Track Bar Assembly for Resetting Thrown Continuous Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous track vehicles face difficulties in quickly and efficiently resetting thrown tracks onto wheels, especially in remote areas, requiring multiple personnel or lengthy service calls due to the disengagement of teeth from driving wheels on uneven terrain.
Innovation Solution
A track bar tool and method that allows a single user to reset the continuous track by engaging the teeth with the wheels using a bar and track mount tab, allowing the track to be advanced and realigned within channels, with optional use of multiple tools for complete disengagement and realignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pry bars and crow bars are used to reset the track, then the track can be reset, but it requires at least two users and takes hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized track resetting tool that acts as an intermediary between the operator and the track system. This tool includes a bar with engaging elements that interface with both the track teeth and the driving wheel channels, providing mechanical leverage and alignment guidance. The tool serves as a mediator that translates human effort into the precise mechanical action needed to reset the track, eliminating the need for multiple users and reducing reset time from hours to minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex two-person coordination task into a single integrated tool that performs multiple functions simultaneously. The tool incorporates both the leverage mechanism (bar) and the alignment mechanism (engaging elements) into one device, allowing a single operator to perform what previously required coordinated efforts of two people using separate pry bars and crow bars.
2Productivity
If service calls are made to reset the track, then professional service is provided, but it takes time and is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables operators to perform track resetting themselves using the specialized tool, eliminating the need for external service calls. The tool is designed to be simple enough that operators can learn to use it quickly, yet effective enough to perform the reset reliably. This self-service capability saves both time (no waiting for service arrival) and money (no service fees), while maintaining proper reset procedure through the tool's built-in alignment features.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the track is thrown on uneven terrain, then the vehicle can operate in remote areas, but the track teeth disengage from the driving wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by designing the resetting tool to prevent the disengagement problem before it occurs. The tool includes alignment guidance features that ensure track teeth are properly positioned in the driving wheel channels during the resetting process. By establishing correct engagement geometry before the vehicle returns to service, the tool prevents future disengagement issues that would occur during uneven terrain operation, thereby maintaining both adaptability and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of use of the system to reset a thrown continuous track onto wheels of a continuous track vehicle (CTV). The system includes at least one track bar assembly configured to engage the thrown continuous track to reset teeth within channels on the wheels. In an aspect, the track bar assembly includes a bar configured to engage the inside surface of the thrown track and wheels of the CTV and a track mount tab connected to the bar, the track mount tab configured to engage the outer surface of the continuous track by being received within the gaps between the adjacent treads or over adjacent treads.