Telescopic Boom Transfer Using Roller Cart and Guide Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly and disassembly of telescopic booms in mobile cranes are laborious and time-intensive, requiring large, expensive specialized vehicles with oversized hydraulic systems that are not versatile in their use.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a support device, a roller cart, and a guide mechanism that allows for horizontal movement of the boom using a smaller hydraulic volume or no hydraulic system at all, enabling the boom to be easily assembled and disassembled with a transport vehicle that can be used for multiple purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the telescopic cylinder is used to push the boom from the mobile crane onto a transport vehicle, then the boom can be displaced, but the telescopic cylinder has very large dimensions and requires a very great deal of hydraulic oil

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboom displacement capabilityVSAvoidhydraulic oil volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The displacement function is segmented from the telescopic cylinder function. A separate roller cart with its own drive mechanism (independent of the crane's telescopic cylinder) is used specifically for boom displacement during transport operations, while the telescopic cylinder remains dedicated to crane operation only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transport vehicle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transportation platform and as an assembly/disassembly station for the boom. The roller cart and guide mechanism are integrated into the transport vehicle, allowing it to perform both transport and assembly functions without requiring separate specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the telescopic cylinder is used for boom displacement, then the boom can be moved, but the hydraulic connection hoses have to have a large cross-section and be relatively long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboom displacement capabilityVSAvoidhydraulic hose configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic system is segmented into two separate systems: one for the crane's telescopic operation and another for the roller cart's displacement function. This eliminates the need for long, large-diameter hydraulic hoses connecting the crane to the boom during transport operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The roller cart acts as an intermediary device between the transport vehicle and the boom. It provides a local drive mechanism that eliminates the need for direct hydraulic connections from the crane, simplifying the overall hydraulic configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a special vehicle with an integrated mechanism is used for boom assembly or disassembly, then the boom can be moved to or from the mobile crane, but such special vehicles are expensive to manufacture and can only be used for this one purpose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboom assembly/disassembly capabilityVSAvoidvehicle usage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The transport vehicle and assembly/disassembly mechanism are merged into a single integrated system. The roller cart, guide mechanism, and support devices are combined with the transport vehicle structure, eliminating the need for separate specialized vehicles and reducing overall costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If a special vehicle with a hydraulic cylinder is used for horizontal displacement of the boom, then the boom can be moved, but such special vehicles are expensive to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboom horizontal displacement capabilityVSAvoidvehicle manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transport vehicle serves itself by integrating the assembly/disassembly functions directly into its structure. The roller cart and guide mechanism are part of the vehicle's own equipment, eliminating the need for external specialized vehicles and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Simplifies the assembly and disassembly process, reduces the need for expensive specialized equipment, and allows the transport vehicle to be used for various tasks after the boom is assembled or disassembled, thereby lowering costs and increasing flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

The movement of the boom from the transport vehicle to the mobile crane or vice versa by means of the roller cart, that is in particular hydraulically drivable, takes place substantially horizontally and requires a much smaller hydraulic volume than the telescopic cylinders installed in the case of a telescopic boom.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic drive: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

Alternatively, the roller cart or the guide mechanism can also be electrically drivable so that no hydraulic connector at all is required here.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric drive: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 3

a guide mechanism that is attached or attachable to the transport vehicle and by means of which the roller cart—and thus the boom placed thereon—is actively movable in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the boom.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical guidance: Wheel

Implementation Method 4

a support device that is attached or attachable to the mobile crane and/or to a transport vehicle on which the boom can be placed and fixed or locked

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical support: Lever

Data Source

PatentUS12091291B2Apparatus and method for assembling/disassembling a mobile crane boom

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 LIEBHERR WERK EHINGEN

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus for assembling and disassembling a mobile crane boom, in particular a telescopic boom, that comprises a support device that is attached or attachable to the mobile crane and/or to a transport vehicle on which the boom can be placed and fixed or locked, a roller cart on which the boom can be placed and that is movably stored or storable on the transport vehicle, and a guide mechanism that is attached or attachable to the transport vehicle and by means of which the roller cart is actively movable in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the boom. The invention further relates to a mobile crane having an apparatus in accordance with the invention and to a method of assembling a boom stored on a transport vehicle to a mobile crane using the apparatus in accordance with the invention.