Elastomeric Track Lug Projections for Delamination Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rubber and elastomeric tracks on heavy vehicles tend to delaminate due to heat generation, especially in larger tracks where increased thickness at hinge areas would exacerbate heat issues, necessitating a solution that enhances durability and wear resistance without compromising flexibility or increasing vibration.
Innovation Solution
The track design features non-flexible lug areas with projections along wheel paths to increase thickness and protect reinforcing elements, while maintaining flexible hinge areas without additional thickness, resulting in discontinuous wheel paths that minimize noise and vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the overall thickness of the track is increased to prevent delamination, then the protection of reinforcing elements is improved, but the heat generation in hinge areas increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The track thickness is varied locally: thicker in lug areas (including protrusions between guide lugs and drive lugs) for protection against delamination, and thinner in hinge areas to reduce heat generation. This selective thickness distribution resolves the contradiction by providing enhanced protection only where needed while maintaining flexibility and reducing thermal issues in hinge regions.
2Reliability
If the thickness of hinge areas is increased to improve durability, then the protection of reinforcing elements is improved, but the flexibility of the track is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The track is designed with non-uniform thickness: thicker Lug areas provide durability and protection, while thinner hinge areas maintain flexibility for bending. This local differentiation allows the track to be durable where structural support is needed while remaining flexible where movement is required.
3Reliability
If projections are added to increase thickness in lug areas, then the protection of reinforcing elements is improved, but the wheel path becomes discontinuous causing increased vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The dimensions of the protrusions are carefully controlled: their height is sufficient to provide protection (increasing thickness from 0.5-1.5 inches to 1-2.5 inches) but their size and spacing are optimized to minimize disruption to the wheel path. The protrusions are positioned between guide lugs and drive lugs where they provide protection while maintaining relatively smooth contact with road wheels, thus reducing vibration and noise.
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
This design enhances durability and protection of reinforcing elements while maintaining flexibility and reducing heat generation, with negligible increase in noise and vibration, effectively addressing the delamination issues in large tracks.
Implementation Method 1
when rubber and/or elastomeric material bend, the bending of the material generates heat
Implementation Method 2
the heat generation is relatively low and easily dissipated due to the small volume to surface ratio
Data Source
AI summary
This invention generally relates to the configuration of the inner surface of a traction band which increases the protection of the embedded reinforcing elements without reducing the flexibility of the band or increasing the generation of heat. The outer surface of the band generally comprises a plurality traction lugs while the inner surface generally comprises a plurality of drive and/or guide lugs. According to the present invention, each group of traction lugs, drive lugs and guide lugs, which are generally laterally aligned, defines generally non-flexible lug areas and each of these lug areas are separated by flexible and generally lug-less hinge areas. The lug areas, on the inner surface thereof, further comprise projections located between the drive lugs and the guide lugs and along the wheel paths defined therebetween.