Segmented Rib Segments Crawler Belt Disengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crawler devices face issues with preventing disengagement of the crawler belt from the wheel, particularly under load conditions, where wide plates increase weight and continuous ribs lead to deformation and reduced torque transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A crawler device design featuring an endless belt with spaced tread lugs and disengagement prevention sections composed of rib segments that correspond to the tread lugs' positions, allowing for low bending rigidity and efficient torque transmission, while preventing disengagement through engagement with wheel surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plate having a wide area is used as means for preventing disengagement of a crawler belt, then disengagement prevention is improved, but weight is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous rib structure is divided into multiple discrete ribs that are spaced apart along the crawler belt. This segmentation reduces the total material required compared to a continuous plate or rib structure, thereby reducing weight while still providing sufficient disengagement prevention through the distributed rib elements engaging with the wheel flanges.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a uniform wide plate structure throughout, the invention employs localized rib structures only where needed for disengagement prevention. The ribs are positioned at specific locations along the crawler belt width and length, providing disengagement prevention functionality only in the critical areas where wheel engagement occurs, rather than across the entire belt structure.
2Reliability
If ribs continuous in a peripheral direction are disposed in opposite side edges of a crawler belt, then disengagement prevention is improved, but the ribs may be deformed in a waved shape and damages due to fatigue occur
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous rib structure is divided into multiple discrete ribs spaced apart along the peripheral direction of the crawler belt. This segmentation prevents the rib from deforming into a waved shape under load, as each discrete rib can independently maintain its structural integrity. The spaced arrangement also reduces stress concentration and prevents fatigue damage that would occur in a continuous rib structure subjected to repeated bending cycles.
3Reliability
If continuous ribs are formed in a crawler belt, then disengagement prevention is improved, but bending rigidity is enhanced and efficiency of torque transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous rib structure is segmented into multiple discrete ribs spaced apart along the crawler belt. This segmentation reduces the overall bending rigidity of the crawler belt compared to a continuous rib structure, allowing the belt to flex more easily during operation. The spaced ribs provide sufficient disengagement prevention through localized engagement with the wheel flanges while permitting the belt to deform elastically for efficient torque transmission during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The discrete rib structure allows the crawler belt to dynamically adjust its rigidity based on operational conditions. During normal torque transmission, the spaced ribs permit belt flexibility for efficient power transfer. During disengagement prevention operations, the ribs engage with the wheel flanges to provide the necessary structural support, effectively changing the belt's mechanical behavior from flexible to rigid only when needed.
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 prevents disengagement of the crawler belt while maintaining low weight and high torque transmission efficiency, even in rough terrains, by using rib segments that correspond to tread lug positions and are made of elastic or rigid materials for durability.
Implementation Method 1
torque may be transmitted via friction between an inner periphery of a crawler belt and an outer periphery of a wheel
Implementation Method 2
the rib segments are disposed at positions corresponding to positions of the tread lugs in the peripheral direction... can be protruded inward in a radial direction of the crawler belt so as to be engageable with opposite side surfaces of the wheels
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
In the present invention, a crawler belt (10) is provided with: an endless belt main body (11); a plurality of tread lugs (12) formed at the outer periphery of the belt main body (11) with spaces therebetween in the peripheral direction; and a pair of disengagement prevention sections (13) that are formed along the peripheral direction of the belt main body (11) at the inner periphery of the belt main body (11) and are separated in the width direction of the belt main body (11). The disengagement prevention sections (13) are configured from a plurality of rib segments (13a) extending in the peripheral direction and disposed along the peripheral direction with spaces therebetween. Each rib segment (13a) is disposed at a position in the peripheral direction corresponding to a tread lug (12).