Crawler Vehicle Battery Swap Interface for Minimal Standstill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crawler vehicles for preparing ski runs face challenges with long charging times for alternative powering systems, leading to reduced energy efficiency and increased standstill times due to the difficulty in quickly replacing discharged energy storage assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A crawler vehicle design featuring a removable and quickly replaceable energy storage assembly with a connection interface that allows for automated or operator-assisted connection/disconnection, utilizing either batteries or hydrogen storage, and a position sensor system to facilitate rapid swapping of energy storage units, minimizing standstill times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If alternative powering systems (electric batteries or hydrogen storage) are used, then zero emissions and high energy efficiency are achieved, but long charging times increase standstill times
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is divided into modular assemblies that can be independently removed and replaced. The connection interface separates the energy storage assembly from the propulsion system, allowing quick swapping without recharging delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from a fixed energy storage system to a replaceable modular system, fundamentally altering the operational parameter from charging time to replacement time, thereby eliminating the bottleneck of long charging periods
2Device complexity
If a fixed energy storage system is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but standstill times increase due to inability to quickly replace discharged energy storage assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is segmented into removable assemblies with standardized connection interfaces, enabling quick replacement while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Charged energy storage assemblies are prepared in advance and can be quickly swapped with discharged ones. The connection interface is designed to facilitate preliminary positioning and rapid engagement, eliminating standstill time
3Device complexity
If manual replacement of energy storage assemblies is performed, then device complexity is minimized, but replacement speed and precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface incorporates alignment guides and self-locking mechanisms that automatically position and secure the energy storage assembly during replacement, reducing the need for complex manual operations while maintaining high speed
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical replacement operations are supplemented or replaced by automated positioning systems using sensors and control units, dramatically increasing replacement speed and precision without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A crawler vehicle has a frame (2); a first energy storage assembly (14; 41; 44) configured to be removed from the crawler vehicle (1) and to be replaced by a further first energy storage assembly (14; 41; 44); a propulsion system (15) configured to be powered by the first energy storage assembly (14; 41; 44); a connection interface (16; 45) configured to selectively and quickly connect/disconnect the first energy storage assembly (14; 41; 44) to/from the propulsion system (15); a first motorised track (3) and a second motorised track (4); and a transmission assembly (17) configured to transmit power from the propulsion system (15) to the first and to the second track (3, 4).