Boom Adapter Yield Detection for Controlled Failure Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boom assemblies lack effective integrity monitoring systems that can detect controlled failure under external forces, leading to potential misalignment and operational hazards.

Innovation Solution

A boom assembly with a yielding adapter and integrated sensors that monitor parameters such as acceleration, angular velocity, and strain to detect when the adapter yields, triggering alerts or operational adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the adapter is designed to yield under external forces to prevent damage to the boom assembly, then the reliability of the boom assembly is improved, but the structural integrity and alignment of the boom assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled failure capabilityVSAvoidalignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is segmented into distinct functional zones: a yielding portion with reduced cross-sectional area designed to deform under excessive force, and connection portions that maintain structural integrity. This segmentation allows the adapter to sacrificially fail in a controlled manner while protecting the rest of the boom assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the base mount and upper boom portion, deliberately designed to be the weakest link in the chain. It mediates the transfer of forces and serves as a sacrificial element that yields first to prevent damage to more critical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If sensors are added to detect adapter yielding and provide monitoring, then the safety and detection capability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyielding detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional mechanical monitoring systems are replaced with electronic sensors that detect yielding events through measurements of acceleration, angular velocity, or strain. This substitution enables more precise detection with smaller, more sensitive components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system provides real-time feedback about the adapter's structural state by monitoring parameters such as acceleration g-forces, angular velocity changes, or strain levels. This feedback enables the control system to detect yielding events and trigger appropriate safety responses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the adapter yields to allow controlled failure, then the protection of the boom assembly is improved, but the structural strength and load-bearing capacity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage protectionVSAvoidload-bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The potential harm of adapter failure is converted into a beneficial safety feature. By designing the adapter to yield in a controlled manner under excessive force, the system transforms what would be a catastrophic failure into a protective mechanism that saves the rest of the boom assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is pre-designed with a yielding portion that acts as a cushion or sacrificial element. This beforehand preparation ensures that when excessive forces occur, the adapter has already been designed to fail safely, protecting other components from damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures safe and controlled failure of the boom assembly by detecting misalignment and adjusting vehicle operations, preventing damage and enhancing safety.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor may detect an acceleration of the upper boom portion, wherein the acceleration of the upper boom portion exceeding a corresponding predetermined threshold is indicative of the upper boom portion no longer being aligned with the base mount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration sensing: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

The sensor may detect an angular velocity of the upper boom portion, wherein the angular velocity of the upper boom portion exceeding a corresponding predetermined threshold is indicative of the upper boom portion no longer being aligned with the base mount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular velocity sensing: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 3

The sensor may comprise a strain gauge that detects a strain level in the adapter, wherein the strain level in the adapter exceeding a corresponding predetermined threshold is indicative of the upper boom portion no longer being aligned with the base mount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain detection: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12540065B2Integrity monitoring system for a boom assembly

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 CROWN EQUIP CORP

AI summary

A boom assembly is provided comprising: an upper boom portion, a base mount, and an adapter coupling the base mount to the upper boom portion. The upper boom portion may be aligned with the base mount when the boom assembly is in a normal operating position. Further provided is an integrity monitoring system comprising at least one sensor associated with the boom assembly.