Crawler Fitting Portion Reinforcement Rib Offset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing working machines with crawlers face challenges in evenly distributing load across lower rollers due to reinforcement rib placement, leading to uneven load distribution and reduced strength, which increases costs and maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

The reinforcement rib is positioned along the center of the longitudinal lower portion of the fitting portion, and the fixing pin fitting hole is offset from the imaginary center line to avoid interference, allowing for even load distribution and improved structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the reinforcement rib is provided below the fitting portion to strengthen it, then the strength of the fitting portion is improved, but the load distribution becomes uneven causing some lower rollers to bear excessive load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of fitting portionVSAvoidload distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately positioning the reinforcement rib asymmetrically relative to the fitting portion centerline. The rib is placed at a specific offset distance from the centerline, creating an asymmetric load path that balances the overall load distribution across all lower rollers, preventing any single roller from bearing excessive load while still providing necessary reinforcement to the fitting portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing reinforcement only in the specific location where it is most needed - at the fitting portion where the extension beam connects to the side frame. The reinforcement rib is strategically positioned to locally strengthen this critical area without adding unnecessary reinforcement elsewhere, thereby maintaining even load distribution while providing targeted strength enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the fixing pin fitting hole is positioned at the center of the fitting portion, then the alignment is simplified, but it interferes with the reinforcement rib placement causing uneven load distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment simplicityVSAvoidload distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing asymmetry in the hole positioning. The fixing pin fitting hole is deliberately offset from the centerline of the fitting portion by a specific distance, allowing the reinforcement rib to be positioned at the optimal location for load distribution. This asymmetric positioning maintains manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliable load distribution across the lower rollers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If the extension beam is made longer to increase working capacity, then the working capacity is improved, but the transport width increases requiring disassembly for road transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking capacityVSAvoidtransportability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the extension beam movable rather than fixed. The extension beam can be rotated between an extended position for working operations and a retracted position for transport. This dynamic configuration allows the beam to adapt to different operational requirements - providing extended working capacity when needed while enabling compact transport by folding the beam parallel to the side frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the extension beam into separable components connected by pivot joints. The extension beam is segmented into sections that can be independently positioned and locked. This segmentation allows the beam to be extended for working operations and then folded back for transport, eliminating the need for complete disassembly while maintaining both working capacity and transportability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10618577B2Working machine with crawler
Publication Date: 2020.04.14 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND CONSTR CRANES CO LTD
  • US10618577B2 patent drawing
  • US10618577B2 patent drawing
  • US10618577B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A working machine with a crawler includes a lower traveling body having a pair of crawlers, an upper turning body, an extension beam installed rotatably to be parallel in a longitudinal direction of the crawler, a fitting portion opened in a side frame of the crawler, a fixing pin fixing the extension beam to the side frame, a fixing pin insertion hole, a fixing pin fitting hole, and a reinforcement rib, in which the extension beam extends to be inserted into the fitting portion, and the reinforcement rib is provided at a center portion of an opening of the fitting portion, and the fixing pin fitting hole is disposed at a position which is deviated from an imaginary center line extending along a longitudinal direction of the fitting portion from the center portion and does not interfere with the reinforcement rib.