Composite Telescopic Crane Arm with Metal Ends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic arms for cranes are heavy due to their metal construction, which limits the distance and height they can lift heavy loads, and there is a need to reduce weight while maintaining or increasing load-lifting capacity.
Innovation Solution
The telescopic arm is designed with tubular segments made of composite material reinforced with fibers and thermosetting resin for the central part, combined with metal terminal ends for enhanced mechanical resistance, allowing for a lighter structure that can support heavy loads by distributing transverse stresses effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal segments are used to ensure robustness for heavy loads, then load-lifting capacity is improved, but weight of the arm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials consisting of fiber reinforcement (such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or aramid fiber) embedded in a polymer matrix to replace traditional metal segments. This composite structure provides sufficient mechanical strength and stiffness to support heavy loads while significantly reducing the overall weight of the telescopic arm, thereby resolving the contradiction between load-lifting capacity and arm weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing metal terminal ends at the head and/or tail of each segment while the central part is made of composite material. The metal terminal ends are strategically placed at locations requiring enhanced mechanical resistance and for coupling segments together, while the composite material is used in regions where weight reduction is most beneficial, thus locally optimizing the material distribution to balance strength requirements with weight reduction goals
2Length of moving object
If the number of segments is increased to reach greater distances, then working range is improved, but weight of the arm increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using composite materials for the segment construction, the patent enables the addition of more segments to extend the telescopic arm's reach without proportionally increasing the total weight. The high strength-to-weight ratio of composite materials allows for multiple segments to be incorporated while maintaining acceptable overall weight, thus improving the working range and distance capability
3Length of moving object
If segment length is increased to reach greater heights, then working range is improved, but robustness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with high stiffness-to-weight ratios to construct longer segments that can reach greater heights while maintaining robustness. The fiber reinforcement in the composite material provides the necessary structural rigidity and load-bearing capacity even in extended segment configurations, preventing the robustness degradation that would normally occur with increased segment length
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies metal terminal ends at critical locations of each segment to enhance local mechanical resistance and structural integrity. This local reinforcement ensures that even when segments are lengthened to reach greater heights, the key connection points and stress-bearing areas maintain sufficient robustness and strength
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A telescopic arm for cranes able to lift a load comprises a plurality of tubular segments (12, 14, 16) extendable with respect to each other. At least one of said segments (12, 14, 16) comprises a central part (22, 28, 34) based on composite material, and head (18, 24, 30) and tail (20, 26, 32) terminal ends at least partly made of metal having high mechanical characteristics of strength.