Integrated Track Adjustment Recoil Unit Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track type machines face challenges in assembly, packaging, and servicing of recoil systems, particularly due to cumbersome construction and potential misalignment issues in the line of force transmission through the idler, yoke, and recoil gas spring.
Innovation Solution
An integrated track adjustment/recoil unit is introduced, featuring an accumulator module with a gas plug and recoil stop within a hollow cylinder, where a recoil piston moves between stop surfaces, defining separate gas and oil volumes, and is biased by gas pressure to resist recoil forces, allowing for efficient track tension adjustment and recoil resistance without external fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If individual components of the recoil system are attached within the track roller frame housing, then the system can be assembled, but assembly becomes cumbersome and misalignment issues arise in the line of force transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the recoil system components (recoil shaft, yoke, gas spring mounting) and track adjustment components (adjusting mechanism, tensioning elements) into a single integrated preassembled unit. This merging of previously separate components into one modular assembly eliminates the need for complex individual attachment procedures within the track roller frame housing, directly resolving the assembly complexity issue while maintaining manufacturing capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a separate unit is preassembled and installed into the track roller frame, then assembly is simplified, but packaging and servicing challenges remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recoil and track adjustment functions into a separate, self-contained preassembled unit that can be independently serviced. This modular segmentation allows the unit to be removed, repaired, or maintained without disassembling the entire track roller frame, directly addressing the servicing challenges while preserving the assembly simplicity benefits of preassembly.
3Strength
If multiple fasteners surround the recoil shaft to attach the yoke end, then the connection is secure, but the construction becomes more cumbersome and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment functions into the integrated preassembled unit design, where the recoil shaft, yoke, and supporting structures are combined into a unified construction. This eliminates the need for multiple separate fasteners surrounding the recoil shaft, reducing construction complexity and part count while maintaining the structural strength and secure connection through the integrated design.
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 integrated unit simplifies assembly and servicing, reduces weight and part count, and enhances performance by allowing for preassembly and easy access for tension adjustments, while maintaining effective recoil resistance and track tension management.
Implementation Method 1
The recoil piston is biased toward the first stop responsive to gas pressure in the gas volume
Implementation Method 2
a spring that is compressed when the idler and yoke are pushed into the track roller frame assembly. The spring then pushes back on the yoke and idler to recoil both toward their undisturbed operating configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated track adjustment/recoil unit is compressed between a front track roller frame and rear track roller frame of telescopic track roller frame during a recoil event. The integrated track adjustment/recoil unit defines an oil volume separated from a gas volume by a recoil piston, which moves closer to the idler along a recoil line responsive to a recoil event.