Steering Console Rail and Roller Mechanism for Radial Load Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine console systems that allow for movement between opposite sides of a machine are complex, expensive, and prone to maintenance issues due to the use of thrust bearings that cannot withstand significant radial forces from machine acceleration, deceleration, and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A steering console system featuring a longitudinally-extending rail with convex-shaped edges, a console carriage with rollers and a cam mechanism, and a support arm, allowing the console to slide and pivot along the rail, which includes a cable guide to manage wiring, and uses rollers with concave grooves to rotate about an axis normal to the rail, reducing the need for multiple swivel bearings and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile control panel is shifted using thrust bearings, then the console can move between opposite sides of the machine, but the thrust bearings cannot withstand significant radial forces from acceleration, deceleration, and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thrust bearing mechanism with a roller-based system that travels along a longitudinally extending rail. The rollers are configured to withstand radial forces generated during machine operation, eliminating the reliability issues of thrust bearings while maintaining console mobility between opposite sides of the machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the load-bearing parameters by using rollers designed to handle radial forces rather than axial forces. This parameter change allows the console positioning system to withstand the dynamic forces of acceleration, deceleration, and vibration that occur during paving operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If movable structures with multiple linkages and pivots are used to change console position, then the console can be relocated, but the structures become complicated, expensive, and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex multiple linkages and pivots from the console positioning system. Instead, it uses a simplified rail and roller mechanism with a cam mechanism for lateral movement, dramatically reducing structural complexity while maintaining the ability to reposition the console between opposite sides of the machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex mechanical linkage system with a cam mechanism that provides lateral movement of the rollers along the rail. This substitution simplifies the overall structure, reduces manufacturing complexity, and lowers costs while achieving the same console repositioning function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable console structures are used, then the console can be positioned at multiple locations, but important components are placed in exposed locations where they may be damaged or interfere with proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the rollers within a console carriage structure that travels along the rail, protecting them from external damage. The cable guide is also integrated into the carriage, nesting all moving components within a protective enclosure that prevents exposure to crushing, snagging, or other damaging forces while maintaining operational flexibility.
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 system enables easy positioning of the console in multiple horizontal and rotational locations without excessive load on swivel bearings, reducing maintenance needs and costs by using rollers that can withstand radial forces, thus improving the operational reliability and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the rollers may have a concave groove configured to roll along the convex shaped edges, and each of the rollers may be configured to rotate about an axis of rotation extending approximately normal with respect to the rail
Implementation Method 2
a cam mechanism configured to move a first roller of the rollers in an arc-shaped path
Implementation Method 3
a vertical pivot connected to the bracket and to the support arm
Data Source
AI summary
A steering console system for a machine includes a longitudinally-extending rail configured to be fastened to a surface of the machine, the rail including a pair of convex-shaped edges, a steering console, and a console carriage slidably connected to the rail, the console carriage including a bracket, a plurality of rollers connected to the bracket, a support arm connected to the bracket to support the steering console, and a vertical pivot connected to the bracket and to the support arm. Each of the rollers has a concave groove configured to roll along the convex shaped edges, and each of the rollers is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation extending approximately normal with respect to the rail.