Crawler Vehicle Supporting Device with Segmented Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crawler vehicles for grooming ski slopes experience uneven mass distribution and increased friction due to large supporting wheels, leading to vibrations and accelerated wear on the track.
Innovation Solution
A supporting device with smaller diameter rollers, an elastomeric belt, and an articulated mechanism to distribute mass uniformly and reduce friction, featuring a structure that supports and adjusts the rollers to compensate for ground irregularities and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If large supporting wheels are used, then the crawler vehicle structure is simpler, but the mass distribution becomes uneven and friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting device is segmented into multiple small-diameter rollers (at least three rollers) instead of using a single large wheel. This segmentation allows the rollers to be distributed along the track, creating multiple contact points that reduce friction while maintaining structural simplicity through modular arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point contact (large wheel) to a distributed linear contact arrangement (multiple rollers along the track). This dimensional change from radial to longitudinal distribution reduces the frictional force at each contact point while maintaining overall support functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If large supporting wheels are used, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but vibrations and track wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting device is divided into multiple small-diameter rollers (at least three rollers) distributed along the track between the rear and front wheels. This segmentation reduces vibrations and track wear by distributing the supporting function across multiple contact points, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular, repetitive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the critical parameter from roller diameter (large) to roller quantity (at least three small rollers). This parameter change reduces the diameter of individual rollers while increasing their number, thereby reducing vibrations and track wear through distributed contact while keeping each individual roller simple to manufacture.
3Loss of energy
If smaller rollers are used, then mass distribution becomes more uniform and friction reduces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting device uses multiple small-diameter rollers (at least three) instead of a single large wheel. This segmentation achieves uniform mass distribution and reduced friction through distributed contact points, while controlling device complexity by using simple, repetitive roller units with straightforward mounting structures.
4Stability of the object's composition
If smaller rollers are used, then mass distribution becomes more uniform, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting device is segmented into multiple small-diameter rollers (at least three) distributed along the track. This segmentation achieves uniform mass distribution by spreading the supporting function across multiple contact points, while maintaining manufacturing ease through modular, identical roller units that can be produced and assembled efficiently.
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
The solution achieves uniform mass distribution and low friction, reducing stress on the track and enhancing comfort and performance by damping shocks and vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
The belt is advantageously made of an elastomeric material. In this way, it is possible to reduce shocks and dampen any vibrations.
Implementation Method 2
Through the present invention, it is possible to distribute the mass of the crawler vehicle in a relatively uniform manner along the traction portion of the track and, at the same time, generate relatively low friction between the supporting device and the track.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A supporting device (9) for a crawler vehicle (1), in particular for grooming ski slopes, is mounted between a rear wheel (4) and a front wheel (5), resting along the inside of a traction portion (8) of the track (3), and has a plurality of rollers (14) much smaller in diameter than the rear wheel (4); a belt (15) looped around the rollers (14); and a structure (16) designed to support the rollers (14) and to push the rollers (14) and the belt (15) against the inside of the traction portion (8) of the track (3).