Excavator Rotating Assembly With Hydraulic Track Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Excavator tracks experience significant wear and strain due to the design's requirement for turning, which causes soil disturbance and track damage, and existing methods to reduce wear are incomplete in addressing these issues.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic lifting apparatus attached to the excavator's main frame is used to lift and rotate the tracks above the ground surface, allowing for rotation of the excavator without direct contact with the ground, thereby reducing wear and soil disturbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the excavator turns like a tank with tracks on the ground, then the excavator can rotate in place, but the tracks experience significant wear and strain causing soil disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent lifts the tracks off the ground surface into a third dimension (vertical space), changing the rotation method from in-place ground-based turning to aerial rotation. This dimensional change eliminates direct track-ground contact during rotation, reducing wear and soil disturbance while maintaining rotation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic lifting apparatus acts as an intermediary between the excavator and the ground surface. It provides a controlled mechanism to elevate the tracks, creating a buffer that prevents direct harmful contact between the tracks and ground during rotation operations
2Reliability
If the excavator lifts one end of the tracks up off the ground to reduce wear, then track wear is reduced, but the ground surface is still damaged and wear is not eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
By lifting both tracks completely off the ground surface into vertical space, the patent eliminates the harmful interaction between tracks and ground entirely. This complete elevation in another dimension prevents both track wear and ground surface damage that occur with partial lifting methods
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of keeping tracks on the ground and accepting wear, the patent inverts the approach by elevating the tracks above the ground. This reversal of the normal operating state (tracks on ground) eliminates the harmful factors while maintaining operational capability
3Productivity
If tracks remain in contact with the ground during rotation, then the excavator can turn efficiently, but soil disturbance and track strain increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables rotation to occur in aerial space rather than on the ground surface. This dimensional shift allows the excavator to maintain rotation efficiency while completely avoiding soil disturbance, as the tracks rotate in the air without contacting the ground
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 effectively reduces track wear and minimizes soil disturbance, extending the life of the tracks and reducing maintenance costs while allowing for efficient rotation of the excavator.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic lifting apparatus that is attached to the underside of the excavator main frame and is adapted to be extended to contact the ground surface, push and lift the excavator main frame and tracks off the ground surface
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for lifting and rotating excavator tracks above a ground surface. The apparatus includes a hydraulic lifting apparatus that is attached to the underside of the excavator main frame and is adapted to be extended to contact the ground surface, push and lift the excavator main frame and tracks off the ground surface, and allow rotation of the tracks with respect to the ground surface.