Roller assembly of an undercarriage assembly having a roller hub configured to receive rims of varying sizes and method for making the same

• US 6,435,629 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Maguire, Roy L., Egle, Kevin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bellinger, Jason R.
• Application Number:
  US09/552,889
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 403/288, 403/359.1, 403/359.6, 277/345, 277/907, 277/910, 277/912, 305/100, 305/124, 305/125, 305/129, 305/135, 305/136.I, 305/137, 305/138, 305/139, 305/199
• US Class Current: 305/136
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/08 Endless track units; Parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/14 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 277/912 Spline connection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7035 Specific angle or shape of rib, key, groove, or shoulder

Abstract

A roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine is configurable in either a first roller configuration or a second roller configuration. The roller assembly has a roller shaft and a roller hub journalled for rotation about the roller shaft. A first roller rim having a first outer diameter is secured to the roller hub when the roller assembly is configured in the first roller configuration. A second roller rim having a second outer diameter is secured to the roller hub when the roller assembly is configured in the second roller configuration. The first outer diameter is greater than the second outer diameter. A method of manufacturing a roller assembly of an undercarriage assembly of a work machine is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine, said roller assembly being configurable in either a first roller configuration or a second roller configuration comprising:

a roller shaft; and

a roller hub journalled for rotation about said roller shaft, wherein (i) a first roller rim having a first outer diameter is secured to said roller hub when said roller assembly is configured in said first roller configuration, (ii) a second roller rim having a second outer diameter is secured to said roller hub when said roller assembly is configured in is said second roller configuration, and (iii) said first outer diameter is greater than said second outer diameter.

2. The roller assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said first roller rim is press fit onto said roller hub when said roller assembly is configured in said first roller configuration, and

said second roller rim is press fit onto said roller hub when said roller assembly is configured in said second roller configuration.

3. The roller assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said first roller rim includes a first rim base having a first annular flange extending outwardly therefrom, and

said second roller rim includes a second rim base having a second annular flange extending outwardly therefrom.

4. The roller assembly of claim 3, wherein:

said first annular flange extends a first distance from said first rim base,

said second annular flange extends a second distance from said second rim base, and

said first distance is greater than said second distance.

5. The roller assembly of claim 1, further comprising a radial thrust bushing interposed between said roller hub and said roller shaft.

6. The roller assembly of claim 5, wherein said radial thrust bushing is press fit onto said roller hub.

7. A method of manufacturing a roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine, said roller assembly having a roller shaft and a roller hub, comprising the steps of:

securing said roller hub to said roller shaft such that said roller hub is journalled for rotation about said roller shaft;

determining whether said roller assembly is to be configured in a first roller configuration or a second roller configuration;

securing a first roller rim having a first outer diameter to said roller hub if said roller assembly is configured in said first roller configuration; and

securing a second roller rim having a second outer diameter to said roller hub if said roller assembly is configured in said second roller configuration, wherein said first outer diameter is greater than said second outer diameter.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

said step of securing said first roller rim to said roller hub includes the step of press fitting said first roller rim to said roller hub, and

said step of securing said second roller rim to said roller hub includes the step of press fitting said second roller rim to said roller hub.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein:

said first roller rim includes a first rim base having a first annular flange extending outwardly therefrom, and

said second roller rim includes a second rim base having a second annular flange extending outwardly therefrom.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

said first annular flange extends a first distance from said first rim base,

said second annular flange extends a second distance from said second rim base, and

said first distance is greater than said second distance.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of interposing a radial thrust bushing between said roller hub and said roller shaft.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of interposing said radial thrust bushing between said roller hub and said roller shaft includes the step of press fitting said radial thrust bushing onto said roller hub.

13. A roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine, said roller assembly being configurable in either a first roller configuration or a second roller configuration comprising:

a roller shaft; and

a roller hub journalled for rotation about said roller shaft, wherein (i) a first roller rim having a first outer diameter is pressfit to said roller hub when said roller assembly is configured in said first roller configuration, (ii) a second roller rim having a second outer diameter is pressfit to said roller hub when said roller assembly is configured in said second roller configuration, and (iii) said first outer diameter is greater than said second outer diameter.