Pumping Tower Support Bracket with Pivot Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current support systems for vertically movable concrete placing booms are labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring complex and costly mechanisms for securing the tower to different floor levels during construction, often involving manual alignment and power-assisted movements.
Innovation Solution
A tower-to-floor support system featuring pivotably mounted support brackets that can engage and disengage with floor structures as the tower is raised, using a wedge system for stability and a pivot pin mechanism for secure locking, allowing the tower to be automatically supported without additional power mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual alignment and pin insertion methods are used to secure the tower to floor structures, then the tower can be supported at different floor levels, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket is designed to automatically align and engage with the floor structure through self-aligning features including a guide surface that contacts the floor and automatically positions the bracket, eliminating the need for manual alignment by workers. The bracket serves itself by using the floor structure as a reference to achieve proper positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket incorporates a pivotable connection that allows it to dynamically adjust its position during engagement. The bracket can pivot about a pin axis to accommodate variations in floor structure positioning, then lock into a secured position, providing both flexibility during installation and stability during operation
2Extent of automation
If outriggers with powered movement are used to engage support members, then the tower can be automatically positioned, but the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket achieves automatic positioning without powered mechanisms by using passive self-aligning features. The guide surface automatically contacts the floor structure and positions the bracket through geometric constraints alone, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The guide surface acts as an intermediary element between the support bracket and the floor structure. This simple geometric feature mediates the engagement process by providing a contact surface that automatically aligns the bracket with the floor opening, replacing complex powered positioning mechanisms
3Productivity
If complex support mechanisms with powered outriggers are used, then automatic positioning is achieved, but the cost increases unreasonably
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket is designed to secure itself to the floor structure through automatic engagement features. The bracket pivots into position and locks automatically without requiring external power sources, complex control systems, or multiple actuated components, thereby maintaining high productivity with simple mechanics
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is divided into discrete, simple components: the support bracket with its pivot connection, the guide surface on the floor structure, and the locking mechanism. Each component performs a single function, avoiding the need for complex integrated systems while achieving efficient tower securing
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 system significantly reduces the time and effort required to secure the tower to different floor levels, enabling efficient vertical movement and secure support without the need for manual alignment or power-assisted mechanisms, thus improving construction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the pivot bracket is freely swingable and movable as the support structure is moved relative to a second floor structure
Implementation Method 2
a mechanism by which the floor structures support the pumping tower after the pumping tower is raised by either an on-site crane or a specially designed climbing system that hydraulically jacks the tower up
Data Source
AI summary
A support system is provided for supportably securing a vertically movable support structure having a boom attached thereto to a floor structure of a building. The support structure extends through an opening formed in the floor structure. The support system includes a set of support brackets pivotably mounted relative to vertical support members of the support structure. The support brackets are supportably engageable with a portion of the support structure and a first floor structure in a first supporting position. The support brackets are freely swingable and movably engageable with a second floor structure as the support structure is moved relative to the second floor structure enabling the support brackets to be supportably engageable with the portion of the support structure and the second floor structure in a second supporting position.