Coaxial Track Drive Assembly for Compact Serviceable Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track assemblies for tracked vehicles lack operational reliability and efficiency, particularly in terms of drive unit integration and maintenance accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A track assembly design featuring a drive arrangement coaxially arranged with the drive wheel member, supported by a bearing configuration within the track support beam, allowing for efficient rotation and compact integration of the drive unit, along with a brake arrangement and transmission device, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the drive arrangement is integrated within the track assembly structure, then the radial space is reduced and compactness is improved, but the maintenance accessibility and operational reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drive arrangement is divided into modular components (motor device, transmission device, brake arrangement) that can be independently accessed and maintained. The bearing configuration is separated as a distinct support structure, allowing individual parts to be serviced without disassembling the entire track assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive arrangement components are nested within the track assembly structure in a hierarchical manner, with the motor device, transmission device, and brake arrangement arranged concentrically around the drive wheel member's rotation axis, allowing compact integration while maintaining access paths for maintenance.
2Speed
If the drive arrangement is coaxially arranged relative to the drive wheel member, then the radial compactness and rotational efficiency are improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining coaxial alignment for rotational efficiency, the components are arranged asymmetrically in the axial direction (motor device, transmission device, brake arrangement in sequence), which simplifies the overall structure compared to symmetric multi-directional arrangements while preserving rotational performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing configuration serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the drive arrangement, enables rotation of the drive wheel member, and provides structural anchoring to the track support beam, thereby reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall structure.
3Reliability
If the bearing configuration is integrated into the track support beam, then the operational reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing configuration is pre-integrated into the track support beam structure during manufacturing, with bearing housings and mounting features formed as part of the beam's core structure. This preliminary integration ensures precise alignment and robust support for the drive arrangement, improving operational reliability while the modular design keeps manufacturing manageable.
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
The solution provides a radially compact and efficient drive unit with enhanced operational reliability and ease of maintenance, suitable for existing track assemblies and drive wheel members, improving the overall performance of tracked vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing configuration arranged in a track support beam configured to support the drive arrangement, wherein the drive arrangement is journaled in bearings to the bearing configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a track assembly for a tracked vehicle that comprises a track support beam configured to support road wheels, a drive wheel member, and a drive arrangement for drive wheel member operation and an endless track disposed around said road wheels and drive wheel member. Said drive arrangement comprises a motor device for driving said drive wheel member, a transmission device for transferring torque from said motor device to said drive wheel member and a brake arrangement for braking the drive wheel member. Said drive arrangement is configured to be coaxially arranged relative to a centre axis of said drive wheel member. A bearing configuration is arranged in said track support beam, said drive arrangement configured to be journaled in bearings to said bearing configuration for allowing rotation of said drive wheel member relative to said track support beam and for supporting said drive arrangement.