Axial Drive Sprocket Teeth Reduce Vibration in Tracked Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive sprocket and track assemblies for tracked vehicles experience noise and vibration issues due to the interaction between radially extending sprocket teeth and alignment cleats, and require multiple sprockets to transfer sufficient torque without ratcheting, which increases weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A sprocket wheel and drive track assembly with internal teeth distributed circumferentially on the sprocket wheel, where internal lugs on the track are engaged by the sprocket teeth, and a repeating sequence of lug pitches is used to optimize torque transfer and reduce vibration, allowing fewer sprockets to be used while maintaining traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If radially extending sprocket teeth are used to transfer torque, then torque transfer capability is improved, but noise and vibration increase due to contact with alignment cleats
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful radially extending teeth are removed from the sprocket design. The patent extracts only the necessary torque transfer function while eliminating the source of noise and vibration by not having sprocket teeth contact the alignment cleats.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having radially extending teeth contact the track, the invention inverts the approach by using axially extending teeth that engage internal lugs on the track. This reverses the contact mechanism to avoid harmful interactions with alignment cleats.
2Reliability
If multiple drive sprockets are used to transfer sufficient torque without ratcheting, then torque transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the track lugs and sprocket teeth arrangement. By optimizing the pitch and configuration of internal lugs and axially extending teeth, sufficient torque transfer is achieved with fewer sprockets, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Power
If radially extending sprocket teeth are aligned with track windows, then torque transfer is improved, but slide rails must be shortened due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from radial tooth extension to axial tooth extension, changing the dimensional orientation of the torque transfer mechanism. This allows torque transfer without occupying the radial space needed for slide rail travel, enabling full-length slide rails to be used.
Data Source
AI summary
A sprocket wheel and drive track assembly of a tracked vehicle includes at least one drive sprocket having a sprocket wheel. A plurality of internal teeth extending laterally therefrom is distributed in a circumferential direction on a periphery thereof at a sprocket pitch from each other. A belt in contact with the at least one drive sprocket has an inner side, an outer side, a longitudinal and a lateral direction. At least two of a plurality of internal lugs distributed on the inner side thereof are engaged by at least two of the plurality of internal teeth of the at least one drive sprocket. The plurality of internal lugs is disposed to form at least one longitudinal row. At least two consecutive internal lugs are disposed at a first pitch from each other. The first pitch is longer than an arc length corresponding to the sprocket pitch.