Crawler Undercarriage Tensioning via Adjustable Stop Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chain drive systems for crawler cranes and excavators face issues with maintaining optimal chain tension, as wear and tear lead to reduced tension and sagging, causing irregular wear and potential derailment, while over-tightening reduces durability. Current tensioning methods, such as hydraulic cylinders, require complex pressure regulation and expensive components.
Innovation Solution
A chain drive system with an adjustable stop mechanism limits the displacement of the sprocket or idler wheel, allowing for variable chain tension adjustment without changing hydraulic pressure, preventing over-tightening and optimizing durability by maintaining constant pressure with a hydraulic cylinder unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the chain tension is increased to counteract wear and sagging, then the chain guidance is improved, but the durability of the chain is reduced due to over-tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning device allows dynamic adjustment of chain tension based on operational conditions. The chain tension can be increased during working operations to ensure proper guidance and decreased during driving operations to extend chain life, transforming a static tensioning system into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational phases
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the tension parameter of the chain according to operational mode. By adjusting the tensioning force to different levels (high tension during work, low tension during transport), the system optimizes both chain guidance and durability by matching tension parameters to specific operational requirements
2Force
If hydraulic pressure is increased to tension the chain, then the chain tension is improved, but the device complexity increases due to need for pressure relief valves and regulation components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex pressure regulation components (pressure relief valves, regulators) from the hydraulic system. By using a simplified hydraulic circuit without these components, the system achieves chain tensioning through direct hydraulic pressure application, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective tensioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system is designed to self-regulate chain tension without external control components. The hydraulic pressure naturally tensions the chain to the required level, and the system maintains this tension automatically without needing additional regulation mechanisms, making the hydraulic circuit self-sufficient
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 adjustable stop mechanism ensures optimal chain tension is maintained, reducing wear and extending the service life of the crawler chain by preventing over-tightening and eliminating the need for expensive pressure relief valves, thus enhancing the durability and operational efficiency of the chain drive.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure applied in the hydraulic cylinder determines the tension applied to the chain
Implementation Method 2
A hydraulic cylinder or a helical spring, for example, is used as a tensioning device
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tracked undercarriage for a working machine, in particular for a crawler crane or a crawler excavator, comprising a drive track (20), at least one slidably mounted sprocket (30), in particular an idler or guide wheel, and at least one tensioning device for tensioning the track, wherein at least one stop is provided that limits the displacement of the slidably mounted sprocket. The invention further relates to a working machine, in particular a crawler crane or a crawler excavator, with such a tracked undercarriage.