Curved Pylon Loading Device Reduces Bending Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loading devices with vertical pyramids require complex and expensive structures to manage offset weight shifts and counterbalances, leading to high forces on the supporting structure, especially under increasing loading capacities, making them vulnerable to wind and earthquakes.
Innovation Solution
A loading device with a pylon that is partially curved, intersecting a vertical axis at an angle, shifting its center of gravity behind the base point, reducing the need for counterweights and minimizing bending loads through a box-shaped steel structure design, allowing for adjustable booms and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pylon is offset from the axis of rotation to ensure space for product feed and free rotation of the boom, then the loading device can function properly, but large and complex structures are required to manage bending loads, increasing manufacturing cost and vulnerability to wind and earthquakes
Solution Approach 1:
The pylon is designed with a curved configuration instead of a straight offset structure. This curvature allows the pylon to intersect the vertical axis at an angle while maintaining structural efficiency, reducing bending loads and eliminating the need for complex supporting structures. The curved design optimizes force distribution and reduces vulnerability to external loads.
2Stability of the object's composition
If counterweights are added to compensate for the load of the boom and the offset of the pylon, then balance is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The curved pylon design inherently balances the system by positioning the center of gravity favorably. The curvature allows the pylon to intersect the vertical axis at an angle while maintaining structural efficiency, reducing bending loads and eliminating the need for complex supporting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The pylon's own curved geometry provides the balancing function that would otherwise require separate counterweight components. The design uses the pylon's shape and mass distribution to achieve equilibrium, making the structure self-balancing and eliminating additional balancing mechanisms.
3Power
If the pylon is made larger to handle increasing loading capacities, then higher loads can be supported, but greater forces act on the supporting structure, especially at force transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The curved pylon design optimizes force distribution throughout the structure. By intersecting the vertical axis at an angle through curvature rather than offset, the design reduces bending moments and forces at critical transition points, allowing higher loading capacities without proportionally increasing forces on supporting structures.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a loading device, wherein the loading device comprises a portal (6) and a platform (5) mounted on the portal (6). A pylon (1) is arranged at a base point (7) on the platform (5). A boom (2) extends from the pylon (1). The pylon (1) is rotatably connected to the platform (5). The platform (5) defines a vertical axis (8) extending vertically and passing through the base point (7). The pylon (1) is curved in a region adjacent to the platform (5) and intersects the vertical axis (8) at an angle (a). The invention further includes a pylon (1) for a loading device.