Variable Camber Crane Wheels for Uneven Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cranes struggle to maintain effective friction on irregular and uneven support surfaces, making it difficult to move loads across such terrain.
Innovation Solution
The crane features wheels that can adjust their camber angle relative to the base frame, using elastic return means to optimize contact with the ground, and is equipped with independent motors and differentials for each wheel pair, allowing for variable camber and reduced torque requirements for steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wheels are mounted rigidly relative to the crane frame, then the structure is simple and stable, but the crane cannot maintain good friction with irregular support surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is made dynamically adjustable through a pivot mechanism that allows the wheel plane to rotate relative to the crane frame. This enables the wheel camber angle to be varied in response to support surface irregularities, maintaining optimal friction contact without requiring a completely complex suspension system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the wheel mounting angle (camber angle) to adapt to different support surface conditions. By allowing this parameter to vary through the pivot mechanism, the crane maintains reliable friction contact on irregular surfaces while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel camber angle is fixed, then the manufacturing and operation are simple, but the crane cannot adapt to uneven ground conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly automatically adapts to uneven ground conditions through the pivot mechanism without requiring manual intervention. The weight of the wheel assembly and the reaction forces from the ground naturally cause the wheel plane to pivot to the appropriate camber angle, making the system self-adjusting and easy to operate.
3Power
If conventional rigid wheel mounting is used, then the structure is straightforward, but steering requires excessive torque on irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pivot mechanism allows the wheel camber angle to adjust automatically during steering operations on irregular surfaces. This reduces the torque required for steering by optimizing the contact patch and friction characteristics, while the mechanism itself remains relatively simple in design.
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 enhances the crane's ability to maintain traction on uneven surfaces, reduces wear, and minimizes the force exerted on the ground, enabling smoother and more stable movement of loads.
Implementation Method 1
at least one wheel (36) capable of rotating relative to said base frame (12) so as to change camber angle (A) of said wheel, wherein said wheel assembly comprises: a support element (38) supporting said wheel (36) with freedom to rotate; and elastic return means (42) biased to move said wheel assembly (34, 35, 36) in a direction to return the camber angle (A) of said wheel (36) to a neutral position
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2
AI summary
A crane (10) for lifting and transporting loads comprising: a base frame (12), for transferring the loads of the crane (10) onto a support surface by means of a plurality of wheels (34, 35, 36), wherein at least one wheel (34, 35, 36) is capable of rotating relative to said base frame (12) so as to change the camber angle (A) of said wheel (34, 35, 36).