Track Link Planar Geometry for Laser Cutting Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing costs of tracked undercarriages for mobile machines are high due to complex geometric designs, which require expensive processes like forging or casting, increasing the overall cost of the undercarriage components.
Innovation Solution
The design of a track link with a link body featuring planar side surfaces, a shoe face, and a roller rail, along with simplified configurations such as the omission of nut seats and complex geometric features, allows for cost-effective manufacturing methods, including the use of laser cutting and machining, reducing the need for expensive processes like forging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If complex geometric designs are used for track links and components, then structural integrity and operational performance are improved, but manufacturing costs increase due to expensive processes like forging or casting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the track link from complex curved contours to simple planar surfaces with straight edges. This parameter simplification allows the use of cost-effective manufacturing processes like laser cutting and machining while maintaining the structural integrity needed for undercarriage operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a design philosophy that accepts simpler, potentially shorter-lived components manufactured through inexpensive processes. Rather than prioritizing component longevity through expensive forging, the design accepts that simpler planar links may need replacement more frequently, offsetting costs through lower initial manufacturing expenses
2Reliability
If complex geometric features like curved contours, recesses, and projections are included in track link design, then operational performance and guide surface continuity are improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the track link into simple planar surfaces (shoe face, roller rail, side surfaces) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation into basic geometric planes eliminates the need for complex integrated contours while maintaining functional performance through proper arrangement of these simple surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of starting with complex curved geometries and trying to simplify them, the patent inverts the approach by starting with simple planar surfaces and arranging them to achieve the required functional performance. This inversion from complex-to-simple to simple-to-functional resolves the contradiction between geometric complexity and operational reliability
3Strength
If traditional complex manufacturing processes like forging or casting are used, then component strength and durability are improved, but overall undercarriage cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes traditional mechanical manufacturing processes (forging, casting) with modern thermal and subtractive processes (laser cutting, machining). This substitution replaces expensive formative mechanics with more controllable thermal and removal-based methods, achieving adequate strength through precise material selection and controlled material removal rather than high-pressure forming
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A track link (50, 52) has a link body. The link body of the track link may include a first substantially planar side surface (90), a second substantially planar side surface (92) opposite the first substantially planar side surface, a shoe face (98) extending between the first and second substantially planar side surfaces, and a roller rail (96) extending between the first and second substantially planar side surfaces opposite the shoe face.