Track Chain Master Link With Increased Pitch
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a track chain assembly that can be easily assembled and mounted to a sprocket of a track-type machine undercarriage, maintaining adequate engagement over an extended useful life while being durable enough to withstand rugged environments.
Innovation Solution
The track chain assembly features a master link with a pitch greater than standard links, allowing for increased durability and ease of disassembly, with the master link pitch being either one and a half or twice the standard link pitch, enabling robust service life and simple disassembly for servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a master link with increased pitch is used, then durability and service life are improved, but the complexity of the track chain assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The track chain assembly is segmented into standard links and master links with different pitch characteristics. The master link spans multiple standard link pitches (1.5x or 2x), creating a segmented structure that maintains compatibility with standard links while providing enhanced durability at critical positions in the track chain.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly increasing the pitch of all links, the increased pitch is applied locally only to the master link. This localized modification provides enhanced durability where needed while maintaining the original pitch and structure of standard links elsewhere in the track chain assembly.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a master link with increased pitch is used, then service life is extended, but ease of disassembly and servicing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The master link is designed as a separable component with first and second portions that can be detached from each other. This segmentation allows the track chain assembly to be disassembled by separating the master link portions, facilitating ease of servicing while maintaining the extended service life benefits of the increased pitch design.
3Ease of operation
If standard link pitch is used throughout, then ease of assembly is maintained, but durability and engagement life are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The master link incorporates local quality enhancements including increased pitch (1.5x or 2x standard), reinforced construction, and specialized engagement features. These localized improvements enhance durability and engagement life at critical positions without requiring changes to the entire track chain assembly, maintaining ease of assembly with standard components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A track chain assembly (17, 77, 277) includes a track pin (190, 290), a first link (35, 90, 91, 281), and a second link (30, 100, 200, 287). The first link (35, 90, 91, 281) defines a first pair of pin passages (150, 152; 291, 292) in spaced relationship to each other by a first link pitch (45, 95). The first link (35, 90, 91, 281) is mounted to the track pin (190, 290) such that the track pin (190, 290) extends through one of the first pair of pin passages (150, 152; 291, 292). The second link (30, 100, 200, 287) defines a second pair of pin passages (180, 182; 297, 298) in spaced relationship to each other by a second link pitch (40, 105, 300). The second link (30, 100, 200, 287) is mounted to the track pin (190, 290) such that the track pin (190, 290) extends through one of the second pair of pin passages (180, 182; 297, 298) and such that the first link (35, 90, 91, 281) and the second link (30, 100, 200, 287) are rotatable with respect to each other about a longitudinal axis (LA) defined by the track pin (190, 290). The second link pitch (40, 105, 300) is greater than the first link pitch (45, 95, 295) in a range up to twice the first link pitch (45, 95, 295).