Steering Knuckle Gearbox Layout for Tracked Vehicle Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle track systems face challenges with high loads on transmission components and require anti-rotation devices to prevent pivoting, which can lead to increased wear and reduced efficiency, especially when converting wheeled vehicles to tracked vehicles without significant ride height adjustments.
Innovation Solution
The steering knuckle gearbox assembly, which includes a housing portion with an input and output shaft, a mating portion for pivotable mounting to the axle frame, and a gear system to maintain efficient drive and steering capabilities, allowing for the conversion of wheeled vehicles to tracked vehicles without substantial ride height changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the track system is mounted onto an axle of the vehicle, then the transmission components can transfer driving forces from the axle to the endless track, but the transmission components experience relatively large loads when the vehicle is in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the steering mechanism into separate components: a steering knuckle assembly and a gearbox assembly. The steering knuckle is offset from the vehicle axis and connects to the gearbox, which receives rotational input from the drive axle. This segmentation allows the steering forces to be applied to the knuckle rather than directly to the transmission components mounted on the axle, reducing the load on transmission components while maintaining effective power transfer to the track system.
2Ease of operation
If the track system pivots about the axle onto which it is mounted, then the track system can be steered, but an anti-rotation device must be mounted between the track system and the vehicle to limit pivoting of the track system about the axle
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the track system to pivot about the axle and then adding an anti-rotation device, the patent inverts the approach by offsetting the steering knuckle from the vehicle axis and connecting it to the gearbox. The steering knuckle is designed to pivot about a steering axis that is offset from the drive axle axis, allowing natural pivoting motion without requiring additional anti-rotation devices. This inversion of the mounting arrangement eliminates the need for complex anti-rotation mechanisms while maintaining steering capability.
3Ease of operation
If the axle acts as a lever relative to the track system to apply steering forces, then steering can be achieved, but the components of the track system experience increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a steering knuckle as an intermediary component between the drive axle and the track system. The steering knuckle is offset from the vehicle axis and acts as a mediator that receives rotational input from the drive axle through the gearbox and converts it into steering motion. This intermediary arrangement reduces the direct lever action on the track system components, thereby reducing wear and improving reliability while maintaining steering functionality.
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
This solution enables efficient steering and drive functionality while reducing load on components and maintaining ride height, allowing for effective conversion of wheeled vehicles to tracked vehicles without compromising ground speed or increasing ride height.
Implementation Method 1
a gear system to maintain efficient drive and steering capabilities
Implementation Method 2
a mating portion for pivotable mounting to the distal end of the axle frame
Data Source
AI summary
A steering knuckle gearbox assembly comprises a body having a housing portion having a cavity defined in the housing portion; a mating portion connected to the housing portion and being pivotably mountable an axle frame of a vehicle; and a mounting portion for having a steering link of the vehicle pivotably mounted to the mounting portion. An input shaft is rotationally supported by the housing portion and extends into the cavity at its one end and is operatively connectable to a drive axle of the vehicle at its other end. An output shaft is rotationally supported by the housing portion and extends into the cavity at its one end and is operatively connected to the input shaft at its other end. The output shaft is offset in height from the input shaft. A steerable track system for a vehicle is also described.