Mobile Crane Counterweight Device One-Piece Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing counterweight devices for mobile cranes require complex and high-stress weld connections to manage the heavy loads, leading to increased manufacturing costs, susceptibility to defects, and the need for thick-walled reception pipes.
Innovation Solution
A counterweight device with a one-piece connection means that distributes the weight force of the counterweight elements directly into the connection means, eliminating the need for weld connections between the carrier plate and the reception pipe, and allowing for a simpler, more cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional reception pipes with stiffening elements and multiple weld connections are used, then the structural strength is sufficient to handle heavy loads, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reception pipe and the stiffening element into a single integrated component. The T-shaped reception pipe has a web that acts as the stiffening element, eliminating the need for separate stiffening plates and multiple weld connections. This reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the structural strength needed to handle heavy counterweight loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the stiffening function from a separate component and integrates it directly into the reception pipe structure. The web of the T-shaped reception pipe serves as the stiffening element, taking out the need for additional stiffening plates and reducing the number of parts and assembly steps.
2Strength
If multiple weld connections are used to join carrier plate, stiffening elements, and reception pipe, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the susceptibility to defects and manufacturing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the carrier plate and reception pipe into a single piece structure. The web of the T-shaped reception pipe serves as both the connection to the carrier plate and the stiffening element, eliminating multiple weld connections and reducing susceptibility to welding defects.
3Force
If thick-walled reception pipes are used to handle high forces, then the load-bearing capacity is sufficient, but the material cost and supply time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stiffening function into the reception pipe structure itself. The T-shaped cross-section with its web provides the necessary stiffness to handle high forces, allowing the use of thinner-walled pipes while maintaining load-bearing capacity, thus reducing material cost and supply time.
4Stability of the object's composition
If complex weld connections are used to join multiple components, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the manufacturing time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (carrier plate, stiffening element, reception pipe) into a single integrated T-shaped reception pipe structure. This eliminates multiple weld connections and assembly steps while maintaining structural integrity, significantly reducing manufacturing time and effort.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mobile crane having a travelable undercarriage, a superstructure rotatably supported on the undercarriage, and a counterweight device couplable to the superstructure, wherein the counterweight device comprises a carrier plate on which one or more counterweight elements can be stacked, and at least one connection element extending substantially perpendicular to the carrier plate for coupling the carrier plate to the superstructure.