Deployable Operator Station With Split Battery Control for Lift Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lift devices face challenges in efficiently transitioning between different operational modes and maintaining battery power management, leading to restricted functionality and reduced operational efficiency due to battery level thresholds.
Innovation Solution
A lift device with a split battery architecture and a deployable operator station that includes a base assembly and a turntable assembly, utilizing electric linear actuators and a slip ring transmission for power and control, allowing for seamless mode transitions and efficient battery management through a controller that monitors and adjusts power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator station is made fixed and permanently accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but security and unauthorized access control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The operator station transitions between deployed and stowed positions dynamically. When deployed, it provides full operator accessibility and control. When stowed, it becomes sealed and inaccessible, preventing unauthorized operation. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its accessibility based on operational needs versus security requirements.
2Reliability
If the operator station is made deployable and sealed, then unauthorized access is prevented, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The operator station is designed with deployable shell members that can transition between open and sealed configurations. This dynamic structure allows the system to provide full accessibility during normal operation while automatically sealing and locking when not in use, thus preventing unauthorized access without permanently compromising ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If a single battery system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability for different operational modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple independent battery packs instead of using a single battery. Each battery pack can be independently managed and configured, allowing the system to adapt to different operational modes (such as MEWP and MH modes) by selectively activating or deactivating specific battery packs, thereby providing versatility without requiring a complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management system dynamically configures power distribution based on operational requirements. The controller can adjust which battery packs are active and how power is distributed among them, enabling the system to adapt to different operational modes while maintaining a relatively simple physical battery structure.
4Device complexity
If battery management is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but battery health monitoring and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system incorporates self-monitoring and self-regulation capabilities. Each battery pack includes internal sensors and control circuits that automatically monitor their own health status, temperature, and charge levels. The system can autonomously balance power distribution and detect potential issues without requiring complex external management, thus maintaining battery health while keeping the overall management architecture relatively simple.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A lift device includes a lift apparatus and a base assembly. The lift apparatus is configured to raise and lower an implement assembly. The base assembly is configured to support the lift apparatus. The base assembly includes a deployable operator station transitionable between a deployed position and a stowed position. In the deployed position, the deployable operator station is configured to provide a seating and control arrangement for an operator. In the stowed position, the deployable operator station is substantially sealed from an external environment to limit access to the deployable operator station.