Tracked Vehicle Attachment Device Structural Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional attachment devices between trailing arms and track support beams in tracked vehicles are weak, complex, and costly, leading to reduced life expectancy and increased service needs, with inadequate suspension and structural strength.

Innovation Solution

A robust attachment device is designed with a solid part attached to the track support beam via a recess, featuring a pivotal attachment mechanism with a pin or ball joint, providing additional structural strength and stability by engaging the trailing arm parallel to the track support beam's longitudinal direction, and incorporating a torsion spring for resilient movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional attachment devices are used between trailing arms and track support beams, then the device complexity is reduced, but the structural strength and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment device complexityVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device merges the trailing arm connection and the track support beam connection into a single integrated structure. The U-shaped attachment device has arms that connect to the trailing arm and a base that connects to the track support beam, combining multiple attachment functions into one unified component that provides both structural strength and suspension capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device utilizes composite construction with a U-shaped configuration that combines rigid connection points with flexible suspension elements. The structure integrates metal components with potential rubber or polymer elements to achieve both strength and resilience in a single attachment device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional attachment devices are used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the life expectancy and service interval deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidlife expectancy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is designed as a separable U-shaped component that can be manufactured independently and then installed on the track support beam. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing processes optimized for the attachment device geometry, improving both manufacturing efficiency and component durability through focused production techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device is pre-configured with its U-shaped geometry and connection features during manufacturing, allowing for quality control and stress testing to be performed before installation. This preliminary preparation ensures the device meets strength requirements while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized production processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If conventional attachment devices are used, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the suspension capability and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment device simplicityVSAvoidsuspension stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device incorporates dynamic suspension capability through its U-shaped configuration that allows controlled movement and rotation. The device can pivot and flex to accommodate track assembly movement while maintaining stable connection, providing both simplicity in structure and sophistication in movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device utilizes changes in geometric parameters during operation, allowing the U-shaped structure to flex and rotate within defined ranges. This parameter change capability enables the device to maintain stable connections while accommodating the dynamic movement of the track assembly, achieving both simplicity and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances the structural strength and stability of the track support beam, allowing for resilient attachment and improved suspension, reducing service needs and increasing the vehicle's life expectancy while simplifying manufacturing and assembly.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a torsion spring for resilient movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3215413B1Attachment device for track support beam of tracked vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 BAE SYSTEMS HAGGLUNDS AKTIEBOLAG
  • EP3215413B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3215413B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP3215413B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In one aspect of the present invention is provided an attachment device (100) for attachment of a trailing arm (54a) to a track support beam (22) intended to be connected, via said trailing arm (54a), to a center beam (30, 32) or other structural element situated between two track assemblies (21) of a tracked vehicle (10). The attachment device (100) is secured to the track support beam (22) and configured to attach the trailing arm (54a) to the track support beam (22) via an axis (X2) running above and substantially centrally along an upper side of the track support beam (22), in the longitudinal direction of the track support beam. In this way, a robust, structurally strong, suspension-admitting attachment device that is easy to manufacture and assemble is achieved. In another aspect of the invention is provided a tracked vehicle (10) comprising such an attachment device (100) and in a further aspect of the invention a method of manufacturing a track support beam (22) comprising such an attachment device (100).