Inclinable Support Foot With Sliding-to-Rotation Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support feet for mobile structures have a significant vertical overall dimension even in retracted position due to the height of the first body, and current automated solutions complicate the design with additional actuator devices, making them expensive.
Innovation Solution
A support foot design that includes a first body, a second body slidingly coupled to the first, an actuator device for sliding the second body, a third body hinged to the first body, and an actuation apparatus that transforms the sliding motion of the second body into rotation of the first body, allowing the support foot to change from an active vertical configuration to an inactive horizontal configuration using a single actuator device, such as a hydraulic jack, and incorporating contrast springs for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support foot uses a telescopic column with a first body of significant height to support mobile structures, then the support function is achieved, but the vertical overall dimension remains quite significant even when the second body is in retracted position
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot employs a dynamic configuration system where the telescopic column can rotate between a vertical active configuration (for support) and a horizontal inactive configuration (for compact storage). This dynamic repositioning allows the same structure to fulfill different functional requirements at different times, resolving the contradiction between maintaining support capability and reducing vertical dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the support foot from occupying vertical space during operation to occupying horizontal space during storage. By rotating the telescopic column 90 degrees between configurations, the system effectively changes the dimension in which the structure occupies space, thereby reducing the vertical overall dimension when support is not needed while maintaining the necessary support function when required.
2Extent of automation
If automated solutions are used to rotate the telescopic column from active to inactive configuration, then the configuration change is automated, but a further actuator device is added complicating the support foot and making it expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator device is designed to perform multiple functions: it actuates the second body to slide relative to the first body for telescopic extension/retraction, and simultaneously acts as the actuation apparatus to rotate the first body relative to the third body between active and inactive configurations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate actuators, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the actuation mechanism for the second body's sliding motion with the actuation mechanism for the first body's rotation. By combining these two actuation functions into a single integrated actuator device, the system achieves automated configuration changes without adding extra components, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation and complexity.
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
This design reduces the overall vertical dimension of the support foot when not in use, simplifies the structure, and reduces costs by using a single actuator device, while ensuring stability and precise movement, allowing for efficient support and compact storage.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanism (or kinematic mechanism) adapted to transform a sliding of the second body from the advanced position towards the retracted position into a corresponding rotation of the first body from the active configuration to the inactive configuration
Implementation Method 2
said actuator device can comprise at least one hydraulic jack
Implementation Method 3
the actuation apparatus adapted to rotate the first body can comprise a contrast spring adapted to counteract the rotation of the first body from the active configuration to the inactive configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A support foot (100) comprising: a first body (105), a second body (110) slidingly coupled to the first body (105) along a predetermined sliding direction (A), an actuator device (150) adapted to actuate the second body (110) to slide with respect to the first body (105) along said sliding direction (A) between a retracted position and an advanced position, a third body (115) hinged to the first body (105) according to a hinging axis (B) orthogonal to the sliding direction (A) of the second body (110), and an actuation apparatus adapted to actuate the first body (105) to rotate with respect to the third body (115) around said hinging axis (B) between an active configuration and an inactive configuration, wherein said actuation apparatus comprises a mechanism adapted to transform a sliding of the second body (110) from the advanced position towards the retracted position into a corresponding rotation of the first body (105) from the active configuration to the inactive configuration.