Elastomeric Off-Road Track With Embedded Reinforcements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snowmobile and ATV tracks face limitations in traction and design due to weight constraints and manufacturing processes, which affect their performance on snowy and icy surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The development of an elastomeric track with strategically positioned traction projections and embedded reinforcements, allowing for enhanced traction and flexibility while maintaining a thin profile, by using a manufacturing process that molds distinct pieces of elastomeric material to form the track's inner and outer surfaces and traction projections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the track body is made thin to reduce power consumption and facilitate motion around the track-engaging assembly, then energy efficiency is improved, but the track's strength and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The track employs a composite structure combining elastomeric material with embedded reinforcements (transversal stiffening rods, longitudinal cables, and fabric layers). This composite approach allows the track body to remain thin for low power consumption while the embedded reinforcements provide the necessary strength and durability to compensate for the reduced material thickness.
2Force
If traction projections are made larger and more numerous to enhance traction, then traction performance is improved, but the track's weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The track features locally enhanced traction projections (traction lugs) on the ground-engaging outer surface rather than uniformly thickening the entire track body. This localized approach provides improved traction where needed while keeping the overall track weight low. The elastomeric material is concentrated in specific regions to form traction projections, maintaining light weight while enhancing grip on snowy and icy surfaces.
3Strength
If reinforcements are embedded deeper into the track body to improve durability, then strength is improved, but the track's flexibility and flexibility around the track-engaging assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcements (transversal stiffening rods, longitudinal cables, fabric layers) are strategically positioned at specific locations within the track body rather than uniformly distributed throughout. This localized reinforcement approach provides durability and strength where needed while preserving flexibility in other regions, allowing the track to bend and move around the track-engaging assembly effectively.
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 improved traction and reduced weight, allowing for better performance on snowy and icy surfaces while maintaining a thin track profile, and allows for better positioning of reinforcements for enhanced durability and traction.
Implementation Method 1
The track is elastomeric to be flexible around the track-engaging assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A track for traction of an off-road vehicle such as a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The track comprises an inner surface, a ground-engaging outer surface, and a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface. The track may be very thin and/or the traction projections may be very high.