Undercarriage Clamping Master Track Link Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current master track link designs face challenges in balancing durability, reliability, serviceability, and cost-effectiveness, with existing solutions either being costly and durable but difficult to service or inexpensive but prone to unintentional disassembly, and incompatible with many track chain assembly designs.
Innovation Solution
A clamping master track link design featuring a body with strategically placed bores and apertures, offset struts, and varying gap distances to provide a robust and cost-effective solution that is easily serviceable, using a bridge for rigidity and fasteners for clamping action, compatible with existing track chain assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a press fit pin is used in the master track link, then manufacturing cost is reduced and structural robustness is improved, but serviceability deteriorates as the pin cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The master track link is divided into multiple separable components: the link body, the pin, and the clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows the pin to be easily removed by releasing the clamping action, enabling quick serviceability while maintaining a simple press-fit structure during manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism transforms the static press-fit connection into a dynamic, adjustable connection. The clamping members can be actuated to secure the pin during operation, then released to allow easy removal for maintenance, providing both manufacturing simplicity and serviceability
2Ease of repair
If a slip fit pin with cotter pin is used, then serviceability is improved as the pin can be easily removed, but reliability deteriorates as the cotter pin may fall out causing unintentional disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping members act as an intermediary mechanism between the link body and the pin. Instead of relying on a cotter pin that can fall out, the clamping members provide positive mechanical engagement that secures the pin while allowing easy removal when actuated, improving both reliability and serviceability
3Reliability
If three small gaps are provided between struts as in prior art, then clamping capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to requirement of expensive machines such as grinding or wire EDM
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the gaps between struts from the three small gaps in prior art to two larger gaps with specific dimensional relationships. This parameter change allows the gaps to be manufactured using conventional machining processes rather than expensive grinding or wire EDM, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining clamping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping capability is concentrated in specific local regions where the clamping members engage with the pin and link body. The gap dimensions and positions are optimized locally to provide sufficient clamping force without requiring multiple small gaps throughout the structure, enabling cost-effective manufacturing
4Ease of manufacture
If a straight link design with holes in the same plane is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but compatibility with existing track chain assembly designs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The master track link employs an asymmetric design where the struts are positioned at different orientations and the gaps have specific angular relationships. This asymmetric configuration maintains compatibility with offset link designs in existing track chain assemblies while allowing for simplified manufacturing through conventional machining processes
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
According to the disclosure, there is provided a clamping master track link comprising a body defining a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface and a second side surface defining a thickness therebetween, a proximate end and a distal end. The body defines a first bore adjacent the distal end and a second bore adjacent to the proximate end and a first aperture disposed between the first bore and the second bore, the first aperture being disposed nearer the first bore than the second bore. The body further defines a second aperture disposed between the first aperture and the second bore. The body includes a first strut disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture, the body defining a first gap dividing the first strut into a first upper portion and a first lower portion. The body further includes a second strut disposed between the first aperture and the first bore, the body defining a second gap dividing the second strut into a second upper portion and a second lower portion. The first gap defines a first minimum distance and the second gap defines a second minimum distance and the ratio of the second minimum distance to the first minimum distance ranges from 3 to 10.