Tracked Drive Wheel with Wear-Resistant Elements for Slippage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracked undercarriages in agricultural machinery experience significant slippage between the drive wheel and the track due to contamination and slippery environments, which impairs power transmission.
Innovation Solution
A tracked undercarriage design featuring wear-resistant elements made of metal, such as aluminum, arranged radially outside the drive wheel, which provide positive engagement and increased dimensional stability, combined with friction elements made of elastomer, such as rubber, to enhance power transmission and reduce slippage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If friction elements made of elastomer are used for power transmission between the drive wheel and the track, then the tracked undercarriage can operate in various conditions, but slippage increases in contaminated or slippery environments due to reduced dimensional stability
Solution Approach 1:
The drive wheel is segmented into different functional elements: friction elements made of elastomer for general adaptability and wear-resistant elements made of metal for reliable power transmission in contaminated conditions. Each segment performs its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the drive wheel have different material properties: the friction elements provide elasticity and adaptability in clean conditions, while the wear-resistant elements provide dimensional stability and cleaning action in contaminated conditions. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
2Reliability
If wear-resistant elements made of metal are used to increase dimensional stability and reduce slippage, then power transmission improves in contaminated conditions, but wear on the elastic tracked track increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive wheel is divided into friction elements and wear-resistant elements that work together. The wear-resistant elements clean the track surface and provide stable engagement, while the friction elements provide compliant contact that reduces abrasive wear on the track.
Solution Approach 2:
The wear-resistant elements are positioned to provide cleaning action and stable power transmission only where needed, while the friction elements provide gentle, compliant contact in other regions. This localized functionality reduces overall track wear while maintaining power transmission reliability.
3Reliability
If the drive wheel is designed with both friction elements and wear-resistant elements, then power transmission and cleaning effects improve, but the complexity of the drive wheel structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive wheel is segmented into modular friction elements and wear-resistant elements that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving the desired functional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive wheel design integrates multiple functions into a single component structure: power transmission, track cleaning, and wear resistance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing 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 design improves power transmission by minimizing slippage and wear on the track, especially in contaminated conditions, through the use of wear-resistant elements that maintain contact with the track surface and guide blocks to prevent lateral displacement.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one wear-resistant element exhibits greater dimensional stability. This results in improved positive transmission of the driving force from the drive wheel to the elastic track, particularly in slippery environments. Because the wear-resistant element has greater dimensional stability than the friction element, its sharp edges have a cleaning effect on the inner surface of the rubber track when they come into contact with it.
Implementation Method 2
friction elements for force-locking interaction with the tracked track are arranged radially outside on the drive wheel
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Tracked undercarriage (1) of an agricultural machine (2) with a drive wheel (11) for driving an elastic track belt (5) of the tracked undercarriage (1), wherein friction elements (18) for force-locking interaction with the track belt (5), in particular detachably, are arranged radially outside on the drive wheel (11), wherein at least one wear-resistant element (19) is arranged radially outside on the drive wheel (11) adjacent to at least one friction element (18).