Endless Track Edge Impact Absorber Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endless tracks with embedded cores often suffer from premature deterioration due to edge-cutting, where the elastomeric material tears when encountering obstacles, leading to reduced performance and adhesion issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating impact absorbers in the form of holes or deformable zones in the lateral edges of the endless track, which facilitate elastic deformation upon impact, reducing stress and preventing tearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the lateral edge part of the track is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the track provides better transverse rigidity and wheel guidance, but the elastomeric material is more susceptible to tearing when impacting obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific deformable zone with reduced elastomeric material thickness at the lateral edge part where impacts occur, while maintaining the full thickness and rigidity of the track body. This localized modification allows the edge to deform elastically during impact without compromising the overall structural integrity or transverse rigidity provided by the embedded cores.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable zone acts as a pre-designed cushioning mechanism that anticipates impact forces. By having a predetermined weak point or deformable area at the lateral edge, the track can absorb impact energy through controlled elastic deformation before the force propagates to tear the elastomeric material, thus protecting the track from edge-cutting damage.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the elastomeric material is made thicker to improve durability and adhesion, then the track has better wear resistance and bonding strength, but the lateral edge part is more prone to tearing during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the elastomeric material thickness across different regions of the track. The track body maintains full thickness for durability and adhesion, while the lateral edge part features a reduced thickness zone that enables elastic deformation during impact, preventing tear propagation through the thicker material.
Solution Approach 2:
The track is segmented into distinct functional zones: a rigid track body providing structural integrity and adhesion, and a deformable lateral edge zone providing impact absorption. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its properties for its specific function without compromising the other.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the track uses a solid continuous elastomeric structure to ensure structural integrity, then the track maintains better shape and rigidity, but it lacks the ability to absorb impact energy through deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific deformable zone with reduced elastomeric material thickness at the lateral edge part where impacts occur, while maintaining the full thickness and rigidity of the track body. This localized modification allows the edge to deform elastically during impact without compromising the overall structural integrity or transverse rigidity provided by the embedded cores.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable zone acts as a pre-designed cushioning mechanism that anticipates impact forces. By having a predetermined weak point or deformable area at the lateral edge, the track can absorb impact energy through controlled elastic deformation before the force propagates to tear the elastomeric material, thus protecting the track from edge-cutting damage.
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 impact absorbers enhance wear resistance and prevent edge-cutting, extending the lifespan of the track by reducing stress and delaying or minimizing tear development.
Implementation Method 1
The impact absorber facilitates an elastic deformation of the lateral edge part when the lateral edge part impacts an obstacle on the ground
Implementation Method 2
The hole is deformable when the lateral edge part impacts an obstacle on the ground
Data Source
AI summary
An endless track for providing traction to a vehicle, such as a construction vehicle, an agricultural vehicle or other work vehicle. The endless track has: an inner side for facing a plurality of wheels of the vehicle; a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground; a first lateral edge; and a second lateral edge. The endless track comprises an elastomeric body and a plurality of cores at least partially embedded in the elastomeric body. Each core extends transversally to a longitudinal direction of the endless track to provide transverse rigidity to the endless track. The endless track comprises an impact absorber in a lateral edge part of the endless track, the lateral edge part being located between the cores and a given one of the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge. The impact absorber facilitates an elastic deformation of the lateral edge part when the lateral edge part impacts an obstacle on the ground. For example, in some embodiments, the impact absorber may comprise one or more holes which can deform when the lateral edge part impacts an obstacle on the ground.