Boom Assembly Load Distribution via Transverse Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loader booms are expensive and heavy due to the need for large and extensive mounting structures to accommodate the forces transmitted by hydraulic cylinders, leading to difficulties in controlling the boom during operation.
Innovation Solution
A boom assembly with a pair of transversely spaced boom side plates, a top and bottom plate, and a transverse mounting unit that directs the load from hydraulic cylinders to a central mounting unit, reducing the load on the top plate and allowing for thinner, lighter construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large mounting plates and extensive welds are used to accommodate cylinder forces, then the boom can withstand the forces, but the boom becomes heavy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The boom is divided into multiple side plates (first pair and second pair) that are spaced apart and interconnected, with mounting plates for arm cylinders positioned between the side plates. This segmentation distributes the load across multiple structural elements rather than concentrating it in single large mounting plates, reducing the overall weight while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plates for arm cylinders are positioned in a space between the first and second pairs of side plates, utilizing the three-dimensional arrangement of the boom structure. This spatial distribution allows force transmission through multiple paths and reduces the need for excessively large single-point mounting structures.
2Device complexity
If a single thickness boom arm is used, then the structure is simple, but the entire load is absorbed by one thickness making it heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The boom structure uses multiple pairs of side plates spaced apart from each other, creating a multi-chamber or lattice-like structure. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple thin-walled sections rather than requiring a single thick section, achieving weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If transverse members are used to interconnect boom arms, then the boom structure is stable, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using solid transverse members, the invention uses multiple pairs of thinner side plates spaced apart and interconnected by smaller transverse elements (such as tubes or bars). This segmented approach provides structural stability through the distributed framework while reducing the amount of material required compared to solid transverse members.
Data Source
AI summary
A boom assembly is provided for a material handling machine. The boom assembly includes a boom pivotally coupled to a frame of the machine. The boom has a pair of side plates, a top plate and a bottom plate that are rigidly interconnected. The top plates have a pair of slots which extend therethrough. An arm is pivotally coupled to an end of the boom. A mounting unit extends between a center portion of the side plates. A pair of hydraulic boom cylinders are coupled between the frame and the mounting unit. A pair of spaced apart arm cylinder mounting plates are rigidly mounted to the mounting unit. Each mounting plate extends through a corresponding one of the slots. An arm cylinder is connected between the mounting plates and an arm.