Offset Joint Distribution Boom for Concrete Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distribution booms for concrete pumps are inefficient in folding, resulting in a larger volume when folded compared to the sum of individual boom arms, which limits compactness and requires additional space, and often necessitates cranking that introduces torsional loads and suboptimal use of installation space.
Innovation Solution
A distribution boom design featuring two boom arms connected via a joint with an offset pivot axis, allowing the load-bearing structures to intersect only at the joint, and utilizing a hydraulic cylinder with coupling rods for relative pivoting, eliminating the need for cranking and optimizing the folding mechanism to reduce installation space while maintaining the same total length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If boom arms are cranked to reduce folded height, then the folded height is reduced, but the boom arms require additional installation space and introduce torsional loads
Solution Approach 1:
The joint connects boom arms in an offset manner in the axial direction of the pivot axis, segmenting the load-bearing structures so they intersect the separating plane only at the joint location. This segmentation allows each boom arm to be positioned independently, achieving compact folded height without requiring cranked configurations that waste installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint offsets the connection in the axial direction of the pivot axis, utilizing the third dimension (axial offset) to resolve the conflict between folded height and installation space. By arranging load-bearing structures to intersect the separating plane only at the joint, the design moves the solution from two-dimensional cranking to three-dimensional offset positioning.
2Length of stationary object
If boom arms are cranked to achieve compact folding, then folded height is reduced, but torsional loads are introduced and load-bearing capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The joint segments the boom arm structures by offsetting their connection in the axial direction, allowing each boom arm's load-bearing structure to intersect the separating plane only at the joint. This segmentation eliminates the need for cranked configurations that introduce torsional loads, preserving the full load-bearing capacity of each boom arm while achieving compact folded height.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional joint design is used, then boom arms can be connected, but load-bearing structures intersect the separating plane at multiple points causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The joint offsets the connection of load-bearing structures in the axial direction of the pivot axis, segmenting their intersection with the separating plane to occur only at the joint location. This eliminates interference between adjacent boom arms during pivoting movement while maintaining simple joint connection and manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A distribution boom for a concrete pump comprises at least a first and a second boom arm, wherein the first and the second boom arm are connected to one another via a joint and are pivotable relative to one another via the joint about a pivot axis, and a concrete delivery line is provided along the boom arms. The joint connects the first and the second boom arm offset to one another so that the load-bearing structures of each of the two boom arms intersect a separating plane running perpendicular to the pivot axis between the first and the second boom arm only in the joint, wherein a hydraulic cylinder is arranged on one boom arm and connected to the other boom arm via coupling rods so that the two boom arms can be pivoted relative to one another by the hydraulic cylinder about the pivot axis of the joint.