Crawler Track Undercarriage Deflection Control via Hydraulic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crawler track driven undercarriages for off-road use face challenges in cost efficiency due to complex double jointed body structures, which complicate the control of deflection motions and strain on hydraulic systems.
Innovation Solution
A simplified arrangement using hydraulic cylinders directly coupled between coupling parts, with mechanical limiters to restrict rotating motion and pressure accumulators in separate hydraulic circuits, allowing efficient control of vertical deflection motions and compensation of sideways deflections without overburdening the hydraulic system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If double jointed body structures are used to control deflection motions, then the undercarriage achieves sufficient independent movement capability, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex double jointed body structure from the undercarriage design. Instead of using multiple joints and coupling mechanisms, the invention employs a simplified structure where the crawler track bodies are directly coupled to the center frame through rotating joints, removing unnecessary intermediate joints and coupling arrangements while maintaining the essential deflection control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using hydraulic cylinders to actively control and restrict the rotating motion between crawler track bodies and the center frame, rather than relying on passive mechanical double jointed structures. The restriction arrangement mechanically limits the rotating motion to predefined ranges, inverting the control mechanism from complex mechanical linkages to active hydraulic restriction
2Stability of the object's composition
If hydraulic adjustment arrangements are used to compensate sideways deflections, then the undercarriage stability improves, but the hydraulic system becomes overburdened and less cost efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using restriction arrangements that mechanically limit the rotating motion of crawler track bodies to predefined ranges. Instead of relying entirely on hydraulic systems to control all aspects of motion, the mechanical limiters handle the restriction function, allowing the hydraulic system to focus only on active adjustment and compensation, thereby reducing overall hydraulic system load and energy consumption
3Ease of operation
If multiple joints and coupling arrangements are used in the undercarriage, then the deflection control capability is enhanced, but the manufacturing cost and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary intermediate joints and coupling arrangements from the undercarriage structure. The crawler track bodies are directly coupled to the center frame through rotating joints, eliminating complex double jointed body structures and intermediate coupling mechanisms, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining deflection control capability through active hydraulic restriction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic cylinders and restriction arrangements to control the rotating motion between crawler track bodies and the center frame. The hydraulic system provides active control and compensation, replacing complex mechanical joint structures with more cost-effective hydraulic actuation and mechanical limitation mechanisms
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 solution enhances the structural efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the undercarriage by reducing unnecessary joints and strains, enabling effective compensation of deflections and maintaining stability during off-road operations.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure medium operated, in practice advantageously hydraulic, adjustment arrangement (6), whereby a movement in direction of height h of the crawler track body on the one side causes a movement of a corresponding magnitude in opposite direction of the crawler track body on the opposite side
Implementation Method 2
pressure accumulators (6b) in hydraulic circuits of the opposite crawler track bodies
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement for controlling deflection motions of a crawler track driven undercarriage, wherein an undercarriage (2), being meant for a working machine (1) applicable especially for off-road use, comprises on sides thereof stiff crawler track bodies (3) in longitudinal direction (s) of the undercarriage, wherein ends of the crawler track bodies are provided with idle wheels (4) for crawler track use (T). The crawler track bodies (3) are coupled with a center frame (R) of the undercarriage turnably in a vertical plane along the longitudinal direction (s) of the undercarriage by rotating joints (N) between the center frame and the crawler track bodies, wherein at joint points connecting the center frame (R) of the undercarriage and the crawler track bodies (3) is arranged a coupling arrangement (5) for adjusting strain. The arrangement in the undercarriage comprises a pressure medium operated, advantageously hydraulic, adjustment arrangement, whereby a movement in direction of height (h) of the crawler track body on the one side causes a movement of a corresponding magnitude in opposite direction of the crawler track body on the opposite side by using one or more hydraulic cylinders connecting the crawler track bodies (3) and the center frame (R) at least in a power transmitting manner. The hydraulic cylinders belonging to the arrangement that control rolling motion of the crawler track bodies (3) are coupled on opposite sides of the undercarriage by first ends thereof with the first coupling parts of the coupling arrangement (5) and by second ends thereof with second coupling parts of the coupling arrangement (5).