Segmented Crawler Drive System for Weight-Constrained Mobile Cranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile cranes with high intrinsic weight require adaptable and powerful crawler drives to manage varying load conditions, but existing solutions often result in increased axle load and weight, making transport and maneuverability challenging, especially with tracklaying crawlers.
Innovation Solution
A modular multiple drive system is implemented, where additional drives are mounted on the longitudinal beam, preferably at one end, allowing for increased drive power without altering the crawler's length, and featuring a shiftable idler wheel for track tensioning, enabling flexible installation and separation for enhanced power and reduced transport weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If additional drive units are mounted on the longitudinal beam to increase drive power, then the drive power is improved, but the weight of the crawler assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into multiple independent drive units (first drive unit and second drive unit) that can be mounted on the longitudinal beam. Each drive unit consists of a motor, gearbox, and drive sprocket, allowing the total drive power to be divided into manageable segments that can be independently selected and combined based on power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The crawler assembly is designed with dynamic adaptability through the optional mounting of additional drive units. The system can be configured with one or more drive units depending on the specific application requirements, allowing the weight and power to be dynamically adjusted rather than fixed.
2Power
If the number of track links is increased to guide the drive track over multiple drives, then the drive power is improved, but the length of the crawler assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the longitudinal length of the crawler assembly by adding more track links, the drive units are arranged in a compact configuration on the longitudinal beam. The drive sprockets are positioned to engage the caterpillar track at different locations along the beam, utilizing the vertical and lateral dimensions rather than extending the length.
3Power
If drives are divided between front and back of the crawler to increase drive power, then the drive power is improved, but the complexity of track tensioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The track tensioning function is merged into a single location at the rear end of the longitudinal beam, where one idler wheel serves to tension the caterpillar track for the entire multi-drive system. This consolidation simplifies the tensioning mechanism compared to having separate tensioning mechanisms for each drive unit.
4Power
If additional drives are mounted permanently on the longitudinal beam to increase drive power, then the drive power is improved, but the adaptability to different power requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into modular drive units that can be selectively mounted on the longitudinal beam. The first drive unit is mounted in a first region, and an optional second drive unit can be mounted in a second region, allowing the system to be configured for different power requirements by adding or removing drive units.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal beam is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate one or more drive units. The same structural platform serves multiple functions: supporting the caterpillar track, mounting drive units, and positioning the idler wheel, making the system adaptable to different power configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tracked running gear, in which two running gears are arranged parallel to one another and each running gear has a longitudinal member (1) and a running gear chain (2) which runs around the longitudinal member in the longitudinal direction thereof and forms an upper and a lower strand, and at least one traction drive, composed of a motor, transmission and a drive gearwheel which meshes into the running gear chain and also a deflecting wheel which permits chain tensioning by means of a movement relative to the fixed part of the longitudinal member, characterized in that at least one additional traction drive (3) which acts on the upper strand is provided on the longitudinal member, wherein the running gear length is changed or remains unchanged.