Variable Gauge Undercarriage Lock Mechanism for Play Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variable gauge undercarriages experience weight-based shifting due to clearance between telescopic members, leading to reduced precision and stability during operation, as existing compensation devices are actuated separately from the telescopic beam elements.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic lock member and cylinder system controlled by a common sequential control circuit, where the lock member engages the telescopic member after extension, using a resilient element to bias engagement and contact the telescopic member transversely, thereby eliminating play between cooperating telescopic members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If clearance is provided between telescopic members, then ease of assembly and manufacturing tolerance are improved, but weight-based shifting and stability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member is actuated after the telescopic members are positioned to eliminate clearance, preparing the system in advance for stable operation. The control circuit automatically activates the lock member once the telescopic members reach their target position, ensuring clearance is eliminated before the vehicle begins operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock member acts as an intermediary element between the telescopic members, physically contacting and pressing them together to eliminate clearance. This intermediary component transfers force from the actuator to the telescopic members, ensuring tight engagement without requiring direct modification of the telescopic members themselves.
2Device complexity
If clearance compensation devices are actuated separately, then device complexity is reduced, but actuation precision and stability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuits for the hydraulic cylinder and lock member are merged into a single integrated control system. This unified control circuit coordinates both actuators simultaneously, ensuring they work together in synchronization to eliminate clearance effectively, rather than operating independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit monitors the position and status of both the hydraulic cylinder and lock member, using feedback signals to coordinate their actuation. This feedback mechanism ensures that the lock member is activated at the appropriate moment to eliminate clearance, maintaining precise control over the entire process.
3Reliability
If lock member engages before hydraulic cylinder extension, then stability is improved, but operational sequence and productivity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinder extends first to position the telescopic members, preparing the system in advance for the lock member engagement. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the lock member activates, the telescopic members are already in their correct positions, enabling immediate clearance elimination without requiring repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit dynamically sequences the actuation of the hydraulic cylinder and lock member based on real-time system conditions. The hydraulic cylinder operates first to establish proper positioning, then the lock member engages to eliminate clearance, creating an optimized dynamic sequence that balances stability requirements with operational efficiency.
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
The solution ensures automatic and synchronized actuation of the lock member and hydraulic cylinder, enhancing stability and precision by eliminating play between telescopic members, improving the operational stability of variable gauge undercarriages.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus may further comprise a resilient element to bias the lock member from engagement to the telescopic member
Implementation Method 2
A hydraulic lock member and cylinder system controlled by a common sequential control circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (5) for eliminating play in a variable gauge undercarriage (54) comprising a hydraulic cylinder (60) to actuate relative movement between co-operating telescopic members (50, 52), a lock member (10, 110) for engaging a telescopic member to eliminate play between the telescopic members and a control circuit (64) connected to the lock member and the hydraulic cylinder to sequentially actuate the lock member and the hydraulic cylinder.