JP7632160B2 - Suspension link and crawler - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a suspension link for hoisting a crawler, and a crawler including a suspension link.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a conventional suspension link (called a suspension bracket in the document). In the technology described in the document, when attaching or detaching a crawler to or from a traveling body, a suspension link (called a suspension bracket in the document) is attached to the crawler frame. Then, a suspension tool is attached to the suspension link, and the crawler is lifted up.

Patent No. 6673521

In the invention described in the document, if the suspension link is attached to the crawler frame when it is not in use, problems such as interference between the suspension link and other objects may occur because the suspension link is large. In addition, if the suspension link is removed from the crawler frame when it is not in use, for example, the suspension link may be difficult to transport or a large space may be required to store it, because the suspension link is large.

The present invention aims to provide a suspension link and crawler that can be made compact when not in use.

The suspension link can be attached to the crawler. The crawler comprises a crawler frame that can be attached to the traveling body, and a crawler belt arranged around the crawler frame. The suspension link comprises an intermediate link and a tip link. The intermediate link can be rotatably attached to the surface of the crawler frame that is laterally outward of the crawler. The tip link is rotatably attached to the intermediate link, and a lifting device for lifting the crawler frame can be attached to the tip link. The intermediate link and the tip link are configured to be capable of being in a lifting state when the crawler frame is lifted, and a stored state. The stored state is a state that can be in any state other than when the crawler frame is lifted, in which the intermediate link and the tip link are folded.

The above configuration allows the suspension link to be made compact when not in use.

2 is a diagram showing a work machine 1 equipped with a crawler 20 as viewed from a lateral direction Y. FIG. 2 is a view of the working machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front-rear direction X. FIG. 2 is a diagram of the crawler 20 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the lateral direction Y. FIG. 4 is a view of the crawler 20 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the upper side Z1. 4 is a view of the suspending link 25 and the like in the suspended state shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the front side X1. 6 is a view of the intermediate link 40 shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the front side X1. 6 is a view of the tip link 50 shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the front side X1. FIG. 7 is a view equivalent to FIG. 5 and shows the suspension link 25 and other components in a state between the suspended state and the intermediate state. FIG. 7 is a view equivalent to FIG. 5 and shows the suspension link 25 and other parts in an intermediate state. 5 and shows the suspension link 25 in the stored state, etc. 11 is a view of the suspension link 25 and other components in the stored state shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from the lateral direction Y.

The work machine 1 equipped with a crawler 20 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, the work machine 1 is a machine that performs work, such as a construction machine that performs construction work. The work machine 1 is, for example, a crane that performs work using a boom or the like. The work machine 1 is, for example, a crawler crane. The work machine 1 includes an upper rotating body 11 and a lower running body 13. The upper rotating body 11 is mounted on the lower running body 13 so as to be able to rotate.

The lower running body 13 allows the work machine 1 to travel. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower running body 13 includes a running body main body 13a and a crawler 20. The running body main body 13a is a frame (car body frame) that supports the upper rotating body 11.

The crawler 20 is a device that allows the working machine 1 to travel. The crawler 20 can be attached to the running body main body 13a. The crawler 20 is arranged on both sides (left and right) of the running body main body 13a in the lateral direction Y. Each of the left and right crawlers 20 is provided to extend in the front-rear direction X (see FIG. 1). The crawler 20 can be attached and detached to the running body main body 13a. The reason for this is as follows. When the working machine 1 is transported, the working machine 1 is disassembled so that it fits within the restricted dimensions. At this time, the crawler 20 is removed from the running body main body 13a, and the crawler 20 and the running body main body 13a are transported separately. Therefore, the crawler 20 can be attached and detached to the running body main body 13a. The crawler 20 includes a crawler frame 21, a crawler belt 23, and a suspension link 25.

(Direction definition)
The longitudinal direction of the crawler 20 is the front-rear direction X (see FIG. 1). When the left and right crawlers 20 are attached to the traveling body main body 13a, the direction in which the left and right crawlers 20 face each other is the lateral direction Y. The lateral direction Y is the width direction of the lower traveling body 13 (traveling body lateral direction) and the width direction of the crawler 20 (crawler lateral direction). In the lateral direction Y, the side approaching the center in the lateral direction Y of the traveling body main body 13a is the traveling body lateral direction inner side Yi, and the side moving away from the center in the lateral direction Y of the traveling body main body 13a is the traveling body lateral direction outer side Yo. In the lateral direction Y, the side approaching the center in the lateral direction Y of the crawler 20 is the crawler lateral direction inner side Y1, and the side moving away from the center in the lateral direction Y of the crawler 20 is the crawler lateral direction outer side Y2. The direction in which the rotation axis of the upper rotating body 11 relative to the lower traveling body 13 extends is the up-down direction Z. In the up-down direction Z, the side from the lower traveling body 13 toward the upper rotating body 11 is referred to as an upper side Z1, and the opposite side to the upper side Z1 is referred to as a lower side Z2. The up-down direction Z is, for example, a direction perpendicular to each of the front-rear direction X and the lateral direction Y. One of the left and right crawlers 20 will be described below.

The crawler frame 21 can be attached to the travelling body main body 13a. The crawler frame 21 is a frame (structure) that is long in the front-rear direction X (see FIG. 1). The cross section of the crawler frame 21 as viewed in the front-rear direction X is, for example, rectangular or approximately rectangular. As shown in FIG. 5, the crawler frame 21 includes an upper member 21a, an inner side plate 21b, an outer side plate 21c, an inner lower member 21d, and an outer lower member 21e. The crawler frame 21 also includes a crawler frame inner surface 21i, a crawler frame outer surface 21o, a crawler side link attachment portion 21r, and a crawler side link storage portion 21s.

The upper member 21a is a member provided on the upper side Z1 portion of the crawler frame 21. For example, the upper member 21a is a plate (upper plate) arranged to extend in the horizontal direction Y and the front-rear direction X. The inner side plate 21b is a member provided on the inner side Yi portion of the crawler frame 21 in the horizontal direction of the traveling body. The inner side plate 21b is arranged to extend from the upper member 21a to the lower side Z2 (similar to the outer side plate 21c). The inner side plate 21b is a plate arranged to extend in the up-down direction Z and the front-rear direction X (similar to the outer side plate 21c). The outer side plate 21c is a member provided on the outer side Yo portion of the crawler frame 21 in the horizontal direction of the traveling body. The outer side plate 21c is arranged on the outer side Yo of the traveling body in the horizontal direction of the traveling body than the inner side plate 21b. Note that the inner side plate 21b and the outer side plate 21c may be connected to each other in the horizontal direction Y by a connecting member (not shown) different from the upper member 21a.

The inner lower member 21d is a member (e.g., a lower plate) provided on the lower Z2 portion (e.g., the lower Z2 end portion) of the crawler frame 21. "End portion" means the end and the periphery of the end (same below). The inner lower member 21d is provided on the inner Yi portion of the crawler frame 21 in the lateral direction of the traveling body. The inner lower member 21d is disposed on the lower Z2 side of the inner side plate 21b and is connected to the lower end portion of the inner side plate 21b (the relationship between the outer side plate 21c and the outer lower member 21e may be similar). The width of the inner lower member 21d in the lateral direction Y is wider than the width (thickness) of the inner side plate 21b in the lateral direction Y (the relationship between the outer side plate 21c and the outer lower member 21e may be similar). The inner lower member 21d protrudes in the lateral direction Yi of the traveling body and outward in the lateral direction Yo of the traveling body with respect to the inner side plate 21b (the relationship between the outer side plate 21c and the outer lower member 21e may be similar). The inner side plate 21b may be, for example, a plate extending in the front-rear direction X and the lateral direction Y, or may be block-shaped (the same may be true for the outer lower member 21e).

The outer lower member 21e is a member (e.g., a lower plate) provided on the lower Z2 portion (e.g., the lower Z2 end portion) of the crawler frame 21. The outer lower member 21e is provided on the outer Yo portion of the crawler frame 21 in the lateral direction of the running body. A roller (not shown) that contacts the crawler belt 23 is disposed between the outer lower member 21e and the inner lower member 21d.

The crawler frame inner surface 21i is the surface of the crawler frame 21 on the side where the running body main body 13a (see FIG. 2) is attached (i.e., the running body lateral inner side Yi). The crawler frame inner surface 21i is, for example, the running body lateral inner side Yi surface of the members that make up the running body lateral inner side Yi portion of the crawler frame 21. Specifically, the crawler frame inner surface 21i is the running body lateral inner side Yi surface of the upper member 21a, the inner side plate 21b, and the inner lower member 21d.

The crawler frame outer surface 21o is the surface of the crawler frame 21 opposite in the lateral direction Y (i.e., the outer side Yo of the crawler body) from the surface on which the running body main body 13a (see FIG. 2) is attached. The crawler frame outer surface 21o is, for example, the surface on the outer side Yo of the running body in the lateral direction of the member that constitutes the outer side Yo portion of the running body of the crawler frame 21. Specifically, the crawler frame outer surface 21o is the surface on the outer side Yo of the running body in the lateral direction of the upper member 21a, the outer side plate 21c, and the outer lower member 21e. The suspension link 25 described later may be attached to the crawler frame outer surface 21o or to the crawler frame inner surface 21i. The case where the suspension link 25 is attached to the crawler frame outer surface 21o will be described below.

The crawler side link mounting portion 21r is the portion to which the suspension link 25 is attached (suspension link mounting bracket). The crawler side link mounting portion 21r protrudes from the outer surface 21o of the crawler frame to the outside in the lateral direction Yo of the traveling body. For example, the crawler side link mounting portion 21r protrudes from the upper member 21a and the outer side plate 21c to the outside in the lateral direction Yo of the traveling body. The crawler side link mounting portion 21r is, for example, plate-shaped, for example, extending in the vertical direction Z and the lateral direction Y (the same may be true for the crawler side link storage portion 21s).

The crawler side link storage section 21s is a portion (suspension link storage bracket) to which the intermediate link 40 (described later) is attached when the suspension link 25 is in a stored state (see FIG. 10, described later). The crawler side link storage section 21s protrudes from the outer surface 21o of the crawler frame (for example, the surface of the outer lower member 21e on the outer side Yo in the lateral direction of the running body) to the outer side Yo of the running body.

The crawler belt 23 is arranged around the crawler frame 21 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 2, the crawler belt 23 is arranged below the upper rotating body 11 at Z2, and is spaced apart from the upper rotating body 11 in the vertical direction Z. Even when the upper rotating body 11 rotates relative to the lower running body 13, the crawler belt 23 is arranged below the upper rotating body 11 at Z2, and is spaced apart from the upper rotating body 11 in the vertical direction Z. The crawler belt 23 is attached to the crawler frame 21 via rollers (not shown) or the like, and is driven by a travel motor (not shown) provided on the crawler frame 21. The crawler belt 23 is made up of multiple crawler shoes connected together.

The suspension link 25 is a member (crawler suspension link) for hoisting the crawler 20. The suspension link 25 is used in the assembly and disassembly of the work machine 1. The suspension link 25 is a member that allows the crawler 20 to be easily hoisted when attaching or detaching (mounting or removing) the crawler 20 to or from the running body main body 13a. The suspension link 25 can be attached to the crawler frame 21. The suspension link 25 may be detached from the crawler frame 21, or may not be detached from the crawler frame 21 (it may remain attached).

As shown in FIG. 5, the suspension link 25 is attached to the outer surface 21o of the crawler frame. For example, the suspension link 25 is not attached to the inner surface 21i of the crawler frame, but is attached only to the outer surface 21o of the crawler frame (only one side). Here, when the suspension link 25 is attached to the inner surface 21i of the crawler frame, the suspension link 25 is arranged in a narrow space between the running body main body 13a (see FIG. 2) and the crawler frame 21. Therefore, work on the suspension link 25 may be difficult. On the other hand, when the suspension link 25 is attached to the outer surface 21o of the crawler frame, work on the suspension link 25 can be easily performed. In addition, as a modified example, the suspension link 25 may be attached to the inner surface 21i of the crawler frame. As described later, the suspension link 25 (the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 described later) can be in a suspended state, an intermediate state (see FIG. 9), and a stored state (see FIG. 10). Below, the suspension link 25 in the suspended state will be mainly described, and the stored state and intermediate state will be described later. As shown in FIG. 3, the suspension link 25 includes a front link 30, a rear link 80, and a front-rear link connection portion 90.

As shown in FIG. 5, the front link 30 has a curved shape, for example, a substantially C-shape when viewed from the front-rear direction X. The front link 30 includes an intermediate link 40 and a tip link 50. The front link 30 includes an intermediate link rotation shaft portion 61, an intermediate link rotation limiting portion 62, a tip link rotation shaft portion 63, a tip link positioning portion 64, an intermediate link storage portion 65, a tip link storage portion 66, and a tip link support portion 67.

The intermediate link 40 can be attached to the crawler frame 21 as shown in FIG. 6. The intermediate link 40 is rotatably attached to the surface of the crawler frame 21 on the crawler lateral outer side Y2 (for example, the crawler frame outer side surface 21o). The intermediate link 40 is attached to the crawler frame outer side surface 21o via the crawler side link attachment portion 21r. The intermediate link 40 can rotate around the intermediate link rotation shaft portion 61 (see FIG. 8). The intermediate link 40 protrudes from the crawler side link attachment portion 21r to the crawler lateral outer side Y2. As shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate link 40 is provided so as to extend from the crawler side link attachment portion 21r toward the crawler lateral outer side Y2 portion of the crawler belt 23 beyond the crawler lateral outer side Y2 end portion. The intermediate link 40 is provided so as to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the lateral direction Y so as to be disposed on the upper side Z1 as far as the crawler lateral outer side Y2. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate link 40 includes an intermediate link main body 41, an intermediate link main body protrusion 43, and an intermediate link detouring portion 45. In FIG. 6, elements other than the intermediate link 40 and the tip link storage portion 66 are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

The intermediate link body 41 is the body of the intermediate link 40. The intermediate link body 41 may have, for example, a plate-shaped member, and may have only one plate-shaped member, or may have multiple plate-shaped members (for example, two, etc.) as shown in FIG. 3. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the two plate-shaped members constituting the intermediate link body 41 are arranged to sandwich the crawler side link attachment portion 21r from the front-rear direction X. For example, the crawler side link attachment portion 21r may have two plate-shaped members, and may be arranged to sandwich the intermediate link body 41 of one plate-shaped member (not shown). As shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate link body 41 is approximately L-shaped when viewed from the front-rear direction X. For example, the intermediate link body 41 has an intermediate link inclined portion 41a and an intermediate link upper protrusion portion 41b.

The intermediate link inclined portion 41a is provided so as to extend from the crawler side link attachment portion 21r to the crawler lateral outer side Y2 and to the upper side Z1. The intermediate link inclined portion 41a is provided so as to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the lateral direction Y so that it is positioned on the upper side Z1 as it approaches the crawler lateral outer side Y2.

The intermediate link upper protrusion 41b protrudes upward Z1 from the crawler lateral outer Y2 portion of the intermediate link inclined portion 41a.

The intermediate link main body protrusion 43 is a portion where the tip link storage section 66 is provided. The intermediate link main body protrusion 43 protrudes upward Z1 from the crawler lateral inner side Y1 portion of the intermediate link main body 41 (more specifically, the intermediate link inclined portion 41a). The intermediate link main body protrusion 43 may be configured continuous (integral) with the intermediate link main body 41, or may be separate from the intermediate link main body 41. For example, the intermediate link main body protrusion 43 may be arranged so as to be sandwiched between two intermediate link main bodies 41 (see FIG. 3) that are plate-shaped members.

As shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate link detour section 45 is provided to detour around the crawler belt 23 (see the tip link detour section 55 described later for details). As shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate link detour section 45 is provided on the crawler lateral outer side Y2 portion of the intermediate link main body section 41. For example, when viewed from the front-rear direction X, the intermediate link detour section 45 is composed of the upper side Z1 of the intermediate link inclined section 41a and the crawler lateral inner side Y1 side of the intermediate link upper protrusion section 41b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tip link 50 is rotatably attached to the intermediate link 40. The tip link 50 is rotatable around the tip link rotation shaft 63 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The tip link 50 is provided so as to extend from the crawler lateral outer Y2 portion of the intermediate link 40 (more specifically, the intermediate link upper protrusion 41b) toward a position near the approximate center of the crawler belt 23 in the lateral direction Y and above the crawler belt 23 Z1. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the tip link 50 includes a tip link main body 51, a tip link detouring portion 55, a sling attachment portion 57, and a front/rear link connection portion attachment portion 59. In FIG. 7, elements other than the tip link 50 are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

The tip link main body 51 is the main body of the tip link 50. The tip link main body 51 has, for example, a plate-shaped member, and may have multiple (for example, two) plate-shaped members, or may have only one plate-shaped member. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the crawler lateral outer Y2 portion of the tip link main body 51 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between two plate-shaped members of the intermediate link main body 41. As shown in FIG. 7, the tip link main body 51 is approximately L-shaped when viewed from the front-rear direction X. For example, the tip link main body 51 has a tip link inclined portion 51a and a tip link straight portion 51b.

The tip link inclined portion 51a constitutes the outer lateral Y2 portion of the tip link 50. The tip link inclined portion 51a is provided so as to extend from the intermediate link main body 41 (more specifically, the intermediate link upper protrusion 41b) to the upper side Z1 and to the inner lateral Y1 of the crawler. The tip link inclined portion 51a is provided so as to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the up-down direction Z so that it is positioned further to the upper side Z1 and further to the inner lateral Y1 of the crawler.

The straight end link portion 51b is provided to extend from the upper Z1 portion of the inclined end link portion 51a toward the inner lateral Y1 side of the crawler. The straight end link portion 51b is substantially straight (beam-shaped).

As shown in FIG. 5, the tip link detour section 55 is provided to detour around the crawler belt 23. The tip link detour section 55 is provided on the crawler lateral outer side Y2 (more specifically, the tip link inclined section 51a) of the tip link main body section 51. For example, when viewed from the front-rear direction X, the tip link detour section 55 is composed of the crawler lateral inner side Y1 side of the tip link inclined section 51a and the lower side Z2 side of the tip link straight section 51b. The tip link detour section 55 and the intermediate link detour section 45 are arranged so as not to interfere with the crawler belt 23. As shown in FIG. 8, even when the suspension link 25 rotates around the intermediate link rotation shaft section 61, the tip link detour section 55 and the intermediate link detour section 45 are arranged so as not to interfere with the crawler belt 23. As shown in FIG. 5, the tip link detour section 55 and the intermediate link detour section 45 are disposed below the crawler belt 23, on the outer side Y2 in the crawler lateral direction, and above the crawler belt 23, so as to detour around the outer side Y2 in the crawler lateral direction of the crawler. The tip link detour section 55 and the intermediate link detour section 45 have a curved shape, such as a C-shape when viewed from the front-rear direction X.

The hoisting attachment portion 57 is a portion (suspension position) where the hoisting attachment A can be attached. The hoisting attachment portion 57 is provided on the tip link body portion 51, more specifically, on the tip link straight portion 51b, and is provided on the tip portion of the tip link body portion 51 (the end portion of the lateral inner side Yi of the traveling body). The hoisting attachment portion 57 is disposed on the lateral inner side Yi of the traveling body from the tip link detour portion 55. The hoisting attachment A attached to the hoisting attachment portion 57 is a member for hoisting the crawler frame 21. For example, the hoisting attachment A includes a shackle Aa (see FIG. 3) and a rope Ab (see FIG. 1). The shackle Aa is a metal fitting connected to the hoisting attachment portion 57. The rope Ab (tension member) shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the shackle Aa and a hook (not shown) of a crane for hoisting the crawler 20. The "crane for lifting the crawler 20" may be an auxiliary crane for assembling and disassembling the work machine 1, or it may be the work machine 1 (the work machine 1 may attach and detach the crawler 20 by itself). The configuration of the hoisting device A does not have to be as described above. For example, instead of the rope Ab, a belt-shaped member (tension member) such as a chain, a wire, or a sling (sling belt, belt sling, etc.) may be used.

The front and rear link connection part attachment part 59 (see FIG. 7) is a part to which the front and rear link connection part 90 shown in FIG. 4 is attached. As shown in FIG. 7, the front and rear link connection part attachment part 59 is provided on the tip link main body part 51. The front and rear link connection part attachment part 59 may be provided on the tip link inclined part 51a or on the tip link straight part 51b. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the front and rear link connection part attachment part 59 is provided on the upper Z1 part of the tip link main body part 51. Only one front and rear link connection part attachment part 59 may be provided, or multiple front and rear link connection part attachment parts 59 (three in FIG. 7) may be provided. The front and rear link connection part attachment part 59 may be provided on the intermediate link 40.

5, the intermediate link rotating shaft 61 is a part that becomes the rotating shaft of the intermediate link 40 with respect to the crawler frame 21. For example, the intermediate link rotating shaft 61 has a pin and a pin hole (the same applies to the intermediate link rotation limiting portion 62, the tip link rotating shaft 63, the tip link positioning portion 64, and the intermediate link storage portion 65). The "pin hole" may mean the inner surface of an object that forms a hole into which a pin is inserted (e.g., the crawler side link mounting portion 21r, etc.). The intermediate link rotating shaft 61 may be configured by something other than a pin and a pin hole (the same applies to the intermediate link rotation limiting portion 62, the tip link rotating shaft 63, the tip link positioning portion 64, and the intermediate link storage portion 65). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate link rotating shaft 61 has a crawler side first pin hole 61a, an intermediate link side first pin hole 61b, and a first pin 61p.

The crawler side first pin hole 61a is a pin hole provided in the crawler frame 21. The crawler side first pin hole 61a is provided in the crawler side link mounting portion 21r. For example, the crawler side first pin hole 61a penetrates the crawler side link mounting portion 21r in the fore-and-aft direction X. When the pin hole is a through hole, the penetrating direction is also the fore-and-aft direction X, as are the other pin holes (for example, the intermediate link side first pin hole 61b, etc.).

The first pin hole 61b on the intermediate link side is a pin hole provided in the intermediate link 40. The first pin hole 61b on the intermediate link side is provided, for example, in the intermediate link main body 41, for example, in the crawler lateral inner Y1 portion (for example, an end portion) of the intermediate link inclined portion 41a.

The first pin 61p rotatably connects the crawler frame 21 and the intermediate link 40. The first pin 61p is inserted (attached) into the first pin hole 61a on the crawler side and the first pin hole 61b on the intermediate link side.

As shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate link rotation limiting part 62 limits (fixes) the rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate link rotation limiting part 62 includes a crawler side second pin hole 62a, an intermediate link side second pin hole 62b, and a second pin 62p.

The crawler side second pin hole 62a is a pin hole provided in the crawler frame 21. For example, the crawler side second pin hole 62a is provided in the crawler side link attachment portion 21r. For example, the crawler side second pin hole 62a is arranged so as to be aligned with the crawler side first pin hole 61a in the up-down direction Z. For example, the crawler side second pin hole 62a is arranged on the upper side Z1 than the crawler side first pin hole 61a.

The intermediate link side second pin hole 62b is a pin hole provided in the intermediate link 40. The intermediate link side second pin hole 62b is provided, for example, in the intermediate link main body portion 41, for example, in the crawler lateral inner Y1 portion (for example, the end portion) of the intermediate link inclined portion 41a. For example, the intermediate link side second pin hole 62b is arranged so as to be aligned in the vertical direction Z with the intermediate link side first pin hole 61b. For example, the intermediate link side second pin hole 62b is arranged on the upper side Z1 than the intermediate link side first pin hole 61b.

The second pin 62p is attached to and detached from the crawler side second pin hole 62a and the crawler side second pin hole 62a. The second pin 62p is attached to the crawler side second pin hole 62a and the crawler side second pin hole 62a to limit the rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21. The second pin 62p is removed from the crawler side second pin hole 62a and the crawler side second pin hole 62a, and as shown in FIG. 8, the restriction on rotation by the second pin 62p (see FIG. 5) of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21 is released.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tip link rotation shaft 63 is a portion that serves as the rotation shaft of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the tip link rotation shaft 63 includes a third pin hole 63b on the intermediate link side, a third pin hole 63c on the tip link side, and a third pin 63p.

The intermediate link side third pin hole 63b is a pin hole provided in the intermediate link 40. The intermediate link side third pin hole 63b is provided in the intermediate link main body 41. More specifically, the intermediate link side third pin hole 63b is provided in a portion (e.g., an end portion) of the intermediate link main body 41 opposite to the intermediate link side first pin hole 61b and the intermediate link side second pin hole 62b. The intermediate link side third pin hole 63b is provided, for example, in the crawler lateral outer Y2 portion (e.g., an end portion) of the intermediate link main body 41, for example, in the intermediate link upper protrusion 41b.

As shown in FIG. 7, the third pin hole 63c on the tip link side is a pin hole provided in the tip link main body 51. The third pin hole 63c on the tip link side is provided, for example, in the tip link inclined portion 51a, for example, in the lower Z2 portion (for example, the end portion) of the tip link inclined portion 51a.

The third pin 63p rotatably connects the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50. The third pin 63p is inserted into the third pin hole 63b on the intermediate link side and the third pin hole 63c on the tip link side.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tip link positioning portion 64 limits (fixes, positions) the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the tip link positioning portion 64 includes a fourth pin hole 64b on the intermediate link side, a fourth pin hole 64c on the tip link side (see FIG. 7), and a fourth pin 64p.

The fourth pin hole 64b on the intermediate link side is a pin hole provided in the intermediate link 40. The fourth pin hole 64b on the intermediate link side is provided, for example, in the intermediate link main body 41, for example, in the crawler lateral outer Y2 portion (for example, an end portion) of the intermediate link main body 41, for example, in the upper Z1 portion (for example, an end portion) of the intermediate link main body 41. The fourth pin hole 64b on the intermediate link side is disposed, for example, so as to be substantially aligned with the third pin hole 63b on the intermediate link side in the lateral direction Y, for example, disposed further outward in the crawler lateral direction Y2 than the third pin hole 63b on the intermediate link side.

The fourth tip link pin hole 64c is a pin hole provided in the tip link 50 as shown in FIG. 7. The fourth tip link pin hole 64c is provided, for example, in the tip link main body 51, for example, in the crawler lateral outer Y2 portion (for example, end) of the tip link main body 51. The fourth tip link pin hole 64c is provided, for example, in the tip link inclined portion 51a, for example, in the lower Z2 portion (for example, end) of the tip link inclined portion 51a. The fourth tip link pin hole 64c is arranged, for example, substantially aligned with the third tip link pin hole 63c in the lateral direction Y, and is arranged, for example, on the crawler lateral outer Y2 side of the third tip link pin hole 63c.

The fourth pin 64p is attached to and detached from the fourth pin hole 64b on the intermediate link side (see FIG. 6) and the fourth pin hole 64c on the tip link side. The fourth pin 64p is attached to the fourth pin hole 64b on the intermediate link side (see FIG. 6) and the fourth pin hole 64c on the tip link side to limit the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40. The fourth pin 64p is removed from the fourth pin hole 64b on the intermediate link side (see FIG. 6) and the fourth pin hole 64c on the tip link side to release the restriction on the rotation of the tip link 50 by the fourth pin 64p relative to the intermediate link 40, as shown in FIG. 10.

When the suspension link 25 is in the stored state, the intermediate link storage section 65 restricts (fixes) the rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate link storage section 65 includes a crawler side fifth pin hole 65a, an intermediate link side fifth pin hole 65b, and a fifth pin 65p (see FIG. 10).

The crawler side fifth pin hole 65a is a pin hole provided in the crawler frame 21. The crawler side fifth pin hole 65a is provided in the crawler side link storage section 21s.

The fifth pin hole 65b on the intermediate link side is a pin hole provided in the intermediate link 40. The fifth pin hole 65b on the intermediate link side is provided, for example, in the intermediate link main body 41, for example, in the intermediate link inclined portion 41a, for example, in the crawler lateral outer Y2 portion of the intermediate link inclined portion 41a. The fifth pin hole 65b on the intermediate link side is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the lower Z2 side of the intermediate link inclined portion 41a when viewed from the front-rear direction X. For example, the fifth pin hole 65b on the intermediate link side is arranged so as to be substantially aligned in the vertical direction Z with the third pin hole 63b on the intermediate link side. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the fifth pin hole 65b on the intermediate link side is arranged on the lower Z2 side than the fourth pin hole 64b on the intermediate link side and the third pin hole 63b on the intermediate link side.

The fifth pin 65p (see FIG. 10) is attached to and detached from the fifth pin hole 65a on the crawler side and the fifth pin hole 65b on the intermediate link side shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 10, the fifth pin 65p is attached to the fifth pin hole 65a on the crawler side (see FIG. 5) and the fifth pin hole 65b on the intermediate link side (see FIG. 5) when the suspension link 25 is in the stored state and attached to the crawler frame 21. This causes the fifth pin 65p to restrict the rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21. By removing the fifth pin 65p from the fifth pin hole 65a on the crawler side (see FIG. 5) and the fifth pin hole 65b on the intermediate link side (see FIG. 5), the restriction on the rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21 by the fifth pin 65p is released (see FIG. 5).

The tip link storage section 66 limits (fixes) the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40 when the suspension link 25 is in the stored state. For example, the tip link storage section 66 may have a pin and a pin hole, may have a member that connects the members together (specifically, the tip link storage connection section 66d), or may have a pin, a pin hole, and a member that connects the members together. Specifically, for example, the tip link storage section 66 includes an intermediate link side sixth pin hole 66b (see FIG. 6), a tip link side sixth pin hole 66c (see FIG. 7), a tip link storage connection section 66d, an intermediate link side sixth pin 66p1, and a tip link side sixth pin 66p2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sixth pin hole 66b on the intermediate link side is a pin hole provided in the intermediate link 40. The sixth pin hole 66b on the intermediate link side is provided in the intermediate link main body protrusion 43. The sixth pin hole 66b on the intermediate link side may be provided in the intermediate link main body 41.

The sixth pin hole 66c on the tip link side is a pin hole provided in the tip link 50, as shown in FIG. 7. The sixth pin hole 66c on the tip link side is provided, for example, in the tip link main body 51, for example, in the tip link straight portion 51b. The sixth pin hole 66c on the tip link side is provided, for example, in the center of the lengthwise direction (horizontal direction Y) of the tip link straight portion 51b, and is disposed, for example, near the lower side Z2 of the tip link straight portion 51b when viewed from the front-rear direction X.

As shown in FIG. 10, the tip link storage connector 66d is connected to the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 when the suspension link 25 is in the stored state. The tip link storage connector 66d may have, for example, a plate-shaped member, may have multiple (e.g., two) plate-shaped members, or may have only one plate-shaped member. When the suspension link 25 is in a state other than the stored state, as shown in FIG. 6, the tip link storage connector 66d may be attached to (stored in) the intermediate link 40 or may be attached to (stored in) the tip link 50.

As shown in FIG. 10, the sixth pin 66p1 on the intermediate link side connects the intermediate link 40 and the tip link storage connection part 66d. The sixth pin 66p1 on the intermediate link side rotatably connects the tip link storage connection part 66d to the intermediate link 40. When the suspension link 25 is in the stored state, the sixth pin 66p1 on the intermediate link side is attached to the sixth pin hole 66b on the intermediate link side (see FIG. 6) and to a pin hole provided in the tip link storage connection part 66d.

The sixth pin 66p2 on the tip link side connects the tip link 50 and the tip link storage connection part 66d. The sixth pin 66p1 on the intermediate link side may rotatably connect the tip link storage connection part 66d to the tip link 50. When the suspension link 25 is in the stored state, the sixth pin 66p2 on the tip link side is attached to the sixth pin hole 66c on the tip link side (see FIG. 7) and a pin hole provided in the tip link storage connection part 66d.

The tip link support 67, as shown in FIG. 5, limits the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40. The tip link support 67 limits the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40 in the direction in which the tip link straight portion 51b moves away from the intermediate link inclined portion 41a. The tip link support 67 does not limit the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40 in the direction in which the tip link straight portion 51b moves closer to the intermediate link inclined portion 41a (see FIG. 10). The tip link support 67 includes an intermediate link side support portion 67b (see FIG. 6) and a tip link side support portion 67c (see FIG. 7).

The intermediate link side support portion 67b is provided on the intermediate link 40 as shown in FIG. 6. The intermediate link side support portion 67b is provided on the intermediate link main body portion 41 and fixed to the intermediate link main body portion 41. The intermediate link side support portion 67b protrudes, for example, from the crawler lateral direction outer side Y2 portion (for example, the end portion) of the intermediate link main body portion 41 toward the crawler lateral direction outer side Y2. The intermediate link side support portion 67b may have a block-shaped portion or a plate-shaped portion. The intermediate link side support portion 67b may have, for example, a plate-shaped portion extending in the up-down direction Z and the front-rear direction X. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the intermediate link main body portion 41 has two plate-shaped portions, the intermediate link side support portion 67b may be fixed to one of the two plate-shaped portions of the intermediate link main body portion 41, or may be arranged so as to span the two plate-shaped portions of the intermediate link main body portion 41.

The tip link side support portion 67c is provided on the tip link 50 as shown in FIG. 7. The tip link side support portion 67c is configured to be able to contact the intermediate link side support portion 67b (see FIG. 6). The tip link side support portion 67c contacts the intermediate link side support portion 67b to limit the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40. The tip link side support portion 67c and the intermediate link side support portion 67b (see FIG. 6) are provided, for example, on the crawler lateral outer Y2 portion (e.g., end portion) of the front link 30. The tip link side support portion 67c is provided, for example, on the tip link main body portion 51, for example, on the crawler lateral outer Y2 portion (e.g., end portion) of the tip link main body portion 51. The tip link side support portion 67c is, for example, notched, and is configured to be recessed from the crawler lateral outer Y2 end portion of the tip link main body portion 51 to the crawler lateral inner Y1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rear link 80 is configured similarly or substantially similarly to the front link 30. For example, the rear link 80 is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical to the front link 30 in the front-rear direction X. The rear link 80 is disposed at a distance from the front link 30 in the front-rear direction X (the longitudinal direction of the crawler frame 21). Like the front link 30, the rear link 80 includes an intermediate link 40 and a tip link 50. Like the front link 30 shown in FIG. 5, the rear link 80 includes an intermediate link rotation shaft 61, an intermediate link rotation limiting section 62, a tip link rotation shaft 63, a tip link positioning section 64, an intermediate link storage section 65, a tip link storage section 66, and a tip link support section 67. Note that FIG. 5 is a view of the front link 30 and the like from the X1 forward of the front link 30, but FIG. 5 may be reversed and the rear link 80 and the like may be viewed from the X2 rear of the rear link 80 (see FIG. 3) (similar to FIGS. 6 to 10).

The front-rear link connection part 90 is connected to the front link 30 and the rear link 80, and fixes the front link 30 and the rear link 80 to each other. The front-rear link connection part 90 is connected to a part of the front link 30 that is closer to the tip side (upper side Z1, for example, the side of the sling attachment part 57) than the attachment part (base end) to the crawler frame 21 (the same applies to the connection to the rear link 80). Note that the crawler frame 21 is not included in the front-rear link connection part 90. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the front-rear link connection part 90 is connected to the tip link 50 of the front link 30 and the tip link 50 of the rear link 80. The front-rear link connection part 90 may be connected to the intermediate link 40 of the front link 30 and the intermediate link 40 of the rear link 80. The front-rear link connection part 90 is directly connected to the front link 30 (the same applies to the connection to the rear link 80), specifically, to the front-rear link connection part attachment part 59 (see FIG. 7). For example, the front and rear link connection portion 90 may be connected to the front link 30 by welding, or may be connected to the front link 30 by fastening members (e.g., bolts and nuts, etc.).

The front-rear link connection part 90 receives the force acting in the front-rear direction X acting on the front link 30 and the rear link 80. More specifically, for example, a case is assumed in which a hoisting tool A attached to the front link 30 and a hoisting tool A attached to the rear link 80 shown in FIG. 3 are attached to one hook (not shown) of a crane for hoisting the crawler 20 (see FIG. 1). In such a case, a force acting to bend the front link 30 and the rear link 80 in the front-rear direction X acts on the front link 30 and the rear link 80. Specifically, a force acting on the front link 30 and the rear link 80 in a direction that causes the front link 30 and the rear link 80 (for example, the tip links 50) to approach each other in the front-rear direction X acts on the front link 30 and the rear link 80. The front-rear link connection part 90 integrates the front link 30 and the rear link 80. Therefore, the strength of the suspension link 25 against the force in the front-rear direction X can be improved (which is advantageous in design).

As shown in FIG. 4, the front and rear link connection parts 90 are provided so as to extend in the front and rear direction X, for example. The front and rear link connection parts 90 may be, for example, rod-shaped (approximately linear), approximately rod-shaped, plate-shaped, or approximately plate-shaped. For example, a plurality of front and rear link connection parts 90 (three in the example shown in FIG. 4) may be provided, or only one may be provided. For example, when a plurality of front and rear link connection parts 90 are provided, the plurality of front and rear link connection parts 90 are preferably arranged as follows. As shown in FIG. 11, when the suspension link 25 is in the stored state and attached to the crawler frame 21, the plurality of front and rear link connection parts 90 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction Z. In this case, the plurality of front and rear link connection parts 90 can be used as a ladder when the worker ascends and descends the crawler 20, or as a scaffold when the worker performs work. When multiple front and rear link connection parts 90 are used as a ladder, the width of the spacing between the multiple front and rear link connection parts 90 in the vertical direction Z is preferably a width suitable for a ladder, specifically, for example, 250 mm to 300 mm.

(Suspended state)
5, when the suspension link 25 suspends the crawler frame 21, the suspension link 25 (more specifically, the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50) is in a suspended state. The suspension link 25 in the suspended state is in the following state.

When in a suspended state, the suspension link 25 is positioned to bypass the crawler belt 23. More specifically, the intermediate link bypass section 45 and the tip link bypass section 55 are positioned with a gap between them in the vertical direction Z and the lateral direction Y and the outer lateral direction Y2 part of the crawler belt 23.

When in a suspended state, the sling attachment part 57 is positioned above the crawler belt 23 on the Z1 side. The sling attachment part 57 is positioned near the center of the crawler belt 23 in the lateral direction Y. The sling attachment part 57 is positioned directly or almost directly above the center of gravity of the crawler 20. The center of gravity of the crawler 20 is located inside the width of the crawler belt 23 in the lateral direction Y (on the inner side Y1 of the crawler than both ends of the outer lateral direction Y2 of the crawler).

When in the suspended state, the intermediate link rotation limiting section 62 limits the rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21. Specifically, the second pin 62p is attached (inserted) into the crawler side second pin hole 62a (see FIG. 6) and the intermediate link side second pin hole 62b (see FIG. 6).

When in a suspended state, the tip link positioning portion 64 and the tip link support portion 67 limit the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40. Specifically, the fourth pin 64p is attached to the fourth pin hole 64b on the intermediate link side (see FIG. 6) and the fourth pin hole 64c on the tip link side (see FIG. 7). The intermediate link side support portion 67b (see FIG. 6) contacts the tip link side support portion 67c (see FIG. 7).

(Change from suspended state to intermediate state)
The suspension link 25 (more specifically, the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50) is changed from the suspended state to the intermediate state as follows: The restriction on the rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21 by the intermediate link rotation restricting part 62 is released. Specifically, the second pin 62p is removed from the crawler side second pin hole 62a (see FIG. 6) and the intermediate link side second pin hole 62b (see FIG. 6).

8, the suspension link 25 is rotated around the intermediate link rotation shaft 61 (more specifically, the first pin 61p). At this time, for example, an assembly machine (combination machine) other than the work machine 1 (see FIG. 1) may rotate the suspension link 25 while suspending it via the hoist A (see FIG. 1) (the same applies to the change from the intermediate state to the stored state described later). Also, for example, the work machine 1 in the middle of assembly or disassembly may rotate the suspension link 25 while suspending it (the same applies to the change from the intermediate state to the stored state described later). Also, for example, the worker may manually rotate the suspension link 25 (the same applies to the change from the intermediate state to the stored state described later). At this time, the suspension link 25 is rotated in a direction in which the hoist attachment portion 57 moves to the outer side Y2 of the crawler in the lateral direction. At this time, the shape of the suspension link 25 (more specifically, the intermediate link detour portion 45 and the tip link detour portion 55) is set so that the suspension link 25 does not interfere with (does not come into contact with) the crawler belt 23. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21 is restricted, for example, by the intermediate link 40 coming into contact with the crawler frame 21 (e.g., the outer lower member 21e). As a result, the suspension link 25 is in the intermediate state. The trajectory T of the center position of the hoisting attachment part 57 when the suspension link 25 changes from the suspended state to the intermediate state is shown by the dashed line in FIG. 8.

(Intermediate state)
9, when the suspension link 25 (more specifically, the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50) is in the intermediate state, the sling attachment portion 57 is positioned further outward in the crawler direction Y2 than the end of the crawler belt 23 on the outer side in the crawler direction Y2. When the suspension link 25 is in the intermediate state, the position of the sling attachment portion 57 in the up-down direction Z is, for example, the same as or approximately the same as the position of the intermediate link rotation shaft portion 61 in the up-down direction Z. When the suspension link 25 is in the intermediate state, the tip link main body portion 51 (more specifically, the tip link straight portion 51b) is positioned to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the up-down direction Z so that it is positioned further upward Z1 and further outward in the crawler direction Y2.

(Change from intermediate state to storage state)
The suspension link 25 (more specifically, the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50) is changed from the intermediate state to the stored state as follows. The restriction on the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40 by the tip link positioning part 64 is released. Specifically, the fourth pin 64p is removed from the intermediate link side fourth pin hole 64b (see FIG. 6) and the tip link side fourth pin hole 64c (see FIG. 7). Next, the tip link 50 is rotated relative to the intermediate link 40. At this time, the tip link 50 is rotated in a direction in which the tip link straight part 51b approaches the intermediate link inclined part 41a. At this time, the tip link 50 is rotated in a direction in which the sling attachment part 57 moves to the inside Y1 in the crawler lateral direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the tip link 50 is rotated until the tip link straight part 51b is arranged so as to extend, for example, in the vertical direction Z or approximately in the vertical direction Z. As a result, the suspension link 25 is in the stored state. The locus T of the center position of the sling attachment portion 57 when the sling link 25 changes from the intermediate state to the stored state is shown by a dashed line in FIG.

(Stored state)
As shown in Fig. 10, when the suspension link 25 is stored, the suspension link 25 (more specifically, the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50) is in a stored state. The suspension link 25 can be in a stored state except when the crawler frame 21 is being lifted. When the suspension link 25 is in a stored state, the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are in a folded state. The suspension link 25 in the stored state may be in a state attached to the crawler frame 21, i.e., in a state stored in the crawler frame 21. The suspension link 25 in the stored state may be in a state detached from the crawler frame 21. Here, a case will be described where the suspension link 25 in the stored state is in a state attached to the crawler frame 21. The suspension link 25 in the stored state is in the following state.

When in the stored state, the upper Z1 end of the tip link 50 is positioned lower Z2 than the upper Z1 end (top surface) of the crawler belt 23 (see Figures 9 and 10). At this time, the tip link 50 does not protrude to the upper Z1 from the top surface of the crawler belt 23. In this case, even if the upper rotating body 11 rotates relative to the lower running body 13 shown in Figure 2, the suspension link 25 does not interfere with the upper rotating body 11.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the tip link main body 51 (more specifically, the tip link straight portion 51b) is arranged to extend in the vertical direction Z or approximately in the vertical direction Z. In this case, compared to when it is arranged, for example, toward the upper side Z1 and toward the lateral outer side Y2 of the crawler (see FIG. 9), interference between the suspension link 25 and an object (obstacle) located laterally outside Y2 of the crawler (for example, toward the lateral outer side Yo of the traveling body) of the crawler 20 is suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the stored state, the end of the suspension link 25 on the outer side Y2 of the crawler may be positioned on the inner side Y1 of the crawler than the end of the outer side Y2 of the crawler of the crawler belt 23 (see the crawler belt 23 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10). In this case, when the crawler 20 travels, interference between the suspension link 25 and an object (obstacle) located on the outer side Y2 of the crawler than the crawler 20 is suppressed. For example, in the stored state, the end of the suspension link 25 on the outer side Yo of the running body may be positioned on the inner side Yi of the running body than the end of the outer side Yo of the running body of the crawler belt 23. In this case, interference between the suspension link 25 and an object (obstacle) located on the outer side Yo of the running body than the crawler 20 is suppressed when the crawler 20 travels, etc.

When in the stored state, the intermediate link storage section 65 may limit the rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21. Specifically, for example, the fifth pin 65p may be attached to the fifth pin hole 65a on the crawler side (see FIG. 5) and the fifth pin hole 65b on the intermediate link side (see FIG. 5). In this case, the intermediate link 40 is held relative to the crawler frame 21.

When in the stored state, the tip link storage section 66 may limit the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40. Specifically, the tip link storage connection section 66d may connect the tip link 50 and the intermediate link 40 by the intermediate link side sixth pin 66p1 and the tip link side sixth pin 66p2. In this case, the tip link 50 is held relative to the intermediate link 40.

(Hanging device attached/detached)
When the sling A (see FIG. 2) is attached to or detached from the sling attachment portion 57, the suspension link 25 (more specifically, the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50) is placed in a sling attachment-detached state. The sling attachment-detached state may be a stored state or an intermediate state (see FIG. 9). In the sling attachment-detached state, the sling attachment portion 57 is disposed on the crawler lateral outer side Y2 than the end of the crawler lateral outer side Y2 of the crawler belt 23 (see FIGS. 10 and 9). This arrangement prevents the sling A (see FIG. 2) from interfering with the crawler belt 23 when the sling A is attached to or detached from the sling attachment portion 57.

(Other conditions and changes in conditions)
The change from the stored state to the suspended state (see FIG. 5) is performed in the reverse order to the change from the suspended state to the stored state. The state of the suspension link 25 when the sling A is attached to or detached from the sling attachment portion 57 shown in FIG. 5 (more specifically, at least one of attachment and detachment) is preferably the sling attachment-detached state (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 9), but does not have to be the sling attachment-detached state. For example, when the rotation of the suspension link 25 is performed by a means other than the sling A (e.g., manually by an operator), the sling A may be attached to or detached from the sling attachment portion 57 when the suspension link 25 is in the suspended state. The above-mentioned procedure for changing the state of the suspension link 25 is one example, and the procedure can be changed in various ways.

(Consider)
A case will be considered where the suspension link 25 cannot be stored in the crawler frame 21 shown in Fig. 2. As described above, the center of gravity of the crawler 20 is located inside the width in the lateral direction Y of the crawler belt 23. Therefore, in order to hoist the crawler 20 while suppressing tilt of the crawler 20, it is necessary to set the suspension position (the position of the hoisting tool attachment part 57) inside the width in the lateral direction Y of the crawler belt 23 and above the crawler belt 23, Z1. Therefore, when the upper rotating body 11 rotates relative to the lower traveling body 13, there is a possibility that the suspension link 25 and the upper rotating body 11 will interfere with each other.

If the suspension link 25 cannot be stored in the crawler frame 21, it is necessary to remove the suspension link 25 from the crawler frame 21 to avoid interference between the suspension link 25 and the upper rotating body 11. When the suspension link 25 is removed from the crawler frame 21, a large space is required to store the suspension link 25 unless the suspension link 25 is configured to be foldable.

If the suspension link 25 cannot be stored in the crawler frame 21, it will be necessary to attach and detach the suspension link 25 to and from the crawler frame 21 before and after attaching and detaching the crawler 20 to and from the running body main body 13a (before and after assembly and disassembly). This will make the work of attaching and detaching the crawler 20 to and from the running body main body 13a more time-consuming, and the time required for this work will be longer. As a result, the number of work steps in the assembly and disassembly of the work machine 1 will increase, and the assembly and disassembly costs will increase. As two crawlers 20 are provided on the work machine 1 (on the left and right), the work of attaching and detaching the suspension link 25 to and from the crawler frame 21 will be required for each of the two crawlers 20, 20.

In addition, if the upper rotating body 11 rotates without removing the suspension link 25 from the crawler frame 21 (if the suspension link 25 is forgotten to be removed), interference will occur between the suspension link 25 and the upper rotating body 11.

In addition, when the suspension link 25 needs to be attached to or detached from the crawler frame 21, the crawler frame 21 and crawler belt 23 may be transported separately from the suspension link 25. In this case, the transportation work increases, and the transportation cost (transportation fee) increases. In this case, it is also possible that the crawler frame 21 and crawler belt 23 have been delivered to the assembly site of the work machine 1, but the suspension link 25 has not been delivered (has not yet arrived). In this case, the work of attaching the crawler 20 to the traveling body main body 13a cannot start until the suspension link 25 has been delivered.

In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the suspension link 25 can be stored in the crawler frame 21 while still attached to the crawler frame 21. This makes it possible to suppress the above-mentioned problems that arise when the suspension link 25 cannot be stored in the crawler frame 21 and needs to be removed from the crawler frame 21. In addition, the suspension link 25 in this embodiment can be removed from the crawler frame 21 and placed in a state in which the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are folded (stored state). This makes it possible to make the suspension link 25 more compact than when the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are not folded. This makes it possible to easily transport the suspension link 25. In addition, it is possible to easily secure space for storing (keeping) the suspension link 25.

(Effects of the First Invention)
[Configuration 1-1] The effects of the suspension link 25 shown in Fig. 2 are as follows. The suspension link 25 can be attached to the crawler 20. The crawler 20 comprises a crawler frame 21 and a crawler belt 23. The crawler frame 21 can be attached to the traveling body 13a. The crawler belt 23 is disposed around the crawler frame 21. As shown in Fig. 5, the suspension link 25 comprises an intermediate link 40 and a tip link 50.

[Configuration 1-2] The intermediate link 40 can be rotatably attached to the surface of the crawler frame 21 on the outer side Y2 in the crawler lateral direction. The tip link 50 is rotatably attached to the intermediate link 40, and a lifting device A for lifting the crawler frame 21 can be attached to it. The intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are configured to be capable of being in a lifting state when lifting the crawler frame 21, and a stored state (see FIG. 10). The stored state (see FIG. 10) is a state that can be entered other than when lifting the crawler frame 21, and is a state in which the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are folded.

In the above [Configuration 1-2], the tip link 50 shown in FIG. 5 is rotatably attached to the intermediate link 40. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 can be folded into a stored state. Therefore, the suspension link 25 can be made more compact when not in use than when the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are not foldable.

(Effects of the second invention)
As shown in Fig. 4, the suspension link 25 includes a front link 30, a rear link 80, and a front-rear link connection portion 90. The front link 30 has an intermediate link 40 and a tip link 50. When the intermediate link 40 is attached to the crawler frame 21, the rear link 80 is disposed at a distance from the front link 30 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction X) of the crawler frame 21. The rear link 80 has an intermediate link 40 and a tip link 50 that are separate from the intermediate link 40 and tip link 50 of the front link 30.

[Configuration 2] The front and rear link connection part 90 is connected to the front link 30 and the rear link 80, and fixes the front link 30 and the rear link 80 to each other.

The front link 30 and the rear link 80 can be integrated by the front-rear link connection part 90 of the above [Configuration 2]. Therefore, deformation of the front link 30 and the rear link 80 due to the force acting on the front link 30 and the rear link 80 in the front-rear direction X can be suppressed. As a result, the strength of the suspension link 25 can be improved.

(Effects of the third invention)
11 , a plurality of front and rear link connection parts 90 are provided. When the intermediate link 40 is attached to the crawler frame 21 and the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are in a retracted state, the plurality of front and rear link connection parts 90 are disposed at intervals in the up-down direction Z.

The above [Configuration 3] allows the worker to use the multiple front and rear link connection parts 90 as a ladder, scaffolding, etc.

(Effects of the fourth aspect of the invention)
[Configuration 4] The effects of the crawler 20 shown in Fig. 5 are as follows. The crawler 20 comprises a suspension link 25, a crawler frame 21, and a crawler belt 23 (see the above [Configuration 1-1] and [Configuration 1-2], respectively). The suspension link 25 is attached to the crawler frame 21. The tip link 50 comprises a hoisting tool attachment portion 57 to which a hoisting tool A can be attached.

The above [Configuration 4] makes it possible to provide a crawler 20 that achieves the effects of the above [Configuration 1-2].

(Effects of the Fifth Invention)
[Configuration 5-1] When the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are in a suspended state, the suspension link 25 is disposed so as to bypass the crawler belt 23, and the suspension tool attachment portion 57 is disposed on the upper side Z1 of the crawler belt 23. In this suspended state, rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21 is restricted, and rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40 is restricted.

[Configuration 5-2] As shown in FIG. 10, when the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are in the retracted state, the upper Z1 end of the tip link 50 is positioned lower Z2 than the upper Z1 end of the crawler belt 23.

As in the above [Configuration 1], the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are variable between a suspended state (see FIG. 5) and a stored state (see FIG. 10). In the above [Configuration 5-1], as shown in FIG. 5, when the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are in the suspended state, the rotation of the intermediate link 40 relative to the crawler frame 21 is restricted, and the rotation of the tip link 50 relative to the intermediate link 40 is restricted. Therefore, even if the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 have a structure that allows them to be variable between a suspended state and a stored state, when the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are in the suspended state (when the suspension link 25 is in use), the rotation of the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 is reliably restricted. Therefore, the hoist A attached to the suspension link 25 can reliably hoist the crawler 20.

In the above [Configuration 4], the suspension link 25 is attached to the crawler frame 21. In the above [Configuration 5-2], as shown in FIG. 10, when the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are in the stored state, the upper Z1 end of the tip link 50 is located on the lower Z2 side than the upper Z1 end of the crawler belt 23. Here, the structure (specifically, the upper rotating body 11) mounted on the traveling body main body 13a (see FIG. 2) may be located on the upper Z1 side than the crawler belt 23 (specifically, it may pass through the area directly above the crawler belt 23). Therefore, the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 in the stored state do not interfere with the upper rotating body 11 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, there is no need to remove the suspension link 25 from the crawler frame 21 to prevent interference between the upper rotating body 11 and the suspension link 25. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need to attach and detach the suspension link 25 to and from the crawler frame 21.

If the suspension link 25 is not attached or detached to the crawler frame 21, the efficiency of the work of attaching and detaching the crawler 20 to the running body 13a shown in Figure 2 can be improved, and the time required for this work can be shortened.

In addition, if the suspension link 25 is not detached from the crawler frame 21, the following effects may be obtained. For example, the effort and cost of storing the suspension link 25 detached from the crawler frame 21 can be reduced, and the need to secure a storage space for the suspension link 25 can be eliminated. In addition, for example, the crawler frame 21 and the suspension link 25 can be transported together. When the crawler frame 21 and the suspension link 25 are transported together, the effort and cost of transportation can be reduced compared to when they are transported separately. In addition, when the crawler 20 is attached to the traveling body main body 13a, if the crawler frame 21 and the crawler belt 23 are transported to the work site, the suspension link 25 is also transported to the work site. Therefore, once the traveling body main body 13a and the crawler 20 are transported to the work site, the work of attaching the crawler 20 to the traveling body main body 13a can be started immediately.

(Effects of the Sixth Invention)
[Configuration 6] The tip link 50 has a sling attachment portion 57 to which a sling A can be attached. As shown in Fig. 10, the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are configured to be able to enter a sling attachment-detachable state for attaching and detaching the sling A to and from the sling attachment portion 57. When the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are in the sling attachment-detachable state, the sling attachment portion 57 is positioned further outboard in the crawler lateral direction Y2 than the end of the crawler belt 23 on the outer side Y2 in the crawler lateral direction.

By using the above [Configuration 6], even when the suspension link 25 is attached to the crawler frame 21 (the above [Configuration 4]), it is possible to prevent the suspension tool A from interfering with the crawler belt 23 when attaching or detaching the suspension tool A to or from the suspension tool attachment portion 57. This makes it easy to attach or detach the suspension tool A to or from the suspension tool attachment portion 57.

(Effects of the Seventh Invention)
[Configuration 7] When the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 are in the retracted state, the ends of the intermediate link 40 and the tip link 50 on the outer side Yo in the lateral direction of the traveling body are disposed on the inner side Yi in the lateral direction of the traveling body relative to the ends of the outer side Yo in the lateral direction of the traveling body of the crawler belt 23. (See the crawler belt 23 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10.)

The above [Configuration 7] makes it possible to suppress interference between the suspension link 25 and an obstacle on the outer side Yo of the running body in the lateral direction of the crawler 20, even when the suspension link 25 is attached to the crawler frame 21 (the above [Configuration 4]).

(Modification)
The above embodiment may be modified in various ways. For example, the arrangement or shape of each component of the above embodiment may be changed. For example, the number of components may be changed, or some of the components may not be provided. For example, the components may be fixed or connected directly or indirectly unless otherwise specified. For example, what has been described as multiple different members or parts may be treated as one member or part. For example, what has been described as one member or part may be provided as multiple different members or parts.

Reference Signs List 13a Traveling body main body 20 Crawler 21 Crawler frame 23 Crawler belt 25 Suspension link 30 Front link 40 Intermediate link 50 End link 57 Suspension tool attachment portion 80 Rear link 90 Front and rear link connection portion A Suspension tool Y1 Lateral inner side of crawler Y2 Lateral outer side of crawler Yi Lateral inner side of traveling body Yo Lateral outer side of traveling body

Claims (7)

A suspension link that can be attached to a crawler, the suspension link comprising a crawler frame that can be attached to a traveling body and a crawler belt arranged around the crawler frame,
An intermediate link rotatably attached to a surface of the crawler frame outside in a lateral direction of the crawler;
a tip link rotatably attached to the intermediate link and capable of attaching a lifting tool for lifting the crawler frame;
Equipped with
The intermediate link and the tip link are
a lifting state when the crawler frame is lifted;
a stored state in which the intermediate link and the tip link are folded, the stored state being a state that may be reached other than when the crawler frame is hoisted;
It is possible to be configured
Hanging link. The suspension link according to claim 1,
a front link having the intermediate link and the tip link;
a rear link that is disposed at a distance from the front link in a longitudinal direction of the crawler frame when the intermediate link is attached to the crawler frame, the rear link having the intermediate link and the tip link separate from the intermediate link and the tip link of the front link;
a front-rear link connection portion connected to the front link and the rear link and fixing the front link and the rear link to each other;
Equipped with
Hanging link. The suspension link according to claim 2,
The front and rear link connection portions are provided in plurality,
when the intermediate link is attached to the crawler frame and the intermediate link and the tip link are in a stored state, the front and rear link connection portions are disposed at intervals in the up-down direction.
Hanging link. A suspension link according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The crawler frame to which the suspension link is attached; and
The crawler belt;
Equipped with
Crawler. The crawler according to claim 4,
The tip link includes a hoist attachment portion to which the hoist can be attached,
When the intermediate link and the tip link are in the suspended state, the suspension link is disposed so as to bypass the crawler belt, the suspension tool attachment portion is disposed above the crawler belt, rotation of the intermediate link relative to the crawler frame is restricted, and rotation of the tip link relative to the intermediate link is restricted,
When the intermediate link and the tip link are in the stored state, an upper end portion of the tip link is disposed below an upper end portion of the crawler belt.
Crawler. The crawler according to claim 4 or 5,
The tip link includes a hoist attachment portion to which the hoist can be attached,
The intermediate link and the tip link are configured to be capable of being put into a hoisting tool attachment/detachment state for attaching and detaching the hoisting tool to the hoisting tool attachment portion,
When the intermediate link and the tip link are in the hoisting attachment/detachment state, the hoisting attachment portion is disposed laterally outward of an outer end of the crawler belt in the crawler lateral direction.
Crawler. The crawler according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
When the intermediate link and the tip link are in the stored state, outer ends of the intermediate link and the tip link in the lateral direction of the traveling body are disposed inward in the lateral direction of the traveling body with respect to outer ends of the crawler belt in the lateral direction of the traveling body.
Crawler.

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