Articulated Tracked Vehicle Steering Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current articulated tracked vehicles for forestry work have limited manoeuvrability and load distribution, with restricted steering capabilities due to their design, which affects their ability to efficiently transport cargo and navigate challenging terrain.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle features a rigid load-carrying frame that connects the front and rear units via vertical steering links, allowing independent and coordinated steering of each unit, along with a rolling link for improved rotation and stability, enabling even load distribution and reduced ground pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle uses a traditional articulated link section for steering, then the structure is simple, but the manoeuvrability and steering capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system is segmented into independent front and rear steering devices, each capable of operating autonomously. The front steering device steers the front vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about a front vertical steering link, while the rear steering device steers the rear vehicle unit relative to the load-carrying frame about a rear vertical steering link. This segmentation allows independent control of each vehicle unit, significantly improving manoeuvrability without requiring complex interconnected steering mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering system is made dynamic and adaptable through the control unit that can coordinate the front and rear steering devices in various modes. The system can operate in independent steering mode where each unit steers autonomously, or in coordinated steering mode where the control unit synchronizes both steering devices for optimal manoeuvring. This dynamic control capability resolves the contradiction by providing simple independent operation when needed while enabling complex coordinated manoeuvres when required.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle uses a rigid load-carrying frame with vertical steering links, then the load distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load-carrying frame is merged with the steering mechanism by integrating the vertical steering links directly into the frame structure. The front vertical steering link and rear vertical steering link are structural components of the load-carrying frame itself, combining the load-bearing function with the steering function. This merging allows the frame to simultaneously support loads and enable independent steering of vehicle units, improving load distribution without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical steering links serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the load-carrying frame, enable pivotal attachment of vehicle units, and act as steering axes for independent rotation of front and rear units. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by having the same structural elements perform both load-bearing and steering functions, thereby improving load distribution while minimizing additional complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the front and rear vehicle units are individually steerable, then the steering capability is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback from sensors monitoring the positions and orientations of the front and rear vehicle units relative to the load-carrying frame. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the steering commands to each vehicle unit to achieve the desired coordinated movement. This feedback mechanism resolves the control complexity issue by automating the coordination process, allowing individual steerability and high adaptability without requiring complex manual control systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The present invention relates to an articulated tracked vehicle (10) comprising a front and a rear vehicle unit (11, 12) connected by means of a rigid load-carrying frame (40). The load-carrying frame (40) is pivotally attached to the front vehicle unit (11) about a substantially vertical front steering link (52) and pivotally attached to the rear vehicle unit (12) about a substantially vertical rear steering link (72). The vehicle further comprises control means arranged to steer the front vehicle unit (11) relative to the load-carrying frame (40) about the front vertical steering link (52) and to steer the rear vehicle unit (12) relative to the load-carrying frame (40) about the rear vertical steering link (72), wherein the control means is arranged such that the front (11) and rear (12) vehicle units are individually steerable relative to the load-carrying frame (40) about their respective vertical steering links (52, 72).