Monolithic Knuckle Body for Forestry Boom Stress Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boom apparatuses in forestry machines face challenges in efficiently attaching and stabilizing booms, leading to stress concentration and increased part count, which affects the structural integrity and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A clevis pin and monolithic knuckle body design that includes a barrel, body ears, and wall extensions, providing a robust and stress-minimized attachment mechanism between the first and second booms, allowing for pivotal movement and reducing part count through a sandwiched configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional multi-part knuckle designs are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity and stress concentration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (knuckle body, barrel, wall extensions) into a single monolithic knuckle body that is integral to the boom structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate attachment parts while maintaining manufacturing capability through modern monolithic forming processes, thereby reducing device complexity and part count without sacrificing ease of manufacture.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional multi-part knuckle designs are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but stress concentration increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the knuckle body directly into the boom structure as a monolithic component, the patent eliminates stress concentration points that arise from multiple attachment parts and joints. The continuous monolithic structure distributes stresses uniformly throughout the boom, preventing stress concentration while maintaining ease of manufacture through integrated forming processes.
3Device complexity
If a monolithic knuckle body is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs advanced manufacturing parameters and processes capable of producing monolithic knuckle bodies, such as integral welding, casting, or additive manufacturing. By utilizing these modern manufacturing techniques, the patent overcomes the traditional difficulty of producing monolithic components, achieving reduced device complexity without proportionally increasing manufacturing difficulty.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional attachment mechanisms are used, then part count is higher, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements (knuckle body, attachment points, structural supports) into a single monolithic structure that maintains or enhances structural integrity. The integrated design eliminates weak points associated with multiple parts and joints, providing superior structural strength while reducing part count.
Data Source
AI summary
A boom apparatus comprises a first boom, a second boom, and a monolithc knuckle body. The knuckle body is included in a clevis attaching pivotally the first boom and the second boom.