Working Machine Track Beam Positioning for Extended Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing working machines with variable track systems face limitations in track extension and retraction due to beam overlap and hydraulic actuator length, restricting the range of motion and stability, especially in mini excavators.
Innovation Solution
The design positions a portion of the beam and actuator end outboard of the track assembly's inner and outer faces, allowing for increased beam length and actuator stroke, enabling greater track extension and retraction without compromising mechanical integrity or stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the beam overlap with the chassis is increased to ensure mechanical integrity, then the stability and strength are improved, but the track extension distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The beam is positioned to extend in a direction outboard of the track assembly's inner face, utilizing spatial dimension beyond the traditional overlap constraint. This allows the beam to achieve both adequate chassis overlap for mechanical integrity and extended track distance by repositioning the beam's projection direction.
2Length of moving object
If the hydraulic actuator length is increased to extend the tracks further, then the track extension capability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator end is positioned outboard of the track assembly's inner face, utilizing spatial dimension beyond the traditional actuator length constraint. This allows the actuator to achieve greater effective stroke and track extension capability without proportionally increasing the actuator's physical length or complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tracks are positioned close together in retracted position for access purposes, then the mobility and adaptability are improved, but the stability during operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly is designed to be dynamically repositionable between a retracted state (tracks close together) for access purposes and an extended state (tracks far apart) for operational stability. The beam and actuator mechanism enables this dynamic transformation to occur during operation as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A working machine having a chassis,a first track assembly including a first track mounted for movement around a first track support, the first track assembly being mounted to the chassis by at least a first beam, the first beam being moveable relative to the chassis to vary the distance between the chassis and the first track assembly,a second track assembly including a second track mounted for movement around a second track support, the second track support defining a second inner face,the working machine having an extended position and a retracted position such that the first track assembly is spaced further from the second track assembly when in the extended position than when in the retracted position,wherein when the working machine is in the retracted position a first portion of the first beam is positioned outboard of the second inner face.