Cardan Joint Support for Aerial Platform Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled aerial work platforms face stability limitations due to narrow wheelbases, especially in high-bay warehouses, where the placement of support devices close to the machine's outline is essential for stability without exceeding its dimensions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cardan joint with two pivot pins, where the first pin is closer to the machine's outline than its central longitudinal axis, and using a ball joint with an offset strut to increase the effective distance between support devices, ensuring the support plate does not protrude beyond the outline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If support devices are placed close to the outline of the machine to increase stability, then stability is improved, but the support plate would protrude beyond the outline
Solution Approach 1:
The cardan joint introduces a second dimension of rotation with two perpendicular pivot pins. The first pivot pin (closer to the outline) handles rotation in one plane, while the second pivot pin handles rotation in the perpendicular plane. This dimensional separation allows the support plate to achieve the necessary orientation for stability without requiring the plate itself to extend beyond the machine's outline.
Solution Approach 2:
The cardan joint acts as an intermediary mechanism between the support plate and the machine body. It mediates the geometric conflict by providing articulated connections that allow the support plate to be positioned close to the outline while maintaining proper orientation through the two-pivot-pin mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between proximity to outline and protrusion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the wheelbase is increased to improve stability, then stability is improved, but the machine width must be increased which is limited in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the wheelbase (one-dimensional solution), the cardan joint enables the support plate to achieve proper orientation through two-dimensional articulated motion. This allows the support devices to be positioned closer together while still providing adequate stability through the geometric advantages enabled by the two-pivot-pin mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the support device configuration. By using a cardan joint with two pivot pins at specific positions, the system achieves equivalent or superior stability performance with a reduced wheelbase, effectively changing the stability-to-width parameter relationship.
Data Source
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AI summary
The self-propelled lifting platform comprises a vehicle chassis (1) with a number of wheels (2). A supporting device (3) comprises a support and a supporting disk connected to the lower ends of the supporting device and the support over a joint. The joint is a cardan joint with two running pivot pins that are right-angled to each other. One pivot pin is provided at the contour of a load lifting machine.