Power Distribution in Transmissions of Forestry and Transport Wheeled Vehicles

The article presents arguments in favor of creating controlled center differentials adapted for use in transmissions of forestry and transport wheeled vehicles, the principles for determining their parameters, and approaches to design. A way to localize the production of such mechanisms in the Russian Federation is proposed. The aim of the work has been to find ways to improve the traction properties and cross-country ability of vehicles by controlling the power distribution between the drive axles. The methods of the theory of motion of wheeled vehicles, the theory of machines and mechanisms, and approaches to the design of vehicle transmission units have been used. The concept of a controlled center-to-center power distribution mechanism has been formulated based on an analysis of the operating conditions and design features of wheeled machines used in the logging industry. The development of this mechanism has been justified from the point of view of increasing the efficiency of power distribution and improving the performance characteristics of vehicles. The principles for determining the main external parameters of the mechanism have been proposed. The approaches to the creation of kinematic diagrams have been considered, which is important for understanding the process of transferring movements between the elements of the mechanism. It has been shown that kinematic and force analysis makes it possible to evaluate the influence of mechanical forces and movements on the functioning of the device. The points on the main links of the mechanism have been identified to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the design. The results can be used in the design of controlled center-to-center power distribution mechanisms for transmissions of forestry and transport wheeled vehicles. The use of a controlled center differential can improve the performance of forestry tracked vehicles by increasing the full use of traction properties of the chassis. It is advisable to equip the transmission of a 4-tracked vehicle with the proposed mechanism (in particular, in the case of installing triangular tracked modules instead of the driving wheels of an originally wheeled tractor). When developing such mechanisms, it is necessary to apply approaches tested in the theory of motion of wheeled and tracked vehicles and methods for designing transmission assemblies of transport vehicles. To maximize the localization of the production of controlled center differentials, it is possible to use technologies used in tank construction. The work can serve as a basis for further research into engineering solutions in the field of mechanisms and automotive technology, opening up new opportunities for improving the management of power distribution in vehicles.