Master Link Fractured Joint Shear Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Master links in continuous track systems of construction and earth-moving machines experience fatigue and failure due to large tension forces and relative movement, leading to work stoppages and equipment damage, despite existing efforts to increase engagement surface area through precision-machined teeth.
Innovation Solution
A method involving forging a workpiece with a non-linear break notch, freezing it, and snapping it apart to form a non-planar fractured joint with multiple facets, which increases the engagement surface area and shear strength between the pin and bushing sections of the master link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If precision-machined mating teeth are used to increase engagement surface area, then the engagement surface area between pin and bushing sections is increased, but the shear strength and fatigue resistance are insufficient because only thin portions of each tooth engage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a non-linear break notch with curved geometry instead of straight linear cuts. The non-linear path creates a fractured joint surface that increases both the engagement area and the effective thickness of mating material, transforming the weak thin-tooth engagement into a stronger curved surface engagement that resists shear forces better.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional tooth surface engagement to three-dimensional fractured joint surface engagement. By creating a non-planar fractured joint through the non-linear break notch, the engagement occurs across a volumetrically larger area with varying depths and orientations, effectively adding dimensional complexity to the engagement geometry.
2Area of stationary object
If the workpiece is frozen and snapped apart along a non-linear break notch, then a non-planar fractured joint with multiple facets is formed increasing engagement surface area, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the workpiece by freezing it to sub-zero temperatures. This phase change from ambient temperature to frozen state alters the material properties, making the workpiece brittle and enabling it to snap cleanly along the pre-formed non-linear break notch, thereby simplifying the fracturing operation despite the complex notch geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-linear break notch is pre-formed in the workpiece before the fracturing operation. This preliminary action of creating the guide path for fracture means that when the frozen workpiece is snapped, the fracture follows the predetermined non-linear path, ensuring consistent non-planar fractured joint formation without requiring complex real-time control during the snapping operation.
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
This approach enhances the shear strength of the fractured joint, preventing fatigue failure and reducing work stoppages, thereby improving site efficiency and reducing equipment damage.
Implementation Method 1
freezing the workpiece
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a machine component includes forming a non-linear break notch in a workpiece, freezing the workpiece, and snapping the frozen workpiece apart along the non-linear break notch.