Flexible Tensioning Member for Construction Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large cranes face challenges in transportation due to weight limitations, requiring disassembly and reassembly, and existing tensioning members are either rigid, leading to structural failures under torsional loads, or flexible but not strong enough for all applications, necessitating a balance between strength and weight.

Innovation Solution

A flexible tensioning member made of high-specific-strength fibers, such as PBO, with a jacket for protection, and connectors for easy assembly, allowing for distribution of stresses and flexibility, replacing traditional steel cables and rods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional steel tensioning members are used, then strength is sufficient, but weight is excessive for highway transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of tensioning memberVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining high-strength fibers (such as PBO or aramid) with a protective jacket material. This composite construction achieves tensile strength comparable to steel while reducing weight significantly, enabling highway transport without exceeding weight limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters from traditional steel to high-specific-strength fibers, fundamentally altering the strength-to-weight ratio. This parameter change enables the tensioning member to meet both strength requirements and weight limitations for highway transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If rigid tensioning members are used, then strength is maintained, but flexibility is lost leading to torsional failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidtorsional load

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible braided jacket surrounding the fiber core, which allows the tensioning member to flex and rotate without developing harmful torsional loads. The braided structure provides flexibility while maintaining tensile strength, preventing the torsional failure that occurs with rigid members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If steel cables are used for flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but strength is insufficient for all applications

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines flexible braided jacket material with high-strength fiber core, creating a composite that exceeds the strength of traditional steel cables while maintaining flexibility. This composite structure enables the tensioning member to adapt to various configurations and orientations without sacrificing strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If high tensile strength steel is used, then strength is sufficient, but ease of assembly is reduced due to weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidease of assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the tensioning member into modular segments with standardized connectors, allowing workers to easily assemble and disassemble the bracing structure. The reduced weight of the fiber-reinforced composite material makes these modular pieces even easier to handle, while the connectors ensure proper alignment and load transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11649145B2Lightweight flexible tensioning system for construction equipment

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 MANITOWOC CRANE CO LLC

AI summary

Components and systems for a flexible tensioning member for construction equipment. A tensioning member is comprised of a fiber having a specific tensile strength greater than 1,000 kilonewton meters per kilogram. The tensioning member connects two components and has an attachment allowing the tensioning member to flex relative to a component. The attachment may provide a system for connecting multiple tensioning members.