Aerial Lift Tilt Adjustment System

Abstract

The present disclosure provides, inter alia, a tilt adjustment system and method for preventing an aerial lift from tipping over during operation. An aerial lift including such a system is also provided.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 211,813, filed June 17, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of aerial lifts and, more particularly, to the safe operation of such lifts. More specifically, the present disclosure provides, among other things, a tilt adjustment system and method for preventing tipping of an aerial lift during operation. [Background technology]

[0003] Aerial lifts are commonly used by electric utility companies to facilitate work at elevated locations such as utility poles, telephone or power lines, street lights, building walls, etc. Aerial lifts are also widely used beyond traditional electric utility companies, for example in the construction, emergency rescue, film industry, etc. Such aerial lifts typically have a work platform (e.g., a work station in the form of a bucket) that is coupled to a wheeled vehicle via a multiple section boom, which is adapted to raise and orient the aerial platform that houses a worker who can perform the required work. The worker also typically controls the operation of the lift from the aerial platform or bucket via a control assembly, which includes several handles that are coupled to the bucket and that can be used to manipulate the position and orientation of the bucket, in particular by controlling the multiple section boom. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are many factors to consider for the safe operation of an aerial lift, including weather conditions such as snow, ice, wind, etc., and ground conditions such as hard or soft ground, sloping or level surface, etc. Among all possible hazards, tipping is one of the most severe accidents that can occur during the operation of an aerial lift. Therefore, an aerial lift should operate under constraints when working on a slope due to tipping stability, operational or structural limitations. However, currently there is no way to determine the exact constraints under different working conditions (i.e., various slopes), which greatly limits the safe application of an aerial lift.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a safe operating system that can provide guidance for an aerial lift operating on an inclined surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides a tilt operation system that is capable of measuring the tilt angle of the ground surface on which the aerial lift is operating and further capable of limiting horizontal reach as needed via a lower boom raising function.

[0007] Accordingly, one aspect of the present disclosure is a tilt adjustment system for safe operation of an aerial lift, the aerial lift comprising: a pedestal resting on a movable chassis; a turret coupled to an upper portion of the pedestal and rotatable in a horizontal direction; a lower boom having a first end coupled to an upper end of the turret and rotatable in a vertical direction; a knuckle connecting a second end of the lower boom to a first end of an extendable upper boom; and an aerial work platform coupled to the second end of the upper boom, the tilt adjustment system comprising a plurality of sensors, at least a tilt sensor and a lower boom sensor, the tilt sensor being mounted on a bottom of the turret and measuring in real time a chassis angle, which is the angle of the chassis with respect to a horizontal plane, and the lower boom sensor being mounted on the lower boom and measuring in real time a lower boom angle, which is the angle of the lower boom with respect to a chassis surface; and a hydraulic actuator. a hydraulic enable valve mounted inside the turret and operably connected to a hydraulic control valve mounted inside the pedestal and capable of raising or lowering a lower boom, the lower boom can be raised only when the hydraulic enable valve is switched on; a control module receiving real-time values ​​of a chassis angle and a lower boom angle measured by a tilt sensor and a lower boom sensor, respectively, and switching the hydraulic enable valve on or off based on the received values ​​and an algorithm; and a boom rest mounted vertically to a movable chassis and having a mechanical stow switch thereon, where when the mechanical stow switch is off, the tilt sensor stops measuring and updating the chassis angle.

[0008] Another aspect of the disclosure is a method for preventing tipping during operation of an aerial lift, the aerial lift comprising: a pedestal resting on a movable chassis; a turret coupled to an upper portion of the pedestal and rotatable in a horizontal direction; a lower boom having a first end coupled to an upper end of the turret and rotatable in a vertical direction; a knuckle connecting a second end of the lower boom to a first end of an extendable upper boom; and an aerial work platform coupled to the second end of the upper boom, the method comprising: a) measuring a chassis angle, the angle of the chassis with respect to a horizontal plane; and, when the measured chassis angle exceeds a maximum operating chassis angle, or ii. determining a maximum operational lower boom angle based on the measured chassis angle if the measured chassis angle does not exceed the maximum operational lower boom angle; and b) measuring a lower boom angle, which is the angle of the lower boom with respect to a surface of the chassis, wherein: i. enabling a lift function of the lower boom when the measured lower boom angle is less than the maximum operational lower boom angle; and ii. disabling a lift function of the lower boom when the measured lower boom angle reaches the maximum operational lower boom angle.

[0009] The present disclosure also includes an aerial lift equipped with the tilt adjustment system disclosed herein.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to facilitate a more detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following drawings are provided by way of example and not by way of limitation to the scope of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows different working statuses of the aerial lift with the tilt adjustment system of the present disclosure. When working on a slope (upper panel), the lifting of the lower boom is limited, but on a horizontal surface (lower panel), it can be lifted to the maximum.

[0012] [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aerial lift with a tilt adjustment system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the aerial lift of FIG. 2 including a boom rest with a mechanical stow switch in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tilt adjustment system described in the present disclosure without the boom rest.

[0015] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an expanded view of a portion of the tilt adjustment system of FIG. 4, including the control module, the hydraulic enable valve, and the tilt sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Detailed Description of the Disclosure A novel system for safe operation of an aerial lift and a method for preventing tip-over during operation of the aerial lift are provided and described. An aerial lift comprising such a system or implementing such a method is also provided and described. Various embodiments and modifications are possible and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0017] According to one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a tilt adjustment system for safe operation of an aerial lift, the aerial lift comprising: a pedestal resting on a movable chassis; a turret coupled to an upper portion of the pedestal and rotatable in a horizontal direction; a lower boom having a first end coupled to an upper end of the turret and rotatable in a vertical direction; a knuckle coupling a second end of the lower boom to a first end of an extendable upper boom; and an aerial work platform coupled to the second end of the upper boom, the tilt adjustment system comprising a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors including at least a tilt sensor and a lower boom sensor, the tilt sensor being mounted on a bottom of the turret and measuring in real time a chassis angle, which is an angle of the chassis relative to a horizontal plane, and the lower boom sensor being mounted on the lower boom and measuring in real time a lower boom angle, which is an angle of the lower boom relative to a chassis surface; and a hydraulically enabled In one embodiment, a tilt adjustment system for safe operation of an aerial lift includes a hydraulic enable valve mounted inside the turret and operably connected to a hydraulic control valve mounted inside the pedestal and capable of raising or lowering a lower boom, the lower boom can be raised only when the hydraulic enable valve is switched on; a control module receiving real-time values ​​of chassis angle and lower boom angle measured by the tilt sensor and the lower boom sensor, respectively, and switching the hydraulic enable valve on or off based on the received values ​​and an algorithm; and a boom rest mounted vertically to the movable chassis and having a mechanical stow switch thereon, where when the mechanical stow switch is off, the tilt sensor stops measuring and updating the chassis angle.

[0018] As used herein, a "horizontal plane" refers to a flat surface perpendicular to a vertical line. A horizontal plane in this specification can be used interchangeably with a "level plane" in the normal operation of an industry standard aerial lift. As used herein, a "level plane" refers to a surface that is at all points perpendicular to the vertical line or the direction of gravity, or parallel to the surface of still water. In some embodiments, the angle of the lower boom can be determined by measuring the orientation of the lower boom relative to a horizontal plane.

[0019] In some embodiments, the algorithm employed by the control module is as follows: 1) if the received chassis angle value is greater than or equal to the maximum operational chassis angle, the hydraulic enable valve is turned off, the lower boom is locked in its stowed position, and the mechanical stow switch is turned on; or 2) if the received chassis angle value is less than the maximum operational chassis angle, the mechanical stow switch is turned off and the lower boom is released from its stowed position, and the control module determines a maximum operational lower boom angle based on the received chassis angle value; and a) when the received lower boom angle value is less than the maximum operational lower boom angle, the hydraulic enable valve is turned on, and b) when the received lower boom angle value reaches the maximum operational lower boom angle, the hydraulic enable valve is turned off.

[0020] The maximum operating chassis angle varies depending on the model of the aerial lift. In some embodiments, the maximum operating chassis angle may be in the range of 7-10 degrees. In some embodiments, the maximum operating chassis angle is 10 degrees.

[0021] In some embodiments, when the received chassis angle value is equal to or less than a predetermined slope value, the lower boom is allowed to fully extend (raise) with a maximum operational lower boom angle of 90 degrees. That is, an aerial lift operating on a sloped surface having a slope not exceeding a predetermined slope value is allowed to operate to its full extent as if operating on a level surface. This predetermined slope value varies depending on the model of the aerial lift. In some embodiments, the predetermined slope value is 5 degrees.

[0022] In some embodiments, if the aerial lift is equipped with an appropriate set of stabilizers, the maximum operating chassis angle can exceed 10 degrees. As used herein, "stabilizer" or "outrigger" can refer to an auxiliary part (usually like a leg) on ​​a wheeled vehicle that folds up when stabilization is required, for example, in a crane that lifts heavy loads, or in an aerial lift as described in this disclosure. In some embodiments, an aerial lift equipped with stabilizers or outriggers can increase the maximum operating chassis angle by up to 2 degrees.

[0023] Many more factors may actually affect the maximum operational lower boom angle for a particular aerial lift model. Thus, in some embodiments, the control module determines the maximum operational lower boom angle based on the received chassis angle value and additional parameters selected from the length of the upper boom, the weight of the upper boom, the load on the aerial work platform, and combinations thereof. Exemplary other parameters include, but are not limited to, the material of the lower boom and / or the upper boom, the angle of the upper boom relative to the horizontal plane, the weight of the portion of the aerial lift below the pedestal, the weight distribution throughout the aerial lift, etc.

[0024] In some embodiments, the system further comprises an LED panel that displays the real-time status of the aerial lift. The status may be displayed in any suitable manner, for example, color coded, graphical and / or textual form, or a combination thereof.

[0025] Another aspect of the disclosure is a method for preventing tipping during operation of an aerial lift, the aerial lift comprising: a pedestal resting on a movable chassis; a turret coupled to an upper portion of the pedestal and rotatable in a horizontal direction; a lower boom having a first end coupled to an upper end of the turret and rotatable in a vertical direction; a knuckle connecting a second end of the lower boom to a first end of an extendable upper boom; and an aerial work platform coupled to the second end of the upper boom, the method comprising: a) measuring a chassis angle, the angle of the chassis with respect to a horizontal plane; and, when the measured chassis angle exceeds a maximum operating chassis angle, the method further comprises: a) measuring a chassis angle, the angle of the chassis with respect to a horizontal plane; or ii. determining a maximum operational lower boom angle based on the measured chassis angle if the measured chassis angle does not exceed the maximum operational lower boom angle; and b) measuring a lower boom angle, which is the angle of the lower boom relative to a chassis surface, wherein: i. enabling a lower boom raise function when the measured lower boom angle is less than the maximum operational lower boom angle; and ii. disabling the lower boom raise function when the measured lower boom angle reaches the maximum operational lower boom angle.

[0026] In some embodiments, the maximum operating chassis angle is in the range of 7 to 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the maximum operating chassis angle is 10 degrees.

[0027] In some embodiments, when the measured chassis angle is less than or equal to the predetermined tilt value, the maximum operational lower boom angle is 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the predetermined tilt value is 5 degrees.

[0028] In some embodiments, if the airborne vehicle is equipped with the appropriate stabilizers set, the maximum operating chassis angle can exceed 10 degrees.

[0029] In some embodiments, the maximum operational lower boom angle is determined based on the measured chassis angle and an additional parameter selected from the upper boom length, the upper boom weight, the aerial work platform load, and combinations thereof.

[0030] In some embodiments, the chassis angle and the boom down angle are measured by a set of sensors. As used herein, sensors are not limited to a particular type or model. Each sensor may operate alone or in combination with other sensors.

[0031] In some embodiments, the lower boom angle is measured and monitored in real time to ensure the airborne life is operating within a safe area.

[0032] The present disclosure also includes an aerial lift comprising the tilt adjustment system disclosed herein.

[0033] The following discussion provides examples to further illustrate the present disclosure. These examples are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0034] 2 and 3, a typical aerial lift 100 includes a mobile chassis 1 (usually a vehicle such as a truck), a base 2 that rests on the mobile chassis 1, a turret 3 that is connected to the top of the base 2 and is horizontally rotatable, a lower boom 4 (often including a compensation link 401) that has a first end 402 that is connected to the upper end 301 of the turret 3 and is vertically rotatable, a knuckle 5 that connects a second end 403 of the lower boom 4 to a first end 601 of an extendable upper boom 6, and an aerial work platform 7 that is connected to the second end 602 of the upper boom 6. When the aerial lift 100 is operating on a horizontal plane or an inclined plane with an angle below a certain value (depending on the model of the specific aerial lift, typically 5 degrees), the aerial lift is allowed to operate in its full encirclement range, i.e., the lower boom 4 can be raised to its maximum extension without the potential risk of tipping over due to a change in the center of gravity of the entire aerial lift. If the angle of inclination exceeds, for example, 5 degrees from horizontal, the structural, functional and tipping stability limits may be exceeded when the aerial work platform is in its maximum horizontal position, i.e., the risk of tipping increases significantly. The solution to this tipping risk is to limit the maximum raised position of the lower boom when working on an inclined surface, as shown in Figure 1.

[0035] The present disclosure provides a tilt adjustment system for implementing this safety measure. With reference to FIG. 4, the system employs a set of angle sensors to assist in determining the limit of the lower boom raising function. Specifically, in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, a tilt sensor 8 is installed inside the turret 3 to measure the angle between the chassis 1 and the horizontal plane (i.e., chassis angle) in real time. The chassis angle corresponds to the inclination angle of the inclined surface relative to the horizontal plane. The real-time value of the chassis angle is sent to a control module 11 installed inside the turret 3, which compares the chassis angle value with a predetermined maximum operating chassis angle. If the received chassis angle exceeds the maximum operating chassis angle, the control module 11 then disables the raising (raising) function of the lower boom 4 by switching off a hydraulic enable valve 10, also installed inside the turret 3 and operably connected to a hydraulic control valve 13 installed inside the pedestal 2, so that under certain circumstances, the upper boom 6 may be free to move, but the lower boom 4 is locked in its stowed position. If the received chassis angle does not exceed the maximum operating chassis angle, the mechanical storage switch 801 on the top of the boom rest 8 is turned off (Figure 3), the tilt sensor 8 stops measuring / updating the chassis angle, and both the lower boom 4 and upper boom 6 are allowed to operate.

[0036] Referring back to FIG. 4, once the tilt sensor 8 stops updating the chassis angle, the control module 11 then determines the maximum operational lower boom angle based on the last received chassis angle value. This creates a "safety zone" for the lower boom 4 to operate. The lower boom sensor 9 installed on the lower boom 4 can measure the lower boom angle, which is the angle of the lower boom relative to the chassis surface (or equivalently, the surface on which the aerial lift is operating), in real time. The control module 11 receives this real time lower boom angle and compares it to a pre-determined maximum operational lower boom angle within which the lower boom 4 is free to operate. When the lower boom angle reaches the maximum operational lower boom angle, the control module 11 switches off the hydraulic enable valve 10, thereby disabling the lift function of the lower boom 4 and preventing further lifting. To facilitate operation, in certain embodiments of the present disclosure, an LED panel 12 is also included in the tilt adjustment system. An operator can check the panel to monitor the status of the aerial lift and ensure that operation is within the safety zone. FIG. 5 provides an expanded view focusing on the tilt sensor 8, the control module 11, and the hydraulic enable valve 10.

[0037] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to those described, and that various other changes or modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. For example, it should be understood that various omissions and substitutions, as well as changes in form and detail, of the systems and methods described and illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art. In particular, the steps of the method may be performed in a different order, in many cases where such may be appropriate. Further variations, modifications, and implementations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An inclination adjustment system for the safe operation of an aerial lift, wherein the aerial lift includes a pedestal mounted on a movable chassis, a turret connected to the upper part of the pedestal and rotatable horizontally, a lower boom having a first end connected to the upper end of the turret and rotatable vertically, a knuckle connecting the second end of the lower boom and the first end of an extendable upper boom, and an aerial work platform connected to the second end of the upper boom, and the inclination adjustment system includes A plurality of sensors including at least an inclination sensor and a lower boom sensor, wherein the inclination sensor is installed at the bottom of the turret and measures in real time the chassis angle which is the angle of the chassis with respect to the horizontal plane, and the lower boom sensor is installed on the lower boom and measures in real time the lower boom angle which is the angle of the lower boom with respect to the surface of the chassis; a plurality of sensors A hydraulic enable valve installed inside the turret and operably connected to a hydraulic control valve installed inside the pedestal and capable of raising or lowering the lower boom, wherein the lower boom can be raised only when the hydraulic enable valve is switched on; a hydraulic enable valve A control module that receives the real-time values of the chassis angle and the lower boom angle respectively measured by the inclination sensor and the lower boom sensor, and switches the hydraulic enable valve on or off based on the received values and an algorithm; a control module A boom rest mounted perpendicular to the movable chassis and having a mechanical storage switch on its upper part, and when the mechanical storage switch is off, the inclination sensor stops measuring / updating the chassis angle; a boom rest An inclination adjustment system comprising.

2. The algorithm is 1) When the received value of the chassis angle is greater than or equal to the maximum operating chassis angle, the hydraulic enable valve is switched off, the lower boom is locked in its storage position, and the mechanical storage switch is turned on, or 2) When the received value of the chassis angle is less than the maximum operating chassis angle, the mechanical storage switch is turned off, and the lower boom is released from its storage position. The control module determines the maximum operating lower boom angle based on the received value of the chassis angle, a) When the received value of the lower boom angle is less than the maximum operating lower boom angle, the hydraulic enable valve is switched on, and b) When the received value of the lower boom angle reaches the maximum operating lower boom angle, the hydraulic enable valve is switched off, The tilt adjustment system according to claim 1, which is an algorithm.

3. The tilt adjustment system according to claim 2, wherein the maximum operating chassis angle is in the range of 7 to 10 degrees.

4. The tilt adjustment system according to claim 2, wherein the maximum operating chassis angle is 10 degrees.

5. The tilt adjustment system according to claim 2, wherein when the received value of the chassis angle is less than or equal to a predetermined tilt value, the maximum operating lower boom angle is 90 degrees.

6. The tilt adjustment system according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined tilt value is 5 degrees.

7. The tilt adjustment system according to claim 2, wherein when the aerial lift is provided with a set of suitable stabilizers, the maximum operating chassis angle can exceed 10 degrees.

8. The control module determines the maximum operating lower boom angle based on the received value of the chassis angle and additional parameters, the additional parameters being selected from the length of the upper boom, the weight of the upper boom, the load of the aerial work platform, and combinations thereof, for the tilt adjustment system according to claim 2.

9. The tilt adjustment system according to claim 1, further comprising an LED panel for displaying the real-time status of the aerial lift.

10. A method for preventing tipping during the operation of an aerial lift, the aerial lift comprising a pedestal mounted on a movable chassis, a turret connected to the upper part of the pedestal and rotatable horizontally, a lower boom having a first end connected to the upper end of the turret and rotatable vertically, a knuckle connecting the second end of the lower boom and the first end of an extendable upper boom, and an aerial work platform connected to the second end of the upper boom, the method comprising: a) measuring a chassis angle, which is the angle of the chassis with respect to the horizontal plane, i. if the measured chassis angle exceeds the maximum operating chassis angle, locking the lower boom in its stowed position, or ii. if the measured chassis angle does not exceed the maximum operating chassis angle, determining a maximum operating lower boom angle based on the measured chassis angle; b) measuring a lower boom angle, which is the angle of the lower boom with respect to the surface of the chassis, i. enabling the raising function of the lower boom when the measured lower boom angle is less than the maximum operating lower boom angle, and ii. disabling the raising function of the lower boom when the measured lower boom angle reaches the maximum operating lower boom angle. A method for preventing tipping during the operation of an aerial lift, including the above steps.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the maximum operating chassis angle is within a range of 7 to 10 degrees.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the maximum operating chassis angle is 10 degrees.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein when the measured chassis angle is less than or equal to a predetermined inclination value, the maximum operating lower boom angle is 90 degrees.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined inclination value is 5 degrees.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein when the aerial lift is provided with a set of suitable stabilizers, the maximum operating chassis angle can exceed 10 degrees.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the maximum operating lower boom angle is determined based on the measured chassis angle, an additional parameter selected from the length of the upper boom, the weight of the upper boom, the load of the aerial work platform, and combinations thereof.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the chassis angle and the lower boom angle are measured by a set of sensors.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the lower boom angle is measured and monitored in real time.

19. An aerial lift comprising the inclination adjustment system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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