Crane Support Assembly Force Distribution via Bracing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current crane support systems for utility vehicles are heavy and expensive due to the need for rigid materials to withstand operational forces, making them unsuitable for mounting on smaller vehicles with high load capacities.
Innovation Solution
A crane support assembly that includes a crane tower assembly with a horizontal arm, vertical support, and rigid braces, coupled with an outrigger assembly, which transfers bending moment and shear forces to the outrigger, providing rigid support while restricting unwanted bending forces from being transferred to the vehicle frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy rigid materials such as steel are used to fabricate support systems for crane systems, then the support system provides sufficient resistance to operational forces acting on the crane, but the vehicle becomes heavier and more expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple components: a support assembly with vertical support members, horizontal support members, and bracing elements. This segmentation allows forces to be distributed across multiple structural elements rather than requiring a single heavy support structure, enabling the use of lighter materials while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a three-dimensional bracing structure with diagonal braces that create triangular configurations. This adds a dimensional element to the support system, distributing loads through multiple spatial pathways and reducing the weight requirement of individual components while maintaining overall structural strength.
2Strength
If heavy rigid materials such as steel are used to fabricate support systems for crane systems, then the support system provides sufficient resistance to operational forces acting on the crane, but the vehicle becomes more expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into modular components including vertical support members, horizontal support members, and bracing elements that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation enables more efficient manufacturing processes and reduces overall production costs compared to fabricating a single heavy steel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction combining different materials and structural configurations - aluminum extrusions, steel braces, and engineered wood components. This composite approach optimizes the strength-to-cost ratio by using materials where they are most effective, reducing overall production expenses while maintaining required strength.
3Force
If the crane support system is designed for high load capacity, then the crane can operate at maximum load capacity, but the vehicle must be larger and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates diagonal bracing elements that create three-dimensional triangular structures, adding a dimensional component to force distribution. This allows high load capacity to be achieved through geometric configuration rather than increased material mass, enabling lighter vehicles to support heavy crane loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is segmented into multiple load-bearing components including vertical members, horizontal members, and diagonal braces. This segmentation distributes high operational forces across multiple elements, allowing the system to handle maximum load capacity without requiring a single oversized heavy vehicle platform.
4Strength
If a rigid support structure is used to transfer bending moment and shear forces to the outrigger assembly, then the horizontal arm is adequately supported, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support structure is segmented into distinct functional components: vertical support members that handle axial loads, horizontal support members that provide lateral stability, and diagonal bracing elements that resist bending moments and shear forces. This segmentation makes the complex structure more manageable and easier to analyze while maintaining the required strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A crane support system includes two spaced apart longitudinal members couplable with a vehicle frame. Two spaced apart groups of tubes are coupled with and extend between the longitudinal members and outboard relative to one member to define an outboard subassembly portion. A tower frame is mounted atop the outboard subassembly portion. A first brace extends angularly between the groups of tubes, the brace extending from a one of the groups forward relative to the vehicle frame toward the other group aft relative to the vehicle frame and toward the tower frame. A horizontal arm extends transversely beneath the outboard subassembly portion. A vertical support has a top end coupled with the arm and a bottom end couplable with an outrigger. A second brace extends angularly between the vertical support and the arm for transferring bending moment and/or shear from the cantilever to the outrigger via the vertical support.