Pivotable Support Leg for Vehicle Cargo Crane Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current support structures for vehicles with cargo cranes lack flexibility and maneuverability, particularly in limited spaces, and are not effectively adapted for different usage scenarios, hindering efficient container handling and stabilization during loading and unloading.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a pivotable support leg and actuating device that allows for two modes of operation: tunnel mode and diagonal mode, enabling the support structure to abut against different surfaces, thereby extending its usability in confined spaces and providing stability without intervening with adjacent vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the support structure is positioned to abut against the supporting surface with the distal end of the support leg, then the support structure provides stable support, but it intervenes with the area where another trailer may be located and cannot be used in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure implements dynamic positioning capability by allowing the support leg to pivot between different modes (tunnel mode with distal end abutment and diagonal mode with knee abutment). The actuating device enables the support leg to transition between these modes, providing adaptability to different spatial constraints while maintaining stability through proper abutment surface selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dimensional change by utilizing the knee of the support leg as an additional abutment surface. This creates a new spatial configuration (diagonal mode) where the support structure abuts against the supporting surface at a different location and angle, effectively using a different dimension of the support leg structure to resolve the space intervention problem.
2Reliability
If the support structure is designed to extend further laterally to provide stability, then the support structure achieves better stabilization, but it cannot be used when there is limited space next to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the critical parameter of abutment location from the distal end to the knee of the support leg. This parameter change allows the support structure to achieve effective stabilization with reduced lateral extension, as the knee position provides a more compact footprint while maintaining the necessary support function through proper geometric configuration.
3Device complexity
If the support structure uses a fixed configuration, then the design is simpler, but it lacks flexibility for different usage scenarios and maneuverability in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one by incorporating a pivotable support leg with actuating capability. This allows the structure to adapt between tunnel mode and diagonal mode based on spatial constraints, providing versatility without significantly complicating the overall design through the use of a single pivot mechanism and actuating device.
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 support structure enhances flexibility and maneuverability, allowing for efficient container handling and stabilization in narrow spaces, maintaining adaptability and stability while reducing the lateral extension from the vehicle, thus improving overall operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a proximal end of said support leg is connected to said support beam at a pivoting point, such that, said support leg is pivotable around said pivoting point relative to said support beam
Implementation Method 2
an actuating device connected to the support leg for pivoting said support leg relative to said support beam
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a support structure for a vehicle provided with a cargo crane having a crane base, said support structure comprising a support beam connectable to said crane base and a support leg, wherein a proximal end of said support leg is connected to said support beam at a pivoting point, such that, said support leg is pivotable around said pivoting point relative to said support beam. The support structure further comprises an actuating device connected to the support leg for pivoting said support leg relative to said support beam, wherein said actuating device is configured to arrange said support structure in at least a tunnel mode and a diagonal mode, by adjusting an extension of said actuating device, such that in the tunnel mode, a distal end of said support leg is positioned to abut against a supporting surface on which the vehicle stands and in the diagonal mode, a knee of the support structure or at least a part of a lateral side of said support leg is positioned to abut against the supporting surface on which the vehicle stands.