Construction Machine Electric Actuator for Boom Swing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction machines rely solely on hydraulic power sources for swinging the boom, lacking alternatives that could potentially offer more efficient or alternative drive mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an electric actuator with a drive device comprising an electric motor that outputs torque centered on a rotation axis, connected to a swing bracket which rotates about a slew axis, allowing the boom to swing using electric power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hydraulic power source is used to swing the boom, then the boom can be driven, but the system lacks alternative drive mechanisms and potential efficiency improvements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional hydraulic power source with an electric motor to drive the boom swing mechanism. The electric actuator converts electrical energy to mechanical rotation, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid, pumps, and associated control systems. This substitution provides alternative drive mechanism options while simplifying the overall power source system architecture.
2Productivity
If an electric motor is used instead of hydraulic power, then efficiency and performance may be enhanced, but the drive device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive device into distinct functional components: the electric motor for power generation, the speed reducer for torque multiplication and speed adjustment, and the swing bracket for mechanical motion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for efficiency while maintaining a manageable overall structure that is simpler than traditional hydraulic systems.
3Force
If a speed reducer is added to multiply torque from the electric motor, then the torque output is sufficient for boom swing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The speed reducer serves as an intermediary component between the electric motor and the swing bracket. It receives rotational input from the motor, multiplies the torque through gear reduction, and delivers the amplified torque to the swing bracket. This intermediary device enables sufficient torque output for boom swing operations while maintaining a compact and manageable transmission system structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the boom to swing using an electric motor as a drive source, providing an alternative to hydraulic power and potentially enhancing efficiency and performance.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor configured to cause the transmission shaft to rotate about a rotation axis extending in a top-to-bottom direction of the vehicle body
Implementation Method 2
a speed reducer configured to multiply torque output from the output shaft of the electric motor and output the multiplied torque
Implementation Method 3
the swing bracket being configured to rotate about a slew axis parallel to the rotation axis or the rotation axis upon application of the torque from the drive device
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric actuator (10, 600A, 600B, 650A, 770A, 770B, 800A, 830A) for a construction machine includes a drive device (615, 660, 780, 790, 834) having an electric motor (20, 661) and configured to output torque centered on a rotation axis (Q, 615V, 660V, 780V, 790V), and a swing bracket (50, 610, 665, 774, 845) fixedly attached to a boom (530). The swing bracket is configured to rotate about a slew axis (610V, 840V) parallel to the rotation axis or the rotation axis upon application of the torque from the drive device.