Steerable Working Machine Housing Segmentation for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-propelled working machines require high manual effort for operation and maintenance due to complex and bulky designs, making them difficult to use and maintain, especially in challenging terrains like mountains.
Innovation Solution
A compact and user-friendly design is achieved by partitioning the machine housing into a clutch chamber and a gear chamber, with a mechanical or electromechanical clutch and a drive sleeve connected to the intermediate shaft, allowing for easy assembly and maintenance, and incorporating a braking device for enhanced accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the machine housing is designed as a single integrated structure, then the structural strength is improved, but the ease of repair and maintenance accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The machine housing is divided into multiple separable parts including a clutch chamber housing and a gear chamber housing that can be detached from each other. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access internal components like the clutch and transmission without completely disassembling the entire housing structure, thereby improving maintenance accessibility while preserving structural integrity through proper joint design.
2Device complexity
If the clutch and transmission are integrated in a single chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch chamber and gear chamber are separated into distinct housing parts with individual seals and breathing holes. This segmentation prevents lubricant from the transmission from contaminating the clutch, and vice versa, thereby improving reliability by eliminating cross-contamination risks while maintaining relatively simple overall structure through the modular chamber design.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall with sealed openings and breathing holes acts as an intermediary barrier between the clutch chamber and gear chamber. This intermediate structure allows for controlled separation of the two systems, preventing direct contamination while still enabling a compact integrated design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the working shaft is universally driveable from both ends, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The working shaft is designed with universal drive capability from both ends, allowing it to function in multiple drive configurations. This multi-functionality enables the same shaft to accommodate different tool attachments and drive arrangements without requiring additional components or complex mechanisms, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
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
The solution simplifies operation and maintenance, reduces manual effort, and enhances reliability, making the machine more suitable for diverse terrains and tasks with improved accessibility and reduced space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical or electromechanical clutch that can be actuated by friction or form locking as the clutch
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic pump from a hydraulic motor
Implementation Method 3
a wheel driven by a generator from an electric motor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The self-driven working machine (1) has a driving motor. A motor shaft and pumps of respective generator drive shaft (17) are connected by an intermediate shaft (13), at which a coupling rotor (23) of a switch coupling (20) is mounted. The coupling rotor is coupled with a drive wheel (45) of the gearbox.