Segmented Drive Sprocket Assembly for Field Track Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tracked vehicles experience significant wear on drive wheels, necessitating maintenance that is difficult to perform without access to a workstation due to the need to remove and replace drive sprockets, leading to potential operational downtime.
Innovation Solution
A drive wheel arrangement with a divided sprocket design featuring guiding and connecting configurations, including recesses and protrusions, allows for easy assembly and reassembly of sprocket parts, ensuring correct radial and axial alignment without requiring a workstation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the drive sprocket is designed as a single integrated component, then the structural strength and rigidity are improved, but the maintenance complexity increases and requires workstation access for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The drive sprocket is divided into multiple arc-shaped segments that can be independently removed and replaced. Each segment can be exchanged separately without requiring removal of the entire sprocket, enabling field maintenance without workstation access while maintaining structural integrity through the modular design
2Ease of repair
If the drive sprocket is divided into multiple segments, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segments incorporate asymmetric guiding features including protrusions and recesses that provide self-alignment during assembly. The guiding configuration ensures correct radial positioning and orientation of each segment relative to the support member and adjacent segments, simplifying the assembly process despite the multi-component design
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding configuration with protrusions and recesses enables self-aligning assembly, where the segments automatically orient themselves correctly during installation without requiring external alignment tools or complex assembly procedures
3Loss of time
If the drive sprocket segments are made exchangeable, then the operational downtime is reduced, but the radial alignment precision during assembly may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding features include circumferentially distributed protrusions and recesses that provide positive mechanical guidance for radial alignment. These asymmetric features ensure that each segment is positioned at the correct radial location on the support member, maintaining precision while enabling quick exchange
Solution Approach 2:
The self-aligning guiding configuration automatically ensures correct radial positioning during assembly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or specialized tools, thus maintaining precision while reducing assembly time and operational downtime
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 4~5
Figure 6a~6b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an arrangement (A) of a drive wheel (DW) for an endless track (E) of a tracked vehicle (V). The drive wheel (DW) comprises a hub member (H) and a drive sprocket member (S1, S2) attached to the hub member (H). Said drive sprocket member (S1, S2) comprises a ring shaped drive sprocket (10) having a set of teeth (12) arranged around the circumference of said drive sprocket (10). Said drive sprocket (10) is configured to engage with said endless track (E). Said drive sprocket member (S1, S2) further comprises a support member (20) for said drive sprocket (10). Said drive sprocket (10) is divided into at least two arc shaped drive sprocket parts (10A, 10B). Each drive sprocket part (10A, 10B), in a non engaged state of a drive sprocket part with respect to said endless track, is configured to be exchangeable. Said arrangement (A) comprises a guiding configuration (G1, G2) comprising a first guiding member (G1) circumferentially distributed around the support member (20) and a second guiding member (G2) circumferentially distributed around the respective drive sprocket part (10A, 10B) for facilitating reassembling the drive sprocket (10). The present invention also relates to a tracked vehicle.