Construction Machine Main-Bearing Power Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction machines face inefficiencies and space constraints in power transfer between upper and lower carriages due to slip ring connections, leading to energy loss and reduced travel range.

Innovation Solution

A power transfer system utilizing a rotor shaft centered within the machine's main bearing and extending through both carriages, with stators in each carriage, enabling direct mechanical power transfer and optional data transmission via a hollow shaft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If slip ring connection is used for power transfer from upper to lower carriage, then power transfer is enabled, but space claim increases and transfer losses occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer lossVSAvoidspace claim

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power transfer function from the slip ring connection and relocates it to the main bearing, where the rotor shaft directly transfers power to the rotor. This eliminates the need for slip rings and their associated space requirements while reducing transfer losses through direct mechanical coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The main bearing serves as an intermediary component that combines both bearing functionality and power transfer functionality. The rotor shaft passes through the main bearing, which mediates between the upper carriage (where the electric motor is located) and the lower carriage, enabling direct power transfer without slip rings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If slip ring connection is used for power transfer, then power transfer is achieved, but wear increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidtransfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the slip ring connection entirely and extracts the power transfer function to the main bearing system. This eliminates the wear-prone sliding contact of slip rings and replaces it with a direct mechanical drive through the rotor shaft, significantly improving reliability and reducing energy losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electrical slip ring connection with a direct mechanical drive system. The electric motor in the upper carriage directly drives the rotor shaft, which rotates in the main bearing and transfers power to the lower carriage, eliminating the need for electrical contacts and reducing both wear and energy losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Duration of action of moving object

If traditional power transfer system is used, then power transfer is enabled, but travel range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetravel rangeVSAvoidpower transfer loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously harmful energy losses in slip ring connections into beneficial direct mechanical power transfer. By eliminating the energy-dissipating slip ring interface and implementing direct drive through the main bearing, the system improves overall efficiency and extends travel range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP4628657A1Construction machine

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB

Figure 1

AI summary

A construction machine with a power transfer system, the power transfer system comprising: - a rotor arranged partly in an upper carriage and partly in a lower carriage of the construction, wherein the rotor shaft is partly arranged within a main bearing of the construction machine and/or in a center of rotation of the construction machine; - at least one stator arranged in the upper carriage and/or in the lower carriage of the construction machine.