Swing Leg Pivoting via Dynamic Crawler Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling the pivoting of swing legs in self-propelled construction machines, such as slipform paving machines, often result in sideways skidding of crawler tracks, leading to wear and machine instability, especially during paving operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involves continuously steering the ground engaging units at a non-zero angle to pivot the swing legs while maintaining the machine's direction, using drive motors, sensors, and hydraulic rams to control the pivoting motion, allowing for controlled pivoting and locking of the swing legs to prevent skidding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the swing leg pivots while maintaining the steering angle of the crawler track, then the swing leg can be repositioned, but sideways skidding occurs causing wear and machine shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the steering angle of the crawler track during swing leg pivoting. Instead of maintaining a fixed steering angle, the control system continuously modifies the steering angle to compensate for the swing leg's pivotal movement, ensuring the crawler track moves in the intended direction without sideways skidding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the pivot angle of the swing leg and provides feedback to the control system. The controller then adjusts the steering angle of the crawler track based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents sideways skidding by continuously adapting the track orientation to the swing leg's position.
2Ease of operation
If the crawler track is steered at a non-zero angle during movement, then the swing leg can be pivoted, but sideways skidding occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The steering angle is made dynamic rather than static. During swing leg pivoting, the system continuously adjusts the crawler track's steering angle to maintain optimal alignment with the direction of motion, preventing sideways skidding while enabling smooth swing leg repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the steering angle parameter in real-time during swing leg pivoting. By dynamically modifying this parameter based on the swing leg's pivot angle, the system eliminates sideways skidding while maintaining ease of operation for swing leg repositioning.
3Ease of manufacture
If the swing leg is manually pivoted using turn buckles, then the leg orientation can be adjusted, but individual track raising and realignment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic realignment of the crawler track based on the swing leg's pivot angle. The control system automatically calculates and adjusts the steering angle to compensate for the swing leg's position, eliminating the manual realignment step required in traditional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pivot angle sensors to automatically adjust the crawler track's steering angle. This closed-loop control eliminates the need for manual realignment operations, significantly reducing the time required for swing leg repositioning.
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 reduces the sideways skidding of crawler tracks, minimizing wear and machine instability, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing maintenance needs during paving operations.
Implementation Method 1
Another solution is provided in Guntert U.S. Pat. No. 8,459,898 which provides a hydraulic ram between the swing leg and the machine frame which pivots the swing leg to a desired orientation.
Implementation Method 2
The ground engaging units include drive motors configured such that the ground engaging units are driven across a ground surface by the drive motors.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled construction machine includes a plurality of swing legs, each swing leg being supported from a ground surface by an associated crawler track steerably connected to an outer end of its associated swing leg. Pivotal movement of a swing leg may be accomplished by steering the associated crawler track through a non-zero steering angle until the lateral movement of the crawler track achieves the desired pivoting movement of the associated swing leg.