Articulated Boom Insulating Connecting Piece
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines with articulated booms, such as cranes and forest harvesters, pose a safety risk when operating near power lines or high-voltage power lines, as they require the power supply to be cut to avoid electrical hazards.
Innovation Solution
An articulated boom with two limbs, where at least one limb includes a first section, a second section, and an electrically insulating connecting piece made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GRP), which connects the sections and provides electrical insulation, allowing safe operation near power lines without cutting the power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the articulated boom is made of conventional metal materials, then the structural strength and durability are sufficient, but the electrical insulation performance is inadequate, creating safety hazards when operating near power lines
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting piece is constructed as a composite structure combining glass fibers (for electrical insulation) with plastic matrix material (for structural bonding and durability). This composite approach simultaneously achieves high electrical insulation performance and adequate mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between metal strength and electrical hazard prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass-fiber reinforced plastic connecting piece acts as an intermediary element between the first and second metal sections. It provides electrical insulation to prevent direct electrical contact while maintaining mechanical connection, thereby eliminating the electrical hazard to the workforce during operation near power lines.
2Reliability
If the connecting piece is made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic, then the electrical insulation performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting piece utilizes glass-fiber reinforced plastic composite material, combining the electrical insulation properties of glass fibers with the structural integrity of plastic matrix. This material choice provides effective electrical insulation while maintaining manufacturability through standard composite material processing techniques.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the connecting piece is rigidly connected to both sections, then the structural stability is ensured, but the electrical insulation effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid connection is achieved through the plastic matrix material that bonds the glass fiber reinforcing elements to both metal sections. The composite structure provides both structural stability through the rigid plastic matrix and electrical insulation through the glass fibers, eliminating the need for separate insulating components.
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
The articulated boom with an electrically insulating connecting piece enables safe operation of machines near power lines or high-voltage power lines without risking the workforce or damaging the machine, by providing effective electrical insulation.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting piece comprises glass fibers which are cast with a plastic matrix... providing effective electrical insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A machine, in particular a forest harvester, includes a superstructure, an undercarriage, and an articulated boom. The boom is pivotably connected to the superstructure and comprises a first limb, which is pivotably connected to the superstructure, and a second limb, which is pivotably borne at the first limb. The first limb has a first section (which is connected to the second limb), a second section (which is connected to the superstructure), and an electrically insulating connecting piece which connects the first section to the second section and which is rigidly connected to the first section and to the second section. The connecting piece including glass fibers which are cast with a plastic matrix, wherein a lifting and stick cylinder is disposed between the second limb and the first section of the first limb, so that the second limb is electrically isolated from the superstructure of the machine.