Rubber Track Wheel Temperature Sensing for Overheating Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rubber track and wheel overheating during extensive use on paved streets leads to increased wear and maintenance costs due to friction, particularly affecting vehicles with polymeric layers on roller wheels.
Innovation Solution
A rubber track suspension system equipped with temperature sensors and antennas connected via RF-powered circuits to transmit temperature signals, allowing for real-time monitoring of contact zone temperatures between wheels and tracks, and featuring a crown insert on a rolling frame to protect the sensor and reduce wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the vehicle uses rubber tracks with roller wheels having polymeric layers for high-speed travel on paved streets, then speed and travel efficiency are improved, but overheating occurs due to friction between the track and wheels, leading to increased wear and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor and monitoring system are installed on the roller wheels before the overheating problem occurs, enabling early detection of temperature increases. This preliminary monitoring allows the system to alert operators before critical temperatures are reached, preventing the wear and maintenance issues that would otherwise occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor the contact zone between the rubber track and roller wheels, and this temperature information is fed back to the operator via display or alert systems. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustments to operating conditions to prevent overheating while maintaining high-speed travel capability
2Productivity
If the vehicle operates extensively on paved streets with rubber tracks, then productivity and travel time are improved, but the polymeric layer on roller wheels degrades faster due to friction and heat, increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature monitoring system is installed in advance on the roller wheels to detect temperature rises before they cause polymeric layer degradation. This preliminary detection allows operators to adjust operations before reliability issues occur
Solution Approach 2:
Continuous temperature feedback from sensors on the roller wheels provides real-time information about the thermal state of the polymeric layer contact zone, enabling operators to modify travel patterns or reduce speed before degradation occurs, thus maintaining reliability during high-productivity operations
3Reliability
If temperature monitoring systems are added to the track suspension to prevent overheating, then wear and maintenance costs are reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and signal transmission components
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted and mounted directly on the roller wheel, close to the contact zone, allowing for localized monitoring without requiring a complex centralized sensing system. This extraction of the sensing function to the point of need simplifies the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor on the roller wheel monitors its own operating conditions and generates signals that are transmitted automatically. The system is self-monitoring and self-reporting, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity
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 system effectively monitors and reduces overheating, minimizing wear and maintenance costs by providing temperature data for optimal operation and reducing the risk of polymeric layer degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor (15) for detection of a temperature representative of the temperature in the contact zone between a wheel (11, 12, 13) and rubber track (6)
Implementation Method 2
an antenna (16) attached to a track wheel, the antenna being connected to the temperature sensor to transmit to a receiver a temperature signal generated by the temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
the suspension comprises an RF-powered circuit to connect the temperature sensor with the antenna and suitable to be powered by an electromagnetic radiation in order to transmit the temperature signal via the antenna
Implementation Method 4
heat generates due to friction between the track and the wheels
Data Source
AI summary
A track system for a rubber tracked work vehicle comprises temperature sensor and an antenna attached to a track wheel. The antenna is connected to the temperature sensor to transmit to a receiver a temperature signal generated by the temperature sensor. A work vehicle comprising the track system and a temperature measuring method are also disclosed.