Articulated Track Wheel Support for Ski Piste Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ski piste preparation crawled vehicles experience undesired vibrations due to inadequate connection between wheel assemblies and the frame.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle features an articulated supporting device with elastic or variable stiffness components connecting the wheels, allowing for relative movement and reducing vibration transmission, comprising a first and second supporting element connected through a hinge or elastic structure, and a shock absorber with variable stiffness and geometry to absorb hits and adjust wheel position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the wheels are rigidly connected to the frame, then the structural strength is improved, but the vibrations are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidvibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the connection parameter from rigid to articulated, allowing the supporting device to have degrees of freedom while maintaining structural integrity. The articulated connection enables the wheels to move independently to absorb vibrations while the overall structure remains strong.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic capability to the wheel support system through articulated connections, allowing the supporting device to adapt its configuration in response to terrain variations. This dynamic adjustment reduces vibrations transmitted to the frame while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the wheels are rigidly connected to the frame, then the structural stability is improved, but the comfort is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the connection parameter from rigid to articulated, allowing the supporting device to have degrees of freedom while maintaining structural integrity. The articulated connection enables the wheels to move independently to absorb vibrations while the overall structure remains strong.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic capability to the wheel support system through articulated connections, allowing the supporting device to adapt its configuration in response to terrain variations. This dynamic adjustment reduces vibrations transmitted to the frame while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 reduces vibrations by allowing the wheels to move independently, improving stability and comfort during operation by effectively absorbing shocks and adjusting to the snow surface.

Implementation Method 1

the first supporting element and the second supporting element are connected to one another in an elastically flexible manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the first and the second supporting element are connected to one another through a shock absorber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3759014B1Crawled vehicle for the preparation of ski pistes
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 PRINOTH SPA
  • EP3759014B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3759014B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3759014B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Crawled vehicle for the preparation of ski pistes; the crawled vehicle (1) comprising: - a frame (2); - two wheels assemblies (3) displaced at opposite side with respect to the frame (2); - two crawls (4), each of them wounded respectively around to one of the two wheels assemblies (3); - at least one supporting device (15; 115), for each wheels assemblies (3), coupled to at least two wheels (3c) of the wheels assembly (3) and connected in an articulated jointed manner to the frame (2) for coupling the at least two wheels (3c) of the wheels assembly (3) to the frame (2); wherein the supporting device (15; 115) has a first supporting element (16; 116), which supports one of the at least two wheels (3c) of the wheels assembly (3); and a second supporting element (17; 117), which supports another of the two wheels (3c) of the wheels assembly (3); and wherein the first supporting element (16; 116) and the second supporting element (17; 117) are connected to one another through a first articulated joint (18) in a first point (19).