Crawler Idler Pivoting Mechanism for Vibration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crawler travel units for tractors experience excessive vertical vibration and load imbalance when traversing obstacles, as intermediate idling wheels are lifted, leading to uneven load distribution and increased vibration.
Innovation Solution
The crawler travel unit design includes a track frame with swingable idling wheels and a rocking link mechanism that ensures two rear idling wheels pivot and contact the ground when the front idling wheel encounters an obstacle, distributing the load and reducing vibration through a seesaw-like effect, with the tension adjusting mechanism supporting the front driven wheel and applying an upward force to the front portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If three idling wheels are arranged in front-rear direction to support load, then load support capability is improved, but when intermediate idling wheel runs on obstacle it gets lifted and cannot support load, causing excessive load on rear idling wheel and increased vertical vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the idling wheels dynamically adjustable by allowing them to pivot relative to the track frame. The rear idling wheels can change their contact point and angle with the ground based on terrain conditions, enabling them to maintain load support capability even when encountering obstacles, thereby reducing vertical vibration while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the load support function by providing multiple idling wheels (at least three arranged in front-rear direction) that can independently pivot. This segmentation allows different wheels to handle different terrain conditions separately, so when one wheel encounters an obstacle, others can compensate, maintaining overall load support and reducing vibration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If front idling wheel runs on obstacle, then load distribution becomes unbalanced, but this causes excessive load on rearmost idling wheel leading to larger vertical vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic load redistribution through the pivoting mechanism. When the front idling wheel encounters an obstacle, the rear idling wheels can pivot to adjust their position and share the increased load, preventing excessive concentration on the rearmost wheel and reducing vertical vibration while maintaining terrain adaptability.
3Device complexity
If idling wheels are fixed on track frame, then structure is simple, but cannot adapt to obstacles causing load concentration and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pivoting mechanism that allows idling wheels to dynamically adjust their position relative to the track frame. This adds moderate structural complexity but significantly improves load distribution reliability when encountering obstacles, as the wheels can adapt their angle and contact point to maintain even load sharing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively reduces the load on individual idling wheels, shares the load among multiple wheels, and minimizes vertical vibration of the track frame, enhancing stability and traction when traversing uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
each of two idling wheels on a rear side of the at least three_idling wheels is pivoted on a first rocking link, and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the first rocking link is pivoted on the track frame through a first pivot shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A track frame is swingably supported by a rear axle case of a travel machine body through a rocking shaft; front and rear driven wheels are disposed in front and rear end portions of the track frame; at least three idling wheels are disposed on an intermediate portion of the track frame at intervals in a longitudinal direction; a drive wheel which is disposed upward of a longitudinal intermediate portion of the track frame and is configured to receive a power transmitted from a rear axle supported by the rear axle case; and a crawler belt is wrapped around the drive wheel, the front driven wheel, the rear driven wheel and the idling wheels. Two idling wheels on a rear side of the at least three idling wheels are pivoted on a first rocking link, and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the first rocking link is pivoted on the track frame through a first pivot shaft.