Man Cage Support Arrangement for Cherry Picker Boom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support arrangements for man cages on cherry pickers, particularly those with a parallelogram outermost boom, restrict the freedom of rotation and risk operator error due to the interference between the man cage and the boom, limiting operational flexibility and safety.
Innovation Solution
A support arrangement where the cage support is mounted displaceably along a support profile, which is pivotally connected to a support holder, allowing for simultaneous displacement and pivoting of the man cage relative to the outermost boom, facilitated by a toothed rim mechanism and hydraulic actuator, enabling safe and efficient rotation without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the man cage is mounted on a fixed support arrangement on the outermost boom, then the structure is simple and stable, but the freedom of rotation is restricted and interference with the boom occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The support arrangement is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic system where the cage support can be displaced along the support profile and the support profile can pivot relative to the support holder. This dynamic capability allows the man cage to rotate freely without interfering with the outermost boom, resolving the contradiction between rotation freedom and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arrangement is divided into separable components: the cage support, support profile, and support holder. These segmented elements can move independently relative to each other, enabling rotation while maintaining overall structural integrity. The segmentation allows complex motion capabilities without requiring a completely complex integrated structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the man cage is allowed to rotate freely, then operational flexibility is improved, but the risk of operator error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed rim mechanism provides mechanical feedback that controls and guides the rotation operation. The interlocking teeth ensure that rotation occurs in a controlled manner, preventing unintended movements while still allowing full rotational freedom. This feedback mechanism reduces operator error by providing tactile and mechanical guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support profile acts as an intermediary element between the cage support and the support holder. It mediates the rotation motion, allowing the man cage to rotate freely while the support profile pivots in a controlled manner. This intermediary structure separates the freedom of motion from the control mechanism, improving both flexibility and safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a long support profile is used to enable large radius pivoting, then rotation freedom is improved, but the space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of achieving rotation freedom solely through a long support profile (one-dimensional solution), the invention uses a two-dimensional approach combining a shorter support profile with pivoting capability. The support profile pivots relative to the support holder, creating rotation in a different dimensional space. This reduces the linear space required while maintaining rotational freedom.
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 solution allows for greater freedom in rotating the man cage without interfering with the outermost boom, enhancing operational flexibility and reducing the risk of operator error by enabling the man cage to be positioned at a desired angle relative to the boom, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The support arrangement includes a first toothed rim (30) which is secured to the support profile (21) and an interacting second toothed rim (33) which is mounted rotatably by a bearing at the support holder (13)
Implementation Method 2
an actuator 22 in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, constituting a part of the moving means
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A support arrangement including a rotator for a man cage (3) of a cherry picker (1). The cherry picker includes a lift (2) adapted for mounting on a vehicle (4). The lift includes a lowermost boom (7) and an outermost boom (8). The support arrangement (14) includes a cage support (17) upon which the cage (3) is mounted. The support arrangement also concerns a support profile (21) upon which the cage support (17) is mounted, and a support holder (13) upon which the support profile (21) is mounted. The support holder (13) is mounted on the outermost boom (8) of the lift. The cage support (17) is mounted displaceable along the support profile (21). The support profile (21) is mounted pivotable on the support holder (13). The support arrangement includes an actuator (22) providing displacement and pivoting.