Rotatable Hydraulic Cylinder Steering for Walking Machine Jacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting jack assemblies on walking machines lack an efficient steering mechanism that allows precise directional control during the transport of heavy loads, limiting their maneuverability and alignment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A lifting jack assembly with a rotatable hydraulic cylinder and linkage assembly that enables the walking machine to preselect a steering direction by rotating the lift cylinder about its vertical axis, transferring this rotation to the foot plate and roller assembly, allowing for various steering modes such as longitudinal, simple, transverse, complementary, and circular steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional lifting jack assembly is used without a rotatable cylinder, then the structure is simpler, but the steering precision and directional control capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lift cylinder is made rotatable about its vertical axis, transforming it from a static component to a dynamic one that can actively control steering direction. This rotational capability allows the cylinder to preselect steering directions and transfer rotation to the foot plate and roller assembly, enabling precise directional control while maintaining structural efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable lift cylinder serves multiple functions: it provides vertical lifting motion, controls steering direction through rotation, and transfers rotational motion to the foot plate and roller assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate steering mechanisms, improving steering precision without proportionally increasing structural complexity
2Ease of operation
If the walking machine is lowered to the ground for movement, then stability is improved, but the ability to preselect steering direction is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable lift cylinder allows the steering direction to be preselected while the machine is still elevated, before it is lowered to the ground. This preliminary action of setting the steering angle in advance enables the machine to maintain both stability during transport and ease of steering control, as the direction is predetermined and the machine can be lowered in a stable configuration
3Force
If multiple lifting jack assemblies are used to support heavy loads, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the steering mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each lifting jack assembly's cylinder is designed to perform both lifting and steering functions. The rotatable cylinder in each assembly can independently control the steering direction of its associated foot plate and roller assembly, allowing multiple jacks to work together for heavy loads while maintaining relatively simple individual steering mechanisms that do not require complex coordination systems
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting jack assembly for use on a walking machine to raise it off the ground and preselect a steering direction before the walking machine is lowered onto the ground for travel therealong includes a hydraulic power-driven lift cylinder for actuating an extendable/retractable rod, wherein the lift cylinder is rotatable about its vertical axis. A roller assembly is provided with rollers mounted to the rod. A foot plate mounted below the roller assembly engages the rollers, and a power-driven shifter mechanism mounted on the foot plate and connected to the roller assembly shifts the roller assembly along the foot plate. A linkage assembly interconnects the lift cylinder to the foot plate. A steering mechanism rotates the lift cylinder about its vertical axis to impart rotation to the foot plate and the roller assembly to orient and fix the direction of travel of the walking machine in a preselected direction.