Caterpillar Track Shoe Groove Embedment for Rubber Block Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional track shoes for caterpillar vehicles require complex assembly and high material costs due to the need for separate replacement of rubber blocks and metal plates, leading to increased waste and human labor costs.
Innovation Solution
A track shoe design featuring a metal body with a groove and holes, and a rubber buffer block with an embedded portion and lock holes, allowing for secure embedment and bolt connection, facilitating simple assembly and replacement without extra fastening members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the rubber block is combined with the metal plate during the vulcanization molding process, then the connection strength is improved, but the rubber block cannot be replaced separately and material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The track shoe is divided into separable components: the metal plate and the rubber block. The rubber block can be removed and replaced independently from the metal plate through the groove structure, allowing selective replacement of only the worn rubber block rather than the entire assembly, thus reducing material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber block is embedded within the groove of the metal plate, creating a nested structure where the rubber block fits into the groove space. This nesting provides secure connection while maintaining separability, as the rubber block can be inserted into or removed from the groove without destroying the metal plate.
2Strength
If bolts and nuts are used to fasten the rubber block on the metal plate, then the connection strength is improved, but the assembly process becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is merged into the groove structure itself. The groove acts as both a structural feature and a fastening mechanism, eliminating the need for separate bolts and nuts. The rubber block is secured through its embedded portion within the groove, simplifying the assembly to a single insertion action rather than multiple fastening steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex fastening system of bolts and nuts is extracted and replaced by the simpler groove embedment structure. The groove design inherently provides the fastening function without requiring additional fastening members, reducing assembly complexity and cost.
3Ease of repair
If the rubber block and metal plate are manufactured separately and combined with bolts and nuts, then the rubber block replacement becomes possible, but the assembly process requires two separate assembly processes
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment process is merged into a single operation: the rubber block is inserted directly into the groove of the metal plate in one action, combining both the positioning and fastening functions. This eliminates the need for two separate assembly processes (attaching rubber block to chain and then fastening to metal plate), improving assembly efficiency while maintaining ease of replacement.
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
The design simplifies the assembly and replacement process, reduces material costs, and minimizes waste by using the rubber block's elasticity for secure embedment within the metal body, enhancing connection strength and reducing the need for additional fastening components.
Implementation Method 1
the buffer block is embedded within the groove of the body through the elasticity thereof
Data Source
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AI summary
A track shoe (200) fastened on a chain of the caterpillar vehicle includes a body (210) and a buffer block (220). The body (210) includes an first surface (211) adjacent to the chain, a second surface (212) opposite to the first surface (211), a third surface (213), a fourth surface (214) opposite to the third surface (213), a groove (230) defined on the second surface (212) and through the third surface (213) and the fourth surface (214), and holes (215) defined through the first surface (211) and the second surface (212) to communicate with the groove (230). The buffer block (220) includes an embedded portion (221) capable of being embedded within the groove (230) of the body (210), and multiple lock holes (222) defined through the buffer block (220) to respectively communicate with the holes (215) of the body (210). The buffer block (220) is secured on the body (210) through the embedment between the embedded portion (221) and the groove (230), and secured on the chain by the fastening members (300) within the holes (215) and the lock holes (222).