Sealed Grease Bearing Track Assembly for Leak-Resistant Track Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Earth moving and construction equipment's track chain assemblies experience component fatigue and wear due to high tension and loads, leading to frequent maintenance needs and lubricant leakage, which increases operational costs and reduces machine efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sealed grease journal bearing assembly is developed, where a split bearing member is wrapped around an inner radial race and connected with a retaining ring to both the inner and outer radial races, creating a self-contained unit that reduces the need for lubricant supply passages and enhances structural strength by combining the track pin and bushing into a single component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional track chain assemblies are used with separate bushings and track pins, then the assembly can be manufactured with standard components, but the components are susceptible to fatigue and wear leading to frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the track pin and bushing into a single integrated track chain assembly component. This merging eliminates the interface between separate parts, reducing potential failure points and improving overall reliability by preventing relative motion and wear between the pin and bushing surfaces.
2Reliability
If traditional bearings with lubricant supply passages are used, then lubrication can be provided to moving components, but lubricant leakage occurs and seals become damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the lubricant supply passages and external sealing system by integrating the bearing directly into the track pin structure. The bearing is contained within the solid track pin body, removing the need for separate lubrication channels and seals that are prone to leakage and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing and track pin are merged into a single integrated component, with the bearing embedded within the track pin structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate lubrication passages and external seals, preventing lubricant leakage while maintaining effective lubrication of the bearing surfaces.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate bushings and track pins are used, then manufacturing can be simplified with standard components, but the assembly requires more parts and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the track pin and bushing into a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts in the assembly. This consolidation simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need to separately install and align multiple components, while the integrated design can be manufactured using standardized production methods.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bearing assembly (300) includes a cylindrical configuration with a radial direction (R), a circumferential direction (C) and defining a bearing assembly longitudinal axis (302), a first axial end (304), and a second axial end (306), an inner radial race (308), an outer radial race (310), a bearing member (312) configured to be disposed radially between the inner radial race (308) and the outer radial race (310), and a retaining ring (314) configured to engage the inner radial race (308) and the outer radial race (310), the retaining ring (314) being configured to limit longitudinal movement of the inner radial race (308) relative to the outer radial race (310) once assembled.