Crane Steering Linkage With Variable Camber for Tight Turns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cranes face challenges in achieving a small steering radius and minimizing friction between wheels and the ground, especially when navigating in tight spaces and carrying heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
The crane features a steering system with twin wheels that can adjust their camber angle, allowing for independent rotation around a camber axis, and a self-braking motor system, which reduces torque requirements for steering and minimizes sliding friction. Additionally, the crane has a linear steering actuator and a compact design with a movable platform for remote control operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional steering system with fixed camber wheels is used, then the structure is simple, but the steering radius is large and ground friction is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the wheel camber angle variable rather than fixed. The steering system dynamically adjusts the camber angle of the wheels during steering operations, allowing the wheels to tilt relative to the vertical axis. This dynamic adjustment enables the crane to achieve a smaller steering radius by optimizing the wheel orientation during turns, directly resolving the contradiction between steering performance and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the camber angle parameter of the wheels. The steering mechanism changes the geometric parameter (camber angle) of the wheels from a fixed zero angle to variable angles during steering. This parameter change allows the wheels to better conform to the turning path, reducing the steering radius and improving maneuverability without requiring a fundamentally complex steering architecture.
2Ease of manufacture
If wheels with fixed camber angle are used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the friction between wheels and ground is high during steering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static fixed-camber wheels to dynamic variable-camber wheels. The steering system actively adjusts the camber angle during operation to optimize wheel-ground contact during turns. This dynamic adaptation reduces sliding friction between the wheels and ground by maintaining optimal contact geometry, thereby reducing energy loss and wear while preserving manufacturing simplicity through relatively straightforward mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a steering system without variable camber is used, then the device complexity is low, but the crane cannot navigate tight spaces effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamics by enabling the wheels to dynamically adjust their camber angle in response to steering demands. This dynamic capability allows the crane to navigate tight spaces effectively by optimizing wheel orientation during tight turns. The variable camber mechanism provides the adaptability needed for maneuvering in confined areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall steering structure through straightforward mechanical linkages and actuation systems.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2
AI summary
A crane (10) for lifting and transporting loads comprising: a base frame (12), for transferring the loads of the crane (10) onto a support surface by means of a plurality of wheels (34, 35, 36) comprising two steering wheels (34); and a steering system. The steering system comprises a linear steering actuator (46), which is hinged, on one side, to the base frame (12) and, on the other side, to a bar (48) having two ends, wherein each end of the bar (48) is hinged to a respective rotary element (50, 52) around a respective hinging axis (P1, P2), wherein each rotary element (50, 52) rotates around a respective rotation axis (R1, R2 ) and is constrained in rotation to the respective steering wheel (34) so a to steer it.