Rotatable Bogie Suspension for Tracked Vehicle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension devices for tracked vehicles do not provide sufficient robustness and comfort, especially when transporting cargo in rough terrain, limiting their mobility and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A tracked vehicle with a suspension device featuring a bogie arrangement that allows the track support beam to rotate about a central axis, equipped with articulated bogie arms and adjustable fastening points, and a gas hydraulic suspension configuration to control movement and position, enabling efficient tilting and damping of the vehicle body relative to the track assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional suspension device with fixed track assembly connection is used, then the structure is simple, but the vehicle body cannot maintain horizontal position on slopes and experiences excessive vibrations and shocks in rough terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly is made rotatable relative to the vehicle body about a transverse axis, allowing dynamic adjustment of the track assembly orientation. This enables the vehicle body to maintain horizontal position on slopes while the track assembly adapts to the terrain, resolving the contradiction between stability and simplicity by introducing controlled rotational degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension device is divided into distinct functional components: the rotatable track assembly connection, the bogie arrangement with articulated arms, and the gas hydraulic suspension elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, managing complexity through modular design while achieving the desired stability.
2Reliability
If a rigid connection between vehicle body and track assembly is used, then the structure is robust, but mobility and comfort are reduced due to excessive vibrations and shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid connection is replaced with a rotatable connection that allows the track assembly to pivot relative to the vehicle body. This dynamic connection maintains structural robustness while enabling the suspension system to absorb vibrations and shocks, thereby improving mobility and comfort without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas hydraulic suspension elements are introduced to provide controlled damping and support forces. These pneumatic-hydraulic components absorb vibrations and shocks while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between robustness and comfort by using fluid-based energy absorption mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the track assembly is fixed to the vehicle body, then the device complexity is low, but productivity is limited due to poor performance in rough terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed track assembly connection is replaced with a rotatable connection that allows dynamic adaptation to rough terrain. This enables the vehicle to maintain stability and horizontal cargo transport capability in challenging conditions, thereby improving productivity despite the increased complexity of the suspension configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension device is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting the track assembly, enabling rotation for slope compensation, and providing vibration damping. This multi-functionality allows the vehicle to operate effectively in diverse terrain conditions, enhancing productivity while managing complexity through integrated design.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a simple support configuration is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the vehicle cannot effectively dampen movements and maintain stability on slopes
Solution Approach 1:
A simple fixed support is replaced with a rotatable connection that provides slope compensation capability. This dynamic support mechanism enables the vehicle body to maintain horizontal position on slopes, achieving superior position control despite increased manufacturing complexity due to the rotational joint and associated components.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas hydraulic elements are incorporated into the support configuration to provide controlled damping and position maintenance. These elements enable precise vehicle body position control on slopes while the modular design allows for manageable manufacturing processes, balancing stability requirements with ease of manufacture.
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
This configuration enhances mobility and comfort by maintaining the vehicle body horizontal on slopes, facilitating cargo transport in rough terrain and reducing vibrations, shocks, and impacts, thereby increasing productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a gas hydraulic suspension configuration to control movement and position, enabling efficient tilting and damping of the vehicle body relative to the track assembly
Implementation Method 2
a gas hydraulic suspension configuration to control movement and position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
The invention relates to a tracked vehicle (11) comprising a vehicle body (30), at least one track assembly (21) and a suspension device (S). Said track assembly (21) is arranged to be supported by said vehicle body (30) by means of said suspension device (S), said track assembly comprising a track support beam (22) for supporting a plurality of road wheels (23, 23a), an endless track (25) being disposed around said road wheels. Said suspension device (S) comprises a bogie arrangement (50) rotatably attached to a fastening point (P0) of said vehicle body (30) about an axis of rotation (Z0) transversal to the longitudinal extension of said track assembly (21) and attached to said track support beam (22) in connection to at least two fastening points (P1, P2) so that the track support beam (22) is allowed to rotate in a rotational plane extending along the longitudinal extension of said track support beam (22) about said axis of rotation.