Steerable Support Wheel for Construction Vehicle Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional agricultural and construction vehicles, such as wheel dumpers, face instability issues due to shifting center of gravity during loading, especially on steep or soft terrain, leading to accidents and inadequate traction, which existing designs fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle incorporates a support unit with a steerable support wheel on a third wheel axle, which can be adjusted and actuated to maintain stability and traction, featuring an articulated steering system and adjustable support unit to manage load distribution and prevent tilting, along with an auxiliary drive motor for improved off-road capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional wheel dumper design with two axles is used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the vehicle stability is insufficient when center of gravity shifts during tipping or on steep terrain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidvehicle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is divided into two articulated frame units (front and rear) connected by an articulated steering joint, with the support unit integrated into the rear frame unit. This segmentation allows independent movement and positioning of each frame unit, improving stability during tipping operations and on uneven terrain while maintaining structural flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A third wheel axle is added perpendicular to the plane formed by the first two axles, creating a three-axle configuration. This dimensional addition provides an extra support point that prevents lateral tilting and improves stability during loading and transport operations without significantly complicating the overall vehicle structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the support wheel is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the support wheel causes slippage and wear during curve movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport wheel performanceVSAvoidsteering mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support wheel is equipped with a steering mechanism that allows it to rotate and adjust its orientation during vehicle movement. This dynamic adjustment enables the support wheel to follow the vehicle's turning path, preventing slippage and reducing wear on both the wheel and ground surface during curve movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3730345B1Vehicle, in particular construction vehicle, with a frame and a pivotable load holder
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 WACKER NEUSON LINZ
  • EP3730345B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3730345B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3730345B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

A vehicle 1, in particular a transport vehicle, is proposed, comprising a vehicle frame and a drive motor, in particular an internal combustion engine and/or electric motor and/or hydraulic motor, wherein a vehicle frame 6 and at least two wheel axles are provided, and the vehicle frame 6 includes at least one load-bearing structure 2, such as a trough 13 or the like, which is pivotable about a tilting axis by means of a first adjustment unit, for receiving/storing material, in particular pourable building material, wherein the load-bearing structure 2 is arranged at least partially in an intermediate area between the two wheel axles in the transport or driving position and can be pivoted at least partially over one of the wheel axles into an edge area of ​​the vehicle 1 in a tilting position. The vehicle 1 is intended to exhibit improved safety, in particular driving and static stability.This is achieved by the frame 6 comprising at least one support unit 21 with at least one support wheel 19 rotatable about a third wheel axle 20, in particular a third rigid axle, for supporting the vehicle 1 or the vehicle frame 6, wherein the at least one support wheel 19 is designed to be steerable.