Thrust Ring Oil Groove Geometry for Track Undercarriage Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thrust ring designs for track-type machines often fail to adequately supply lubricating oil to thrust faces, leading to premature wear and failure due to insufficient lubrication, especially under harsh operating conditions, where axial thrust loads are high and repetitive.
Innovation Solution
The thrust ring design features an annular body with non-uniformly shaped oil grooves that balance oil flow properties with structural strength, ensuring effective lubrication by extending from the inner to the outer circular edge and incorporating convex and concave radius attributes, enhancing oil supply to thrust faces without compromising load handling capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional thrust ring designs with small grooves are used, then structural strength is maintained, but lubrication effectiveness deteriorates leading to accelerated wear and premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the oil groove dimensions and geometry. The oil grooves are designed with specific width (0.020-0.040 inches), depth (0.010-0.020 inches), and spacing parameters that optimize both lubrication delivery and structural integrity. The non-uniform distribution pattern with grooves at specific angular positions (30-60 degrees apart) rather than uniform spacing represents a parameter optimization that balances lubrication effectiveness with strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating non-uniform oil groove distribution around the thrust ring circumference. Instead of uniform spacing, grooves are positioned at varying angular intervals (30-60 degrees apart) to optimize lubrication delivery to specific thrust contact zones while maintaining adequate material between grooves for structural strength. This localized variation in groove placement allows different regions of the thrust ring to have optimized properties for their specific functional requirements.
2Reliability
If oil groove size is increased to improve lubrication, then lubrication effectiveness improves, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through precise parameter optimization of the oil groove dimensions. The groove width is specified as 0.020-0.040 inches and depth as 0.010-0.020 inches, representing carefully selected parameters that provide sufficient oil flow capacity while maintaining adequate remaining material for structural strength. These parameter ranges represent the optimized balance point between lubrication delivery capability and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing oil grooves at selective locations around the thrust ring rather than continuous grooving. The non-uniform distribution with grooves spaced 30-60 degrees apart provides sufficient lubrication to the critical thrust contact zones without removing excessive material that would compromise overall ring strength. This partial grooving strategy delivers adequate lubrication functionality while preserving structural requirements.
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 design effectively maintains lubrication across the thrust ring, reducing wear and failure rates, as evidenced by the Plouzek value of 1, which indicates successful oil flow and strength balance, thereby extending the service life and reliability of track-type machines.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the oil grooves extends from the inner circular edge to the outer circular edge and defines a throat area for supplying lubricating oil to the thrust faces
Implementation Method 2
The purpose of the grooves is to provide a path for oil contained within an oil reservoir of the track to pass between an inside of the thrust ring and an outside of the thrust ring, and also flow onto the thrust surfaces which are on each axial side of the thrust ring and contact adjacent components
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust ring for an undercarriage in a track-type machine includes an annular body having an outer circular edge and an inner circular edge defining a common center axis. A first set of oil grooves and a first set of thrust faces are positioned in an alternating arrangement on each of a first axial side and a second axial side of the annular body. Each of the oil grooves includes a cross sectional contour shaped to balance an oil flow property of the thrust ring with a strength property of the thrust ring, and defining a non-uniform curve which includes a plurality of curve segments each having a different radial attribute. The thrust ring defines a Plouzek value equal to 1.