Demolition Machine Layout for Balanced Lifting and Confined-Space Maneuvering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing demolition machines face challenges in maintaining balance and stability during lifting and maneuverability in harsh environments, particularly when exposed to high temperatures and requiring precise control for safe operation in hard-to-access locations.
Innovation Solution
The demolition machine design includes a deck with a central axis, balanced positioning of components such as the engine, energy and hydraulic reservoirs, and counterweights, along with a rotatable drive assembly and narrow tracks, ensuring equal loading and balanced weight distribution, and a boom assembly that allows for safe lifting and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the demolition machine uses a wide track base for stability, then stability during operation is improved, but maneuverability in hard-to-access locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The track width is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the machine to dynamically adapt its track spacing based on operational needs. The tracks can be positioned closer together for maneuverability in confined spaces and spread wider for enhanced stability during demolition operations, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of track width is changed from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted during operation. This allows the machine to optimize its stability-manueverability tradeoff by modifying the track spacing parameter according to the specific task and environmental conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the demolition machine uses a balanced component layout around the central axis, then lifting balance is improved, but operational flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining overall symmetric balance for lifting, the patent introduces asymmetric positioning of specific components. The engine is positioned offset from the central axis, and the counterweights are strategically placed to compensate for this asymmetry. This asymmetric layout within a symmetric balance framework provides both lifting stability and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The component layout is segmented into functional zones rather than uniformly distributed. The engine, reservoirs, and counterweights are positioned in specific segments of the deck to optimize both balance and operational access, allowing flexible positioning of heavy components while maintaining overall center of gravity control.
3Force
If the demolition machine uses heavy counterweights for stability, then resistance to tipping is improved, but ease of lifting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strategically positions counterweights to create a balanced center of gravity that prevents tipping during operation. The counterweights are placed at specific locations on the deck to counterbalance the engine and boom assembly, providing stability without requiring excessive overall machine weight. This targeted counterbalancing approach minimizes lifting weight while maximizing resistance to tipping.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than uniformly increasing the weight of the entire machine, the patent applies heavy counterweights only in specific locations where they are most effective for preventing tipping. This localized application of mass provides maximum stability benefit with minimum additional weight, easing the lifting requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A demolition machine includes a deck having a front edge, a rear edge, a left side, and a right side, with the deck defining a central axis along a direction extending from the rear edge to the front edge and equally spaced from the left side and the right side of the deck, a drive assembly secured to the deck, with the drive assembly rotatable relative to the deck, an engine received by the deck and positioned at one of the left side and right side of the deck, an energy reservoir and hydraulic reservoir each received by the deck and positioned on an opposite side of the deck from the engine, and a boom assembly secured to a boom support structure of the deck. The boom assembly is moveable relative to the deck, with the boom support structure positioned on the central axis.