Concrete Placement Boom End Hose Control for Straight-Line Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control methods for the movement of an end tube on a concrete placement boom are complex and require experienced operators, making it difficult for less experienced personnel to accurately control the end tube's alignment and movement, especially along straight lines that do not intersect the central pivot point.

Innovation Solution

A control method using a display device at the end tube to show a predetermined direction of movement, combined with an actuating device to set the speed, and a control device to convert these inputs into control signals for the boom, allowing the end tube to move in a straight line independently of the boom's position, with options for reversing or changing directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional control methods are used for end tube movement, then the system can achieve movement control, but the operation becomes complex and requires experienced operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A display device is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the complex boom control system. The display device shows a simplified predetermined direction of movement (e.g., straight line, left turn, right turn) that the operator can easily understand and select, while the control device handles the complex conversion of this simple input into appropriate boom joint commands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with an automated control system that uses a display device and control algorithms. Instead of requiring the operator to manually coordinate multiple boom joints, the system substitutes this with automated calculation and execution based on simple directional inputs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the end tube moves along straight lines not intersecting the central pivot point, then positioning flexibility is improved, but control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is pre-programmed with the geometric relationships and calculation formulas needed to convert predetermined movement directions into appropriate boom joint commands. This preliminary preparation of control logic allows the system to handle complex trajectories like straight lines not intersecting the pivot point without requiring real-time complex calculations or expert operator intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The display device serves as an intermediary that presents the operator with simple predetermined movement direction options (straight line, left turn, right turn) rather than requiring the operator to calculate and control complex trajectories. This simplifies the control difficulty while maintaining positioning flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple movements are superimposed to achieve straight line movement, then positioning precision is improved, but the required operator experience increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidoperator experience requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual superposition of multiple movements requiring expert operator skill with an automated control system. The control device automatically calculates and executes the necessary sequence of boom joint movements to achieve precise straight line trajectories, substituting operator expertise with automated computation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The display device acts as an intermediary that presents simplified movement direction options to the operator while the control device handles the complex decomposition into multiple coordinated movements. This maintains alignment precision while eliminating the need for experienced operators to manually coordinate multiple movements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12546128B2Method, control device, system, concrete placement boom and computer program for controlling the movement of an end tube

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 PUTZMEISTER ENG GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling the movement of an end hose arranged on a concrete placement boom of a concrete pump with a display device arranged in the region of the end hose by means of a control device, comprising the following steps: outputting a signal for displaying a predefined movement direction to the display device; receiving a predefined speed for moving the end hose from an actuation device; and calculating and outputting control signals for controlling the concrete placement boom in such a way that the end hose is moved in the predefined movement direction at the predefined speed. The invention also relates to a corresponding control device, a system, a concrete placement boom and a computer program for controlling the movement of an end hose arranged on a concrete placement boom of a concrete pump.