Segmented Snap Ring Assembly for Tracked Machine Thrust Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing snap ring assemblies in tracked machines, such as hydraulic excavators, experience increased contact stress and accelerated wear due to their smaller thickness and width compared to thrust washers, leading to potential structural failure and premature gear movement, especially in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A snap ring assembly with a base set and retaining set, featuring semicircular configurations and tapered raised portions and grooves, is designed to be removably coupled to the shaft, providing increased surface area and stiffness to reduce contact stress and prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a snap ring with smaller thickness and width is used compared to thrust washer, then the device complexity is reduced, but the contact stress increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The snap ring is divided into two separate components: a base section that provides structural support and a retaining section that provides locking function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the base section having sufficient thickness to reduce contact stress while the overall assembly remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap ring assembly combines two different sections (base section and retaining section) that can be made from different materials or have different material properties. The base section can be designed with higher strength and stiffness materials to withstand contact stress, while the retaining section can be optimized for locking engagement.
2Ease of operation
If a snap ring with smaller width is used compared to thrust washer, then the ease of operation is improved, but the contact stress increases and wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the snap ring into base and retaining sections, the base section can be designed with sufficient width to distribute contact stress and reduce wear, while the retaining section can be made narrower to facilitate installation and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the snap ring assembly have different width characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The base section has greater width for load distribution and wear resistance, while the retaining section has appropriate width for locking engagement and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the snap ring thickness is increased to reduce contact stress, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functionality is divided between two sections: the base section provides the necessary thickness for load bearing and stress distribution, while the retaining section provides the locking function. This segmentation achieves reliable load bearing without requiring a single overly complex thick snap ring structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The base section and retaining section are combined into a unified snap ring assembly that achieves both load bearing capacity and locking function. The merging of these two sections provides the necessary thickness for reliability while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A snap ring assembly includes a base set. The base set includes a first base section and a second base section. The first base section is adapted to be disposed adjacent and substantially coplanar with respect to the second base section. The snap ring assembly also includes a retaining set. The retaining set includes a first retaining section and a second retaining section. The first retaining section is adapted to be disposed adjacent and substantially coplanar with respect to the second retaining section. Each of the first retaining section and the second retaining section is adapted to be removably coupled to each of the first base section and the second base section.