Pin Assembly for Tracked Vehicle Suspension Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tracked work vehicles face challenges in distributing weight evenly across load-bearing wheels to prevent track overheating and damage, while also requiring a compact suspension system to navigate narrow spaces without widening the vehicle's track.
Innovation Solution
A pin assembly is used to compactly couple the roller wheel beam to bushing mounts, which dampen roll and yaw movements without increasing the width of the suspension system, allowing for efficient operation in narrow spaces by distributing weight evenly across multiple wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shear element is used to damp the movement of the wheels and support the vehicle, then the suspension system can provide damping function, but the width of the suspension system becomes wider than desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using a shear element that requires lateral space to a vertical spring element that provides damping in the vertical dimension. The spring element is positioned vertically between the roller wheel beam and the ground, converting the damping mechanism from a horizontal shear configuration to a vertical compression configuration, thereby reducing the width of the suspension system while maintaining the damping function.
2Length of moving object
If the suspension system width is reduced to control overall vehicle width, then the vehicle can operate in narrow spaces, but the damping of vertical motion may be insufficient after extended periods of use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the spring element from shear deformation to vertical compression. The spring element is configured to compress vertically as the roller wheel beam moves upward, providing damping force through compression rather than shear. This parameter change allows the spring to maintain effective damping over extended periods of use while keeping the suspension system width compact.
3Reliability
If weight is distributed across load bearing wheels to reduce stress on the continuous track, then track longevity is improved, but the suspension system requires additional components to achieve this distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides vertical damping to control roller wheel beam movement, enables weight distribution across the load bearing wheels by allowing independent vertical motion, and supports the roller wheel beam structure. This multi-functionality achieves track longevity through weight distribution without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
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 solution effectively reduces track damage, allows for operation in narrower spaces, and enhances cultivation efficiency by minimizing soil compaction, thereby improving the operational efficiency of tracked work vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the spring element configured to damp vertical motion of the roller wheel beam
Implementation Method 2
bushing mount which has a third opening and is configured to be disposed between the first arm and the second arm
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
An undercarriage 16 for a tracked work vehicle 10 is provided that includes a roller wheel beam 30. The roller wheel beam 30 includes a clevis 100,102 having a first arm 104 and a second arm 106. Additionally, the first arm 104 includes a first opening 108, and the second arm 106 includes a second opening 110. The undercarriage 16 further includes a bushing mount 60, 62 which has a third opening and is configured to be disposed between the first arm 104 and the second arm 106. Also, the undercarriage 16 includes a pin assembly 76, 78 configured to couple the roller wheel beam 30 to the bushing mount 60, 62. Moreover, the pin assembly 76, 78 includes a first pin 130 configured to be inserted into the first opening 108 and a first end of the third opening. The pin assembly 76, 78 also includes a second pin 132 configured to be inserted into the second opening 110 and a second end of the third opening. Furthermore, the first pin 108 is configured to abut the second pin 110 when the first pin 76 and the second pin 78 are inserted into respective openings 108, 110.