Doubly Articulating Jib Unit for Expanded Work Envelope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jib units on aerial booms have a limited range of motion and useful work envelope due to a single piston and cylinder assembly, forcing users to position loads inconveniently and limiting the weight they can handle.
Innovation Solution
A doubly articulating jib unit with first and second piston and cylinder assemblies pivotally coupled between the base and jib arm, allowing for selective movement and increased range of motion, including a cylindrical body for detachable mounting on the boom and a leveling device to maintain the bucket's horizontal position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single piston and cylinder assembly is used for jib articulation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the range of motion and useful work envelope are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single articulation system is segmented into two independent piston and cylinder assemblies, each providing a degree of freedom for jib arm movement. This segmentation allows the jib to articulate in multiple directions independently, significantly expanding the range of motion and useful work envelope while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-plane articulation to two-plane articulation by adding a second piston and cylinder assembly oriented at an angle to the first. This dimensional expansion allows the jib arm to move not only in the primary elevation plane but also in a secondary plane, creating a three-dimensional work envelope that greatly increases versatility
2Ease of operation
If the jib unit is positioned to accommodate heavy loads with single articulation, then the load handling capability is maintained, but the load cannot be elevated to convenient work height
Solution Approach 1:
The doubly articulating system provides dynamic positioning capability where the jib arm can be independently adjusted in two different planes. This allows the operator to dynamically position heavy loads at convenient heights for bucket workers while maintaining full load handling capability, eliminating the static positioning constraints of single articulation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The second piston and cylinder assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the primary load-bearing function and the secondary positioning function. It enables fine-adjustment positioning in a secondary plane, allowing loads to be elevated to convenient work heights without compromising the primary load handling capability provided by the first assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An improved boom-mounted jib unit (10) is provided having an increased range of motion and work envelope, which allows a user to lift heavier loads an otherwise work with less jib interference, as compared with prior jib units. The jib unit (10) includes a base (12) and a mounting component (28) permitting the unit (10) to be detachable secured to the upper end of a primary boom (22). The unit (10) also has a boom arm (14) made up of upper and lower arms (16, 18). The arm (14) is articulated by a dual piston and cylinder assembly (20) having first and second piston and cylinder assemblies (84, 86) coupled between the base (12) and arm (14).