Lift Leveling Arm Assembly for Uneven Terrain Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional boom lifts struggle with maintaining stability and levelness on uneven or sloped surfaces, which can compromise their operational efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
A lift device equipped with a chassis and a leveling system comprising multiple leveling assemblies with trailing arms, pivot actuators, and steering actuators, which work together to maintain the chassis level relative to gravity, ensuring stability and adaptability on various terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional boom lifts operate on uneven or sloped surfaces, then they can access more terrain, but stability and levelness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic leveling system where the trailing arm assembly can actively adjust its orientation and position in response to terrain variations. The pivot actuator enables the trailing arm to dynamically reconfigure, allowing the chassis to maintain stability while adapting to uneven surfaces. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system responsive to real-time terrain conditions rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling system divides the chassis support function into separate modular components: trailing arms, pivot actuators, and steering actuators. Each component performs a specific function in the leveling process, allowing independent optimization and adjustment. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to various terrain conditions while maintaining overall chassis stability through coordinated operation of individual segments.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a leveling system with multiple actuators is added to maintain chassis levelness, then stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing arm assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the chassis, enables leveling through pivot actuator adjustment, and contributes to steering capability through the steering actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving chassis levelness and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the leveling mechanism with the existing chassis structure by integrating trailing arms that serve both as structural supports and as active leveling elements. The pivot actuators are integrated into the trailing arm assembly rather than being separate external components, merging the leveling function with the structural framework to reduce overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arm structure is extended with plates and interfaces for actuators, then functionality and adaptability improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm structure includes pre-formed interfaces and mounting plates designed in advance to accommodate various actuator types and configurations. These preliminary structural features are integrated into the arm design, allowing actuators to be coupled without requiring complex custom fabrication or modification during assembly, thereby easing manufacturing while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lift device (10) includes a base (12), an arm (111), a drive actuator (18), a tractive element (16), and a steering actuator (210). The arm has a base end coupled to the base and a tractive element end. The arm includes a steering actuator interface (122) positioned along an exterior surface of the arm. The drive actuator is pivotally coupled to the tractive element end of the arm. The tractive element is coupled to the drive actuator. The steering actuator has a first end coupled to the steering actuator interface and an opposing second end coupled to the drive actuator. The arm includes an upwardly angled plate (126) extending forward of the exterior surface of the arm and past the steering actuator.