Adjustable Track Assemblies for Mobile Elevating Work Platform Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile elevating work platforms (AWPs) face limitations in their minimum and maximum wheel track widths, which restrict their stability and operational height, especially when the stabilisers are in the rest position, making it difficult to maintain balance and mobility on varying ground conditions.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a self-propelled base frame with adjustable track assemblies that can contract to a minimum width for door passage and expand to a maximum width for increased stability, allowing the elevating arm to be raised safely without stabilisers in the working position, even on inclined grounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the wheel track width is increased to improve stability, then the platform can operate at higher heights and on inclined grounds, but the platform cannot pass through standard doors with minimum width of 800mm
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly is designed with movable support rods that can dynamically adjust the wheel track width between a minimum configuration (790mm) for door passage and a maximum configuration (greater than 1180mm) for enhanced stability during elevating operations. This dynamic adaptability allows the platform to pass through standard doors while maintaining operational stability at height.
2Reliability
If the wheel track width is increased to enhance stability during elevating operations, then the platform can operate safely at higher heights, but the minimum size of the platform is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The support rods are configured to be movable between retracted and extended positions, allowing the wheel track width to be dynamically adjusted. When not in use, the support rods are retracted to minimize platform size; during elevating operations, they are extended to increase wheel track width and enhance operational safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rods are nested within or alongside the track assembly structure when in the retracted position, allowing the maximum wheel track width to be achieved without permanently increasing the minimum platform size. This nesting arrangement enables compact storage while providing extended functionality when needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support rod second end is positioned outside the track assembly lateral size, then the wheel track width can be increased for stability, but the platform loses mobility and cannot adapt to confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support rods are designed to be movable between positions where the second end is within and outside the lateral size of the track assembly. This dynamic positioning capability allows the platform to adapt its wheel track width according to operational requirements, providing both stability when needed and adaptability for confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The track assembly is segmented into fixed portions and movable portions (support rods), allowing independent adjustment of the support rod positions. This segmentation enables the platform to modify its effective wheel track width without altering the fundamental track assembly structure, maintaining both stability and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile elevating work platform (10) which comprises: - a self-propelled base frame (20); - an elevating arm (60), one first end of which is jointed to the base frame (20) and one second opposite free end of which is adapted to be fixed to an operating assembly (70); - a plurality of stabilisers (25) associated to the base frame (20) each of which is alternatively mobile between a working position, wherein it is laid on the ground, and a rest position, wherein it is lifted from the ground; - a pair of longitudinal track assemblies (31,32) opposite with respect to the base frame (20) to lay it on the ground, - a pair of movement assemblies (33,34), wherein each movement assembly is configured to move a respective track assembly (31,32) relative to the base frame (20), between a position approached to the base frame (20) and a position moved away from it, wherein each movement assembly (33,34) comprises at least a support rod (331,341) supporting at a first end (3310,3410) the respective track assembly (31,32), characterized in that a second end (3311,3411) of the support rod (331,341) opposite to the first end (3310,3410) of each movement assembly (33,34) is configured to be at least partially comprised in the lateral plan size of the opposite track assembly (31,32) when both track assemblies (31,32) are in the respective approached position.