Interlocking Rubber Track Shoes for Vibration Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber tracks for tracked vehicles suffer from mechanical stress-induced deformation and breakage, require frequent maintenance, and generate noise and vibrations due to interference between inner and outer shoes, limiting their lifespan and operational efficiency on rough terrain.
Innovation Solution
A rubber track design featuring spaced inner and outer shoes with buried metallic reinforcement and interlocking connection elements, distributed mechanical force distribution, and modular outer shoe configurations to prevent interference and vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If rubber tracks are used instead of metallic tracks, then noise and road damage are reduced, but track lifespan is shortened due to direct contact with ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining rubber and metal materials. The track consists of a rubber base material that provides noise reduction and road surface protection, reinforced with metal connection elements (such as steel plates or bars) embedded within the rubber to enhance wear resistance and structural strength. This composite approach allows the track to simultaneously achieve the quiet operation and road friendliness of rubber while gaining the durability and ground-contact resistance of metal, effectively resolving the contradiction between reduced harmful factors and extended lifespan.
2Strength
If inner and outer shoes are closely arranged to improve track structure, then track strength is enhanced, but interference and vibrations occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the track into discrete modular units called shoes (or links), which are connected through flexible joints. Each shoe is an independent segment that can move relative to adjacent shoes, allowing the track to flex and conform to terrain variations without generating excessive vibrations. The segmentation principle enables the track to maintain structural strength through the arrangement and connection of multiple shoes while avoiding the interference problems that would arise from a rigid, continuous structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If connection elements are used to join inner and outer shoes, then track integrity is improved, but mechanical stress causes deformation and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flexible connection elements as intermediaries between the inner and outer shoes. These connection elements (such as rubber blocks, flexible plates, or cushioned joints) serve as mediators that absorb and distribute mechanical stresses, preventing direct stress transmission that would cause deformation or breakage of the rigid shoe components. The intermediary connection elements maintain track integrity by keeping the shoes properly aligned and connected while providing stress relief and deformation absorption, thereby improving reliability under mechanical loads.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rubber track (10) for a tracked vehicle (1), said track (10) being of the type that comprises: - a plurality of inner shoes (11) and a plurality of outer shoes (12), wherein each inner shoe (11) lies opposite to a respective outer shoe (12), wherein the inner shoe (11) has a substantially arched shape and is provided with a first intermediate portion (1 II) and first ends (11E), and wherein the outer shoe (12) is provided with a second intermediate portion (121) and second ends (12E), said first ends (11E) and second ends (12E) being substantially parallel to each other and forming a first contact surface between the inner shoe (11) and the outer shoe (12); a support element (13) made of rubber and shaped as an endless ring retained between said inner shoes (11) and said outer shoes (12), wherein the inner shoes (11) are arranged mutually spaced apart along an inner surface of the support element (13) and the outer shoes (12) are arranged mutually spaced apart along an outer surface of the support element (13), and wherein the first intermediate portion (111) of each inner shoe (11) is at least partly buried in the support element (13); a plurality of connection elements (14) for creating the junction between each inner shoe (11) and the respective outer shoe (12), wherein said connection elements (14) are held inside first seats (11S) formed in the first ends (11E) of each inner shoe (11) and inside second seats (12S) formed in the second ends (12E) of each outer shoe (12). The peculiar feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the first intermediate portion (111) of the inner shoe (11) and the second intermediate portion (121) of the outer shoe (12) comprise mutual coupling elements (20) forming a second contact surface between the inner shoe (11) and the outer shoe (12).