Annular Inner Core Design for Rubber Track Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rubber tracks for construction machinery often run off the rail or experience lateral dislocation due to identical iron core structures, leading to instability and increased wear, which affects the normal operation and longevity of the machinery.

Innovation Solution

The design of an annular inner core with first and second iron cores, featuring distinct interfaces, wings, and engagement mechanisms such as fork-type buckles and pointed snaps, along with arc outer contour surfaces, enhances connection stability and strength, preventing derailment and reducing wear and tear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the same iron core structure is used for all positions in the rubber track, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and production is simplified, but the rubber track becomes unstable and experiences lateral dislocation during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidtrack stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the iron core structures at different positions along the rubber track. Specifically, the iron cores are designed with varying configurations including different numbers of engagement protrusions, different shapes (circular, oval, rectangular), and different orientations. This localized differentiation ensures that each position receives the appropriate structural characteristics needed for stable operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetry by designing iron cores with non-uniform structures along the track length. The engagement protrusions are positioned asymmetrically relative to the track centerline, and adjacent iron cores have different geometries. This asymmetric design prevents the track from running off the rail by creating intentional lateral stability variations, directly addressing the stability issue while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of manufacture

If identical iron cores are used throughout the rubber track, then production costing is reduced, but the rubber track runs off the rail or experiences lateral dislocation affecting normal operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costingVSAvoidnormal operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by assigning different iron core configurations to specific positions along the rubber track. Each iron core is tailored with particular engagement features, shapes, and orientations suited to its location, ensuring reliable operation at each segment while maintaining overall cost-effectiveness through standardized manufacturing processes for the varied designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rubber track into multiple sections, each with distinctly designed iron cores. This segmentation allows the track to be analyzed and designed in manageable segments, where each segment's iron cores are optimized for local conditions, thereby improving overall reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire track system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the same iron core design is used for the rubber track, then manufacturing is simplified, but the track experiences increased wear and tear between the rubber track and road wheels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign complexityVSAvoidservice lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing iron cores with position-specific characteristics that optimize wear resistance at each location. The varying shapes, sizes, and engagement features of different iron cores distribute contact stresses more evenly across the road wheels, preventing concentrated wear at any single point. This localized optimization extends the service lifetime of both the track and wheels while maintaining reasonable design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying the geometric parameters of the iron cores along the track length. Different iron cores have different diameters, cross-sectional shapes, and engagement protrusion configurations. These parameter variations modify the contact mechanics between the track and road wheels, distributing wear more uniformly and thereby extending component service life without significantly increasing design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2727801B1The annular inner core of rubber track, track chains and chain-driven vehicles
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 GLOBAL TRACK YANGZHOU
  • EP2727801B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2727801B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2727801B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention describes a track chain for diggers, bulldozers, loading vehicles, crawlers, agricultural machines, transport vehicles and the like, a chain link and a chain-driven vehicle with new and usefull features concerning the special design of the track chain. The track chain can transfer the driving force well-proportioned, so that it can prevent the rubber track from running off the rails or lateral dislocation.