Self-Contained Powered Jib Boom for Mobile Cranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current swing jib booms used with cranes require labor-intensive attachment and detachment processes, lack modern aerial lift features like powered rotation and self-leveling, and are not easily adaptable to different crane systems, limiting their functionality and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, hydraulically powered jib boom with 360-degree rotation and automatic leveling, designed for quick and secure mounting to standard crane tip swing-jib mounting plates, incorporating an onboard mechanical system for self-leveling and rotation, allowing it to articulate in both vertical and horizontal planes, and optionally attach a work platform for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional swing jib boom is used with a crane, then the crane can perform basic lifting operations, but the attachment and detachment process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The jib boom incorporates self-leveling hydraulics and automatic rotation mechanisms that eliminate the need for manual adjustment during attachment and operation. The system serves itself by automatically maintaining horizontal position and enabling 360-degree rotation without additional manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The jib boom is pre-equipped with hydraulic systems, rotation mechanisms, and control electronics before attachment to the crane. This preliminary integration of functional systems allows for rapid deployment without requiring time-consuming on-site assembly or manual configuration after mounting.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional jib boom is attached to a crane, then the crane can lift loads, but it lacks modern aerial lift features like powered rotation and self-leveling
Solution Approach 1:
The jib boom is designed as a universal platform that combines crane lifting capabilities with aerial lift functions including 360-degree rotation, self-leveling, and work platform support. This multi-functional design allows a single attachment to perform both traditional crane operations and modern aerial work tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges traditionally separate systems (crane boom structure, aerial lift platform, hydraulic power systems, and rotation mechanisms) into a single integrated jib boom attachment. This consolidation achieves versatility without proportionally increasing complexity, as all systems are unified under one structural platform.
3Productivity
If the jib boom is detached and reattached at each work location, then the crane can be moved, but significant setup time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The jib boom is pre-configured with all necessary hydraulic connections, rotation mechanisms, and control systems before departure from any location. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the crane arrives at the next work location, the jib boom can be quickly reattached and immediately operational without requiring time-consuming setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-leveling and automatic rotation features enable the jib boom to self-adjust to any work location without requiring manual alignment or configuration. This self-service capability dramatically reduces the time needed to prepare the equipment at each new location while maintaining ease of operation.
4Ease of operation
If the jib boom is permanently attached to the crane during road travel, then attachment labor is saved, but the jib boom must be within legal road travel envelope
Solution Approach 1:
The jib boom system incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities through 360-degree rotation and articulation mechanisms that allow the structure to adapt its configuration for both work and travel modes. This dynamic flexibility enables the jib boom to remain attached during transport while conforming to legal road envelope requirements through proper angular positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The jib boom utilizes rotational and articulation degrees of freedom to reposition itself from a horizontal work configuration to a vertical or angled travel configuration. By changing the spatial orientation through rotation about vertical and horizontal axes, the system maintains attachment continuity while achieving a compact profile suitable for road legal travel.
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 solution enables cranes to be transformed into state-of-the-art aerial lifts with increased work area reach and height, reducing setup time, and allowing for road-legal travel with the jib boom and work platform attached, providing efficient and versatile operation.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating an onboard mechanical system for self-leveling and rotation, allowing it to articulate in both vertical and horizontal planes
Implementation Method 2
The rotation feature of the present invention jib boom allows 360-degree platform rotation when fully-loaded
Implementation Method 3
The present invention jib boom also incorporates an articulating mechanism that enables it to articulate in the vertical plane regardless of the crane's boom angle
Data Source
AI summary
A powered rotating and articulating self-contained jib boom of both swing jib and non-swing jib design that attaches to mobile cranes and functions as an aerial lift when fitted with an optional work platform. Since it pins onto any existing crane by attachment to a standard swing-jib mounting system using the four pinning holes and pins located on the crane's outer most boom tip sheave head, it achieves powered leveling and rotation of a platform without having to modify or add components to the existing crane. Also, with the crane jib boom hydraulically powered for rotation in the horizontal plane up to 360-degrees and articulation in a 90-degree vertical plane, an attached work platform can be kept level during up/down articulation of the crane boom in its vertical plane. Furthermore, with dielectric insulation, the jib boom, crane boom, and attached work platform are usable on live electrical line work.