Grouser Assembly for Elastomeric Tracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grouser assemblies designed for metallic endless tracks are difficult to attach to elastomeric tracks due to the flexibility of the elastomeric material, leading to slippage and potential damage when driven over uneven terrain, which reduces traction and causes undesirable ground compaction.

Innovation Solution

A selectively attachable grouser assembly for elastomeric endless tracks with a body featuring a recess to receive traction lugs, ground-contacting projections, and attachment assemblies that secure the assembly without fasteners through the track carcass, ensuring stable attachment and enhanced traction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If grouser assemblies designed for metallic endless tracks are attached to elastomeric tracks, then traction on snowy or icy surfaces is improved, but the grouser assembly slips and moves relative to the track surface due to the flexibility of the elastomeric material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction on snowy or icy surfacesVSAvoidposition stability of grouser assembly on track

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The grouser assembly body is configured to receive and nest around the elastomeric track, with the recess accommodating the flexible track material. This nesting arrangement allows the rigid grouser body to maintain its positional stability while the elastomeric track flexes around it, resolving the contradiction between improved traction and position stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric track acts as a flexible shell that conforms to the grouser assembly body. The flexibility of this shell allows the track to maintain continuous contact with the ground for improved traction while the rigid body of the grouser assembly maintains its structural integrity and position stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional attachment methods are used on elastomeric tracks, then the grouser assembly can be attached, but the attachment is unstable and causes damage to the track under steep terrain conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachability of grouser assemblyVSAvoidattachment stability under load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into multiple independent attachment assemblies distributed around the grouser body. Each attachment assembly independently secures the track to the body, providing redundant attachment points that distribute mechanical loads and prevent track damage under steep terrain conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment assemblies are designed with universal attachment features that can accommodate variations in track thickness and material properties. The attachment mechanism serves multiple functions: securing the track to the body, distributing mechanical loads, and accommodating the flexibility of the elastomeric material without causing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the grouser assembly is made rigid to maintain position, then position stability is improved, but the assembly cannot accommodate the flexibility of the elastomeric track

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition stability of grouser assemblyVSAvoidcompatibility with elastomeric track flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The grouser assembly exhibits local quality differentiation: the body is rigid to maintain position stability, while the recess and attachment interfaces are designed with local flexibility to accommodate elastomeric track variations. This local adaptability allows the rigid body to maintain stability while the interface regions conform to the flexible track material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10625798B2Grouser assembly for endless track systems

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A grouser assembly is selectively attachable to an endless track having a carcass, side edges and traction lugs. The grouser assembly includes a body having top and bottom faces. The body includes a recess defined in the bottom face that is shaped to receive a traction lug of the endless track. The grouser assembly further includes ground-contacting projections connected to the body and extending away from the top face, and first and second attachment assemblies connected to the body. The second attachment assembly has an attached configuration and a released configuration, and is positioned relative to the first attachment assembly such that when (i) the traction lug is received in the recess, (ii) the first attachment assembly attaches the grouser assembly to the carcass, and (iii) the second attachment assembly is in the attached configuration, the second attachment assembly attaches the grouser assembly to the endless track.