Snowmobile Track Reinforcement Layout for Weight and Traction Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snowmobile tracks lack improvements in performance and weight savings while maintaining effective traction and rigidity.
Innovation Solution
The design of an endless track with varying lengths and diameters of reinforcing rods, combined with a specific tread pattern, enhances strength and flexibility, reducing overall weight while maintaining traction and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform reinforcing rods are used throughout the track, then manufacturing is simplified, but weight and flexibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the length of reinforcing rods at different longitudinal positions along the track. Rods at the rear have greater length than rods at the front, creating localized differences in structural properties that optimize both flexibility and strength where needed without requiring complete uniformity throughout the entire track structure.
2Strength
If more reinforcing material is added to increase strength, then track strength and rigidity improve, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the length parameter of reinforcing rods along the longitudinal axis of the track. This creates a gradient structure where rod length changes from front to rear, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio by providing more reinforcement where structural demands are higher while reducing material where less strength is required.
3Weight of moving object
If shorter reinforcing rods are used, then weight is reduced, but flexibility and traction are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning longer reinforcing rods at the rear portion of the track where flexibility and traction are most needed for propulsion and steering. The front portion uses shorter rods appropriate for its different functional requirements, creating localized optimization of mechanical properties throughout the track structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An endless track for propelling a snowmobile. The endless track includes an inner drive surface, and an outer ground-engaging surface opposite to the inner drive surface. A plurality of reinforcing rods each extend along a track width in rod rows and are spaced apart at a drive pitch length along a track length. A plurality of treads each extend from the outer ground-engaging surface and are spaced apart at a tread pitch length along the track length. At least two of the plurality of reinforcing rods have different lengths.