Radial Stacker with Displaceable Swivel Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tracked radial stackers face difficulties in shifting material in an arc due to their track system, which limits their use in radial stacking and requires special transportation, whereas wheeled radial stackers are more versatile but less effective in harsh terrain.
Innovation Solution
A tracked, portable radial stacker design that incorporates a pair of displaceable wheels which can swivel 90 degrees and be lowered to facilitate both lateral and longitudinal movement, allowing for radial stacking and easy road transport by using hydraulic cylinders to control the position and orientation of the wheels relative to the track system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If tracked drives are used in radial stackers, then the stacker can be moved over harsh terrain, but it becomes more difficult to shift the stacker radially to facilitate stacking material in an arc
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the wheel support structure movable rather than fixed. The wheels can be displaced between a lowered position (engaging the ground for radial movement) and a raised position (disengaged from the ground). This dynamic configuration allows the tracked stacker to switch between tracked terrain capability and wheeled radial shifting capability, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tracked vehicles are used, then they can operate on harsh terrain, but they are not permitted to be driven on road surfaces and require loading onto flatbed trucks for transit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a multi-functional mobility system that combines both tracked and wheeled capabilities in a single machine. The tracked system provides harsh terrain capability, while the displaceable wheels provide road-going capability when lowered to engage the ground. This allows the stacker to operate on both harsh terrain and road surfaces, eliminating the need for separate transportation arrangements and enhancing overall versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wheeled radial stackers are used, then they can be folded for road transport, but they are less effective in harsh terrain compared to tracked vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining the tracked system and wheeled system into a single integrated platform. The tracked vehicle provides harsh terrain effectiveness, while the added displaceable wheels provide road transport capability when lowered. By merging these two previously separate solutions (tracked vehicles and wheeled stackers), the patent creates a hybrid system that achieves both terrain capability and transportation versatility simultaneously.
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 efficient radial stacking and easy transportation of bulk materials by allowing the stacker to be repositioned and moved in various directions, enhancing maneuverability and versatility on different terrains while maintaining the benefits of tracked vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
using hydraulic cylinders to control the position and orientation of the wheels relative to the track system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A tracked, portable radial stacker (10) for stockpiling bulk material may be provided that includes a linear conveyor (12) having a rear portion and a front portion and being designed to carry bulk material from a lower position adjacent the rear portion to a raised position adjacent the front portion. A continuous track system (14) may also be included, having a frame (38) to which the conveyor (12) is mounted, the track system (14) including a pair of driven, parallel tracks (42). A pair of wheels (46, 47) can be mounted to the frame (38), the wheels (46, 47) being displaceable between a raised lateral position in which they do not contact the ground and a first lowered position in which they are laterally disposed and engage the ground to facilitate lateral conveyance of the conveyor (12), the pair of wheels (46, 47) also being rotatably mounted to the frame (38) such that they can swivel at least 90 degrees to a raised longitudinal position and can be lowered to a second lowered position in which they are longitudinally disposed and engage the ground to facilitate longitudinal conveyance of the conveyor (12). Wheel displacement means may also be included for powering the pair of wheels (46, 47) from the raised lateral position to the first lowered position, the wheel displacement means also powering the wheels (46, 47) when in the first lowered position to lift the tracks (42) off the ground to permit the conveyor (12) to be conveyed in a lateral direction, the wheel displacement means also powering the pair of wheels (46, 47) from the raised longitudinal position to the second lowered position, the wheel displacement means also powering the wheels (46, 47) when in the second lowered position to lift the tracks (42) off the ground to permit the conveyor (12) to be conveyed in a longitudinal direction.