Roller Wheel Covering for Off-Road Track Assembly Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicle track assemblies experience excessive friction and wear due to contact between roller wheels and drive/guide lugs, as well as exposure to abrasive objects, leading to performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A wheel design for track assemblies featuring a wheel body with a covering material different from the wheel body, specifically a peripheral and lateral portion that contacts the inner side of the elastomeric endless track, reducing friction and wear by using a polymeric covering with a low coefficient of friction and enhanced abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a roller wheel is used to support the track and reduce vehicle weight, then the track assembly achieves better floatation and reduced rolling resistance, but friction and wear occur at the contact point between the roller wheel and drive/guide lugs
Solution Approach 1:
The roller wheel incorporates a urethane insert at the specific contact location with the drive/guide lugs, while the rest of the wheel structure remains metallic. This local application of wear-resistant material solves the contradiction by providing protection only where friction occurs, maintaining overall wheel strength and minimizing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller wheel combines metallic wheel structure with polyurethane insert material, creating a composite component that leverages the strength of metal and the wear resistance of polymer. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between weight and wear resistance by using materials with complementary properties in appropriate locations.
2Ease of operation
If the roller wheel contacts the drive/guide lugs to guide the track, then track guidance is achieved, but friction generates heat and causes wear of both the roller wheel and lugs
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface parameters are changed by applying a polyurethane insert with different friction characteristics than metal-on-metal contact. This material parameter change reduces the coefficient of friction between the roller wheel and drive/guide lugs, thereby reducing heat generation and wear while maintaining effective track guidance.
3Reliability
If the roller wheel is exposed to abrasive objects on the ground, then the track maintains ground engagement, but the roller wheel suffers abrasive damage
Solution Approach 1:
The polyurethane insert acts as a sacrificial protective layer that can be replaced independently of the expensive metallic wheel structure. When the insert becomes worn from abrasive contact, only the insert needs replacement rather than the entire wheel, effectively protecting the main wheel component from abrasive damage.
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 reduces rolling resistance and wear on the roller wheels and drive/guide lugs, improving the longevity and efficiency of the track assembly by minimizing friction and heat generation, while also providing enhanced protection against abrasive materials.
Implementation Method 1
A material of the covering is different from a material of the wheel body. The covering comprises a peripheral portion covering at least part of the peripheral side of the wheel body and a lateral portion covering at least part of the first lateral side of the wheel body. The lateral portion of the covering is dimensioned to contact a drive/guide lug of the plurality of drive/guide lugs when the wheel contacts the drive/guide lug.
Implementation Method 2
In some circumstances, the roller wheel may also be exposed to hard objects (e.g., rocks, metal pieces, etc.) lying on the ground which may impact and/or get stuck against the roller wheel and inflict abrasive damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A track assembly for traction of a tracked vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle, an industrial vehicle (e.g., a construction vehicle) or a military vehicle, is provided. The track assembly comprises a plurality of wheels which comprises a drive wheel and a plurality of roller wheels, as well as an elastomeric endless track disposed around the plurality of wheels for engaging the ground. A roller wheel may comprise a wheel body and a covering on the wheel body. The covering may comprise a lateral portion dimensioned to contact a drive/guide lug of the track. The roller wheels and the track may implement a self-alignment system of the track assembly. The track assembly may comprise a cooling system for transferring heat away from a roller wheel. The track assembly may comprise a lateral motion mechanism allowing a roller wheel to move widthwise in response to a side load.