Pivoting Support Wheel Linkages for Traction and Reduced Mud Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional track systems for vehicles have numerous components, leading to high manufacturing costs and assembly difficulties, and are prone to mud accumulation, with tires providing poor traction on certain ground surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with pivotally connected linkages and biasing assemblies that facilitate movement of support wheel assemblies to overcome obstacles, allowing for improved traction and reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional track systems use numerous support wheel assemblies with multiple components, then the track system can engage the ground surface effectively, but the manufacturing cost increases and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple support wheel functions into a single support wheel assembly that includes a support wheel, brake assembly, and suspension components integrated together. This merging reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining effective ground engagement capability through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The support wheel assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously provides support, braking, and suspension functions. The brake assembly is integrated directly onto the support wheel, allowing one component to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate devices.
2Reliability
If conventional track systems use multiple support wheel assemblies with numerous components, then ground engagement is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the brake assembly, support wheel, and suspension components into a single integrated support wheel assembly, the patent reduces the total part count. This integration simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces assembly operations, directly lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable ground engagement.
3Reliability
If conventional track systems use numerous components, then ground engagement is maintained, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of multiple components into pre-assembled support wheel assemblies reduces the number of separate assembly operations required. Each integrated assembly can be installed as a single unit rather than requiring separate assembly of multiple discrete components, significantly reducing assembly difficulty.
4Reliability
If conventional track systems use multiple support wheel assemblies, then ground engagement is improved, but mud accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the spaces and gaps between multiple separate support wheel assemblies by using fewer, more widely spaced integrated assemblies. This removal of intermediate spaces prevents mud from accumulating in the gaps between components, reducing the harmful effect of mud buildup while maintaining ground engagement.
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
The support structure enhances traction and reduces mud accumulation while simplifying assembly and manufacturing, providing effective ground engagement on uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
The linkages are biased to return toward an initial position, which also aids the track system to overcome encountered obstacles
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a support structure for connecting a plurality of support wheel assemblies to a frame member of a track system, the track system defining a longitudinal direction, the support structure comprising: a leading linkage pivotally connectable to the frame member by a leading pivot, the leading pivot defining a leading pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal direction; the leading linkage being connectable to a leading support wheel assembly; a trailing linkage pivotally connectable to the frame member by a trailing pivot, the trailing pivot defining a trailing pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal direction, the trailing linkage being connectable to a trailing support wheel assembly; the trailing linkage being pivotally connected to the leading linkage by an intermediate pivot, the intermediate pivot defining an intermediate pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal direction; at least one of the leading and trailing linkages being connectable to an intermediate support wheel assembly.