Hinged Wing Stabilizer Pad for Quick Ground Surface Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stabilizer pads for work machines are difficult and time-consuming to convert between different ground engagement types, requiring multiple pads or complex reversals, which is inefficient for operators working alone under varying site conditions.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer pad design featuring a main body with a first surface type and hinged wing sections that can be easily rotated and locked into position, allowing quick switching between different ground engagement configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate pads of different types are used for different ground surfaces, then the pad can provide optimal engagement characteristics for each surface type, but the operator must remove and install different pads when moving between surface types, which is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pad types (hard pad with projections for soft ground and soft pad for hard surfaces) into a single integrated stabilizer assembly. The hard pad and soft pad are both attached to the stabilizer arm, allowing the operator to select and use the appropriate pad type for the current ground surface without removing or installing different pads, thus reducing conversion complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer pad assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating both hard and soft pad options on the same stabilizer arm. This multi-functional design allows a single stabilizer assembly to handle various ground surface conditions (soft ground, gravel, concrete, asphalt) without requiring separate specialized pads, thereby simplifying the conversion process while preserving versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single pad structure with opposite sides having different features is used, then the pad can be reversed without complete removal, but some reversible pads have been difficult or time-consuming to convert
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer pad assembly is segmented into distinct components (hard pad, soft pad, and stabilizer arm) that can be independently selected and positioned. This segmentation allows the operator to easily switch between pad types by simply repositioning the selected pad on the stabilizer arm, making the conversion process quick and straightforward without requiring complex reversal mechanisms
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stabilizer arms are used on a single work machine, then the machine can stabilize on diverse surfaces, but different arms may encounter different conditions requiring different pad types at the same worksite
Solution Approach 1:
Each stabilizer arm is equipped with a universal pad assembly containing both hard and soft pads, allowing any stabilizer arm to adapt to any ground surface condition it encounters. This ensures that regardless of which stabilizer arm is deployed to which location, the arm can handle diverse surface conditions without requiring pad changes, thus eliminating time loss while maintaining adaptability across multiple arms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A stabilizer pad (36) is provided for the stabilizer arm (32) of a work machine (10). The stabilizer pad (36) includes a main body (40) having a lower surface (52) configured for engaging a ground surface of a first type, and may include resilient inserts (54, 56) for resting on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. Wings (66, 68) are rotatably connected to main body (40) and are rotatable between a position above main body (40) and a position covering the lower surface (52). The wings include ground engaging surfaces (78, 80) having ribs (82) configured for engaging ground surface of a different type, such as soil or gravel. Locking pins (88, 90) are provided for holding the wings (66, 68) in the selected positions.