Chain Pad Locking Tongue Design for High Load Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chain pads for crawler tracks lack sufficient stability under high loads due to reliance on non-positive vulcanization connections, which can fail, and the form-fitting connections are not always sufficient to withstand the forces encountered.
Innovation Solution
The chain pad design incorporates cover strips extending longitudinally on the base body, a locking tongue with a wavy design for increased resistance, and flat tongue edge sections for easy disassembly, enhancing the stability and connection between the base body and cushion body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a non-positive connection produced by vulcanization is used to attach the padding body to the base plate, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the connection reliability is insufficient under high loads
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into multiple independent elements: vulcanization bonds, form-fitting engagement elements, cover strips, and a locking tongue mechanism. This segmentation ensures that if one connection method fails, others remain intact to maintain the connection between base body and padding body.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates redundant connection elements that act as backup mechanisms. The form-fitting engagement elements and locking tongue are positioned and designed to engage beforehand, providing preliminary mechanical support that cushions against the potential failure of vulcanization bonds under high loads.
2Stability of the object's composition
If engagement elements are used to create a form-fitting connection, then the connection stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connection functions are merged into a single integrated base plate structure. The engagement elements, cover strips, and locking tongue are all formed as part of the same base body component, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement elements are designed with specific geometric parameters (raised profiles, interlocking shapes) that transform the base plate from a simple support structure into an active connection system. These parameter changes enable form-fitting connections without requiring additional complex components.
3Strength
If a locking tongue with wavy design is used to increase resistance to bending, then the structural strength is improved, but the ease of disassembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tongue design incorporates dynamic characteristics through its wavy geometry, which provides progressive resistance to bending forces during normal operation. The wavy structure allows controlled deformation that absorbs energy while maintaining strength, yet permits deliberate disengagement when needed for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking tongue is designed as a separate, discrete element that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the tongue to maintain its strength-providing wavy structure while enabling simple disassembly through targeted application of force to specific segments of the tongue structure.
4Stability of the object's composition
If cover strips extending in the longitudinal direction are added to the base body, then the connection stability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover strips are merged with the base plate structure, forming an integrated component rather than separate attachments. This merging enhances connection stability by distributing loads across the longitudinal extent of the base body while avoiding the complexity of separate assembly steps for the cover strips.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design provides a more stable connection and increased resistance to detent tongue bending, ensuring reliable performance under high loads while allowing for easy maintenance and replacement.
Implementation Method 1
the locking tongue preferably having a wavy design in such a way that it has two points pointing away from the outer side of the base plate has arched tongue edge sections and a tongue middle section which is arranged between the tongue edge sections and is arched in the opposite direction to the base plate. This design achieves a very high level of resistance to the detent tongue bending in the direction of the base plate.
Implementation Method 2
the base body having a number of engagement elements raised above the inside on the inside of the base plate, which engage with the cushion body create a positive connection
Implementation Method 3
the chain pads are equipped with a padding body made of a rubber material, which is attached to an inner side of the base plate, typically by vulcanization, to produce a non-positive connection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A chain pad (1) for a chain link (2) of a track chain has a basic body (3), which has a base plate (4), and also a pad body (2) which is connected to the basic body (3) on an inner side of the base plate (4). The basic body (3) has, on the inner side of the base plate (4), a number of engagement elements (5, 6) which are raised in relation to the inner side and which produce a positively locking connection with the pad body (2). In this way, the pad body (2) can be connected to the basic body (3) in a relatively simple and stable fashion.