Active Feed Arm Control for Construction Machine Energy Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Construction machines with rotatable upper carriages face risks of energy line damage due to over-stretching or tearing-off during rotational position changes, especially when supplying energy to the undercarriage, which can lead to work stoppages and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A construction machine with an actively adjustable feed arm, driven by a motor or motorized drive, reduces mechanical stress on the energy line by actively adjusting its position relative to the upper carriage, using sensors to detect changes in position and control the feed arm to maintain a safe distance and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upper carriage is rotated to change operational position, then the construction machine can perform work in different locations, but the energy line may be over-stretched or torn-off due to mechanical tension
Solution Approach 1:
The feed arm is made actively adjustable relative to the upper carriage through a drive means (motor or motorized drive), allowing the feed arm to dynamically change its position and orientation. This dynamic adjustment enables the energy line to track the upper carriage during rotation without excessive tension, preventing over-stretching and tearing while maintaining adaptability to different operational positions.
Solution Approach 2:
A control means detects the position of the upper carriage relative to the undercarriage and controls the drive means to adjust the feed arm accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the feed arm maintains proper alignment and tension with the energy line during rotational movements, preventing mechanical damage while enabling versatile positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the feed arm is pivotably supported to allow rotation, then the upper carriage can rotate freely, but mechanical stress on the energy line increases during position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The passive mechanical pivot support is replaced with an actively driven system using a motor or motorized drive. This substitution allows the feed arm to be actively positioned rather than relying solely on mechanical pivoting, reducing the mechanical stress transmitted to the energy line during upper carriage rotation while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed arm transitions from a static or passively pivoting component to an actively adjustable component driven by a motorized system. This dynamic capability allows the feed arm to compensate for rotational movements without transmitting excessive mechanical forces to the energy line, reducing stress while preserving operational flexibility.
3Device complexity
If the energy line is guided close to the ground for the undercarriage, then space is saved, but the risk of damage from the running gear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed arm with the energy line is actively adjustable relative to the upper carriage, allowing dynamic positioning of the energy line. This adjustability enables the system to maintain compact space utilization while simultaneously positioning the energy line to avoid contact with the running gear, reducing damage risk without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actively adjustable feed arm acts as an intermediary between the upper carriage and the energy line, providing controlled positioning and movement. This intermediary mechanism allows the energy line to be guided efficiently through space while maintaining a safe distance from the running gear, preventing damage while preserving space constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a construction machine having an upper carriage, an undercarriage which has a running gear and on which the upper carriage is rotatably supported about an upright axis, and a feed arm for at least one energy line, with which energy can be supplied from the outside to the construction machine, wherein the feed arm is adjustably supported on the upper carriage. In accordance with the invention at least one drive means for actively adjusting the feed arm relative to the upper carriage is provided.