Hydraulic Steering for Variable Width Transport Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulically steered transport vehicles with variable width and track width face limitations in steering force and safety due to the need for a single steering circuit, which results in inadequate steering performance and increased risk of breakaway during defects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual-circuit steering system with at least four control cylinders and two steering cylinders per chassis, where each steering circuit is stabilized by connecting the piston-side outputs of control cylinders to the piston-side inputs of steering cylinders, ensuring maximum hydraulic and mechanical steering force and enhanced safety through synchronization and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single steering circuit is used in the transport vehicle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the steering force and safety are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system is segmented into two independent steering circuits (first steering circuit and second steering circuit), each capable of independently steering the wheel bogies. This segmentation provides redundancy so that if one circuit fails, the other can still maintain steering functionality, thereby improving safety without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-circuit steering system serves as a preventive measure against steering failure. By having redundant steering circuits before any defect occurs, the system cushions against potential breakaway or loss of steering control, ensuring safety even when defects occur
2Device complexity
If a single steering circuit is used, then the hydraulic system is simpler, but the steering force is insufficient for high-speed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic steering system is divided into two separate steering circuits with independent hydraulic pathways. Each circuit includes control cylinders and steering cylinders that can independently generate steering force, thereby doubling the available steering force for high-speed operation while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
3Productivity
If the transport vehicle operates at higher speeds, then the productivity increases, but the risk of breakaway during steering defects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-circuit steering system provides beforehand cushioning against steering defects that could cause breakaway at high speeds. The redundant circuit ensures that even if one circuit fails during high-speed operation, the remaining circuit can maintain steering control and prevent catastrophic breakaway
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the steering system into two independent circuits, the patent ensures that steering stability is maintained during high-speed operation. The independent circuits provide redundant control authority, allowing the vehicle to safely operate at higher speeds without increased risk of breakaway
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transport vehicle which has a chassis (3) with at least two active steering axles (10a, 10b), wherein the chassis (3) comprises at least two chassis parts (4a, 4b) which each carry a series of running gears (10a, 10b; 10a', 10b') arranged one behind the other, wherein a coupling device (20) with a coupling element (21) pivotably mounted in the coupling device (20) about an axis is arranged on a transverse side of the transport vehicle (1).According to the invention, the coupling device (20) has at least four control cylinders (30a-30d), the two first chassis (10a, 10a') and the two second chassis (10b, 10b') each have a steering cylinder (40a, 40b; 40c, 40d), and a piston-side connection opening (32a-32d) of a control cylinder (30a-30d) is connected to a piston-side connection opening (42a-42d) of the steering cylinder (40a-40d) assigned to this control cylinder (30a-30d), and an annular connection opening (43a-43d) of this steering cylinder (40a-40d) is connected to an annular connection opening (33a-33d) of this control cylinder (30a-30d) via corresponding hydraulic lines (35a-35d, 36a-36d). is.