Crawler Suspension Pivoting Element for Compact Track Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crawler chassis suspensions with additional crawler tracks increase track width, complexity, and weight, making them less suitable for cramped environments and increasing energy consumption, while also raising the risk of component failure and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified crawler chassis suspension design with a single crawler chain and a pivoting element that adapts to different ground conditions, featuring a fixed pivot axis and fewer components to maintain a small track width and reduce weight, allowing for quick chain changes and reduced risk of contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional crawler tracks are used to increase off-road mobility, then the ability to overcome obstacles is improved, but the track width increases making movement in cramped conditions more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rotatable arm with a deflection wheel that can dynamically adjust the crawler chain configuration. The arm rotates about an axis coincident with the foremost wheel axis, allowing the chain to adapt its shape to different ground conditions and obstacles while maintaining a compact track width suitable for cramped environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional crawler tracks are used to increase off-road mobility, then the ability to overcome obstacles is improved, but the construction complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the crawler suspension into modular components: a first suspension with a foremost wheel, a rotatable arm with a deflection wheel, and a crawler chain. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components that can be manufactured and assembled more easily while achieving the desired off-road mobility through their coordinated arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional crawler tracks are used to increase off-road mobility, then the ability to overcome obstacles is improved, but the weight increases leading to increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable arm serves multiple functions: it supports the deflection wheel that guides the crawler chain, provides rotational adjustment capability for obstacle overcoming, and maintains structural connection to the chassis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heavy components, reducing overall suspension weight while preserving off-road mobility capabilities.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are used to increase off-road mobility, then the ability to overcome obstacles is improved, but the risk of component failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding multiple independent track systems to improve reliability, the patent inverts the approach by using a single crawler chain with a rotatable arm mechanism. This reduces the number of components that can fail while the rotational capability of the arm provides the necessary adaptability for overcoming obstacles, thereby improving reliability while maintaining off-road mobility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The crawler suspension has deflection wheel (1,4) and impeller (2) whose axes are arranged in same plane position. The distance between axis of deflection wheel (1), and axis of impeller is greater than distance between pivot axis (5) and axis of deflection wheel (1) and distance between pivot axis and axis of impeller. The pivot axis is formed such that pivot range of pivoting element (6) satisfies predetermined target range. The length of the deflection wheels and impeller enclosing curve (7) during pivoting of the pivot element is within the predetermined pivot range. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) method of changing endless track; and (2) method for pivoting pivot element.