Internal Power Track Support for Serviceable Telescopic Booms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional lift devices expose hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical lines to damage due to external positioning and adverse strain conditions, and their design makes servicing difficult due to the need for disassembly of the telescoping boom assembly.

Innovation Solution

A boom assembly with a power track and support member positioned within the telescoping boom sections, which fully supports the lines throughout the boom's extension and retraction, and a removable cartridge for easy servicing without disassembling the boom.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the carrier is positioned externally on the telescoping boom sections, then the hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical lines are easily accessible for servicing, but the lines are exposed to damage from external contact with beams, falling debris, and adverse strain conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of lines for servicingVSAvoidExposure to damage from external contact and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier is positioned within the inner volume of the telescoping boom sections, nesting the hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical lines inside the boom structure. This protects the lines from external damage while maintaining accessibility through the push tube mechanism that allows the carrier to move in and out of the boom sections for servicing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The push tube acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables the carrier to be moved in and out of the telescoping boom sections for servicing without requiring disassembly of the boom assembly. The push tube provides a controlled access path that maintains protection while enabling maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the carrier is supported with brackets at several locations along its length, then the carrier is structurally supported, but the hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical lines are exposed to adverse strain conditions that may damage the ends, couplers, or line itself

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveStructural support of carrierVSAvoidAdverse strain conditions on lines

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier is designed with movable links that allow it to dynamically adjust its position and configuration as the boom sections telescope. This dynamic design distributes the mechanical loads through the movable linkages rather than concentrating strain on the hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical lines, thereby protecting the lines from adverse strain conditions while maintaining structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the carrier is positioned partially within the boom section, then some protection from external damage is provided, but removal of the carrier for service requires disassembly of the telescoping boom assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveProtection from external damageVSAvoidDifficulty of carrier removal for servicing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The push tube serves as an intermediary access mechanism that allows the carrier to be moved in and out of the telescoping boom sections for servicing without requiring disassembly of the boom assembly. The push tube provides a dedicated access path that maintains the protective positioning while enabling easy removal and reinstallation of the carrier for maintenance activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If traditional lift devices do not support the full length of the carrier, then the device complexity is reduced, but the lines are exposed to damage from lack of support

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSimplicity of support structureVSAvoidExposure to damage from lack of support

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier is nested within the inner volume of the telescoping boom sections, utilizing the existing boom structure as a protective enclosure. This nesting approach provides full-length support for the carrier and protected lines without adding external support structures, thereby maintaining device simplicity while ensuring comprehensive protection from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS10989332B2Internally supported power track

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 OSHKOSH CORPORATION

AI summary

A boom assembly for a lift device includes a plurality of telescoping boom sections. The plurality of telescoping boom sections include a base boom section, a mid boom section, and a fly boom section. The plurality of telescoping boom sections define an inner volume. The boom assembly also includes a push tube and a support member positioned within the inner volume. The boom assembly also includes a power track positioned within the inner volume that includes a plurality of movable links and a supported portion that interfaces with the support member. The push tube includes a second end portion opposite the first end portion of the push tube. The second end portion of the push tube is directly coupled to the base boom section.