Foldable Fiber Pull Element for Lighter Expandable Heavy Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable heavy equipment is heavy and complex, resulting in a reduced payload for a given size and increased weight, which complicates transportation and operation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pull element with alternating stiff and flexible parts made of load-bearing fibers, eliminating the need for pivots and reducing the number of parts, allowing for a lighter and more compact structure while maintaining or increasing payload capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid pull rods with pivots are used, then the structure is strong and stable, but the equipment weight increases and payload capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the pull element by transitioning from a completely rigid structure to a hybrid structure with alternating rigid and flexible segments. This parameter change allows the pull element to maintain strength when extended while enabling compact folding, reducing overall equipment weight for the same payload capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull element is constructed as a composite structure combining rigid parts (for strength and load-bearing) and flexible parts (for folding and compact storage). This composite approach allows the system to exhibit both strength and flexibility properties, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and weight reduction.
2Strength
If multiple rigid components and pivots are used, then the equipment is strong, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple rigid pull rods and pivots into a single integrated pull element with alternating rigid and flexible segments. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and connection points, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining the necessary strength through the rigid segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the pivot components from the traditional design by incorporating flexibility directly into the pull element structure itself. The flexible parts perform the function of allowing angular changes without requiring separate pivot joints, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the equipment is designed for compact transport, then transportation is easier, but the payload capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pull element is designed with dynamic characteristics, being flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to bend and fold during transport to achieve compact configuration. This dynamic flexibility enables the same component to provide full extension and load-bearing capacity during operation while minimizing volume during transport, without requiring additional structural support that would increase weight.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
Expandable heavy equipment (1), comprising a first frame element (5), a connector (11), at least one elongated pull element (14), and further frame elements (7). The pull element (14) is connected to the first frame element (5) with a first coupler (31) and to one (9) of the further frame elements (7) with a second coupler (35). The pull element (14) is in a folded state in a transport condition and in an extended state in a working condition. The pull element (14) comprises load bearing fibres (141) extending from the first coupler (31) to the second coupler (35). The pull element (14) comprises at least one flexible part (43) and at least two stiff parts (45). The flexible part (43) has a lower bending stiffness than the two stiff parts (45) and enables the pull element (14) to be arranged in the folded state.