Variable Width Transport Vehicle Scissor Linkage Kinematics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport vehicles with variable width and track width adjustments face complexities in kinematics and setup times due to telescopic tie rods, which affect steering alignment and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of articulated scissors with variable-length cross members and steerable wheel assemblies allows for simple width and track width adjustments through positioning of wheels during travel, without influencing wheel assembly design, and includes a mechanism to change the angular position of scissor arms using double-acting cylinders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If telescopic tie rods are used to adjust width and track width, then the transport vehicle can change its dimensions, but the kinematics becomes complex and setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport vehicle's chassis is divided into separate traverses (load carriers) that can move independently relative to each other. Each traverse can be adjusted in width and track width separately using telescopic tie rods, allowing complex dimensional changes to be broken down into simpler, independent adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle employs dynamically adjustable components including telescopic tie rods that can extend and retract, and steerable wheel bogies that can change orientation. This dynamic design allows the vehicle to adapt its width and track width during operation, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by making complexity controllable rather than fixed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If telescopic tie rods are used for width adjustment, then dimensional flexibility is achieved, but adjustment time and setup duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel bogies are pre-positioned and pre-steered to anticipated positions before the actual width adjustment is needed. This preliminary positioning reduces the time required for final adjustment, as the components are already near their target configurations rather than requiring full adjustment from a neutral position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronically controlled steering systems for the wheel bogies. This substitution allows for faster, more precise adjustments compared to manual or purely mechanical telescopic systems, reducing setup time while maintaining adjustability.
3Ease of operation
If independent steering cylinders are used for each wheel bogie, then steering control is achieved, but structural complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple steering functions are merged into a unified control system. The central controller coordinates all wheel bogies across different traverses, allowing them to steer in a coordinated manner. This merging of control functions simplifies the overall system architecture compared to completely independent control systems for each bogie.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel bogies are designed with universal steering capabilities that can function in multiple modes: individual traverse steering, coordinated multi-traverse steering, and adaptive width adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transport vehicle, in particular a self-propelled transport vehicle, comprising a chassis (2) that includes at least two load carriers (2a, 2b) which are placed next to and at a distance from each other, the distance between the load carriers (2a, 2b) being modifiable in order to modify the width of the transport vehicle (1). According to the invention, at least two load carriers (2a, 2b) of the transport vehicle (1) are connected to one another by at least one articulated twin-arm structure (4, 5).