Hydraulic Spreader with Mechanical Extension Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic spreaders used in rescue services face challenges with ease of use, speed of operation, and storage efficiency due to limited adjustability and high oil displacement requirements, leading to slow and cumbersome deployment of hydraulic force.
Innovation Solution
A device with a mechanically adjustable extension mechanism that allows rapid presetting of the device length, combined with a radially adjustable handgrip and a locking system for quick hydraulic engagement, reducing the need for extensive hydraulic stroke and oil displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the oil displacement of the hydraulic pump is kept small for safety and ergonomics, then the device is safer and more ergonomic, but the speed of the plunger is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two functional segments: a mechanical extension system for rapid length adjustment and a hydraulic cylinder for force application. This segmentation allows the mechanical part to handle the speed-critical length adjustment while the hydraulic part maintains safety through controlled oil displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical extension system performs preliminary action by quickly extending the device to the required insertion length before the hydraulic plunger is activated. This preliminary mechanical extension eliminates the need for slow hydraulic stroke to achieve full length, enabling rapid deployment while maintaining safe hydraulic parameters.
2Length of moving object
If different cylinders in multiple lengths are kept available, then the desired insertion length can be achieved, but extra storage space and load capacity are required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having multiple fixed-length cylinders, the invention implements a dynamic extension system where a single cylinder can be mechanically extended to various lengths. The extension mechanism allows the cylinder length to be dynamically adjusted as needed, eliminating the need to store multiple different-length cylinders.
Solution Approach 2:
A single cylinder housing is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be mechanically extended to different lengths using the extension system, and then hydraulically actuated to provide force. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized cylinders of different lengths.
3Speed
If telescopic cylinders are used to achieve rapid extension, then the insertion speed is improved, but the end force of the final plunger is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The force generation function is separated from the extension function. The mechanical extension system handles rapid length adjustment without needing to generate force, while the hydraulic cylinder is dedicated to generating force. This segmentation allows the hydraulic plunger to maintain full force capability while the mechanical extension provides rapid deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical extension system acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the retracted cylinder position and the target insertion location. It quickly positions the hydraulic plunger near the work area, after which the hydraulic system takes over for force application, avoiding the force loss inherent in telescopic designs.
4Force
If cylinders with two extendable plungers per cylinder housing are used, then the force capability is improved, but the insertion speed depends on oil displacement and requires large oil reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates force generation from length adjustment. The mechanical extension system provides the length adjustment function without requiring hydraulic oil, while the single hydraulic cylinder is responsible for force generation. This segmentation eliminates the need for large oil displacement required by multi-plunger hydraulic systems.
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
Enables faster and more efficient operation by allowing quick mechanical adjustment of the device length, minimizing hydraulic stroke, and reducing oil displacement, thereby enhancing maneuverability and speed of hydraulic force application.
Implementation Method 1
The speed of the displacement of the plunger in the cylinder is determined by the oil displacement of the hydraulic pump
Implementation Method 2
a locking which is releasable and actuable in a simple manner and with which the extension can be locked in a position reached by it
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device such as a spreader. This device comprises a cylinder housing, a plunger hydraulically displaceable in the cylinder housing and having thereon a piston rod extending outside the cylinder housing in order to form a cylinder with the cylinder housing, an extension forming a mechanically extendable unit with at least one of the cylinder and the piston rod, and a locking which acts in selectively actuable manner on the unit for mechanically setting a loadable presetting of a length of the device desired for use of the cylinder.