Loader Boom Uplock Pin with Manoeuvre Stick
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boom locking arrangements for loaders are not secure enough for drivers, are heavy to handle, and not suitable for rough environments, posing risks during maintenance or service operations.
Innovation Solution
A boom uplock arrangement featuring an elongated locking pin with a manoeuvre stick and a biased spring mechanism, allowing effortless and safe locking of the boom arm in an elevated position, eliminating the need to lift heavy pins and ensuring accurate placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a steel bar or wood log is inserted between the boom and the vehicle frame to prevent boom lowering, then the boom can be prevented from lowering beneath a certain position, but the arrangement becomes heavy to handle and dangerous to position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented from the boom structure itself and integrated into a dedicated locking arrangement with a locking pin that can be independently operated. The locking pin is divided into functional sections including a head portion for engagement and a protruding portion for actuation, allowing the locking function to be separated from the heavy structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
A manoeuvre stick acts as an intermediary tool between the operator and the locking pin. Instead of directly handling the heavy locking pin, the operator uses the lightweight manoeuvre stick to engage and disengage the locking mechanism, significantly reducing handling difficulty while maintaining secure locking function.
2Reliability
If a retainer pin and storage bracket arrangement is used to secure the locking pin, then the pin can be kept in position, but the arrangement becomes delicate and unsuitable for rough environments
Solution Approach 1:
The storage function and locking function are merged into a single integrated structure. The storage bracket is combined with the locking pin itself, forming a unified component that serves both as the locking element and its own storage mechanism. This eliminates separate delicate retainer pins and storage brackets, creating a more robust single-piece solution suitable for rough mining environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin is designed to be self-storing and self-securing. The protruding portion of the locking pin engages with the storage bracket to automatically secure itself during storage, eliminating the need for separate retainer pins or complex securing mechanisms. This self-service design reduces the number of delicate parts while maintaining secure pin positioning.
3Measurement precision
If a complicated link mechanism is used to move locking pins, then the pins can be positioned accurately, but the arrangement becomes too complex for rough and dirty environments
Solution Approach 1:
The complex link mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simple manual manoeuvre stick operation. The positioning accuracy is achieved not through complex mechanical linkages but through the direct, controlled movement of the locking pin by the operator using the manoeuvre stick, eliminating unnecessary mechanical complexity while maintaining precise positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanism to move the locking pin automatically, the system is inverted to require direct manual operation. The manoeuvre stick provides direct mechanical advantage to the operator, allowing precise control of the locking pin position through simple, intuitive hand operation rather than automated complex linkages.
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 solution provides a secure and effortless method to keep the boom arm elevated, reducing the risk of accidental lowering and simplifying maintenance tasks in harsh environments by using a locking pin that can be easily maneuvered between active and passive positions with the assistance of a spring mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a biased spring mechanism, assisting movement of the locking pin from its passive to active position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
Boom uplock arrangement for a loader, said loader comprising a least one movable boom arm (20) and a support means (70), wherein the boom arm (20) is provided with a horizontal, transversal through going hole (21), and a locking pin (42) movably arranged in the hole (21), the locking pin (42) is elongated, and having a first (421) and a second (422) end the locking pin (42) is movable in its longitudinal direction between a passive and an active position; wherein the passive position of the locking pin (42) enables movement of the boom arm (20) past the support means (70), and the active position of the locking pin (42) prevents movement of the boom arm (20) past the support means (70). The invention is characterized in that the locking pin (42) is provided with a protruding manoeuvre stick (48) arranged in the vicinity of the first end (421) of the locking pin (42), enabling manoeuvring of the locking pin (42) between the passive and active positions.