Elastomeric Endless Track Without Reinforcing Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endless tracks for heavy-duty vehicles are heavy, require significant energy to move, and induce vibrations, reducing maximum speed and increasing ground compaction due to poor traction on soft or uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An endless track system featuring a carcass without reinforcing members, incorporating a belting member and central lugs for engagement with driving wheel assemblies, along with traction projections for improved ground contact, designed to reduce weight, energy consumption, and vibrations, while enhancing traction and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional endless tracks with reinforcing members are used, then durability is improved, but weight increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the reinforcing members (steel cords or wires) from the endless track structure, extracting only the essential elastomeric carcass with central lugs and traction projections. This extraction eliminates the heavy metal components while maintaining the track's functional integrity through the elastomeric material's inherent properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameter by using purely elastomeric material instead of composite materials with metal reinforcing members. This parameter change reduces density and weight while the elastomeric material's viscoelastic properties provide the necessary durability and load-bearing capacity.
2Strength
If conventional endless tracks with reinforcing members are used, then structural strength is improved, but vibrations increase and maximum speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material damping parameter by using elastomeric material that inherently absorbs vibrations. The viscoelastic properties of the elastomer convert vibrational energy into heat, reducing vibrations and allowing higher operating speeds without structural failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a homogeneous elastomeric composite material that combines flexibility, strength, and vibration damping in a single material system, eliminating the need for separate reinforcing members that would increase vibrations and weight.
3Force
If conventional endless tracks are used, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but ground compaction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible elastomeric track that can conform to and distribute loads over soft ground surfaces. The elastomeric material's flexibility allows the track to adapt to terrain variations, spreading the vehicle's weight over a larger contact area and reducing ground pressure and compaction.
4Strength
If conventional endless tracks with reinforcing members are used, then tensile strength is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy metal reinforcing members from the track structure, removing the source of high rolling resistance and energy consumption. The remaining elastomeric structure provides sufficient tensile strength for the application while requiring significantly less energy to move.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the density and rolling resistance parameters by using lightweight elastomeric material instead of dense metal-reinforced composite. This parameter change reduces the energy required to accelerate and move the track, improving overall energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An endless track for a track system is disclosed. The endless track includes a carcass and a belting member disposed in the carcass. The carcass is free of reinforcing member, and includes inner and outer surfaces, first and second lateral edges, a plurality of central lugs extending from the inner surface and a plurality of traction projections extending from the outer surface. Each central lug of the plurality of central lugs is longitudinally spaced from one another, and the plurality of central lugs are configured to engage with a driving wheel assembly. The plurality of traction projections is configured to engage with a ground surface, and at least some of the plurality of traction projections defines outer recesses. A track system including the endless track is also disclosed.