Steering Actuator Nesting in Aerial Platform Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel steering components in aerial work platforms are exposed and prone to damage in rough terrain, leading to premature failure of steering actuators and reduced service life due to collision with debris or obstacles.
Innovation Solution
The wheel steering actuators are protected by being housed within the chassis support legs, utilizing a four-bar parallelogram linkage that maintains the wheels in a straight ahead position during leg deployment, preventing changes in steering angle and reducing exposure to impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering actuators are located close to the wheels for direct control, then the steering response is improved, but the actuators are exposed to damage from debris and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The steering actuators are nested within the hollow interior of the chassis support legs, which serve as protective housings. This nesting arrangement protects the actuators from external damage while maintaining their steering function through the parallelogram linkage mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallelogram linkage acts as an intermediary mechanism that transmits steering forces from the protected actuators to the wheels. This mediator allows the actuators to be positioned safely within the leg structure while still achieving direct steering control of the wheels.
2Strength
If the steering actuators are positioned transversely to overcome moment resistance, then the steering capability is improved, but the full length of actuators is exposed to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The actuators are nested within the hollow chassis support legs, which provide structural protection while the actuators maintain their transverse orientation for effective steering. This resolves the contradiction by providing both structural protection and functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuators are positioned in a different spatial dimension (within the leg structure) rather than externally mounted, which protects them from damage while maintaining their transverse orientation for effective steering capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the wheels are moved to working positions at greater distance from the chassis for stability, then the vehicle stability is improved, but the steering components become more exposed to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The steering actuators are nested within the hollow chassis support legs, which serve as protective housings. This nesting arrangement protects the actuators from external damage while maintaining their steering function through the parallelogram linkage mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering actuator housing is merged with the chassis support leg structure, combining the support function with the protection function. This integrated design protects steering components during wheel deployment to working positions while maintaining vehicle stability.
4Reliability
If the steering actuators are housed within the chassis support legs for protection, then the service life is improved, but the steering mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis support legs serve multiple functions: structural support, actuator housing for protection, and integral components of the parallelogram linkage for steering. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering actuator housing is merged with the chassis support leg structure, combining the support function with the protection function. This integrated design protects steering components during wheel deployment to working positions while maintaining vehicle stability.
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
This configuration effectively shields the steering actuators from damage, ensuring prolonged service life and maintaining vehicle stability during transport and working position changes without requiring operator intervention for steering adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
the steering linear actuators comprising first bars of four bar parallelogram steering linkages between the chassis and wheel assemblies and the support legs comprising second bars of the four bar parallelogram steering linkages
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle wheel positioning and steering apparatus particularly useful for aerial work platforms comprises a support chassis (10) and chassis support legs (20) pivotally connected to the chassis (10). Steerable wheel assemblies (30) are operably connected at ends of the support legs (20) and powered actuators (40) are operably connected to the chassis (10) and legs (20) for pivotally moving the legs (20) and wheel assemblies (30) relative to the chassis between transport and working positions. Variable length linear wheel steering actuators (50) comprise one link of four bar parallelogram steering linkages between the chassis (10) and wheel assemblies (30) and the support legs (20) each comprise second bars of the four bar parallelogram steering linkages.