Vertical Separating Device for Construction Machine Swing Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vertical separating/connecting devices for mobile cranes increase development and maintenance costs due to the need for multiple swing bearings and compatibility issues, and can result in increased assembly and maintenance costs when external teeth and internal teeth become damaged during disassembly and reassembly.
Innovation Solution
A vertical separating/connecting device with an externally toothed ring member and an internally toothed ring member, where the pitch circles of their attachment positions have the same diameter and center, allowing for independent replacement without replacing the swing bearing, and featuring a ring-member-rotating unit to adjust the engagement of teeth for separation and connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a vertical separating/connecting device is provided to separate the lower traveling body and upper rotating body, then the crane can comply with weight limits for road transport, but the device height increases and development cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is nested within the swing bearing structure, with the externally toothed ring member integrated into the swing bearing's outer race and the internally toothed ring member integrated into the lower traveling body. This nesting eliminates the need for separate coupling devices that would increase height, while still providing the weight separation functionality required for road transport compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing bearing is designed to serve dual functions: supporting the rotational movement of the upper rotating body and providing the coupling mechanism for vertical separation. The externally and internally toothed ring members enable both the bearing function and the coupling function within a single integrated structure, avoiding the need for additional height-increasing components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of swing bearings are prepared for different countries' weight limits, then compatibility is achieved, but development cost and management cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables parameter changes in the coupling device configuration rather than requiring different swing bearing types. By adjusting the engagement state of the externally and internally toothed ring members, the same swing bearing can accommodate different weight limit requirements across countries, eliminating the need to manufacture and manage multiple swing bearing variants.
3Strength
If claw-like ribs are used for coupling, then connection is established, but seizing occurs during reassembly and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The externally and internally toothed ring members are designed as replaceable components rather than permanent integral parts. When wear or damage occurs, only these relatively simple and inexpensive ring members need to be replaced, not the entire swing bearing assembly. This dramatically reduces maintenance costs compared to replacing complete swing bearings, while still providing strong coupling connection through the toothed engagement.
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 maintains compatibility between the lower traveling body and upper rotating body, reduces development costs, and allows for independent replacement of damaged components, thereby minimizing reassembly and maintenance costs, while also reducing the overall weight and height of the device.
Implementation Method 1
an externally toothed ring member (3) having lug-shaped external teeth (3c) that are arranged in the circumferential direction with predetermined intervals therebetween; an internally toothed ring member (4) having internal teeth (4b) that mesh with the external teeth (3c) of the externally toothed ring member (3)
Data Source
AI summary
A construction machine includes a vertical separating/connecting device interposed between a lower traveling body and a swing bearing that supports an upper rotating body. The device includes an externally toothed ring member fixed to the swing bearing with a first attaching unit, a rotating unit that rotates the externally toothed ring member, an internally toothed ring member fixed to the lower traveling body with a second attaching unit positioned on an attachment pitch circle having the same diameter and center as an attachment pitch circle of the first attaching unit, and a fixing unit that fixes the externally toothed ring member or the internally toothed ring member. Internal teeth of the internally toothed ring member and external teeth of the externally toothed ring member are positioned so as to allow the movement of the external teeth or to engage with each other when the externally toothed ring member is rotated.