Elastically Deformable Scraper for Work Vehicle Running Gear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing running gear systems for work vehicles, particularly those with guide blocks on the inner lateral surface of traction mechanisms, face issues with contamination adherence and potential damage due to permanent friction and dirt settlement, leading to impaired function and mechanical damage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an elastically deformable wiping element with a driver that engages between guide blocks, allowing for repeated deformation and vibration to effectively remove contaminants, preventing adherence and ensuring the stripping element does not physically contact the traction mechanism's surface, thus maintaining functionality and avoiding damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stripping element is spring-biased against the inner lateral surface of the traction means to continuously wipe off impurities, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but permanent friction causes damage to the traction mechanism and the stripping element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidmechanical damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stripping element is replaced by a flexible wiping element that is elastically deformable. The driver causes repeated elastic deflection and vibration of the wiping element during rotation, creating a dynamic cleaning action rather than static friction. This dynamic motion allows the wiping element to contact and wipe impurities without permanent friction damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The driver is designed to induce repeated elastic deflection of the wiping element as the traction means rotates. This creates vibration and oscillating motion in the wiping element, enhancing the cleaning effectiveness while reducing adhesion of contaminants. The vibration prevents soil and dirt from settling on the wiping element surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Force

If a rigid stripping element is used to scrape off contaminants, then cleaning force is improved, but soil and dirt settle on the stripping element causing impaired function and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning forceVSAvoidfunctionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid stripping element is replaced by a flexible wiping element that can dynamically adapt to the surface. The repeated elastic deflection caused by the driver creates motion that prevents contaminants from adhering and settling. This dynamic flexibility maintains cleaning effectiveness while avoiding the contamination adhesion problem of rigid elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the wiping element is changed from rigid to elastically deformable. This parameter change allows the element to flex and vibrate during operation, fundamentally altering how it interacts with contaminants. The elastic deformability enables the element to wipe off impurities without allowing them to settle and adhere to its surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the wiping element continuously contacts the inner lateral surface to remove impurities, then cleaning function is improved, but the wiping element itself becomes contaminated and damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning functionVSAvoidcontamination adherence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The driver induces repeated elastic deflection that creates vibration in the wiping element during rotation. This vibration disrupts the adhesion between contaminants and the wiping element surface, preventing soil and dirt from settling. The oscillating motion continuously sheds contaminants before they can firmly adhere to the element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The wiping action is transformed from continuous static contact to periodic dynamic deflection. As the traction means rotates, the driver repeatedly deflects the wiping element in a periodic cycle. This periodic motion creates intervals of contact and separation, preventing continuous contamination accumulation on the wiping element surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 ensures reliable and continuous cleaning of contaminants from the inner lateral surface of the traction mechanism, preventing damage and maintaining the stripping element's function, while reducing mechanical stress on the traction mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

the wiping element being designed to be at least partially elastically deformable. At least one driver is provided on the stripping element for the elastic deflection and/or deformation of at least one section of the stripping element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

According to the invention, the stripping element can be repeatedly at least partially vibrated and/or deformed during a rotation of the traction means by repeated deflection of the driver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

The driver protrudes from the stripping element and runs in relation to the guide blocks in such a way that, when the traction means rotates, it successively engages in all the intermediate spaces provided between the guide blocks and is deflected by the guide blocks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3002179B1Running gear for a work vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 CLAAS INDUSTRIETECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3002179B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3002179B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3002179B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A running gear (1) for a work vehicle has at least one deflection wheel (2) and one drive wheel (3) guided on a support frame. These receive an endless traction element (4) on their circumference, the traction element (4) being supported on its surface facing away from the ground being traversed by support rollers. A device (5) for removing contaminants from an inner surface (7) of the traction element (4), which is provided with guide blocks (6), is provided on the support frame or on a component connected thereto. This device has at least one scraper element (8, 9) guided to the inner surface (7) of the traction element (4).In order to improve the removal of contaminants from an inner surface (7) of a traction element (4) of a running gear (1) provided with guide blocks (6) in such a way as to prevent contaminants from adhering to a scraper element (8, 9) used for removal, the scraper element (8, 9) shall be designed to be at least partially elastically deformable, wherein at least one driver (10, 11) is provided on the scraper element (8, 9) for elastic deflection and/or deformation of at least one section of the scraper element (8, 9), and wherein the driver (10, 11) is arranged in relation to the guide blocks (6) such that, as the traction element (4) rotates, it successively engages in all the spaces (12) provided between the guide blocks (6) and is deflected by the guide blocks (6).