Articulated Stabilizer Arms for Handler Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current stabilizers for telescopic and rotary handlers offer either insufficient stability or excessive encumbrance, limiting the operational flexibility and effectiveness of handlers, especially when not stabilized, as they either impede turret rotation or protrude into the working area.

Innovation Solution

The stabilization apparatus features a pair of stabilizers with a main body and two articulated arms that can be extended and retracted, providing a wider support base for stability while minimizing encumbrance, allowing the handler to operate effectively without stabilization and without interfering with the turret's rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If stabilizers are designed with a wide support base to enhance stability, then stability is improved, but encumbrance and vertical protrusion increase, interfering with turret rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidencumbrance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizer is divided into multiple articulated segments (first arm, second arm, third arm) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the stabilizer to achieve a wide support base when deployed while maintaining a compact profile when retracted, resolving the contradiction between stability and encumbrance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizer employs dynamic articulated arms with multiple degrees of freedom that can adapt their configuration based on operational requirements. When stabilization is needed, the arms extend to provide a wide support base; when not needed, they retract to minimize encumbrance and clear the turret working area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If stabilizers are retracted to minimize encumbrance during travel, then encumbrance is reduced, but stability is compromised when needed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveencumbranceVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated stabilizer structure allows rapid transition between retracted and extended configurations. The dynamic design enables the stabilizer to provide full stability support when deployed while maintaining minimal encumbrance during travel, eliminating the need to choose between the two states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If stabilizers are designed to provide maximum stability with a broad support base, then stability is improved, but the handler cannot operate effectively without stabilization

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic articulated stabilizer can be quickly deployed or retracted based on operational needs. This allows the handler to operate in stabilized mode when maximum stability is required and in unstabilized mode when operational flexibility is needed, providing adaptability across different working contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2980002B1A stabilization apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 MANITOU ITALIA SRL
  • EP2980002B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2980002B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A stabilization apparatus (1) for lifts, handlers and air platforms, comprising: a main body (2), suitable for being mounted onto a vehicle and provided with at least two side branches (21), relative to which respective first arms (11) are rotoidally coupled; and second arms (12), each of which being rotoidally coupled to a respective first arm (11), thereby defining, together with the branches (21), corresponding articulated stabilizers (10). The stabilizers (10) are movable between a retracted position in which they are folded onto themselves, and an extended position in which they are unfolded, thus defining a configuration of stabilization.