Elastomeric Crawler Track Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drive systems for crawler vehicles, particularly those used for grooming ski slopes, experience vibrations and accelerated wear at high speeds, compromising comfort and system longevity due to direct contact between rigid parts.
Innovation Solution
A drive system design featuring a track with elastomeric belts and metal grousers, where the drive wheel meshes with a continuous toothed strip on the belt, absorbing shocks and guiding the track without direct contact with rigid parts, and support devices with rollers to distribute the vehicle's mass and cushion shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct contact between rigid parts (drive wheel and grousers) is used, then secure grip and slip-free traction are achieved, but vibrations are generated that impair comfort and accelerate wear at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastomeric belt as an intermediary element between the rigid drive wheel and the rigid grousers. This belt absorbs vibrations and shocks while maintaining the grip function, thus resolving the contradiction between secure grip and vibration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and material properties of the contact interface by using an elastomeric material instead of direct rigid contact. This parameter change allows the system to maintain grip while reducing vibrations through the viscoelastic properties of the material.
2Reliability
If direct contact between rigid parts (drive wheel and grousers) is used, then secure grip is achieved, but wear on the drive system is accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric belt serves as a protective intermediary that reduces direct contact and friction between the drive wheel and grousers, thereby minimizing wear while maintaining the necessary grip for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the material properties at the contact interface to elastomeric, the system reduces friction and wear rates while preserving the grip function, thus extending the lifespan of the drive system components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If continuous toothed strip meshes with drive wheel, then shock absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shock absorption function and the drive engagement function into a single integrated elastomeric belt with a toothed strip, eliminating the need for separate shock absorption mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric belt with continuous toothed strip performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides shock absorption, maintains grip, guides the track, and engages with the drive wheel, thereby reducing the need for additional components and simplifying the overall device.
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 reduces vibrations and wear by cushioning shocks and distributing the vehicle's mass effectively, enhancing comfort and extending the system's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the first belt made of an elastomeric material and a plurality of metal grousers fastened to the first and second belts by plates bolted onto the grousers to sandwich part of the first and second belts between the plates and the grousers; wherein the first belt has at least one continuous toothed strip that extends along the inner face of the first belt and is designed to mesh with the drive wheel
Implementation Method 2
the drive wheel and the idle wheel are in contact with the first belt along the continuous smooth strip
Data Source
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AI summary
A crawler vehicle drive system, in particular for a crawler vehicle for grooming ski slopes, having: - a drive wheel (6) rotating about a first rotation axis (A1); - an idle wheel (7) rotating about a second rotation axis (A2) parallel to the first rotation axis (A1); and - a track (8) looped around the drive wheel (6) and the idle wheel (7), and comprising a plurality of belts (17, 18) made of an elastomeric material and a plurality of metal grousers (16) fixed to the belt (17, 18); wherein at least one belt (18) has at least one continuous toothed strip (19) extending along the inner face of the belt (18) and designed to mesh with the drive wheel (6).