Semi-Generic Underframe Assembly for Track System Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of track systems on wheeled vehicles, such as tractors, often leads to premature wearing or failure of structural components due to inadequate support at non-designed locations, as the rear axle case and other areas are not configured to sustain the additional load of track systems.
Innovation Solution
A semi-generic underframe assembly with preconfigured mounting locations, comprising customized and generic adapter frames, is designed to securely attach track systems to specific vehicles, distributing the load across multiple locations to prevent stress on weak points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If track systems are installed at non-designed locations such as the rear axle case, then the track systems can be secured to the vehicle, but premature wearing or failure of structural components occurs due to inadequate load support
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary underframe assembly is introduced between the track system and the vehicle's original structure. This underframe includes a first adapter frame that interfaces with the vehicle's existing mounting locations and a second adapter frame that provides properly designed mounting locations for the track system, thereby mediating the load transfer and preventing direct stress on inadequate structural components
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into multiple functional components: the vehicle's original structure, the underframe assembly (with first and second adapter frames), and the track system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the first adapter frame interfaces with existing vehicle mounting points, while the second adapter frame provides structurally sound mounting locations for the track system
2Productivity
If track systems are installed on vehicles not originally designed for them, then floatation and traction are improved on soft terrains, but additional load causes premature failure of axles and bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The underframe assembly acts as a mediator that distributes the additional load from the track system across multiple properly designed mounting locations. The first adapter frame connects to the vehicle's original structure at locations designed to handle the load, while the second adapter frame provides structurally sound mounting points for the track system, preventing premature failure of axles and bearings
Solution Approach 2:
The load distribution is extended into another dimensional space by adding the underframe assembly as an intermediate structural layer. This creates a new load path that distributes forces across multiple mounting locations rather than concentrating them at single points, effectively increasing the system's load capacity without modifying the original vehicle structure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A semi-generic underframe assembly (100) configured to be mounted to an underside of a vehicle (10) is disclosed. The underframe assembly provides preconfigured mounting locations where track systems used to replace wheels can be properly mounted. The underframe assembly (100) comprises at least one customized adapter frame (200) particularly configured to be mounted at specific locations on the underside of a specific model of vehicle (10), and at least one generic adapter frame (300) configured to be mounted to the customized adapter frame (200), the at least one generic adapter frame (300) generally comprising the preconfigured mounting locations. The underframe assembly (100) generally allows track systems to be mounted to the vehicle (10) while avoiding attachment at inconvenient and/or weak locations.