Suspension Protector Deflecting Debris from Tracked Vehicle Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tanks using scrapers to remove unwanted material from track wheels are ineffective in protecting against debris, causing excessive wear and damage to track mechanics, and the constant contact leads to scraper wear and operational resistance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing suspension protectors with deflector plates and brackets that are mounted at a predefined distance from the wheels and tracks to deflect debris away from suspension components, preventing interference with track operation and allowing for easy replacement of worn parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scrapers constantly contact track wheels to remove unwanted material, then material removal effectiveness is improved, but scraper wear and operational resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of constant scraper contact is extracted and eliminated. Instead of continuous contact, the system uses periodic contact only when debris is detected, separating the material removal function from continuous operational interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper system becomes self-regulating through the sensor-feedback mechanism. The sensor detects debris presence and automatically activates the scraper only when needed, eliminating the need for continuous manual control or constant operation.
2Reliability
If scrapers constantly contact track wheels to remove unwanted material, then material removal effectiveness is improved, but operational resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper operation changes from continuous to periodic action. The sensor-triggered mechanism activates the scraper only during brief moments when debris is detected, reducing overall operational resistance while maintaining material removal effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically regulates scraper activation based on actual debris presence, minimizing unnecessary contact and operational resistance while ensuring material removal occurs when needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If suspension protectors are mounted close to wheels to deflect debris, then protection effectiveness is improved, but interference with track operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension protector is designed with specific local geometry and positioning that provides debris deflection protection only in the critical zones where debris is thrown, while maintaining clearance from track components to avoid interference with normal track operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension protector acts as an intermediary element between the debris source (wheels/tracks) and the vulnerable suspension components. It intercepts debris trajectories without physically contacting the track system, resolving the conflict between protection and operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are directed to utilizing a suspension protector to deflect debris away from a set of suspension components of a tracked vehicle. The tracked vehicle includes a vehicle body, a suspension, and a set of suspension protectors. The suspension couples with the vehicle body and is constructed and arranged to control movement of the vehicle body using tracks. Each suspension protector couples with the vehicle body and is disposed a predefined distance from a respective wheel of the suspension to deflect debris thrown from the respective wheel and a respective track away from a respective set of suspension components of the suspension.