Telescopic Support Legs for Land Vehicle Leveling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corner support units for land vehicles face challenges in balancing performance, range, size, robustness, reliability, and cost, particularly in achieving stable leveling and stabilization, especially on uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of telescopically variable support legs with hydraulic cylinders, where the hydraulic cylinder is loaded axially and transverse forces are decoupled, combined with decentralized hydraulic aggregates and a central control unit, ensures stable leveling and stabilization. Each support leg is mounted to swivel around a horizontal axis with tubular portions that can adjust length and orientation independently, using a swiveling drive or mechanical coupling, and includes a spring-mounted foot for enhanced stability on soft surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a support leg with fixed predetermined length is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing costs are low, but the leveling capability and adaptability to different ground conditions are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support leg is transformed from a fixed-length structure to a dynamically adjustable telescopic structure. The support leg comprises an inner tubular portion and an outer tubular portion that can extend and retract relative to each other, allowing the length to be varied according to ground conditions while maintaining structural simplicity through the telescopic design
2Adaptability or versatility
If a support leg with variable length is used, then the leveling capability and working range are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic support leg employs a nested structure where the inner tubular portion is housed within the outer tubular portion. This nesting arrangement allows variable length capability while minimizing the overall space required and reducing structural complexity compared to alternative extension mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic cylinder is integrated into the telescopic support leg to provide the force necessary for extending and retracting the tubular portions. This hydraulic actuation mechanism achieves variable length control with relatively simple and robust components, avoiding complex mechanical linkages
3Reliability
If the hydraulic cylinder is subjected to transverse forces, then the structural design becomes more complex, but the reliability and service life of the hydraulic system improve
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse force components are extracted and separated from the hydraulic cylinder's load path. Guiding elements are provided that transmit transverse forces directly between the tubular portions, preventing these forces from acting on the hydraulic cylinder. This allows the hydraulic cylinder to be designed for pure axial loading, improving reliability while keeping the overall structure manageable through clear separation of force paths
4Ease of manufacture
If the support foot is rigidly mounted, then the structure is simple, but the ability to maintain contact on soft or uneven surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot mounting is changed from a rigid fixed position to a spring-mounted configuration. The spring element allows the support foot to move vertically relative to the support leg, adjusting its position automatically to maintain contact with uneven or soft ground surfaces. This parameter change in mounting flexibility improves ground contact reliability while adding minimal structural complexity
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 provides improved leveling and stabilization capabilities, maintaining contact with the ground even on soft surfaces, reducing the risk of damage to hydraulic lines, and ensuring reliable operation across varying terrain conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Each of these support legs comprises at least two tubular portions that can be displaced relative to one another in longitudinal direction of the support leg, and a hydraulic cylinder is disposed in the interior of the support leg. The position of the at least two tubular portions relative to one another (and thus the length of the support leg) can be varied by means of the said hydraulic cylinder.
Implementation Method 2
includes a spring-mounted foot for enhanced stability on soft surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A land vehicle is provided having a chassis and having a plurality of corner support units. Each of the corner support units has a support leg which is mounted in a swiveling manner in a bearing shoe, which is rigidly attached to the land vehicle, about a substantially horizontal axis. The length of the support leg is telescopically variable. The support leg comprises at least two pipe sections, which can be displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. A hydraulic cylinder is arranged in the interior of the support leg by means of which the position of the at least two pipe sections relative to each other, and consequently the length of the support leg, can be modified. A separate hydraulic assembly, arranged on the bearing shoe of each affected corner support unit and loading the hydraulic cylinder, is allocated to each corner support unit.