Steering Device for Construction Machine Cab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices for self-propelled construction or utility machines with adjustable cabs require complex hydraulic line guides to accommodate carriage movement, leading to mechanical strain and restricted driver space.
Innovation Solution
A steering device that couples the steering wheel via a steering drive shaft to a fixed steering output shaft using a direction change gearing, allowing mechanical transmission of steering movements without hydraulic lines, enabling unrestricted carriage adjustment and reduced manual displacement forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic lines are used to connect the movable carriage to the fixed steering system, then steering function is maintained, but the line guiding becomes complex and restricts driver space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hydraulic lines from the movable carriage system and relocates the steering valve to the fixed part. This separates the hydraulic connection from the moving components, eliminating the need for flexible hydraulic lines and their complex guiding structures while maintaining steering functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the hydraulic valve with the carriage (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by keeping the valve fixed and using a mechanical steering transmission that accommodates carriage movement. This reversal eliminates hydraulic line management complexity.
2Reliability
If hydraulic lines are routed along the movable carriage, then steering control is maintained, but mechanical strain occurs during carriage movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes hydraulic lines from the movable carriage path entirely. By relocating the steering valve to the fixed part and using a mechanical steering drive shaft and direction change gearing, the system eliminates the source of mechanical strain on hydraulic lines during carriage adjustment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If covered line guides are provided to protect hydraulic lines, then line protection is improved, but free surface area in the cab is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for covered line guides by removing hydraulic lines from the movable carriage system. This extraction of hydraulic infrastructure frees up cab surface area while maintaining steering functionality through the mechanical transmission system.
4Ease of operation
If the steering valve is mounted on the movable carriage, then steering response is direct, but adjustment forces increase due to line management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the steering valve from the movable carriage and relocates it to the fixed part. This eliminates the need to manage hydraulic lines during carriage movement, significantly reducing manual displacement forces required for carriage adjustment while maintaining steering control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic connection system with a mechanical steering transmission system consisting of a steering drive shaft and direction change gearing. This mechanical substitution eliminates hydraulic line management and reduces the forces required for carriage adjustment.
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 solution simplifies line guiding, reduces mechanical strain, and maintains ergonomic steering positions, allowing the machine to be steered during carriage adjustment with lower manual forces and no need for hydraulic line management.
Implementation Method 1
steering movements applied to the steering wheel are transmitted by means of a direction change gearing, which is also mounted on the carriage, from the steering drive shaft to the transversely running steering output shaft
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a steering device for a self-propelled construction or utility machine. The construction or utility machine includes a cab having a carriage, which is adjustable transversely to the travel direction, on which operating and/or actuating elements and at least one steering wheel for steering the construction or utility machine are situated. The steering wheel is coupled via a steering drive shaft, which is mounted on the adjustable carriage, and is carried along upon adjustment, to a steering output shaft, which is situated fixed in place on the construction or utility machine and runs transversely to the steering drive shaft. The steering movements applied to the steering wheel are transmitted by means of a direction change gearing, which is also mounted on the carriage, from the steering drive shaft to the transversely running steering output shaft, the direction change gearing also being carried along upon adjustment of the carriage and being situated so it is axially displaceable to the steering output shaft.