Motor vehicles – Special driving device – Portable track
Patent
1980-09-26
1983-05-31
Footland, Lenard A.
Motor vehicles
Special driving device
Portable track
403 57, B62D 5500
Patent
active
043856730
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to spherical joints and more particularly to a spherical joint having a pair of flexible seals mounted therein.
BACKGROUND ART
Spherical joints, wherein a pair of members are connected together for compound movements by a semi-spherical bearing having a journal mounted therein, are normally sealed by a pair of annular seal assemblies disposed on either side of the journal. Sealing of the joint is particularly important in application of the joint to construction vehicles, such as the pivotal joint connecting each end of an equalizer bar to a track roller frame of a track-type vehicle. During operation of the vehicle in the heavy dust-laden environments, the transversely disposed equalizer bar and track roller frame will be subjected to relative rotational movement about a journal pin of the joint and pivotal movement transverse to such rotational movement.
It is during this latter pivotal movement that the seal assemblies are subjected to tensile and compressive forces which tend to curtail the service life of the seal assemblies. Seal assemblies of this type are illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings with each seal assembly comprising a pair of radially disposed retaining rings having an elastomeric seal compressed therebetween. In addition to being subjected to tensile and compressive forces during pivotal movement P", the elastomeric seals are subjected to torsional stresses when relative rotational movement occurs between the equalizer bar and track roller frame.
Furthermore, the relatively tall cross-section of the seal tends to make it difficult to incorporate the seal assembly in certain designs wherein space limitations are critical. Also, conventional seal assemblies of this type are expensive to manufacture and install, as well as service, due to their swaged construction and the inability to employ modern manufacturing techniques, such as injection molding, for the fabrication of the elastomeric seal. Limitations are also placed on the design of the journal since the inner retaining ring of the seal assembly is press-fitted onto the pin. The rather severe operating forces imposed on the elastomeric seal further dictate the need for a relatively soft elastomeric composition for the seal, such as Neoprene, which must be precompressed to enable the seal assembly to counteract high stresses imposed thereon.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, an improved spherical joint comprises a pair of members having a semi-spherical bearing and journal mounted therebetween, with the members being adapted for relative rotational movement about a longitudinal axis of the journal and relative pivotal movement transverse to such rotational movement. An annular seal assembly is mounted between the members and on each side of the journal with the improvement comprising means for permitting flexing of the seal assembly to at least substantially prevent stretching or compression thereof in response to the relative pivotal movement between the first and second members.
The spherical joint is preferably used to connect each end of an equalizer bar to a respective track roller frame of a track-type vehicle.
In another aspect of this invention, the seal assembly includes an elastomeric member mounted between inner and outer rings and a lip seal mounted on the inner ring.
In still another aspect of this invention, the seal assembly includes an elastomeric member having a main body portion intersected by an imaginary conical plane and a lip seal mounted in the seal assembly.
The improved seal assembly thus provides the spherical joint with a long service life, substantially reduces the overall cost thereof in comparison to conventional joints employing standard seal assemblies therein, and provides a highly serviceable seal assembly which satisfies minimum space requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages and objects of this
REFERENCES:
patent: 3680924 (1972-08-01), Otto et al.
patent: 4034996 (1977-07-01), Manita et al.
patent: 4232754 (1980-11-01), Corrigan et al.
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Footland Lenard A.
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