Boom Lift Leveling Assembly for Uneven Terrain Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional boom lifts face challenges in maintaining stability and levelness on uneven or sloped surfaces while in operation, particularly during movement, due to the lack of effective leveling systems that can adapt to changing terrain.
Innovation Solution
A lift device with a leveling system comprising multiple pivotally coupled arms and actuators, controlled by a controller to adjust the arms' position and brake engagement, allowing for independent control of each arm to maintain the base level and adapt to different orientations and terrain conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional boom lifts operate on uneven or sloped surfaces, then the lift device can access more terrain, but the stability and levelness of the base deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic leveling system with four independently controllable arms that can actively adjust their positions in real-time to compensate for uneven terrain. The arms are equipped with actuators that respond to sensor feedback, allowing the base to maintain a level orientation regardless of the ground slope or irregularities beneath each arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the position and orientation of the base relative to the ground. This feedback is processed by a controller that automatically adjusts the arm positions and actuator extensions to maintain optimal base levelness, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing terrain conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the leveling system actively adjusts arm positions to maintain base levelness, then base stability improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling system is divided into four independent arm assemblies, each with its own actuator and control mechanisms. This segmentation allows each arm to be controlled independently based on the specific terrain conditions at each corner of the base, simplifying the control logic for each individual unit while achieving complex overall stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm assemblies are designed as universal, interchangeable units that can perform multiple functions: supporting the base, adjusting for terrain variations, and providing stabilization. Each arm contains sensors, actuators, and structural elements that serve both leveling and structural support purposes, reducing overall system complexity through functional integration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators are independently controlled to facilitate leveling, then the ability to adapt to uneven terrain improves, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each actuator is equipped with position sensors and the system incorporates base orientation sensors that provide continuous feedback to the controller. The controller processes this feedback and automatically adjusts each actuator's extension or retraction to achieve and maintain the desired base levelness, enabling independent control of multiple actuators through a coordinated feedback loop.
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling system operates autonomously using onboard sensors and controllers that automatically detect terrain variations and adjust arm positions without requiring external intervention. The system self-regulates by processing sensor data and commanding actuator movements to maintain optimal base orientation, reducing the need for complex manual control systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lift device (10) includes a base (12) having a first end (20) and an opposing second end (30), a first arm (111) pivotally coupled to the first end, a second arm (131) pivotally coupled to the first end, a third arm (151) pivotally coupled to the opposing second end, a fourth arm (171) pivotally coupled to the opposing second end, and a leveling assembly. The leveling assembly includes a first actuator (200) extending between the first arm and the first end, a second actuator (220) extending between the second arm and the first end, a third actuator (240) extending between the third arm and the opposing second end, a fourth actuator (260) extending between the fourth arm and the opposing second end, and a controller (410) configured to control the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator to reconfigure the leveling assembly between (i) a shipping, transport, or storage mode and (ii) an operational mode.