Track Suspension Assembly With Shear Elastomer for Easy Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional track systems for vehicles, such as agricultural and construction vehicles, face challenges with costly and difficult-to-replace suspension systems that do not effectively distribute weight and improve traction on soft, slippery, or uneven ground surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system comprising a first and second suspension member, and a resilient member that biases the suspension members toward a first position, allowing for movement and deformation to absorb loads and improve traction, while being designed for ease of replacement and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If conventional track systems use traditional suspension systems, then the vehicle can move on ground surfaces, but the suspension systems are costly and difficult to replace and adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into modular components including a resilient member, a first suspension member with a receptacle, and a second suspension member. This segmentation allows individual components to be easily replaced or adjusted without affecting the entire suspension system, directly addressing the ease of repair requirement while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is designed with specific geometric parameters (length, width, thickness, curvature) that can be varied to adjust suspension characteristics. By changing these parameters, the suspension system's performance can be tuned for different applications without requiring complete system replacement, facilitating both ease of adjustment and cost-effective maintenance.
2Reliability
If track systems are used instead of wheels and tires, then traction and weight distribution are improved, but the suspension systems become costly and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into modular components including a resilient member, a first suspension member with a receptacle, and a second suspension member. This segmentation allows individual components to be easily replaced or adjusted without affecting the entire suspension system, directly addressing the ease of repair requirement while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily swapped when worn or damaged. This approach allows the use of simpler, more cost-effective materials for the resilient member while maintaining overall system reliability, as the member can be replaced rather than repaired, reducing maintenance costs and downtime.
3Strength
If the resilient member undergoes shear deformation, then the suspension system can absorb loads, but the structural integrity must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is designed with specific geometric parameters (length, width, thickness, curvature) that can be varied to adjust suspension characteristics. By changing these parameters, the suspension system's performance can be tuned for different applications without requiring complete system replacement, facilitating both ease of adjustment and cost-effective maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member can be constructed from composite materials or materials with specific mechanical properties that provide both the necessary flexibility for shear deformation and the structural integrity to withstand repeated loading cycles. This allows the member to absorb loads effectively while maintaining reliability over its service life.
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 suspension system effectively distributes the weight of the vehicle, improves traction on challenging ground surfaces, and reduces the complexity and cost of maintenance by allowing for easy replacement of components.
Implementation Method 1
In some embodiments, in response to the first suspension member moving relative to the second suspension member, the resilient member undergoes at least shear deformation.
Implementation Method 2
The resilient member has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being generally fixedly connected to the second suspension member and the second surface being generally fixedly connected to the first suspension member. The first and second suspension members have a first position, and in response to the first and second suspension members being offset from the first position, the resilient member biases the first and second suspension members toward the first position.
Data Source
AI summary
The first suspension member is pivotally connectable to a frame assembly of the track system and defines a receptacle. The second suspension member is pivotally connectable to the frame assembly, extends at least partially within the receptacle, and is moveable relative to the first suspension member. The resilient member has a first surface that is generally fixedly connected to the second suspension member and a second surface that is generally fixedly connected to the first suspension member. The first and second suspension members have a first position, and in response to the first and second suspension members moving relative to one another, the resilient member biases the first and second member toward the first position. A track system is also disclosed.