Arrangement for journalling large eccentric forces

An arrangement for journalling large eccentric forces generated by a rotating eccentric assembly including at least two eccentrically-loaded members, the arrangement comprising:

• first journal means and second journal means spaced from each other and conjointly defining a common journalling axis;
• a first pair of bearings for rotatably journalling a first one of said eccentrically-loaded members on said first journal means and said second journal means;
• a second pair of bearings for rotatably journalling a second one of said eccentrically-loaded members directly on said first journal means and said second journal means independently of said first eccentrically-loaded member;
• said eccentrically-loaded members being tubular members each having an axis of rotation coincident with said common journalling axis and each being loaded with an eccentric weight;
• a shaft bearing disposed in one of said journal means so as to be entirely separate from said pairs of bearings and defining a journalling axis coincident with said common journalling axis;
• and,
• drive means for engaging and driving said eccentrically-loaded members;
• said drive means including:
• first guide means and second guide means formed in said tubular members, respectively;
• a drive shaft movably journalled in said shaft bearing;
• a drive rod mounted on said drive shaft so as to extend radially thereof for engaging said first guide means and said second guide means so as to permit said tubular members to be driven by said drive rod upon movement of said drive shaft;
• and,
• said first guide means and said second guide means being disposed and configured with respect to each other on said respective tubular members so as to prevent eccentric forces generated by the tubular members during rotation thereof from acting on said drive rod and said drive shaft.

A vibration arrangement for imparting vibratory movements to a rotatable vibrative structure such as the roller of a compactor for compacting soil, asphalt or the like, the vibration arrangement comprising:

• first journal means and second journal means both mounted with respect to the vibratory structure so as to be mutually adjacent;
• first elongated eccentric means extending between said first journal means and said second journal means;
• a first pair of bearing for rotatably journalling said first eccentric means directly on said first journal means and said second journal means;
• a second elongated eccentric means likewise extending between said first journal means and said second journal means;
• a second pair of bearings for rotatably journalling said second eccentric means on said first journal means and said second journal means independently of said first eccentric means;
• said first and second elongated eccentric means being tubular members each having a tubular wall and an axis of rotation coincident with said common journalling axis and each being loaded with an eccentric weight;
• and,
• drive means for driving said first eccentric means and said second eccentric means, said drive means including:
• bearing means disposed on said axis and defining a journalling axis coincident with said common journalling axis;
• first engaging means and second engaging means formed in the respective tubular walls of said tubular members at respective locations spaced away from said common axis;
• and, a drive member journalled in said bearing means and configured to engage and drive said tubular members at said first engaging means and said second engaging means, respectively, whereby eccentric forces generated by the tubular members during rotation thereof are prevented from acting on said drive member.