Work Vehicle Suspension Link With Auxiliary Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suspension systems for work vehicles, particularly those with crawler mechanisms, face challenges in effectively damping both low-frequency, high-magnitude and high-frequency, low-magnitude loads, leading to inadequate ride quality and track alignment over uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The proposed suspension system incorporates a link, axle member, resilient members, and auxiliary roller assemblies to provide torsional damping, with the link being rotatable about an axis and the axle member having peripheral shafts that engage resilient members to absorb and damp movement, while auxiliary rollers maintain track contact and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional suspension systems are used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to damp both low-frequency high-magnitude and high-frequency low-magnitude loads is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into multiple independent components: link assemblies with peripheral shafts, resilient members positioned in peripheral openings, auxiliary roller assemblies with yokes, and seals. Each component performs a specific damping function, allowing the system to handle both low-frequency high-magnitude and high-frequency low-magnitude loads through coordinated action of segmented elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the suspension system have specialized properties: the peripheral openings in link assemblies contain resilient members for localized damping, the auxiliary roller assemblies provide localized track engagement and alignment, and seals are positioned at specific locations to maintain damping characteristics. This local specialization enables comprehensive damping across multiple frequency ranges.
2Ease of operation
If resilient members are added to damp loads, then ride quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient members are integrated into the link assemblies by positioning them within peripheral openings, combining the damping function with the structural link component. The auxiliary roller assemblies are coupled to the crawler frame and work in conjunction with the link assemblies, merging track engagement and alignment functions with the suspension damping system.
Solution Approach 2:
The link assemblies serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, contain peripheral openings that house resilient members for damping, and incorporate peripheral shafts that engage with the resilient members. The auxiliary roller assemblies simultaneously engage the track for propulsion and provide suspension functionality through their coupling to the crawler frame.
3Reliability
If auxiliary roller assemblies are added to maintain track contact, then track alignment improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary roller assemblies act as intermediary elements between the crawler frame and the track. The yokes of the auxiliary roller assemblies are coupled to the crawler frame, while the rollers themselves engage the track, providing a mediating mechanism that maintains track contact and alignment without directly connecting the frame to the track in a rigid manner.
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 enhances ride quality by effectively damping various load frequencies and maintaining track contact, improving the overall performance of work vehicles on uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
Each resilient member damps movement of the associated peripheral shaft relative to the link about the axis in at least a first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system supports a chassis relative to a crawler mechanism including a continuous track. A link is rotatable about an axis extending transversely through a first portion. The first portion includes a projections extending radially inwardly, and peripheral openings defined by spaces between the projections. An axle member secured to the crawler mechanism includes peripheral shafts extending radially outward from the axis and positioned in an associated peripheral opening. Each resilient member is positioned within an associated peripheral opening and engages an associated peripheral shaft, damping movement of the peripheral shaft relative to the link. An auxiliary roller assembly includes a yoke and a plurality of auxiliary rollers coupled to the yoke. The yoke is rotatable relative to the crawler frame about a yoke axis. The auxiliary rollers are aligned along a direction of travel of the track and are configured to engage an inner surface of the track.