Retractable Load Guide for Utility Boom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pole guides for utility vehicles, such as digger derricks, often have protruding arms that obstruct boom movement when not in use, limiting their operational flexibility and increasing the risk of interference with surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A retractable load guide assembly with pivotably connected arms and link elements that rotate and translate to move from an operative position to a retracted position, reducing the profile and minimizing interference with surroundings when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the arms are made protruding to effectively engage the pole, then the pole engagement capability is improved, but the boom movement is limited and operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed to be movable between an operative position (protruding outward to engage the pole) and a retracted position (moved inward to clear the boom). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same structure to provide reliable pole engagement when needed while enabling unrestricted boom movement when the arms are retracted, thus resolving the contradiction between engagement capability and operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If the arms are made protruding to secure the load, then the load-securing function is improved, but the risk of interference with surroundings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arms can dynamically change their position from protruding (operative) to retracted. When retracted, the arms are positioned inward away from the boom's path and surrounding areas, eliminating interference hazards while maintaining the ability to securely grip loads when deployed outward.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are extracted from a fixed protruding position and made movable. When not in use, they are retracted inward, effectively removing them from the potential interference zone with surroundings and overhead obstacles, while still being available for load securing when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arms are made retractable to reduce profile, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm assembly is segmented into multiple link elements (first link element, second link element, third link element, fourth link element) connected by pivots. This segmentation allows complex motion (both rotation and translation) to be achieved through simpler, modular components rather than a single complex mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while enabling the retractable function.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are designed to nest within or alongside the boom structure when in the retracted position, minimizing the overall profile. The link elements are arranged to allow compact configuration when not in use, effectively hiding the arms within the boom's envelope rather than requiring separate space for retraction.
Data Source
AI summary
A load guide for securing a load relative to a boom includes a base secured to the boom and a retractable arm assembly attached to the base. The base presents a front portion that is proximate a load supported by the boom. The arm assembly includes a pair of load-securing arms movably connected to the load guide base, each of the arms being movable between an operative position and a retracted position, wherein moving the arms from the operative position to the retracted position includes rotating each of the arms toward the other arm, and further includes translational movement of each of the arms away from the front portion of the load guide base.