Slipform Paver Trough Width Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slipform pavers face challenges in quickly adjusting the width of their concrete troughs to accommodate changes in lane width, leading to increased equipment expenditure and lengthy changeover times, while also compromising the rigidity and moment of resistance of the trough device due to telescopically adjustable designs that require additional hydraulic equipment and segmented assembly.
Innovation Solution
The slipform paver features a permanently fastened outer trough element connected to the machine frame's telescoping crossbeam or longitudinal beam, allowing for width adjustment without additional hydraulic equipment, using interchangeable one-piece trough elements that can be hung on a support device, forming a self-supporting construction that eliminates the need for ground-based support and reduces assembly time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the machine frame is adjusted telescopically to change working width, then the adaptability to different lane widths is improved, but the rigidity of the concrete trough is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The concrete trough is divided into a central fixed element and outer movable elements that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the central portion to maintain rigidity while the outer portions can be adjusted for width changes, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The trough design transitions from a completely fixed structure to a hybrid static-dynamic system where the central element remains fixed to provide rigidity while outer elements can move dynamically to accommodate width adjustments, maintaining both strength and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional hydraulic piston-cylinder units are integrated into the trough body to displace end sections, then the adaptability to changed working width is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic displacement mechanism is extracted from the trough body itself and relocated to the machine frame's crossbeam structure. This removes the complexity of integrating hydraulics into the trough while preserving the width adjustment capability through the movable outer trough elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The crossbeam serves as an intermediary structure that transfers the width adjustment motion from the machine frame to the outer trough elements. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system by using the existing crossbeam structure rather than adding dedicated hydraulic actuators to the trough.
3Ease of operation
If the outer trough element is firmly connected to the telescoping crossbeam for width adjustment, then the ease of operation for width change is improved, but the section modulus of the concrete trough may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The trough is segmented into fixed central elements and movable outer elements, allowing the fixed portion to maintain the required section modulus for structural strength while the movable portion facilitates easy width adjustment through its connection to the telescoping crossbeam.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the trough have different properties: the central fixed elements provide high section modulus and rigidity where structurally critical, while the outer movable elements prioritize ease of adjustment. This local differentiation of qualities resolves the contradiction between strength and operability.
4Ease of manufacture
If intermediate elements are divided into several segments for assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision and rigidity of the trough device are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of dividing intermediate elements into multiple segments that require precise assembly, the invention uses fewer, larger movable outer trough elements that are simpler to manufacture as single pieces. This inverts the conventional approach of fine segmentation and achieves both manufacturability and precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a slipform paver with a tractor (2) consisting of a machine frame (4) with longitudinal beams (8) running parallel to the working direction, at the ends of which running gear (14) are arranged and with telescopic crossbeams (18) extending transversely to the working direction for variable adjustment of the working width, wherein working devices are attached to the machine frame (4) which are adaptable to different working widths, the machine frame (4) has a base frame (20) in which the crossbeams (18) are telescopically mounted, a trough device (28, 32) adaptable to the working width has at least one permanent trough element (40a, 40b) arranged in a fixed position relative to the base frame (20) and at least one permanent outer trough element (42a, 42b) movable relative to the base frame (20), it is provided that the at least one permanent outer trough element (42a,42b) is fixedly attached to one of the crossbeams (18) and/or one of the longitudinal beams (20), and that the outer trough element (42a, 42b) is movable together with the crossbeam and/or longitudinal beam (8, 18) when the working width of the machine frame (4) is adjusted.