Pipe Mounting Structure for Work Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe mounting structures in work machines, such as hydraulic excavators, face challenges in stabilizing multiple pipes while minimizing weight and preventing stress concentration at welded end portions, leading to potential cracks and instability under bending loads.

Innovation Solution

A pipe mounting structure that uses protruding portions and bridge members bridged between them, eliminating the need for welding and allowing for the attachment of multiple pipes along the width direction, thereby reducing weight and enhancing stability by distributing stress away from the tubular portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a block for fixing pipes is welded to the upper plate of the boom, then the pipes can be securely fixed, but stress concentration occurs at the welded end portion reducing fatigue strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe fixing stabilityVSAvoidfatigue strength at welded portion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A bridge member is introduced as an intermediary component between the boom and the pipes. The bridge member spans across the upper plate of the boom and provides mounting points for pipes through bolts or other fastening means, eliminating the need for welding blocks directly to the boom structure. This mediator distributes loads across a larger area and avoids stress concentration at welded joints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Weight of moving object

If the plate thickness of the upper plate is reduced to reduce weight, then weight reduction is achieved, but the structure becomes more susceptible to bending loads and stress concentration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboom weightVSAvoidresistance to bending load
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge member extends in the width direction of the boom, utilizing the横向 dimension to distribute loads. By spanning across the boom width rather than relying solely on vertical plate thickness, the structure gains additional load-bearing capacity without increasing weight. The bridge member acts as a lateral support element that complements the vertical strength of the thin-walled boom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple pipes are mounted on the boom using conventional welding methods, then pipes can be fixed, but the complexity of welding operations increases and stress concentration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of pipesVSAvoidwelding operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe mounting system is segmented into modular components: the bridge member structure and separate pipe fastening elements. Instead of welding each pipe individually to the boom, pipes are mounted separately onto the bridge member using bolts or clips. This segmentation simplifies assembly operations, allows for easier maintenance, and eliminates complex welding procedures while supporting multiple pipes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2749699B1Pipe mounting structure in a work machine
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP2749699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2749699B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2749699B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pipe mounting structure of a work machine is provided that has a lightweighted structure and is able to stably mount many pipes thereon. The present invention relates to a structure for mounting pipes 60 to a work machine such as a demolition machine. This structure is provided with at least a pair of protruding portions 41 formed by upwardly protruding end portions of side plates 25b3 of a front boom 25b, a bridge member 42 that is bridged between the pair of protruding portions 41, and connecting portions that connect the protruding portions 41 and the end portions of the bridge member 42 to each other, and the plurality of pipes 60 are fixed to the bridge member 42.