Segmented Elastomeric Track Joint Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing segmented elastomeric tracks for heavy tracked vehicles, such as military, agricultural, construction, and industrial vehicles, face challenges in providing a large ground-contacting surface while maintaining flexibility and durability, as prior art configurations fail to adequately support longitudinal forces and prevent premature wearing at joints.
Innovation Solution
A segmented track design featuring reinforced elastomeric segments with embedded joint members, where connections between segments are shielded by inner and outer plate assemblies, and longitudinally extending reinforcing elements, ensuring strength and durability while minimizing exposure to debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If segmented tracks are used to allow replacement of damaged segments, then ease of repair is improved, but joints create discontinuities that reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The track is divided into multiple replaceable segments connected by joints, allowing damaged portions to be replaced without replacing the entire track. Each segment contains reinforcing elements that extend into the joints to maintain structural integrity and reduce failure points at the connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The track segments combine elastomeric material with embedded reinforcing elements (cables, cords, or chains) to create a composite structure. This composite design provides both the flexibility of elastomeric material and the strength of rigid reinforcing elements, particularly at the joint areas where discontinuities would otherwise create weak points.
2Area of stationary object
If heavy tracked vehicles use tracks with large ground-contacting surface, then weight bearing capacity is improved, but flexibility to wrap around wheels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The track is segmented into multiple sections that can flex relative to each other at the joints. This segmentation allows the track to wrap around vehicle wheels while maintaining a large overall ground-contacting surface area, as each segment can independently adapt to the curvature requirements of different wheels.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite construction with elastomeric material and embedded reinforcing elements provides a track that is both strong enough to support heavy vehicles and flexible enough to conform to wheel contours. The elastomeric material provides flexibility while the reinforcing elements provide structural strength for weight bearing.
3Strength
If joint elements are made strong to support longitudinal forces, then strength is improved, but durability against premature wearing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The joints are constructed as composite structures combining elastomeric material with embedded reinforcing elements (cables, cords, or chains). This composite design provides the strength needed to support longitudinal forces from heavy vehicles while the elastomeric material protects the reinforcing elements from premature wearing and environmental damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing elements are specifically positioned within the joints and extend into the segment bodies to provide localized strength where longitudinal forces are most critical. The elastomeric material provides localized protection and flexibility at the joint connections, creating different material properties in different locations based on functional requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A segmented track made of a plurality of elastomeric track segments is disclosed. Each track segment is made of reinforced elastomeric material and is provided, at each end thereof, with a joint element adapted to be connected to the joint element of adjacent track segments. Each track segment generally comprises alternating series of substantially rigid sections and substantially flexible sections. The joint elements of the track segments are substantially located within rigid sections located at the extremities of the track segments. The segment track also comprises inner and outer plates configured to secure the joint elements of adjacent track segments together.