Four-Lever Stabilizing Arrangement for Uneven Ground Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stabilizing arrangements for objects on uneven surfaces often provide excessive damping, restricting movement when an eccentric or angled force is applied, making it difficult for the mechanism to conform to the surface under its own weight or during repositioning.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizing arrangement with four lever parts interconnected by pivots, where the distance between ground engaging means and the pivot axis (friction loading distance) is greater than or equal to the lever-rotating moment arm, allowing for increased friction and damping, and the lever parts are angled to reduce the input moment, enabling effective support on uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the damping level is increased to restrict unnecessary operation when eccentric or angled force is applied, then the mechanism stability is improved, but the ability to conform to uneven surface under its own weight deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot arrangement creates a dynamic system where the friction force automatically adjusts based on the applied load. When vertical load is applied, the lever arms generate a moment that increases friction at the sliding surfaces, providing stability. When only eccentric forces are present without sufficient vertical load, the friction remains lower, allowing the mechanism to conform to uneven surfaces. This dynamic adjustment of friction based on loading conditions resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the friction parameter dynamically through the lever arm mechanism. The friction force is not fixed but varies with the vertical support force applied to the feet. By making the friction parameter dependent on the vertical load through the lever arm moment (F_friction = (a/b) × F_vertical), the system automatically provides high friction/stability when needed and low friction/adaptability when needed, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Loss of energy
If the friction loading distance is increased to enhance damping, then the mechanism damping is improved, but the sensitivity to vertical support forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the relationship between friction loading distance (b) and lever-rotating moment arm (a) to create a friction force that is proportional to the vertical support force. By setting the ratio a/b appropriately, the system achieves both adequate damping and high sensitivity to vertical forces. The friction force F_friction = (a/b) × F_vertical ensures that even small changes in vertical support force produce proportional changes in friction, maintaining sensitivity while providing necessary damping.
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
The solution provides enhanced sensitivity to vertical support forces, allowing the mechanism to adapt to uneven surfaces while maintaining stability and reducing unnecessary restriction, ensuring all ground engaging means carry a consistent load, even on warped surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a bolt providing the pivot between a ground engaging means and an interconnection means can be used to pull the ground engaging means and the interconnection means together loading the sliding surfaces therebetween. The torque of the bolt and the materials and surface finishes of the sliding surfaces can be adjusted or selected to provide the required level of damping in the mechanism.
Implementation Method 2
each respective lever part being connected to the interconnection means by a respective pivot having a respective pivot axis; each respective lever part including a first engaging region and a second engaging region... the first engaging region of the first lever part, in use engaged with the second engaging region of the second lever part... such that rotation of the first lever part drives a rotation of the second lever part
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A stabilising arrangement (1) to support an object above four ground engaging means (2c,3c,4c,5c) has first 2, second 3, third 4 and fourth 5 levers each having a beam portion (2a,3a,4a,5a), an actuating portion (2b,3b,4b,5b) and a ground engaging means (2c,3c,4c,5c). Each lever is connected to a common interconnection means (6) by a respective pivot with a pivot axis. The levers engage consecutively first to second, second to third, third to fourth and fourth to first, via respective projections (2d,3d,4d,5d) permitting ground engaging means warp displacement and thereby the stabilising arrangement provides support of the object on uneven ground. For each lever part, the distance a between the respective ground engaging means and the respective pivot axis is a primary lever-rotating moment arm, and the distance b between the respective ground engaging means and the centre of the pivot is a friction loading distance. The friction loading distance b can be greater than or equal to the primary lever- rotating moment arm a.