Rubber Track Core with Lateral Force Carrying Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rubber tracks face issues with steel cord cuts due to abnormal tensile forces, corrosion, and lateral slippage, which existing solutions fail to adequately address, leading to operational disruptions and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

The rubber track design features cores with wing portions, engagement sections, and guide projections that distribute tensile forces evenly, preventing cord cuts and corrosion by using a fixation belt layer to connect adjacent cores and manage lateral slippage effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the strength per tensile reinforcement (steel cord) or the number of embedded tensile reinforcements is increased to prevent cutting, then the resistance to tensile force is improved, but the corrosion problem of steel cords cannot be settled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to tensile forceVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tensile reinforcement function from steel cords and relocates it to the cores. The cores are equipped with tensile force carrying sections that extend laterally to connect with adjacent cores, forming a chain structure that carries tensile forces without using steel cords, thereby eliminating corrosion issues while maintaining strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the core with tensile force carrying sections) that mediates between the engagement section and the lateral connection function. This core structure serves as a mediator to transfer tensile forces between adjacent cores without relying on steel cords embedded in the rubber track body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional cores without lateral extension are used, then the structure is simple, but the tensile force is not evenly distributed causing steel cord cuts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore structure simplicityVSAvoidtensile force distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the core structure into distinct functional sections: an engagement section for sprocket engagement and tensile force carrying sections that laterally extend to connect with adjacent cores. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function, achieving even tensile force distribution while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The core is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously provides engagement section for sprocket interaction, tensile force carrying sections for lateral connection, and guide projections for preventing derailment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate steel cords while achieving even force distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the core structure does not have guide projections, then the structure is simpler, but the track can come off the traveling device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore structure simplicityVSAvoidtrack retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The core structure is segmented to include guide projections as distinct elements that protrude from the engagement section. These guide projections specifically address the track retention function without complicating the engagement section, maintaining overall structural simplicity while ensuring reliable track retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2154053B1Core for rubber track and rubber track
Publication Date: 2012.10.10 FUKUYAMA GOMU KOGYO
  • EP2154053B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP2154053B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2154053B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

A rubber track (1) has formed in it simple means that can carry a part of abnormal tensile force acting on substantially the entire length in the circumferential direction of the rubber track (1). The construction secures smooth operation of the rubber track and reliably prevents cutting of a steel cord (s1) due to such abnormal tensile force. A core (3) has an engagement section (3b) located in the center region in the longitudinal direction of the core, guide projections (3a) on the outer sides of the guide projections (3a). The core (3) further has tensile force carrying sections (4a, 4b) arranged at positions that are located in the thickness direction of the core and are closer to the outer periphery of the rubber track than the outer peripheral-side d-surfaces of the wing sections (3c). The tensile force carrying sections (4a, 4b) carry tensile force acting in the lateral direction of the core and also carry pressing force acting in the thickness direction of the core. Corresponding tensile force carrying sections (4a, 4b) of cores adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the rubber track are engaged with each other. Further, a fixation belt layer in the circumferential direction of the rubber track is provided in a rubber track body (1a) at positions related to tensile force carrying sections (4a, 4b).