Non-linear Axle Wheel Assembly for Track Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles equipped with track systems face maintenance challenges due to lateral movement of wheels within the track system, leading to increased wear and reduced lifespan of components, particularly the wheels and endless track, as well as exposure to impact forces from obstacles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wheel assembly with a non-linear axle featuring a first segment and a second segment, where the second segment is pivotably connected to the frame, offset from the first segment, reducing lateral movement and distributing impact forces more effectively by positioning the wheel assembly on an angled frame segment to absorb forces in compression and shear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel assembly is pivotably connected to the frame allowing pivoting motion, then the track system can adapt to uneven terrain and obstacles, but lateral movement of wheels relative to the inner surface of the endless track increases causing wear and reduced component lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The axle is configured as a non-linear (curved) member rather than a straight line, with the curvature designed to constrain the wheel's pivoting path. This curved geometry ensures that during pivoting motion, the wheel maintains a more consistent position relative to the inner surface of the endless track, reducing lateral movement and wear while still allowing necessary adaptation to terrain variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the axle from a linear configuration to a non-linear configuration with specific curvature radius and orientation. This parameter change transforms the wheel's motion characteristics during pivoting, reducing the lateral displacement relative to the track while maintaining the adaptability function.
2Strength
If the wheel assembly is positioned to absorb impact forces from obstacles, then the track system can withstand impact loads, but the impact forces can still be detrimental to the wheel assemblies and track system
Solution Approach 1:
The non-linear axle configuration is designed to convert the harmful impact forces from obstacles into beneficial compressive forces along the curved member. The geometry of the axle transforms the impact load direction, causing forces to be distributed as compression along the curved path rather than concentrated lateral loads, thereby protecting the wheel assembly and track system from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-linear axle acts as an intermediary element between the wheel and the frame, mediating the transmission of impact forces. The curved geometry of the axle modifies the force transmission path, distributing impact loads more favorably across the wheel assembly and frame connection points, reducing the detrimental effects of obstacles.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel assembly, a track system and a vehicle are disclosed. The track system has a frame defining a longitudinal center plane, a wheel assembly rotationally and pivotably connected to the frame, and the endless track having the inner surface and surrounding the frame and the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly has a non-linear axle and a wheel. The non-linear axle has a first segment and a second segment. The wheel is rotationally connected to the first segment extending along a rotation axis of the wheel. The second segment being pivotably connected to the frame. The second segment is offset from the first segment so that the second segment is closer to an inner surface of an endless track than the first segment.