Concrete Pump Boom Range Limiting on Inclined Terrain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Truck-mounted concrete pumps face stability issues on inclined terrain, exceeding the 3° maximum inclination limit, which can lead to slewing gear overload and safety risks, as existing methods rely on manual checks with a spirit level and lack automated support adjustments.

Innovation Solution

Implementing sensors to detect inclination and programmatically limit the working area of the concrete placing boom by restricting rotational and pivoting movements, ensuring the center of gravity remains within safe limits, and providing real-time feedback to operators through display devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the maximum inclination is limited to 3° to ensure stability, then safety is improved, but the machine cannot operate on steeper terrain

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidoperability on steep terrain
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the permissible working range of the concrete placing boom based on the detected inclination angle. Instead of a fixed 3° limit, the control system continuously monitors the inclination sensor data and automatically modifies the operational parameters, allowing the machine to safely operate on varying slopes by adapting the boom's rotational and pivoting movements to the actual terrain conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If manual checking with a spirit level is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and operator workload increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesimplicityVSAvoidinclination detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manual spirit level checking method is replaced with an automated inclination sensor system. The sensor provides continuous, precise digital measurement of the machine's inclination angle, eliminating the need for manual visual inspection. This substitution increases measurement precision and automation while the control system automatically processes the data to determine permissible working ranges, reducing operator burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the working range is automatically limited based on inclination, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the inclination sensor continuously monitors the machine's orientation and feeds this data to the control system. The control system automatically calculates the permissible working range based on the detected inclination and adjusts the boom's operational limits accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures safety on inclined terrain while automating the decision-making process, reducing the need for complex manual calculations or interventions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Stability of the object's composition

If the boom's rotational and pivoting movements are restricted, then stability is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine stabilityVSAvoidconcrete delivery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the operational parameters of the concrete placing boom based on the detected inclination angle. Instead of imposing a fixed restriction, the control system calculates and applies variable limits on rotational and pivoting movements that are optimized for the current slope conditions. This allows the boom to operate with maximum permissible range at each inclination level, maintaining stability while maximizing productivity within safe parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution allows safe operation on steep slopes by automatically adjusting the working area, preventing component overload and ensuring stability, even on inclines exceeding 3°, by limiting the boom's reach and movement based on detected terrain and machine orientation.

Implementation Method 1

the inclination of the truck-mounted concrete pump be determined at the work site

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3175060B2Truck-mounted concrete pump and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 PUTZMEISTER ENG GMBH
  • EP3175060B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3175060B2 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a truck-mounted concrete pump (10) comprising a concrete-distributing boom (14) which is constituted by a plurality of folding boom arms (22, 24, 26, 28) and rotationally mounted on a slewing gear (32) on a chassis (12), and a tilt sensor (18) for detecting a tilt of the truck-mounted concrete pump (10). According to the invention, the truck-mounted concrete pump is provided with a safety device (20) which restricts the operating range (48) of the concrete-distributing boom (14) subject to a tilt of the pump, said safety device being coupled to the tilt sensor (18). The safety device (20) is designed to limit the slewing motion on the slewing gear (32) and/or the swiveling motion of at least one boom arm (22, 24, 26, 28).