Vibration-Damped Tracked Vehicle Torque Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracked vehicles face challenges in vibration damping due to the long coupling path of torque arms, which can impair mine protection devices and amphibious vehicle suction openings, and require a more compact torque support solution.
Innovation Solution
A compact torque support system using traction couplings that extend between a hull-side coupling point and a running gear-side coupling point, with bearing points on the side wall and traction couplings on the vehicle pan floor, allowing for efficient vibration damping without transmitting compressive or transverse forces, and featuring adjustable coupling points for collision protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rod-like moment supports (pull and push rods) are used to extend across the entire width of the vehicle to couple chain drives, then the chain drives are supported against each other and bearing points, but the long coupling path impairs mine protection devices and suction openings below the vehicle floor
Solution Approach 1:
The torque support function is segmented into multiple independent torsion bars instead of a single long rod-like structure. Each torsion bar is positioned locally near its corresponding bearing point, eliminating the need for long coupling paths across the vehicle width while maintaining vibration damping effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a horizontal coupling arrangement (rods extending across vehicle width) to a vertical arrangement (torsion bars extending from bearing points down to the vehicle floor). This dimensional change allows the torque support to be compact in the horizontal direction, avoiding interference with mine protection devices and suction openings below the floor.
2Reliability
If elastic bearing points are used to decouple chain drives from the vehicle pan for vibration damping, then vibrations are not transmitted to the hull, but the chain running gear may loosen from the bearing points under considerable vertical and dynamic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The solution merges two previously separate functions into a single integrated component: the bearing point structure and the torque support mechanism. The torsion bars are directly connected to the bearing point housings, combining vibration decoupling and force resistance functions in one unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing points utilize composite construction with elastomer materials combined with metal components. The elastomer provides vibration damping and decoupling, while the metal housing and integrated torsion bar structure provide the necessary strength to resist vertical and dynamic forces, preventing loosening under load.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a compact torque support with short coupling path is used, then impairments to vehicle components below the floor are minimized, but the structure must still effectively transmit tensile forces while damping vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion bars utilize material property changes (elastic modulus, yield strength) and geometric parameter optimization (cross-section dimensions, length, positioning) to achieve high force transmission capability within a compact structure. This allows effective tensile force transmission and vibration damping without requiring long coupling paths or complex arrangements.
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
This solution provides effective vibration damping with minimal impairment to vehicle components, allowing for reliable transmission of tensile forces and protection against collisions, while maintaining a compact design that does not disrupt elements below the vehicle floor.
Implementation Method 1
at least partially elastic bearing points, via which the chain drives are mounted on the vehicle pan in a vibration-damped manner
Implementation Method 2
The bearing points can be, for example, metal bearing journals which are inserted into a joint eye provided with an elastomer, resulting in a vibration-damped bearing
Implementation Method 3
these behave elastically in relation to pressure and transverse forces, which means that good vibration decoupling can be achieved. Only tensile forces are transmitted, but no compressive or transverse forces
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tracked vehicle (1) comprising a floor pan (2) and two vibration-damped chain drive assemblies (3) arranged on the sides of the floor pan (2), which are mounted on the floor pan (2) at a mounting point (4) and are braced against the mounting point (4) by a moment support (5), the moment supports (5) being formed by tensile couplings which extend from a coupling point (7) on the floor pan to a coupling point (8) on the drive assembly.