Patent · US11084414B2 · B2 · US

Self-propelled module for oversize loads

(11) Publication number

US11084414B2

(21) Application number

16/304,629

(22) Filing date

2017-05-30

(30) Priority date

2016-05-31

(43) Publication date

2021-08-10

(45) Date of grant

2021-08-10

(51) IPC

B60G 17/04; B60K 7/00; B60P 3/40; B62D 21/03; B62D 55/14; B62D 55/20; B62D 55/26; B26D 1/24; B32B 37/12; B32B 38/00; B32B 39/00; B41F 19/00; B41F 5/24; B60P 1/00; B65H 35/02; B65H 35/08

(52) CPC

B60P Vehicles adapted for load transportation or to transport, to carry, or to comprise special loads or objects: 3/40, 1/00
B26D Cutting; details common to machines for perforating, punching, cutting-out, stamping-out or severing: 1/245
B32B Layered products, i.e. products built-up of strata of flat or non-flat, e.g. cellular or honeycomb, form: 2037/1253, 2310/0887, 2439/70, 37/12, 37/1284, 37/203, 38/145, 39/00
B41F Printing machines or presses: 19/004, 5/24
B60G Vehicle suspension arrangements: 17/005, 17/018, 17/04, 2204/418, 2204/46, 2400/51, 2400/60
B60K Arrangement or mounting of propulsion units or of transmissions in vehicles; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers in vehicles; auxiliary drives for vehicles; instrumentation or dashboards for vehicles; arrangements in connection with cooling, air intake, gas exhaust or fuel supply of propulsion units in vehicles: 7/0015
B60Y Indexing scheme relating to aspects cross-cutting vehicle technology: 2200/147
B62D Motor vehicles; trailers: 21/03, 55/14, 55/20, 55/26
B65H Handling thin or filamentary material, e.g. sheets, webs, cables: 35/02, 35/08
G05D Systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables: 1/021

(72) Inventors

Massimo Bettella

(54) Title

Self-propelled module for oversize loads

(57) Abstract

A self-propelled module for oversize loads includes two ground movement assemblies with oil-pressure controlled actuation; a transverse rocker arranged between the movement assemblies, which are coupled thereto independently; oil-pressure controlled suspension elements, arranged on corresponding oscillating supports coupled to the transverse rocker; and a load-bearing frame, supported by the oil-pressure controlled suspension elements. The load-bearing frame includes an oil-pressure controlled circuit adapted to serve the ground movement assemblies and the suspension means elements. The module further includes a rotary distribution unit, having a vertical axis, mounted on the load-bearing frame for supplying the ground movement assemblies and the oil-pressure controlled suspension elements, a first part of the rotary distribution unit being fixed to the load-bearing frame, and a second part being free to rotate about the vertical of the resting surface with respect to the load-bearing frame.

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Claims (16)

A self-propelled module for oversize loads, comprising: two ground movement assemblies with oil-pressure controlled actuation, a transverse rocker arranged between said movement assemblies, which are coupled thereto independently, oil-pressure controlled suspension means, arranged on corresponding oscillating supports coupled to said transverse rocker, a load-bearing frame, supported by said oil-pressure controlled suspension means, comprising an oil-pressure controlled circuit adapted to serve said ground movement assemblies and said suspension means, a rotary distribution unit, having a vertical axis, mounted on said load-bearing frame for supplying the ground movement assemblies and the oil-pressure controlled suspension means, a first part of said rotary distribution unit being fixed to said load-bearing frame, a second part being free to rotate about the vertical axis with respect to said first part, a resting bed, which is supported by a center bearing that is coaxial to said rotary distribution unit, below said resting bed there being means for the relative rotation, about said vertical axis, of said resting bed with respect to said load-bearing frame.
The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said ground movement assemblies are each constituted by a tracked shoe, which comprises a track constituted by a chain of flat elements for resting on the ground which are arranged side by side and are mutually coupled by means of perforated longitudinal brackets and respective transverse pivots.
The self-propelled module according to claim 2, wherein one or more friction reduction devices, or one or more roller bearings, are mounted on said pivots and are adapted to receive by resting contact one or more gliding plates arranged so that each one glides on a row of roller bearings.
The self-propelled module according to claim 3, wherein said track is moved by two opposite pinions, which in turn are actuated by corresponding oil-pressure controlled motors mounted on one of said gliding plates.
The self-propelled module according to claim 3, wherein said transverse rocker comprises a central body from which two opposite hubs extend which are intended for insertion in corresponding central coaxial holes of the gliding plates.
The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said oil-pressure controlled suspension means are constituted by two oil-pressure controlled cylinders.
The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said load-bearing frame has an H-like plan shape that is formed by a central body and by two opposite side walls, said central body having a seat for fixing of the first part of the rotary distribution unit, two opposite recesses being formed between the side walls, the body of the oil-pressure controlled cylinders being fixed therein.
The self-propelled module according to claim 7, wherein an oil-pressure controlled circuit adapted to serve said ground movement assemblies and said suspension means is constituted by a series of connected holes provided in the central body and in the side walls of the load-bearing frame.
The self-propelled module according to claim 7, wherein said first part is constituted by a tubular body, with a flange for fixing to a bottom of the seat of the load-bearing frame.
The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein the following ducts for connection to the rotary distribution unit are provided in said load-bearing frame: outgoing and return ducts for the oil toward the oil-pressure controlled cylinders, a duct for connection to a first motor of the first movement assembly, a duct for connection to a second motor of the first movement assembly, a duct for connection to a first motor of the second movement assembly, a duct for connection to a second motor of the second movement assembly.
The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said second part has a cylindrical central body, which is contoured to arrange itself in a central hole of the first part, and a connection head that is provided with radial holes for connection to an external service hydraulic system of the module.
The self-propelled module according to claim 11, wherein between the first part and the cylindrical central body there are as many annular ducts as there are ducts formed on the load-bearing frame, each one of said annular ducts being connected and interposed between: a corresponding upper duct, which is provided in the second part and is connected to the external service hydraulic system of the module, and a corresponding lower duct provided in the first part.
The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said center bearing is arranged so as to surround the first part of the rotary distribution unit and is supported by said first part, said center bearing being free to rotate with respect to the first part by virtue of the interposition of a centering bearing with axial rollers, and resting on a bearing with radial rollers, a first lower annular element of which is fixed to said first part while a second upper annular element is fixed to the center bearing that rests thereon.
The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said resting bed is fixed on the center bearing by means of a central contrast plate, which is provided centrally with a circular opening having edges which are fixed to the center bearing.
The self-propelled module according to claim 14, wherein between the resting bed and the central contrast plate there is an interspace that is adapted to allow the placement therein of the connection head of the rotary distribution unit and the passage of the tubes for connection to the external hydraulic service system.
The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said means for relative rotation, about said vertical axis, of said resting bed with respect to said load-bearing frame comprise a steering ring with a rotation axis that coincides with the axis, fixed to the load-bearing frame and extended so as to lie above the movement units, said steering ring being turned by means of a gearmotor, which is actuated by an electric motor, by interposition of an intermediate gear mounted on a floating assembly, for tensioning, the rotation being transmitted from the gearmotor to the intermediate gear by means of a first chain, the rotation being transmitted from the intermediate gear to the steering ring by means of a second chain that is arranged to pass also in the floating assembly.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a self-propelled module for oversize loads.

Oversize loads are defined as such because they allow the transport of manufactured items and vehicles that are impossible to divide and therefore must be in any case transported in their entirety, having dimensions, weight and heights that exceed the maximum values set by the Traffic Code.

Among these elements or manufactured items there are also prefabricated structures for buildings, boats, boilers, excavators, agricultural machines, stone blocks, portions of transoceanic pipelines, and the like.

Several mutually very different vehicles are currently known for performing these transports.

A first type of conventional vehicle comprises transport carriages, with three or four ground resting points, which are wheeled not motorized or are motorized and radio controlled, both with wheels and with tracks.

These carriages have relatively modest dimensions and are very low, i.e., they rise above the ground by a few centimeters: owing to this particularity, these carriages are ill-suited for transports above a certain weight in tons due to the reduced number of points and regions in contact with the ground by means of which the weight can be discharged to the ground.

A second type of conventional vehicles is constituted by wheeled steerable industrial trailers towed by a tractor.

Citations (9)

US4029165A
US4611817A
US5379842A
US6050355A
US20050061560A1
US20080111327A1
US7950478B2
US20100236844A1
US9702096B2

Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US11084414B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Self-propelled module for oversize loads",
  "abstract": "A self-propelled module for oversize loads includes two ground movement assemblies with oil-pressure controlled actuation; a transverse rocker arranged between the movement assemblies, which are coupled thereto independently; oil-pressure controlled suspension elements, arranged on corresponding oscillating supports coupled to the transverse rocker; and a load-bearing frame, supported by the oil-pressure controlled suspension elements. The load-bearing frame includes an oil-pressure controlled circuit adapted to serve the ground movement assemblies and the suspension means elements. The module further includes a rotary distribution unit, having a vertical axis, mounted on the load-bearing frame for supplying the ground movement assemblies and the oil-pressure controlled suspension elements, a first part of the rotary distribution unit being fixed to the load-bearing frame, and a second part being free to rotate about the vertical of the resting surface with respect to the load-bearing frame.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A self-propelled module for oversize loads, comprising: two ground movement assemblies with oil-pressure controlled actuation, a transverse rocker arranged between said movement assemblies, which are coupled thereto independently, oil-pressure controlled suspension means, arranged on corresponding oscillating supports coupled to said transverse rocker, a load-bearing frame, supported by said oil-pressure controlled suspension means, comprising an oil-pressure controlled circuit adapted to serve said ground movement assemblies and said suspension means, a rotary distribution unit, having a vertical axis, mounted on said load-bearing frame for supplying the ground movement assemblies and the oil-pressure controlled suspension means, a first part of said rotary distribution unit being fixed to said load-bearing frame, a second part being free to rotate about the vertical axis with respect to said first part, a resting bed, which is supported by a center bearing that is coaxial to said rotary distribution unit, below said resting bed there being means for the relative rotation, about said vertical axis, of said resting bed with respect to said load-bearing frame.",
    "2. The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said ground movement assemblies are each constituted by a tracked shoe, which comprises a track constituted by a chain of flat elements for resting on the ground which are arranged side by side and are mutually coupled by means of perforated longitudinal brackets and respective transverse pivots.",
    "3. The self-propelled module according to claim 2, wherein one or more friction reduction devices, or one or more roller bearings, are mounted on said pivots and are adapted to receive by resting contact one or more gliding plates arranged so that each one glides on a row of roller bearings.",
    "4. The self-propelled module according to claim 3, wherein said track is moved by two opposite pinions, which in turn are actuated by corresponding oil-pressure controlled motors mounted on one of said gliding plates.",
    "5. The self-propelled module according to claim 3, wherein said transverse rocker comprises a central body from which two opposite hubs extend which are intended for insertion in corresponding central coaxial holes of the gliding plates.",
    "6. The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said oil-pressure controlled suspension means are constituted by two oil-pressure controlled cylinders.",
    "7. The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said load-bearing frame has an H-like plan shape that is formed by a central body and by two opposite side walls, said central body having a seat for fixing of the first part of the rotary distribution unit, two opposite recesses being formed between the side walls, the body of the oil-pressure controlled cylinders being fixed therein.",
    "8. The self-propelled module according to claim 7, wherein an oil-pressure controlled circuit adapted to serve said ground movement assemblies and said suspension means is constituted by a series of connected holes provided in the central body and in the side walls of the load-bearing frame.",
    "9. The self-propelled module according to claim 7, wherein said first part is constituted by a tubular body, with a flange for fixing to a bottom of the seat of the load-bearing frame.",
    "10. The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein the following ducts for connection to the rotary distribution unit are provided in said load-bearing frame: outgoing and return ducts for the oil toward the oil-pressure controlled cylinders, a duct for connection to a first motor of the first movement assembly, a duct for connection to a second motor of the first movement assembly, a duct for connection to a first motor of the second movement assembly, a duct for connection to a second motor of the second movement assembly.",
    "11. The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said second part has a cylindrical central body, which is contoured to arrange itself in a central hole of the first part, and a connection head that is provided with radial holes for connection to an external service hydraulic system of the module.",
    "12. The self-propelled module according to claim 11, wherein between the first part and the cylindrical central body there are as many annular ducts as there are ducts formed on the load-bearing frame, each one of said annular ducts being connected and interposed between: a corresponding upper duct, which is provided in the second part and is connected to the external service hydraulic system of the module, and a corresponding lower duct provided in the first part.",
    "13. The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said center bearing is arranged so as to surround the first part of the rotary distribution unit and is supported by said first part, said center bearing being free to rotate with respect to the first part by virtue of the interposition of a centering bearing with axial rollers, and resting on a bearing with radial rollers, a first lower annular element of which is fixed to said first part while a second upper annular element is fixed to the center bearing that rests thereon.",
    "14. The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said resting bed is fixed on the center bearing by means of a central contrast plate, which is provided centrally with a circular opening having edges which are fixed to the center bearing.",
    "15. The self-propelled module according to claim 14, wherein between the resting bed and the central contrast plate there is an interspace that is adapted to allow the placement therein of the connection head of the rotary distribution unit and the passage of the tubes for connection to the external hydraulic service system.",
    "16. The self-propelled module according to claim 1, wherein said means for relative rotation, about said vertical axis, of said resting bed with respect to said load-bearing frame comprise a steering ring with a rotation axis that coincides with the axis, fixed to the load-bearing frame and extended so as to lie above the movement units, said steering ring being turned by means of a gearmotor, which is actuated by an electric motor, by interposition of an intermediate gear mounted on a floating assembly, for tensioning, the rotation being transmitted from the gearmotor to the intermediate gear by means of a first chain, the rotation being transmitted from the intermediate gear to the steering ring by means of a second chain that is arranged to pass also in the floating assembly."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates to a self-propelled module for oversize loads.\n\nOversize loads are defined as such because they allow the transport of manufactured items and vehicles that are impossible to divide and therefore must be in any case transported in their entirety, having dimensions, weight and heights that exceed the maximum values set by the Traffic Code.\n\nAmong these elements or manufactured items there are also prefabricated structures for buildings, boats, boilers, excavators, agricultural machines, stone blocks, portions of transoceanic pipelines, and the like.\n\nSeveral mutually very different vehicles are currently known for performing these transports.\n\nA first type of conventional vehicle comprises transport carriages, with three or four ground resting points, which are wheeled not motorized or are motorized and radio controlled, both with wheels and with tracks.\n\nThese carriages have relatively modest dimensions and are very low, i.e., they rise above the ground by a few centimeters: owing to this particularity, these carriages are ill-suited for transports above a certain weight in tons due to the reduced number of points and regions in contact with the ground by means of which the weight can be discharged to the ground.\n\nA second type of conventional vehicles is constituted by wheeled steerable industrial trailers towed by a tractor.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60P 3/40",
    "B26D 1/245",
    "B32B 2037/1253",
    "B32B 2310/0887",
    "B32B 2439/70",
    "B32B 37/12",
    "B32B 37/1284",
    "B32B 37/203",
    "B32B 38/145",
    "B32B 39/00",
    "B41F 19/004",
    "B41F 5/24",
    "B60G 17/005",
    "B60G 17/018",
    "B60G 17/04",
    "B60G 2204/418",
    "B60G 2204/46",
    "B60G 2400/51",
    "B60G 2400/60",
    "B60K 7/0015",
    "B60P 1/00",
    "B60Y 2200/147",
    "B62D 21/03",
    "B62D 55/14",
    "B62D 55/20",
    "B62D 55/26",
    "B65H 35/02",
    "B65H 35/08",
    "G05D 1/021"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60G 17/04",
    "B60K 7/00",
    "B60P 3/40",
    "B62D 21/03",
    "B62D 55/14",
    "B62D 55/20",
    "B62D 55/26",
    "B26D 1/24",
    "B32B 37/12",
    "B32B 38/00",
    "B32B 39/00",
    "B41F 19/00",
    "B41F 5/24",
    "B60P 1/00",
    "B65H 35/02",
    "B65H 35/08"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Massimo Bettella"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-05-30",
  "publication_date": "2021-08-10",
  "grant_date": "2021-08-10",
  "priority_date": "2016-05-31",
  "application_number": "US-201716304629-A",
  "family_id": "57113555",
  "cited_by_count": 13,
  "citations": [
    "US4029165A",
    "US4611817A",
    "US5379842A",
    "US6050355A",
    "US20050061560A1",
    "US20080111327A1",
    "US7950478B2",
    "US20100236844A1",
    "US9702096B2"
  ]
}

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