Crawler Traction Cable Routing With External Protective Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically driven work machines with crawler tracks face challenges in optimizing cable routing for motor lines, which are often not protected against mechanical damage and complicate the mounting and demounting of crawler carriers due to predetermined and non-flexible routing within the steel structure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a work machine design where motor lines, including energy and coolant supply lines, run in a separate flexible protection means outside the steel structure of the undercarriage, allowing for direct and adaptable routing, enhancing accessibility and flexibility during assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motor lines are routed through the steel structure of the undercarriage, then mechanical protection against damage is provided, but cable length is increased and mounting/demounting becomes elaborate
Solution Approach 1:
The motor lines are segmented from the undercarriage steel structure routing and placed in a separate protective conduit that can be independently installed and removed. This allows the protective covering to be detached during mounting/demounting operations while leaving the undercarriage structure intact.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate protective conduit or cable tray acts as an intermediary between the motor lines and the harsh construction environment. This intermediary provides mechanical protection without requiring the cables to be embedded in the steel structure, enabling easier access and installation.
2Reliability
If motor lines are routed through the steel structure of the undercarriage, then mechanical protection against damage is provided, but cable routing is predetermined and not optimized in terms of transmission length
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing system is made dynamic and adaptable rather than fixed. The separate protective conduit allows the motor lines to be routed along the most direct path between components, optimizing cable length while maintaining protection. The routing can be adjusted during installation to minimize transmission length.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing parameters (path, length, position) of the motor lines are optimized by changing from a predetermined steel structure path to a flexible external conduit that can follow the shortest practical route between power sources and traction drives.
3Ease of operation
If motor lines are routed outside the undercarriage in a separate protection means, then accessibility is improved and mounting/demounting is simplified, but mechanical protection against damage must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible protective conduit or sheath is used to enclose the motor lines externally. This flexible shell provides mechanical protection against damage from the construction environment while allowing easy access and routing adjustments. The conduit can bend and adapt to the machine's geometry without compromising cable protection.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a work machine, in particular a duty-cycle crawler crane, having an undercarriage which comprises a middle part and at least one crawler carrier connected to the middle part and having at least one electric traction drive, wherein at least one energy transmission line for supplying power to the traction drive and at least one further supply line runs between the traction drive and the middle part. According to the disclosure, the at least one energy supply line and the at least one further supply line run together in a separate protection means outside the middle part and the crawler carrier.