Steerable Coupling Linkage for Articulated Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steerable coupling linkages for articulated vehicles are heavy, cumbersome, and increase the overall length and storage space when units are unattached, with difficulties in alignment and drawbar clamping.
Innovation Solution
A steerable coupling linkage without a rigid protective casing, allowing for reduced weight and cost, closer unit positioning, easy attachment and detachment, and the option to limit or block pitch and roll axes, capable of attaching units without drawbars, and providing yaw axis control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid protective casing is used to support the steering actuator and attach the drawbar, then the structural strength and protection are improved, but the weight and overall length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rigid protective casing from the system, extracting only the essential functions (steering actuator support and drawbar attachment) and implementing them through alternative means (mounting brackets and structural integration), thereby eliminating the excess weight and length associated with the casing while maintaining the required structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets and structural components are designed to serve multiple functions: supporting the steering actuator, attaching the drawbar, and providing structural integrity, replacing the need for a separate rigid protective casing and reducing overall system complexity and weight
2Reliability
If a rigid protective casing is used, then the steering actuator is protected, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid protective casing is extracted from the system, and its protective function is redistributed to simpler, more targeted components such as mounting brackets and structural integration points, reducing overall complexity while maintaining necessary protection
Solution Approach 2:
The design favors simpler, less expensive components (mounting brackets, integrated structures) over expensive, complex rigid casings, achieving the same protective function at lower cost and complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If the casing extends beyond the rear end of the apparatus when unattached, then the steering actuator has sufficient mounting space, but the storage and transportation space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering actuator and its mounting components are designed to nest within or alongside the existing apparatus structure when not in use, eliminating the need for extended casing length while ensuring adequate mounting space is available when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static extended casing structure to a dynamic configuration where components can be positioned or collapsed to minimize length during storage/transport while maintaining full functionality during operation
4Length of moving object
If a long drawbar is used at the front of the hauled unit, then the coupling distance is increased, but the alignment difficulty and clamping difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates preliminary alignment features (such as guide rails, alignment marks, or self-centering mechanisms) that automatically guide the drawbar into proper alignment during the coupling process, eliminating the need for manual alignment adjustments and making the operation easier even with longer drawbars
Data Source
AI summary
The steerable coupling linkage (106) is provided between a primary unit (100) and a secondary unit (102) arranged in tandem to form an articulated vehicle (104). The steerable coupling linkage (106) includes a steering actuator mechanism (200) having a transversally disposed actuator (202). The steerable coupling linkage (106) is particularly well adapted when the articulated vehicle (104) must travel on difficult and rugged terrains. It is very compact and lightweight, and the units (100, 102) can be attached or detached very quickly even when they are not in alignment with one another.