Electric Locking Head for Lighter Telescopic Boom Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking heads for telescopic booms require hydraulic lines for actuation, leading to increased weight and operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A locking head with electric actuators to actuate cylinder and telescope locking bodies, eliminating the need for hydraulic lines and incorporating spring and magnet elements for backup in case of actuator failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic lines are used to actuate the locking bodies, then the locking head can be actuated reliably, but the weight and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation system with an electric motor-driven mechanism. The electric motor (20) is connected via a drive shaft (21) and bevel gears (22, 23) to transmit rotational motion to the locking bodies (8, 9), eliminating the need for hydraulic lines and reducing weight while maintaining reliable operation through mechanical advantage and precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the hydraulic lines from the locking head assembly. By eliminating the hydraulic actuation system and replacing it with an integrated electric motor, the design removes the heavy hydraulic infrastructure while preserving the essential locking function through a lighter, more economical electric drive system.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic lines are used to actuate the locking bodies, then the locking head can be actuated, but the operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the energy-intensive hydraulic system with an electric motor-driven mechanism. The electric motor (20) provides direct mechanical actuation through the drive shaft (21) and bevel gears (22, 23), reducing energy consumption and operational costs while maintaining full actuation capability for both locking bodies (8, 9).
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor system is integrated directly into the locking head, allowing the device to actuate its own locking bodies without requiring external hydraulic infrastructure. This self-contained design reduces operational costs by eliminating the need for separate hydraulic power sources and fluid management systems.
3Reliability
If spring and magnet elements are added for backup, then reliability in case of actuator failure is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates spring elements (4, 13) and a magnet element (10) as backup mechanisms that automatically engage if the electric actuator fails. The spring element (4) on the cylinder locking body (8) and spring element (13) on the telescope locking body (9) provide fail-safe return forces, while the magnet element (10) ensures proper positioning, creating a redundant safety system without significantly increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring and magnet elements serve as passive backup systems that only activate when needed. During normal operation, the electric motor performs the work, and the spring/magnet elements remain dormant. In case of failure, these elements automatically engage to maintain safe operation, providing reliability enhancement with minimal impact on日常 complexity.
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
Reduces weight and operational costs by eliminating hydraulic lines, ensuring reliable operation even in actuator failures.
Implementation Method 1
A spring element can also be used to extend or retract so that the respective bodies are retracted or extended back into the locking head when the hydraulic pressure decreases.
Implementation Method 2
A magnet element, in particular an electromagnet element which forces the at least one cylinder locking body and/or the at least one telescope locking body in the extension or retraction direction.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a locking head for telescoping cylinders of a telescopic boom, which has a plurality of telescopic boom portions, and a housing which comprises at least one bolt-like cylinder locking body, which can be moved in and out of the housing in order to lock the locking head with a telescopic boom portion, and at least one bolt-like telescope locking body, which can be moved in and out of the housing in order to release the telescopic boom portion for a telescoping movement. The locking head has at least one electric actuator which is designed to actuate the at least one cylinder locking body and/or the at least one telescope locking body.