Torsional suspensioned, steerable, oscillating and propelling axle assembly

Abstract

A Torsional Suspensioned, Steerable, Oscillating and Propelling Axle Assembly utilized in the individual track units of a multi track unit all-terrain vehicle or machine with axle assemblies providing/enabling suspension, steering, oscillation and propelling functions of the track units of the all-terrain vehicle or machine.

Claims

1. An axle assembly for an all-terrain vehicle or a machine comprising: a torsion assembly that mounts to a frame of the all-terrain vehicle or the machine providing independent suspension of an individual track unit; a vertical bearing cylinder providing support and guidance of a steering shaft; vertical bearings that install in the vertical bearing cylinder providing smooth rotation of the steering shaft; thrust bearings installed at upper and lower ends of the vertical bearing cylinder contributing to smooth rotation of the steering shaft; a steering arm that receives linear actuation to rotate the steering shaft; the steering shaft receiving rotational force from the steering arm to rotate the track unit left or right for turning of the all-terrain vehicle or the machine; retainers that provide proper thrust bearing preload and retaining of the steering shaft; a horizontal bearing cylinder providing support and guidance of a horizontal driven shaft; insert bearings that install in the horizontal bearing cylinder providing smooth rotation of the horizontal driven shaft; flange track frame bearings that connect a track frame to the axle assembly via the horizontal driven shaft and flange bearing fasteners with the flange track frame bearings also allowing the track frame to oscillate on the horizontal driven shaft; the horizontal driven shaft keyed for engaging a keyed drive yoke and a drive hub; the drive yoke being keyed that mounts to an inner end of the horizontal driven shaft with the drive yoke having a flange for mounting a track drive element; the drive hub being keyed that mounts to an outer end of the horizontal driven shaft with the drive hub having a flange for mounting the track drive element.

2. The axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the all-terrain vehicle or the machine comprising: multiple axle assemblies configured as torsional suspensioned, steerable, oscillating and propelling axle assemblies.

3. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the torsion assembly and the vertical bearing cylinder are an assembly.

4. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the steering arm, the steering shall and the horizontal bearing cylinder are an assembly.

5. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the insert bearings and the flange track frame bearings align and secure the horizontal driven shaft in position.

6. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the drive yoke receives a rotational force to rotate the horizontal driven shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a right side elevation view of a four track all-terrain vehicle with each track unit utilizing a Torsional Suspensioned, Steerable, Oscillating, and Propelling Axle Assembly. The right side track units are only shown.

(2) FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of right rear track unit 6, with axle assembly 9, taken generally along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a full cross sectional view of right rear track unit 6 (FIG. 1), with axle assembly 9, taken generally along the line 3-3 of cross sectional view of track unit 6 in FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a similar view of FIG. 2 showing an alternate preferred embodiment of bearing, steering shaft, track drive element and track frame configuration providing similar functions as preferred embodiment in FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of torsion assembly 25 and vertical bearing cylinder 21. Right side configuration shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) The following use of, or reference to, invention and/or axle assembly 9, pertains directly to the Torsional Suspensioned, Steerable, Oscillating and Propelling Axle Assembly.

(7) It is to be understood that the following details of construction and the arrangement of components in no way limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention can be obtained from a study of the detailed description, drawings and claims. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein, is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

(8) Referring to FIG. 1 illustrating a side view of four tracked, all-terrain vehicle 5. All-terrain vehicle 5 is typically, but not limited to use in snow, soft underfoot soil and/or adverse terrain conditions. All-terrain vehicle 5 is supported by four individual track units, similarly configured to an automotive wheeled configuration. Operators and passengers also occupy all-terrain vehicle 5 similarly to an automotive configuration.

(9) All-terrain vehicle 5 is powered by differentials, a transmission and engine (not shown) in a well known manner.

(10) Although not shown, all-terrain vehicle 5 is capable of utilizing but not limited to various implement attachments both on the front and back of the vehicle such as plows, groomers and sprayers used in agriculture, forestry, military, commercial, residential, snow grooming or other applications.

(11) Right rear track unit 6 and right front track unit 7 are only shown. Track units 6 & 7 are shown utilizing axle assembly 9 and tracks 8, thus providing/enabling suspension, steering, oscillation and propelling functions for all-terrain vehicle 5.

(12) With axle assembly 9 being used in both the front and rear track units, again right rear track unit 6 and right front track unit 7 only shown, steering of both front and rear track units is possible.

(13) Axle assembly 9 used in the front and rear track units allow for different steering configurations based on operator input and terrain encountered.

(14) Dependent upon operator input, axle assembly 9 enables front steering only, rear steering only, front and rear steering synchronized or front and rear steering opposing steering configurations, enhancing control over adverse and varying terrain.

(15) Tracks 8 may have many different heights, widths and terrain engaging profiles to provide the most optimum traction, travel and efficiency for all-terrain vehicle 5, dependent upon terrain conditions and applications.

(16) Referring to FIG. 2 illustrating a cross sectional view of right rear track unit 6 with axle assembly 9 of a preferred embodiment shown in greater detail.

(17) Invention 9 is mounted to track frame 24 via horizontal driven shaft 13, flange track frame bearings 12 and fasteners 23. Flange track frame bearings 12 have set screws for aligning and securing horizontal driven shaft 13 in position.

(18) Flange track frame bearings 12 allow oscillation of the track units supporting all-terrain vehicle 5 (FIG. 1). Oscillation of the track units allow the tracks 8 to stay in direct contact with adverse or varying terrain, increasing traction and steering capabilities.

(19) A driveshaft receiving power from a differential, transmission and engine (not shown) in a well known manner rotates drive yoke 14. Drive yoke 14 and chive hub 15 have flanges for mounting track drive elements being either sprockets 16 (FIG. 3) or driven hubs 32 (FIG. 4) using fasteners 17.

(20) Drive yoke 14 is mounted to the inner end of horizontal driven shaft 13, while drive hub 15 is mounted to the outer end of horizontal driven shaft 13. In the preferred embodiment drive yoke 14 and drive hub 15 have set screws for securing to horizontal driven shaft 13.

(21) With rotational power applied to drive yoke 14, which rotates horizontal driven shaft 13 and drive hub 15, track drive elements sprockets 16 (FIG. 3) or driven hubs 32 (FIG. 4) engaging open windows and/or inner lugs in track 8, propel all-terrain vehicle 5 (FIG. 1).

(22) The track drive elements being either sprockets 16 (FIG. 3) or driven hubs 32 (FIG. 4) can have many different profiles, tooth counts, and/or hub configurations for driving tracks 8, dependent upon application.

(23) Horizontal driven shaft 13 is keyed to engage drive yoke 14 and drive hub 15 which are also keyed using key stock for engagement. Horizontal driven shaft 13, drive yoke 14 and drive hub 15 can have many engaging profiles including but not limited to keyed, splined, hexagonal or can also be permanently affixed.

(24) Horizontal driven shaft 13 rotates through insert bearings 11. Insert bearings 11 are installed in horizontal bearing cylinder 10 which provides support and guidance of horizontal driven shaft 13.

(25) Insert bearings 11 also have set screws for aligning and securing horizontal driven shaft 13 in position.

(26) Horizontal bearing cylinder 10 is in assembly perpendicularly with steering shaft 19. Steering shaft 19 rotates through vertical bearings 18.

(27) Steering shaft 19 is retained by retainers 20. Retainers 20 also provide proper bearing preload of thrust bearings 22.

(28) Vertical bearings 18 install inside vertical bearing cylinder 21 which provides support and guidance of steering shaft 19. Thrust bearings 22 and vertical bearings 18 provide smooth rotation of steering shaft 19 to rotate track frame 24 in desired direction.

(29) Bogie wheels 33 and guides 34 provide guidance, support and friction reduction of track 8.

(30) Referring to FIG. 3, illustrating a full cross sectional view of right rear track unit 6, with axle assembly 9 of a preferred embodiment showing steering arm 26 also being in assembly with steering shaft 19 and horizontal bearing cylinder 10.

(31) When linear force is applied to steering arm 26, steering shaft 19 and horizontal bearing cylinder 10 rotate which in turn rotates the track unit to provide steering for all-terrain vehicle 5 (FIG. 1).

(32) Vertical bearing cylinder 21 is in assembly with torsion assembly 25. Torsion assembly 25 mounts to the frame of all-terrain vehicle 5 (FIG. 1) and provides independent suspension in a well known manner.

(33) Torsion assembly 25 provides independent suspension for the individual track unit also contributing to keeping track unit in direct contact with terrain encountered, increasing traction and traveling ability of all-terrain vehicle 5 (FIG. 1).

(34) Referring to FIG. 4 Illustrating a similar, alternate preferred embodiment view of FIG. 2 with flanged steering shaft 31 as an alternate preferred embodiment of steering shaft 19 (FIG. 2).

(35) Pillow block bearings 28 are an alternate preferred embodiment of insert bearings 11 (FIG. 2) and horizontal bearing cylinder 10 (FIG. 2). Pillow block bearings 28 are attached to flanged steering shaft 31 by fasteners 29. Pillow block bearings 28 have set screws for aligning and securing horizontal driven shaft 13 in position.

(36) Driven hubs 32 are an alternate preferred embodiment of sprockets 16 (FIG. 2).

(37) Track frame insert bearings 27 are an alternate preferred embodiment of flange track frame bearings 12 (FIG. 2).

(38) Track frame insert bearings 27 install in track frame bores 30 of alternate configured track frame 35 thus connecting axle assembly 9 to track frame 35 via horizontal driven shaft 13 while also allowing oscillation of the track unit. Track frame insert bearings 27 have set screws for aligning and securing horizontal driven shaft 13 in position.

(39) In the preferred embodiment, drive yoke 14 is of a u-joint configuration. Although not shown, an alternate preferred embodiment would be the drive yoke of a cv-joint configuration.

(40) Referring to FIG. 5 illustrating a perspective view of torsion assembly 25 and vertical bearing cylinder 21. Torsion assembly 25 has a right and left machine side configuration. Right side configuration is shown.