Rescue Device Spreader Arms Wear Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recovery devices face challenges with wear resistance and slipping on contact surfaces, particularly when handling objects that require high mechanical strength and deformation resistance.

Innovation Solution

The recovery device features spreader arms made from high-strength Al alloy with rib-like elevations and surface areas treated with laser dispersion to introduce hard materials, providing enhanced wear and slip resistance, and interchangeable tips for various applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If lightweight materials are used for spreader arms, then weight is reduced and handling is improved, but wear resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of spreader armsVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spreader arms are constructed using composite materials combining aluminum alloy base material with reinforced sections. The aluminum alloy provides lightweight properties while the reinforced sections with different material properties provide enhanced wear resistance at critical contact surfaces, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and wear resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the spreader arms have different material properties. The base material is lightweight aluminum alloy, while specific local areas (contact surfaces, gripping regions) are reinforced with materials having higher wear resistance and friction coefficients, allowing the overall structure to be lightweight while local areas provide necessary durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If standard materials are used for spreader arms, then manufacturing is simpler, but slip resistance on contact surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidslip resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surfaces and gripping areas of the spreader arms are treated with materials or surface treatments having high friction coefficients to prevent slipping. These local modifications are applied only where needed, maintaining manufacturing simplicity for the overall structure while ensuring slip resistance at critical interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of the spreader arms are modified through treatments or coatings that change the friction parameter of contact surfaces. This increases the friction coefficient to prevent slipping while keeping the base material and overall structure unchanged, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If hard materials are introduced into aluminum matrix, then wear resistance is improved, but brittleness and cracking in base material increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidbrittleness resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Hard materials are introduced only in local reinforced sections rather than throughout the entire spreader arm. This localized reinforcement provides wear resistance where needed while the majority of the aluminum alloy base material maintains its ductility and resistance to brittleness and cracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Composite construction with aluminum alloy as the base material and reinforced sections using hard materials allows the hard materials to be introduced in a controlled manner. The composite structure ensures that the hard materials provide wear resistance without creating continuous paths for crack propagation through the entire component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This design achieves improved wear resistance, slip-proof gripping, and long-term stability, enabling safe and efficient handling of objects, even in deformed or hard-to-access environments.

Implementation Method 1

surface areas treated with laser dispersion to introduce hard materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser dispersion: Laser

Implementation Method 2

rib-like elevations... providing enhanced wear and slip resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2086645B1Rescue device with spreading mechanism
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 WEBER HYDRAULIK GMBH(AT)
  • EP2086645B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2086645B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2086645B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention describes a rescue device (1) having spreading arms (4, 5) which are mounted on a support housing (3) in at least one pivot bearing arrangement (20) and which can be moved by a drive device (2) like pincers about a pivot axis (17) which is perpendicular to a longitudinal center axis (18) of the support housing (3). Surface regions (41) having an abrasion resistance higher than the abrasion resistance of adjacent regions (42) are constructed on at least the opposing inner surfaces (26, 27) of the spreading arms (4, 5).