Work Vehicle Spherical Slide Bearing Steering Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing linkage systems in wheel loaders result in deteriorated steering operability when the first and second frames move in the up-down direction, causing unequal right and left steering angles during steering operations.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle design featuring a rear-part vehicle body frame and a front-part vehicle body frame linked via spherical slide bearings, allowing for perpendicular turning and flexible movement, with specific spherical slide bearings positioned to maintain equal steering cylinder extension and contraction, ensuring consistent steering operations across terrain changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pivotal linking position of the steering cylinder is placed above the universal bearing device, then the steering mechanism can be compactly arranged, but the steering operability deteriorates when the first frame and second frame move in the up-down direction due to unequal right and left steering angles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the steering cylinder's pivotal linking position from a vertical arrangement (above the universal bearing device) to a horizontal arrangement (at the same horizontal plane as the universal bearing device). This dimensional change in positioning allows the steering cylinder to maintain equal right and left steering angles while still achieving compact arrangement of the steering mechanism.
2Reliability
If the first frame and second frame are rigidly linked, then the steering angles remain consistent, but the vehicle body cannot flexibly follow terrain changes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces spherical slide bearings that allow dynamic movement between the first frame and second frame in the up-down direction, enabling the vehicle body to adapt to terrain changes. Simultaneously, the steering cylinder is positioned at the same horizontal plane as the universal bearing device, which dynamically maintains equal right and left steering angles during oscillation, thus preserving steering angle consistency while achieving terrain adaptability.
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 maintains good steering operation and allows the vehicle body to flexibly follow terrain changes, reducing load and improving durability while preventing damage to steering components.
Implementation Method 1
a front-part joint part that is present at a rear end of the front-part vehicle body frame, and that is provided with a first spherical slide bearing and a second spherical slide bearing which are placed in an up-down direction
Implementation Method 2
the steering cylinder is extended and contracted in response to a steering operation amount thereby to turn the wheel loader
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To provide a work vehicle capable of maintaining a comfortable steering operation while causing a vehicle body to flexibly follow a change in terrain. [Solution] A work vehicle 1 includes: a rear-part vehicle body frame 420; and a front-part vehicle body frame 220, wherein the work vehicle 1 includes: a front-part joint part 320 that is present at a rear end of the front-part vehicle body frame 220, and that is provided with a first spherical slide bearing 310b1 and a second spherical slide bearing 310a1 which are placed in an up-down direction, a rear-part joint part 340 that is, via a third spherical slide bearing 341a and via the second spherical slide bearing 310a1, linked with a link member 330 linked with the front-part joint part 320 via the first spherical slide bearing 310b1, and that is present at a head end of the rear-part vehicle body frame 420, and a cylinder 450 that is linked with the front-part joint part 320 via a fourth spherical slide bearing 452, and that is linked with the rear-part vehicle body frame 420 via a fifth spherical slide bearing 451, and at least a part of the fourth spherical slide bearing 452 is placed on the same horizontal plane as at least a part of the second spherical slide bearing 310a1.