Deformable Wheel Assembly for Uneven-Terrain Track Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional track systems for vehicles face issues such as deformation of endless tracks, increased wear, and reduced lifespan due to engagement between support and idler wheel assemblies, especially on uneven and slippery ground surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A deformable wheel design featuring a hub connected to resilient members and rim portions that can move relative to the hub, allowing the wheel to adapt to ground conditions, minimizing lateral movement and wear, and incorporating a track system with sprocket, idler, and support wheel assemblies to enhance traction and weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional track systems use rigid support and idler wheel assemblies, then the structural stability is maintained, but the wear increases and lifespan decreases when overcoming obstacles on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly incorporates a deformable wheel with a resilient member that allows dynamic adaptation to terrain variations. The resilient member enables the wheel to deform and conform to obstacles, reducing impact forces and wear on track components while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly changes its physical parameters by allowing the resilient member to compress and extend in response to terrain conditions. This parameter change enables the system to absorb shocks and adapt to varying ground surfaces, reducing wear on track and wheel components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large rigid wheels with tires are used, then the vehicle can move on various ground surfaces, but the tires compact the ground surface and have poor traction on soft or slippery surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The track system uses a flexible endless track that can conform to soft and uneven ground surfaces without compacting them. The flexible nature of the track allows it to distribute weight over a larger area and adapt to terrain variations, improving traction on soft, slippery surfaces while avoiding ground compaction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the resilient member allows significant deformation, then the adaptability to terrain improves, but the wheel stability and rotational precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member provides controlled deformation that allows the wheel to adapt to terrain while maintaining sufficient stability for propulsion. The dynamic response of the resilient member enables it to absorb shocks from obstacles while returning to its equilibrium position, maintaining wheel rotation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member acts as a cushioning element that anticipates and absorbs shocks from upcoming obstacles. By deforming in advance when encountering terrain variations, it protects the wheel structure and maintains rotational stability while providing terrain adaptability.
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 deformable wheel system improves traction and reduces wear by adapting to uneven terrain, extending the life of the track and wheel assemblies while enhancing ride quality and compensating for camber angles.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resilient member connected to the hub and a plurality of circumferentially positioned rim portions connected to the at least one resilient member. Each one of the plurality of rim portions is moveable relative to the hub about the at least one resilient member.
Data Source
AI summary
A deformable wheel is disclosed. The deformable wheel includes a hub, at least one resilient member connected to the hub, and a plurality of circumferentially positioned rim portions connected to the at least one resilient member, where each one of the plurality of rim portions is moveable relative to the hub about the at least one resilient member. A track system including the deformable wheel is also disclosed.