Movable Dashboard Rail Guide System for Road Construction Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road construction machines require two separate dashboards to allow operators to monitor and control the machine from either side, which is expensive and inconvenient, and existing solutions using thrust bearings are costly and noisy.
Innovation Solution
A road construction machine with a dashboard attached to a movable holder on a rail guide system using a combination of slide, ball, and track bearings, allowing lateral movement without the need for thrust bearings, thus reducing costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate dashboards are provided in the operator platform to enable operation from either side, then the operator can monitor and control the machine from both lateral sides, but the cost increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dashboard is made movable instead of fixed, allowing it to be positioned on either lateral side of the operator platform. The dashboard holder can move horizontally between first and second lateral end positions, enabling a single dashboard to serve both operational positions dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
A single dashboard is designed to perform the function of two dashboards by being movable between two positions. The same dashboard structure serves both the left and right operational sides, eliminating the need for duplicate dashboard assemblies.
2Ease of operation
If thrust bearings are used to support the moveable dashboard on fixed bearing rails, then the dashboard can move laterally, but the cost increases, friction increases, and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thrust bearings are replaced with a combination of slide bearings and ball bearings. The slide bearing with sliding sleeve on the circular guide rail handles lateral movement with low friction, while ball bearings support vertical and horizontal loads, eliminating the high friction and noise associated with thrust bearings.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single thrust bearing design, the patent employs a copied and adapted combination of simpler bearing types (slide bearing and ball bearing) that together achieve the required functionality with fewer harmful effects.
3Device complexity
If a single movable dashboard is used instead of two separate dashboards, then the cost decreases and device complexity decreases, but the dashboard must be supported during lateral movement
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into three distinct bearings: a slide bearing for lateral movement guidance, a second ball bearing for vertical support, and a third ball bearing for horizontal support. This segmentation allows each bearing to specialize in handling specific force directions, ensuring reliable support throughout the dashboard's movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
Different bearing types are positioned at different locations to handle different force components. The slide bearing handles lateral guidance, while ball bearings handle vertical and horizontal loads, creating a support system with locally optimized properties for each directional requirement.
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
Enables operators to change working positions without needing two dashboards, reducing expenses and improving operational convenience while maintaining a robust and low-friction system.
Implementation Method 1
a first bearing is formed as a slide bearing with a sliding sleeve being guided on the first upper guide rail
Implementation Method 2
a second bearing is formed as a ball bearing with a first roller running on a vertically oriented outer surface of the second lower guide rail
Implementation Method 3
a third bearing is formed as a ball bearing with at least one second roller running on a horizontally oriented outer surface of the second lower guide rail
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a road construction machine, comprising an operator platform (1) comprising a dashboard, the dashboard (5) being attached to a dashboard holder (22) which is movable horizontally between a first lateral end position and a second lateral end position on a rail guide system (6), wherein the rail guide system (6) comprises a first upper guide rail (7) having a circular cross section, a second lower guide rail (8) having a rectangular cross section, and at least three bearings (13, 15, 17), wherein a first bearing (13) is formed as a slide bearing with a sliding sleeve (14) being guided on the first upper guide rail (7), wherein a second bearing (15) is formed as a ball bearing with a first roller (16) running on a vertically oriented outer surface (10) of the second lower guide rail (8), and wherein a third bearing (17) is formed as a ball bearing with at least one second roller (18) running on a horizontally oriented outer surface (11) of the second lower guide rail (8).