Working Machine Single Primary Chassis Member Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Working machines designed for loading and excavating operations face a compromise between minimizing height and maintaining sufficient clearance between the chassis and the ground, as traditional designs require structural elements that add height and stiffness, limiting their ability to operate in restricted spaces and on rough terrain.
Innovation Solution
A working machine with a single primary chassis member that extends longitudinally and transversely, allowing the cab structure to be positioned beside the chassis while eliminating the need for torsional stiffness beneath it, and a sub-frame that secures the engine and drive components, enabling low height and adequate ground clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional chassis designs with multiple members are used, then torsional stiffness is improved, but machine height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is segmented into a single primary chassis member with distinct functional parts: a first part extending longitudinally at one side of the machine, and a second part extending transversely at or towards one end. This segmentation allows the cab structure to be positioned beside the first part, eliminating the need for chassis members beneath the cab, thereby reducing machine height while maintaining torsional stiffness through the optimized single-member configuration.
2Strength
If chassis members are positioned beneath the cab structure, then structural support is improved, but ground clearance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (chassis members beneath the cab) to a lateral arrangement (single primary chassis member at one side with cab positioned beside it). This dimensional change allows the cab to be supported by the side-extended first part of the chassis rather than by members beneath it, thereby increasing ground clearance while maintaining structural support through the optimized single-member configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A working machine includes a working arm, the arm in use, carrying a working implement, the arm being raisable and lowerable about a generally horizontal axis by a power operated device, a cab structure for an operator, an engine for providing power to a ground engaging drive structure to drive the machine over the ground and for operating the working arm, each of the working arm, the cab structure and the engine being mounted on a machine chassis, and the machine being characterized in that the chassis includes a single primary chassis member which provides a substantial resistance to torsional deformation of the machine between the front and rear ends of the machine, the single primary chassis member including a first part which extends longitudinally of the machine at the one side of the machine, and a second part which extends transversely of the first part at or towards one end of the machine.