Lift Leveling Circuit With Virtual Pivot Actuator Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional boom lifts face challenges in maintaining a level chassis on uneven or sloped surfaces while stationary or in motion, affecting stability and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A leveling system with multiple actuators and a fluid circuit that allows for selective fluid coupling and decoupling of actuators to form virtual pivot points, enabling adaptive leveling and stability adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional boom lifts use fixed chassis positioning, then the structure is simple, but the chassis cannot maintain level position on uneven or sloped surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic leveling system where the chassis can actively adjust its position relative to the ground using multiple actuators. The system transitions from a static fixed chassis to a dynamic adjustable chassis that can maintain level position on uneven surfaces through real-time actuator control
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling system is divided into multiple independent leveling assemblies, each with its own actuator. This segmentation allows each assembly to independently adjust different portions of the chassis, providing finer control over chassis levelness while maintaining manageable system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators are always fluidly coupled, then the system is simple to control, but the ability to adapt to different leveling scenarios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circuit is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing actuators to be selectively coupled or decoupled based on the leveling scenario. This dynamic configuration capability enables the system to adapt to various ground conditions while maintaining controlled complexity through automated valve management
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid circuit system serves multiple functions: it can couple actuators in series for certain leveling scenarios, couple them in parallel for others, and decouple them entirely for transport or storage. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit design to handle diverse operational requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If the virtual pivot point height is fixed, then the actuator configuration is simpler, but the leveling precision on varied terrain is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual pivot point height is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system can change the effective pivot point height based on terrain variations and leveling requirements, enhancing precision while the control system manages the added complexity through automated adjustments
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
The system effectively maintains the chassis level relative to gravity, enhancing stability and operational efficiency on uneven surfaces and during movement.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid circuit configured to facilitate selectively fluidly coupling the actuators in a plurality of different configurations
Implementation Method 2
an actuator extending between the chassis and the arm
Implementation Method 3
a pair of fluidly coupled actuators that freely pivot about a virtual pivot point
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a chassis, a first actuator coupled to the chassis, a second actuator coupled to the chassis, a third actuator coupled to the chassis, a fourth actuator coupled to the chassis, and a fluid circuit. The fluid circuit is configured to facilitate selectively fluidly coupling the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator in a plurality of different configuration. In each of the plurality of different configurations, two of the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator are fluidly coupled together while the other two of the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator are fluidly decoupled.