Concrete Pump Boom-Arm Segment Offset Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Concrete pump mastarm segments face significant static and dynamic loads, leading to structural challenges and increased weight, which can cause instability and tipping during operation.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a side part with a lateral offset bridged by a reinforcement part, connected through a transition section, allowing for efficient absorption of forces without increasing the segment's width, using a welding connection that spans the length of the reinforcement part and side part, and featuring a box profile with half-shells for enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If reinforcing elements are added to the side panel to withstand increased loads, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the width of the mast arm segment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing element is connected in the longitudinal dimension rather than extending laterally. The material thickness of the reinforcing element bridges the lateral offset between first and second sections, allowing connection without increasing width. This dimensional shift resolves the contradiction by providing reinforcement through longitudinal integration rather than lateral extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing element is positioned specifically at the transition section where the lateral offset occurs, providing localized reinforcement exactly where needed to bridge the offset and connect first and second sections. This targeted approach improves load-bearing capacity at the critical transition zone without adding unnecessary width elsewhere in the structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the material thickness of the side section is increased to withstand normal loads, then the strength is improved, but the weight of the mast arm segment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing material thickness throughout the side section, the reinforcing element is applied locally at the transition section where lateral offset creates stress concentration. This localized reinforcement provides necessary strength at the critical area while maintaining thinner material elsewhere, thereby reducing overall weight compared to uniform thickening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The mast arm segment combines the side section material with the reinforcing element material to create a composite structure. The reinforcing element, with its greater material thickness, is butt-jointed to the transition section to form a composite component that withstands normal loads more effectively than the side section alone, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If the mast arm segment is made lighter to prevent tipping, then the stability is improved, but the resistance to static and dynamic forces decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidforce resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing element is strategically positioned at the transition section where lateral offset occurs, providing localized strength enhancement exactly where stress concentration happens. This allows the mast arm segment to maintain lighter overall weight while still achieving sufficient force resistance through targeted reinforcement at the critical transition zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure formed by butt-jointing the reinforcing element to the transition section creates a hybrid component that optimizes the balance between weight and strength. The reinforcing element's greater material thickness provides enhanced force resistance at the transition section, enabling the overall segment to be lighter while maintaining adequate resistance to static and dynamic forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4298297B1Boom-arm segment and method for producing a boom-arm segment
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 PUTZMEISTER ENG GMBH
  • EP4298297B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4298297B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4298297B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a boom-arm segment for a concrete pump, wherein the boom-arm segment (30) comprises a side part (35, 36) which extends between a top chord (33) and a bottom chord (34) of the boom-arm segment (30). In the side part (35, 36), a bent portion is formed such that a first portion (42, 43) of the side part (35, 36) has a lateral offset (56) relative to a second portion (44) of the side part (35, 36). A transition portion (45, 46) forms a connection between the first portion (42, 43) and the second portion (44). The boom-arm segment (30) comprises a reinforcement part (40, 50), the material thickness of which spans the lateral offset (56) between the first portion (42, 43) and the second portion (44). The reinforcement part (40, 50) is butt-joined to the transition portion (45, 46). The invention also relates to a method for producing a boom-arm segment (30).