Undercarriage Axle Mount Linkage for Cantilevered Arm Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing undercarriages of working machines, such as excavators and telehandlers, face distortion and buckling issues due to reaction forces during operations, which can be mitigated by increasing the thickness of the chassis, but this approach is inefficient in terms of material usage and weight reduction.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a linkage member that restricts the movement of cantilevered arms in the axle mount, effectively tying them together to prevent relative movement and distribute loads, thereby reducing the need for increased chassis thickness and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the thickness of the chassis in the end region is increased to increase the rigidity of the first and second cantilevered arms, then the rigidity and stability of the undercarriage is improved, but the material usage and weight of the undercarriage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of cantilevered armsVSAvoidweight of undercarriage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The undercarriage is divided into functional segments: the chassis, the cantilevered arms, and the linkage member. The linkage member acts as a separate structural element that connects the arms laterally, allowing each component to be optimized independently rather than requiring the entire chassis to be thickened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of uniformly increasing the thickness of the entire chassis, the patent applies the linkage member specifically at the critical location where lateral movement occurs between the cantilevered arms. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary rigidity only where needed, rather than throughout the entire chassis structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the thickness of the chassis in the end region is increased to restrict movement of the first and second arms, then the stability during working operations is improved, but the material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of undercarriageVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing function is segmented from the main chassis body and implemented through the separate linkage member. This allows the stabilization mechanism to be optimized independently, using minimal material specifically for the stability function rather than requiring the entire chassis to use excessive material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linkage member provides localized stabilization at the critical point where arm movement occurs, rather than requiring uniform reinforcement throughout the entire chassis. This targeted approach achieves the necessary stability with minimal material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of stationary object

If a linkage member is introduced to restrict movement of the first and second arms, then the material usage and weight are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of undercarriageVSAvoidcomplexity of undercarriage structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage member combines multiple functions into a single structural element: it laterally connects the cantilevered arms to prevent relative movement, provides a mounting point for the dozer blade, and reinforces the overall structure. This merging of functions reduces the total number of components needed compared to alternative designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The linkage member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a structural connector between arms, a mounting platform for the dozer blade, and a reinforcement element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3851587B1An undercarriage for a working machine
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 J C BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LTD
  • EP3851587B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3851587B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3851587B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An undercarriage (10) for a working machine (60) having a chassis (12). The chassis (12) includes a first axle mount (32) and a first axle assembly (16) mounted to the first axle mount (32). The first axle assembly (16) has a first axle (20) with first and second ends (22,24) for pivotably mounting first and second wheels. The first axle mount (32) is provided in the form of first and second arms (34,36) extending from the chassis (12) to define a channel (38) therebetween, and the undercarriage (10) is configured to restrict movement of the first and second arms (34,36).