Foldable Crane Nested Boom Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable cranes face limitations in their parked position due to size restrictions, which restrict the maximum length of their sections and the reach in the operating position, as well as limitations in the movement of the articulated arm caused by the pivotal connection, leading to reduced lifting capacity.
Innovation Solution
A foldable crane assembly with a rotatably mounted post, a lift boom, and an articulated boom featuring a receiving section on the lift boom that allows the articulated boom to pivot closer to the lift boom, enabling increased length and improved lifting angles without intersecting structural elements, thus accommodating telescopic sections and enhancing reach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the crane sections are made longer to increase lifting capacity, then the lifting reach is improved, but the crane exceeds size restrictions in its parked position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the articulated boom inside the lift boom when the crane is in its parked position. The articulated boom is received within the hollow cross-section of the lift boom, allowing both sections to occupy the same spatial envelope. This nested arrangement enables the crane to meet size restrictions while maintaining the necessary section lengths for lifting capacity.
2Ease of operation
If the articulated arm is positioned closer to the lift boom to improve lifting angles, then the lifting capability is enhanced, but the structural elements intersect and interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated boom is nested within the lift boom, allowing it to pivot closer to the lift boom axis without structural interference. The hollow cross-section of the lift boom provides the necessary clearance for the articulated boom's structural elements, enabling improved lifting angles and capability while avoiding interference between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hollow cross-sectional dimension of the lift boom to accommodate the articulated boom. By exploiting the internal space of the lift boom's hollow structure, the articulated boom can be positioned closer to the center axis without causing structural interference, effectively using the third dimension (internal hollow space) to resolve the spatial conflict.
3Length of moving object
If telescopic sections are extended to increase reach, then the lifting reach is improved, but the telescopic length is limited by the available space in the parked position
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic sections of the articulated boom are nested within the hollow cross-section of the lift boom when retracted. This nested arrangement maximizes the available telescopic length by utilizing the internal volume of the lift boom, allowing the telescopic sections to extend further while maintaining a compact parked position that meets size restrictions.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
A foldable crane assembly comprising a rotatably mounted post (2) having a proximal end and a distal end, a lift boom (3) having a proximal end and a distal end where the proximal end is pivotally connected to the post and the distal end comprises a bearing hub (25), an articulated boom (4) having a proximal end and a distal end where the proximal end comprises a forked coupling portion (16), where the forked coupling portion is pivotally connected to the bearing hub of the lift boom, where a first boundary of the lift boom abuts a second boundary of the articulated arm when the foldable crane is in its parked position, wherein in a second boundary of the lift boom comprises a receiving section (35) for receiving the proximal end of the articulated boom, when the articulated arm is pivoted into a position where the first boundary of the articulated arm faces the second boundary of the lift boom.