Design Challenge - June / July 2011

IDWS Inc - David Duncan

The general idea behind this concept was to create a system that can fit onto a traditional style axle – with the axle having a type of toothed gear to transfer the rotation motion. The system is a combination of a type of conceptual belt track from a company like Goodyear, mixed with the Tweel technology, and made of a tough yet manipulative material. This would be moulded to act in two distinct ways for different traction and soil requirements.

There are four quarters that make up the moving system. At slower speeds, where more traction and lighter ground pressure is required, the four quarters reassemble into a lower position, with two sections moving outwards and the top section moving down to create a more traditional oval-track appearance and functionality, with internal gears that receive their power from the geared axle. However, at higher speeds, or where there is less need for lighter ground pressure, the four quarters move into a circular position, tightening up the belt in a circular position that is not driven by the track gear system. This would switch off and convert back to solely using the axle rotation gear – and therefore turning like a traditional wheel.

The Tweel concept built into the belt adds a bit of comfort and lifespan to the system, and would be more similar to a pneumatic tyre than a track. It would also have the steering ability of a pneumatic-tyred tractor.

I built this concept around the classic John Deere look of the 3020 model of the 1960s, although this concept is created for the 7530 series size machines, with a full 4x4 drive and the rear wheels being of a larger diameter than those at the front.

Images

* Click on a thumbnail below to view a larger image.

Biography

David Duncan, senior designer at IDWS, has worked in Industrial Design for 11 years, with experience in exterior and interior styling in transportation design

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: d.duncan@idws.ca

Website: www.idws.ca