Variable Width Transport Vehicle Telescopic Tie Rod Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transport vehicles with variable width and track width face challenges in achieving identical steering angles for wheel bogies during steering, requiring complex and time-consuming adjustments of telescopic tie rods, which complicates maneuverability and compliance with legal regulations for overweight loads.
Innovation Solution
A transport vehicle design featuring a single length-adjustable cross tie rod connecting steering levers, allowing for identical steering angles across all wheels or wheel pairs, with a telescopic cross tie rod comprising coaxial tubular elements that can be fixed in predetermined positions to match the desired track width adjustments, and hydraulic jacks for lifting the chassis to reduce friction during width changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple telescopic tie rods are used to connect wheel bogies for steering, then the steering angles of multiple wheel bogies can be synchronized, but the device complexity and adjustment time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single telescopic tie rod is segmented into multiple coaxial tubular elements (first tubular element, second tubular element, third tubular element) that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the tie rod to achieve multiple length positions corresponding to different track widths while maintaining steering angle synchronization. The segmented structure resolves the contradiction by providing precise control without requiring multiple separate tie rods.
Solution Approach 2:
The single telescopic tie rod serves multiple functions: it connects wheel bogies for steering synchronization, adjusts track width by changing its length, and provides structural support. By making the tie rod telescopic with multiple adjustable positions, it universally handles both steering control and width adjustment requirements, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If telescopic tie rods are used to adjust track width, then the width and track width can be changed, but the adjustment process requires time-consuming length adjustments and locking of multiple tie rods
Solution Approach 1:
The tie rod transitions from a static fixed-length component to a dynamic telescopic component with multiple adjustable lengths. The coaxial tubular elements can be extended or retracted to different positions and locked, enabling the track width to be dynamically adjusted between multiple predetermined positions. This dynamic design allows quick adaptation to different width requirements without time-consuming adjustments of multiple separate tie rods.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic tie rod is designed with predetermined length positions corresponding to standard track width requirements. The coaxial tubular elements are pre-configured with locking positions that match common width adjustments. This preliminary preparation allows operators to quickly select and lock the appropriate length position without complex calculations or adjustments, significantly reducing setup time.
3Ease of operation
If the chassis is not lifted during width adjustment, then the adjustment process is simpler, but friction between wheels and ground makes transverse movement of chassis parts difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lifting devices (hydraulic jacks or winches) that are activated before the width adjustment process. These devices lift the chassis off the ground, eliminating wheel-ground contact and friction beforehand. This prior cushioning of the friction problem allows the chassis parts to be easily moved transverse to the longitudinal center plane during width adjustment, and the chassis is then lowered back into position after adjustment.
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 solution simplifies the adjustment process, ensures identical steering angles, reduces setup time, and enhances maneuverability while allowing for compliance with legal load limits by minimizing the effort required for width and track width adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
Hydraulic jacks for lifting the chassis to reduce friction during width changes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a transport vehicle with variable width and track width, comprising a chassis (14) and at least one radial axle (16, 18, 20, 22), the chassis (14) comprising two chassis parts (28), each of which carries a row of bogies (60) arranged one behind the other and can be adjusted transversely with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane (26) of the transport vehicle. According to the invention, a single longitudinally adjustable transverse tie bar (72) is arranged between the two rows of bogies (60) and connects the two bogies (60) of the/a radial axle (16, 18, 20 22), the length of said transverse tie bar being adjustable by a value corresponding to the extent to which the width and track width are increased or decreased.