Tracked Undercarriage Sliding Frame for Distance and Inclination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracked undercarriages for operating machines lack the ability to simultaneously control the variable distance and inclination of track units with respect to the main frame, which limits adaptability to ground irregularities and stability during operation.
Innovation Solution
A new tracked undercarriage design featuring sliding frames with hydraulic cylinders for translation and rotation, allowing for simultaneous and independent control of track unit distance and inclination, utilizing double-acting hydraulic cylinders to coordinate the movement of track units and protect hydraulic components within the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic cylinders are used to control track unit inclination, then adaptability to ground irregularities is improved, but hydraulic components are exposed to damage from external factors
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinders are nested within the longitudinal members of the sliding frames, which are themselves nested within the main frame structure. This hierarchical nesting protects the hydraulic components from external damage while allowing them to function for controlling track unit inclination and distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal members act as intermediary structures that house the hydraulic cylinders. These intermediaries provide physical protection to the hydraulic components while transmitting their motion to control the track units, resolving the conflict between exposure for control and protection for reliability.
2Device complexity
If track units are constrained to move close to the main frame, then structural compactness is improved, but stability during operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding frames enable dynamic adjustment of the track unit distance from the main frame. The track units can be positioned close to the main frame during transport for compactness, and extended outward during operation for enhanced stability, allowing the structure to adapt to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding frame mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables distance adjustment for both compactness and stability requirements, and coordinates with rotation means to control track unit inclination. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between compactness and stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sliding frames are used to coordinate translation and rotation of track units, then simultaneous control of distance and inclination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding frames combine translation capability (for distance control) and rotation capability (for inclination control) into a single integrated structure. This merging of functions allows simultaneous control of both track unit distance and inclination while avoiding the need for separate mechanisms, thus managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sliding frame serves as a multi-functional component that simultaneously manages translation of the track unit relative to the main frame and rotation of the track unit for inclination adjustment. This universality reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each degree of freedom.
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
Enhances the adaptability and stability of operating machines by allowing precise control over track unit distance and inclination, protecting hydraulic components and improving operational stability and ground interaction.
Implementation Method 1
translation means, suited to slide said longitudinal member with respect to said main frame in said second translation direction. Said translation means comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder acting on said longitudinal member the extension/contraction of which causes the corresponding translation of the longitudinal member
Implementation Method 2
rotation means, suited to rotate said at least one track unit with respect to said longitudinal member around said axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A tracked undercarriage for oscillating and retractable operating machines includes a main frame, a track unit mounted on each of two opposite sides of the main frame, and a sliding frame mounted on each of the two opposite sides of the main frame, Each sliding frame has the dual function of translating the corresponding track unit with respect to the main frame and to vary the inclination of the track unit with respect to the main frame.