Split Pit Cover Sliding Along Roller Circumference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pit cover open/close devices for chassis dynamometers require significant installation space within the pit and can interfere with testing safety and vehicle handling due to centering rollers projecting above the floor when closed.
Innovation Solution
A two-part split pit cover system with guides and an air cylinder, allowing the pit cover to move along the circumferential direction of the roller, reducing the need for space within the pit and preventing centering rollers from projecting above the floor, with reinforcement features to support larger vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a folding-type pit cover open/close device is used, then the pit cover can be stored within the pit, but the pit cover units require space for accommodation which reduces the narrow space in the pit
Solution Approach 1:
The pit cover movement is changed from vertical folding storage to horizontal sliding movement along the circumferential direction of the roller. The cover moves parallel to the roller surface rather than folding vertically, utilizing the horizontal space around the roller to eliminate the need for vertical storage space within the pit.
Solution Approach 2:
The pit cover is designed as a movable component that slides along guides during operation. The cover transitions between covering and uncovered positions dynamically, with the guides ensuring proper movement along the roller's circumferential direction, eliminating the need for fixed vertical storage space.
2Reliability
If a sliding-type pit cover open/close device with separate centering parts is used, then the pit cover can cover the aperture, but centering rollers project above the floor when closed which disturbs test working and causes safety problems
Solution Approach 1:
The pit cover is divided into two separate cover parts that move independently along guides. Each cover part can be positioned to cover the aperture without requiring projecting centering rollers, as the segmented design allows the covers to meet at the center line without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering function is extracted from the pit cover structure itself. Instead of using the pit cover as a centering device with projecting rollers, the centering is achieved by the guides directing the two cover parts to move along the circumferential direction and meet at the center, eliminating the harmful projecting rollers.
3Reliability
If a sliding-type pit cover open/close device with long rails is used, then the pit cover can be accommodated horizontally, but the rails have increased size extending over the aperture and further beyond the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails are oriented along the circumferential direction of the roller rather than extending radially beyond the floor. This dimensional change allows the covers to slide horizontally around the roller, reducing the required rail length to only what is needed for the covering motion, not for extended storage beyond the aperture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If centering rollers are projected above the floor through the aperture, then the pit cover serves as a centering device, but this causes slippage on the centering rollers making carry-in and carry-out work difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The centering function is extracted from the pit cover and achieved through the guides that direct the two cover parts to move along the circumferential direction. The guides ensure the covers meet at the center line without requiring physical centering rollers that would cause vehicle slippage during carry-in and carry-out operations.
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
The solution minimizes the installation space required within the pit, enhances safety by preventing centering rollers from obstructing the test area, and ensures reliable operation even with larger vehicles by providing reinforcement support.
Implementation Method 1
a cylinder mounted to the two pit cover parts on a side opposite to the pit aperture, the cylinder including a movable rod that is connected to one of the two pit cover parts and a body that is connected to the other of the two pit cover parts, the cylinder being driven to allow the two pit cover parts to move along the guides
Data Source
AI summary
A pit cover open/close device including a closing limiting stopper for a pit cover which is disposed in a position corresponding to a top of a roller of a chassis dynamometer, guides disposed on a stationary side of the pit in an opposed relation to both side faces of the roller of the chassis dynamometer and extending along a circumferential direction of the roller of the chassis dynamometer, a two-part split pit cover supported by the guides and including two pit cover parts into which the pit cover is split from a portion thereof corresponding to the position of the stopper, the two pit cover parts being movable in an opening direction and a closing direction, respectively, and a cylinder including a movable rod that is connected to one of the two pit cover parts and a body that is connected to the other of the two pit cover parts, the cylinder being driven to allow the two pit cover parts to move along the guides in the opening direction and the closing direction.