one or more retention elements406are formed on the shim310. The retention elements406may be formed on the shim310through processes such as, machining, forging, welding or the like. The shim310has an outer facing edge408, a leading edge410, and a trailing edge412opposite to the leading edge410, wherein the leading edge410and the trailing edge412are perpendicular to the outer facing edge408. The shim310also includes an outer facing side414extending from the leading edge410, and an inner facing side416extending from the trailing edge412. The inner facing side416of the shim310may have a planar profile. Optionally, the retention element406of the shim310may include a flange407projecting from the outer facing side414of the shim310. The flange407may extend from the leading edge410of the shim310. Further, the flange407extends along a portion of a width “W” or along the complete width “W” of the shim310.

The retention element406may be embodied as a first tab418and a second tab420, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The first tab418and the second tab420are spaced laterally apart from each other along a length “L” of the shim310. The first tab418and the second tab420are provided at the outer facing edge408of the shim310. In an example, the first and second tabs418,420have a rectangular shape. Alternatively, the first and second tabs418,420may include a cylindrical, cubical, cuboidal, triangular, pyramidal, or any regular or irregular geometrical shape. The number of tabs may also vary, based on the system requirements, and is not limited to that described herein.

The flange407, the first tab418, and the second tab420may extend from a same surface of the shim310. In an example, the same surface is the first surface402of the shim310. Further, the flange407is positioned perpendicular to the first tab418, and the second tab420. A height “H” of the flange407and that of the first and second tabs418,420are equal. Alternatively, the height of the flange407may be greater than the height of the first and second tabs418,420. In one embodiment, the height of the flange407may be lesser than the height of the first and second tabs418,420.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 5, the shims310are removably positioned between the support blocks306and the track roller frame202. The shim310may be positioned on a first side322, a second side324, or both of the support blocks306. The retention elements406, i.e. the flange407, the first tab418, and the second tab420, are configured to position the shim310on the track roller frame202. Referring toFIG. 3, the first side322and the second side324of the support blocks306on the track roller frame202are configured to receive the shims310. The track roller frame202includes a number of recesses326formed on the first side322and the second side324, and a channel328formed on the lateral side320of the track roller frame202. As shown inFIG. 5, the shim310is positioned within the track roller frame202such that the flange407, and the first and second tabs418,420respectively are received into the channel328and the recesses326.

The geometry of the recesses326and the channel328conforms to the geometry of the retention elements406, thereby enabling easy positioning of the shim310with respect to the track roller frame202. Further, such an engagement of the shims310with respect to the track roller frame202may restrict, reduce or eliminate a movement of the shim310relative to the track roller frame202. More particularly, the retention elements406provided on the shim310and may restrict a front and rear movement (along the outer facing edge408of the shim310) of the shim310with respect the track roller frame202. In one embodiment, the retention elements406provided on the shim310and may restrict a side movement (along the leading edge410of the shim310) of the shim310with respect the track roller frame202. The retention elements406couple the shim310to the track roller frame202and retain the shim310in position without requiring the use of any external fastening members.

In an alternate embodiment, the retention element406may embody a recess (not shown) formed on the shim310, and the track roller frame202may include corresponding protrusions (not shown) provided on the first and second sides322,324of the support blocks306. In this case, the recesses on the shim310have a geometry that conforms to the protrusions on the track roller frame202, such that the shim310is positioned in the track roller frame202as the recesses are received in the corresponding protrusions. Further, such coupling provides a constrained relationship between the shim310and the track roller frame202, thus restricting the movement of the shim310relative to the track roller frame202.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is related to the shim310for the track roller frame202, industrial applicability of which will be readily appreciated from the foregoing discussion. The shim310may be utilized in relation to any track type machine where support and/or adjustability of the idler assembly212are desired.

As described earlier, the shim310acts as a spacer member for spacing between the worn components of the idler assembly212. The shim310includes the retention element406, i.e. the flange407and the first and second tabs418,420, that are correspondingly received in the channel328and the recesses326respectively. In operation, the retention element406eases the installation and retaining of the shim310in the track roller frame202. As the shim310is retained in the track roller frame202, the chances of loss of the shim310are reduced. Further, provision of the retention element406allows the shim310to be free from any external fastening means like bolting, welding, etc. Such fastener free arrangement also allows easy replacement of the shims310in view of wear. Since the retention elements406are provided on the shim310, and do not require the use of any bulky attachment means extraneous to the track roller frame202, the solution described herein optimizes on space requirements. This is a cost and time effective solution and results in reduction in downtime of the machine100. The shim310may be produced by forging and machining. Alternatively, the shim310may be completely machined. The shim310may also be fabricated using a casting.