Tensioning Unit Mounting Arrangement for Tracked Undercarriages
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing tensioning systems in large machines require complex dismantling for maintenance, repair, or replacement, especially when the tensioning units are heavy, leading to significant logistical efforts and increased downtime, which negatively impacts the economic viability and safety during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A mounting arrangement with a side carrier compartment and a transverse mounting opening allows the tensioning unit to be removed laterally from the side carrier, facilitated by a cover with an undercut profile, guide profiles, and a pullout unit, enabling secure and efficient extraction and transport of the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the tensioning unit is mounted in the conventional manner requiring dismantling along the track running direction, then the structural integrity of the side carrier is maintained, but the assembly and maintenance complexity increases significantly and downtime extends
Solution Approach 1:
The side carrier is divided into a main body and a removable compartment that houses the tensioning unit. The compartment can be independently accessed and opened without dismantling the entire side carrier structure, allowing the tensioning unit to be removed through the mounting opening while maintaining the structural integrity of the main side carrier body.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning unit is extracted from the conventional integrated mounting position and placed within a dedicated removable compartment. This allows the tensioning unit to be accessed and removed through a specific mounting opening without requiring dismantling of the entire side carrier along the track running direction, significantly simplifying maintenance operations.
2Productivity
If the tensioning unit is removed through the side carrier along the track running direction, then the removal path is clear, but the logistical effort and time required for handling heavy units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removal direction of the tensioning unit is changed from the conventional track running direction (longitudinal dimension) to a transverse direction through the mounting opening (lateral dimension). This dimensional change allows for quicker extraction of heavy tensioning units without requiring lengthy dismantling procedures along the track direction, significantly reducing maintenance time and downtime.
3Loss of time
If the mounting opening is provided on the outside of the side carrier, then the tensioning unit can be removed transversely to reduce downtime, but the structural integrity and protection of internal components may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The side carrier is segmented into a permanent main body and a removable compartment with a mounting opening. This segmentation allows the mounting opening to be provided for quick access while the main body retains its structural integrity. The compartment can be closed when not in use, protecting internal components without requiring a permanent opening in the main side carrier structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable compartment acts as an intermediary structure between the main side carrier and the external environment. It provides the necessary mounting opening for rapid tensioning unit removal while protecting the internal components when closed, thus maintaining both quick access capability and structural protection without compromising the reliability of the main side carrier.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting arrangement for a tensioning device with a tensioning unit in a side carrier of a crawler of a tracked undercarriage in a large machine is disclosed. The tensioning unit is arranged in a side carrier compartment in the side carrier of the crawler, wherein a mounting opening is arranged in the side carrier on the outside thereof in an installation area of the tensioning unit for allowing removal of the tensioning unit, when installed, from the side carrier compartment through the mounting opening transversely to a track running direction.