Roller Carriage for Mobile Crane Boom Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly and disassembly of telescopic booms in mobile cranes are complex and time-consuming, requiring large hydraulic cylinders and specialized vehicles, which are expensive and limited in use, and result in oversized hydraulic lines and high hydraulic oil requirements.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a support device with a roller carriage and guide mechanism, allowing the boom to be moved horizontally using a drive unit, which reduces hydraulic oil volume and enables flexible use of transport vehicles for multiple purposes, with components detachably attached to the vehicle and using rollers for easy movement and positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If telescopic cylinders are used to push the boom during assembly/disassembly, then the boom can be moved, but large hydraulic oil volume and oversized hydraulic lines are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydraulic oil volumeVSAvoidease of boom movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the boom movement function from the telescopic cylinders and transfers it to a separate roller carriage system with rollers. The telescopic cylinders remain on the crane for their primary function of boom extension/retraction, while the roller carriage handles the horizontal movement during assembly/disassembly, eliminating the need for oversized hydraulic lines dedicated to movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The roller carriage acts as an intermediary device between the boom and the ground/transport vehicle. It provides rolling contact that reduces friction and enables easy movement with minimal hydraulic force, thereby reducing the required hydraulic oil volume and line size compared to direct hydraulic cylinder pushing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If specialized vehicles with integrated mechanisms are used for boom assembly/disassembly, then the process is simplified, but the vehicle is expensive and can only be used for this single purpose

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of assembly mechanismVSAvoidversatility of transport vehicle
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The roller carriage is designed as a universal device that can be attached to various transport vehicles (tractors, semi-trailers) and used for different purposes. It serves both as a transport platform for the boom and as an assembly/disassembly aid, eliminating the need for specialized single-purpose vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The roller carriage is designed to be dynamically adaptable - it can be attached to different types of transport vehicles and configured for different boom sizes. The hydraulic system can be connected to various crane models, making the entire system versatile rather than dedicated to a single application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the transport vehicle is dedicated solely to boom assembly/disassembly, then the process is optimized, but the vehicle cannot be used for other purposes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of boom assemblyVSAvoidmulti-purpose use of vehicle
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transport vehicle serves dual functions: it transports the boom to the crane site and also provides the platform for assembly/disassembly operations through the attached roller carriage. After the boom is installed, the roller carriage can be detached and the vehicle used for other transport tasks, maximizing utility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly system is segmented into separable components: the roller carriage is a detachable unit that can be attached to the transport vehicle when needed and removed when not needed. This allows the transport vehicle to be used for other purposes while maintaining the capability for efficient boom assembly when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Simplifies the assembly and disassembly process, reduces hydraulic oil requirements, and allows the transport vehicle to be used for other purposes, lowering costs and increasing flexibility, while ensuring precise positioning and easy handling of the boom.

Implementation Method 1

a roller carriage on which the boom can be placed and which, in particular on the side of the support device facing away from the mobile crane, is movably mounted or mountable on the transport vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction reduction: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP4053066B1Device and method for fitting / removing a mobile crane boom
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 LIEBHERR WERK EHINGEN
  • EP4053066B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4053066B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4053066B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for assembling and disassembling a mobile crane boom, in particular a telescopic boom, comprising a support device attached to or attachable on the mobile crane and/or a transport vehicle, on which the boom can be placed and fixed or locked; a roller carriage on which the boom can be placed and which is or can be movably mounted on the transport vehicle; and a guide mechanism attached to or attachable on the transport vehicle, by means of which the roller carriage can be actively moved parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom. The invention further relates to a mobile crane with a device according to the invention and a method for assembling a boom mounted on a transport vehicle onto a mobile crane using the device according to the invention.