Track Link Bush Sealing Structure for Low-Cost Lubricant Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing link devices in tracked vehicles, particularly those made from rolled materials, face challenges in sealing lubricants effectively and maintaining structural integrity while keeping costs low, as they require thicker sections around pin holes, leading to increased material volume and cost, and the W-shaped seal members are prone to wear, affecting the device's lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A link device with a rolled material construction featuring a bush and pin configuration, where an annular seal member is used between the pin and bush, and a fitting portion is formed on the bush or link to allow axial deformation of the seal member, enabling support by a harder member, thus reducing wear and maintaining effective sealing without the need for thick, costly sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a counterbored portion and W-shaped seal member are used to seal lubricant, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the link thickness increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses an annular seal member with a flexible cross-section (circular, oval, triangular, or square) that can deform axially to provide effective sealing. This flexible seal member eliminates the need for a counterbored portion, allowing the link to maintain uniform thickness without requiring additional material volume for sealing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the seal member's cross-sectional shape from W-shaped to a simple annular form with flexible cross-section. This parameter change allows the seal member to deform axially under pressure, providing effective sealing without requiring the complex counterbored structure, thus reducing link thickness and manufacturing cost.
2Reliability
If a W-shaped seal member is used to bear entire link load, then sealing is provided, but the seal member becomes susceptible to wear and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a bush as an intermediary component between the pin and link. The bush, being harder than the seal member, bears the mechanical load and protects the seal member from direct contact with the pin. This intermediary structure prevents wear on the seal member, extending its lifespan while maintaining the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a softer, less expensive seal member material that is replaced more frequently, while the harder bush bears the wear. This approach is more economical than using expensive, wear-resistant materials for the seal member, as the bush protects it from wear, making the overall system more cost-effective.
3Ease of manufacture
If counterbored portion and pin press-fit allowance are provided, then proper assembly is enabled, but link thickness increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular seal member with flexible cross-section can be installed in a groove of uniform depth in the link, eliminating the need for a counterbored portion. This allows the link to maintain uniform thickness, reducing material volume and manufacturing cost while still providing proper assembly capability for the bush and pin.
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 configuration allows for low-cost production of links, effective lubricant sealing, reduced wear on seal members, and a more reliable, long-lasting track system by distributing axial loads effectively, maintaining performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
due to axial deformation of the seal member fitted into the fitting portion, the end portion of the bush is capable of being supported by a support member which is harder than the seal member
Data Source
AI summary
Problems: Provided is a link device capable of forming links at a low cost and appropriately sealing a lubricant, and a track including the same. Solutions: In a link device, a fitting portion into which a seal member is fitted is formed on at least one of an end portion of a bush and a periphery of a second hole portion of a link facing the end portion of the bush via a gap 46, and due to axial deformation of the seal member fitted into the fitting portion, the end portion of the bush is capable of being supported by a support member which is harder than the seal member.