Suspension system for track vehicle
AssigneeClark Equipment Company
InventorLance S. Tuhy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspension system for a track vehicle, the suspension system comprising: a frame; a track surrounding the frame; a plurality of suspension modules resiliently interconnected between the frame and track to bias the track into engagement with a ground surface upon which the track vehicle sits; and at least one idler over which the track extends. Under a normal load, all weight of the track vehicle is borne by the suspension modules and not by the at least one idler. Under selected conditions the at least one idler bears at least some weight of the track vehicle to rigidify the track vehicle suspension during such selected conditions.
Claims16
A suspension system for a track vehicle, the suspension system comprising:
- a frame;
- a track surrounding the frame;
- a plurality of suspension modules resiliently interconnected between the frame and track to bias the track into engagement with a ground surface upon which the track vehicle sits, one suspension module including a stop block rigidly mounted to the frame such that another suspension module bottoms out against the stop block under sudden dynamic loading;
- and
- at least one idler over which the track extends;
- wherein under a normal load, all weight of the track vehicle is borne by the suspension modules and not by the at least one idler;
- and
- wherein under selected conditions the at least one idler bears at least some weight of the track vehicle to rigidify the track vehicle suspension during such selected conditions.
A construction vehicle comprising:
- a body frame;
- an internal combustion engine supported by the body frame;
- a hydraulic system operable under the influence of the internal combustion engine;
- a lift arm assembly operable under the influence of the hydraulic system to perform work;
- and
- a track assembly including a track frame, a track movable under the influence of the hydraulic system with respect to the track frame to move the vehicle, at least one idler over which the track extends, and a plurality of suspension modules resiliently mounted between the track frame and the track, one suspension module including a stop block rigidly mounted to the track frame such that another suspension module bottoms out against the stop block under sudden dynamic loading;
- wherein under a normal load, all weight of the track vehicle is borne by the suspension modules and not by the at least one idler;
- and
- wherein, in response to the lift arm assembly performing work under selected conditions, the at least one idler bears at least some weight of the track vehicle to rigidify the track vehicle suspension to facilitate the performance of such work.
A method of suspending a construction vehicle having a track frame and a track surrounding the track frame, the track having first and second opposite sides, the method comprising the steps of:
- mounting at least one idler to the track frame and extending the track around the idler, comprising mounting a first idler for rotation with respect to the frame about an axis of rotation that is fixed with respect to the frame, and mounting a second idler for rotation with respect to the frame about a second axis of rotation, and interposing a shock absorber between the track frame and second idler to permit movement of the second axis of rotation with respect to the track frame;
- interposing a plurality of suspension modules between the track frame and the track, each suspension module including a stop block rigidly mounted to the track frame, a roller in contact with the track, and a biasing assembly between the roller and the track frame;
- biasing the rollers against the first side of the track with the biasing assembly to maintain substantially constant contact between the second side of the track and a ground surface;
- supporting the entire weight of the vehicle with the suspension modules under a normal load;
- and
- supporting at least some of the weight of the vehicle with the idler under selected conditions to rigidify the vehicle suspension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.