Hydraulic Slide Bar Drive for Crawler Track Tensioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crawler track drive systems for heavy machinery are inefficient due to the high cost and long delivery time of large planetary drives, which are necessary for slow-moving applications like mining operations.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic cylinder motivates a slide bar with drive wheels attached, allowing independent movement of the crawler track chassis and drive wheels, enabling efficient movement of crawler tracks without relying on expensive planetary drives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If large planetary drives are used to motivate crawler tracks, then sufficient force for heavy machinery movement is achieved, but cost and delivery time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce for crawler track movementVSAvoidcost and delivery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical planetary drive system with a hydraulic cylinder system. The hydraulic cylinder directly motivates the slide bar and drive wheels, eliminating the need for complex planetary gears while providing sufficient force for moving heavy crawler tracks. This substitution of mechanical system with hydraulic system resolves the contradiction between achieving sufficient force and reducing cost/delivery time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a hydraulic cylinder as the primary motive force to move the slide bar and drive wheels. The hydraulic system provides high force output in a compact package, suitable for slow-moving heavy machinery applications. This use of hydraulics directly addresses the technical contradiction by providing the necessary force without the complexity and cost of planetary drives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Speed

If drive wheels are directly motivated to move crawler tracks, then track movement is achieved, but the chassis cannot move independently for tensioning and positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrawler track movement speedVSAvoidindependent chassis movement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the drive system into two independent movable components: the chassis and the drive wheels mounted on the slide bar. The hydraulic cylinder motivates the slide bar, which carries the drive wheels, independently of the chassis movement. This segmentation allows the chassis to move independently for tensioning and positioning while the drive wheels remain engaged with the crawler tracks, resolving the contradiction between track movement speed and independent chassis adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic system where both the chassis and the slide bar with drive wheels can move independently relative to each other. The slide bar is slidable within the chassis, allowing the drive wheels to be positioned independently while maintaining engagement with the crawler tracks. This dynamic arrangement enables the chassis to move for tensioning purposes while the drive wheels continue to propel the tracks, achieving both speed and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9205884B2Drive device for crawler track vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 VIRTA INC

AI summary

A crawler track chassis is motivated by the reciprocating movement of hydraulic cylinder's piston rod.