Fully Welded Track Undercarriage Transmission Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing partially welded transmission assemblies for track driven machines require time-consuming assembly and lack sufficient strength due to the need for bolting track pods to a central housing, which complicates manufacturing and reduces overall assembly efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fully welded track undercarriage transmission assembly with track pods or frames integrated to a central transmission housing, featuring multiple layer plates and flanges for increased strength and rigidity, where drive motors are mounted internally, eliminating the need for additional assembly steps and providing a unitary assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If partially welded transmission assemblies are used with bolting track pods to central housing, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but assembly time increases and overall strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the track pods and central housing into a single fully welded assembly, eliminating the need for separate bolting operations. The track pods are welded directly to the central housing, creating a unified structure that reduces assembly time while enhancing overall strength and rigidity of the transmission system.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission housing is pre-formed in selected sections with integrated motor mounting flanges and reinforcing structures before final assembly. The half sections and end members are formed with built-in braces and mounting features that prepare the structure for subsequent welding of track pods, eliminating the need for additional strengthening operations during final assembly.
2Strength
If track pods are bolted to central housing, then assembly simplicity is maintained, but assembly strength and rigidity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The motor mounting flanges are constructed as multiple layer plates formed integrally with the transmission housing, creating a composite structure that combines the housing material with additional strengthening layers. This integrated composite construction provides enhanced strength and rigidity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integral forming.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor mounting flanges are pre-formed as integral parts of the transmission housing structure during the housing formation process. The flanges are constructed with multiple layers and reinforcing features built-in before assembly, eliminating the need for separate strengthening operations and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If drive motors are positioned externally on transmission housing, then motor access is improved, but hydraulic connections become longer and more exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The drive motors are nested within the interior of the central transmission housing, with the motor assemblies positioned inside the housing cavity. This nested arrangement protects the hydraulic connections by keeping them within the enclosed housing space, reducing their exposure to external damage while maintaining compact integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor mounting flanges extend through the side walls of the transmission housing, allowing motors to be positioned on the interior side while maintaining external access points. This dimensional arrangement enables the motors to be protected within the housing while still allowing for operational access through the flange extensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A track driven vehicle 86 has an undercarriage transmission assembly (10) that has a central transmission housing (16) forming a one piece all welded housing. The central transmission housing (16) has upright side wall portions (20) with multiple layers of plates or walls (22, 35, 42, 82) in a sandwich construction on which drive motors (72, 74) are mounted. The drive motors (72, 74) are on the interior of the transmission housing (16), with track drive sprockets on the exterior of the side walls (20). Track mounting pods or frames (24) are welded to the exterior of the side walls (20) of the transmission housing (16).