Pivotable Axle Support Structure for Track Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional track systems experience premature wear and uneven load distribution when traversing laterally uneven surfaces, leading to inefficiencies and potential detracking.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a pivotable axle and resilient members that allow the support wheel assembly to conform to ground irregularities, reducing wear and improving load distribution by rotating within a predetermined range of motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional track systems use fixed support structures, then the structure is simple and stable, but the track experiences premature wear and uneven load distribution when traversing laterally uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure employs a pivotable axle that can rotate about a longitudinal axis, transforming the fixed support structure into a dynamic one. This allows the support wheel assembly to adapt its position in response to laterally uneven surfaces, preventing premature wear and detracking while maintaining structural simplicity through a single rotational degree of freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member changes the mechanical parameters of the support structure by providing controlled flexibility. It allows the axle to pivot within a predetermined range of motion, enabling the track to conform to ground irregularities without requiring complex active control systems or multiple moving parts
2Reliability
If the support wheel assembly is fixed to the frame, then the structure is stable, but load distribution becomes uneven on laterally uneven surfaces leading to detracking
Solution Approach 1:
The axle is designed to pivot about a longitudinal axis, allowing the support wheel assembly to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic capability enables the assembly to conform to laterally uneven surfaces while maintaining track stability, as the pivot mechanism allows controlled adaptation without compromising overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member acts as an intermediary between the fixed frame and the pivotable axle. It provides a controlled compliance mechanism that allows the axle to rotate within a predetermined range of motion, enabling the support wheel assembly to adapt to ground irregularities while maintaining connection to the stable frame structure
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 solution effectively reduces wear and enhances load distribution across the track system, mitigating premature wear and detracking issues on uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one resilient member is at least partially received in the at least one connecting member. The at least one resilient member defines an aperture. One of the first and second portions of the shaft is received in the aperture. The at least one resilient member has an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion of the at least one resilient member is fixedly connected to the one of the first and second portions of the shaft, and the outer portion of the at least one resilient member is fixedly connected to the at least one connecting member.
Data Source
AI summary
A support structure having at least one connecting member, a shaft, at least one axle transversally connected to the shaft and at least one resilient member for connecting the at least one support wheel assembly to a frame of a track system is disclosed. The at least one resilient body defines an aperture, in which one of first and second portions of the shaft is received, and has an inner portion that is fixedly connected to the one of first and second portions and an outer portion that is fixedly connected to the at least one connecting member. Upon resilient deformation of the at least one resilient member, the shaft is rotatable, and the at least one axle is pivotable, about the longitudinal axis. The at least one resilient body biases the shaft toward an initial position upon rotation thereof. A track system having the support structure is also disclosed.