Crawler Steering Clutch Control During Pivot-to-Travel Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inside steering clutch in crawler-type work machines experiences excessive heating during rapid mode transitions due to relative rotation when switching from pivot turning to straight or slow turning modes, which can lead to mechanical stress and potential failure.
Innovation Solution
A controller is implemented to manage the engagement and disengagement of steering clutches and brakes, along with the turning motor, to maintain a consistent rotation speed of the turning motor until the inside steering clutch begins partial engagement during mode transitions, thereby reducing the relative rotation and heating load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the turning motor is stopped immediately when switching from pivot turning mode to straight travel mode, then the response time is improved, but the heating load on the inside steering clutch increases due to excessive relative rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The controller maintains the rotation speed of the turning motor for a predetermined period after the inside steering clutch begins partial engagement, rather than stopping it immediately. This preliminary continuation of motor rotation prevents excessive relative rotation between the inside steering clutch and inside planetary gear mechanism, thereby reducing heating load while still achieving rapid mode transition
Solution Approach 2:
The control strategy anticipates the potential heating problem by maintaining motor rotation as a cushioning measure during the engagement transition period. This prevents the harmful effect (excessive heating) from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to mitigate it after the fact
Data Source
AI summary
In a crawler type work machine, when switching from a pivot turning mode to a straight travel mode or a slow turning mode, a controller is configured to maintain a rotation speed of the turning motor until after a first timing at which the inside steering clutch begins partial engagement.