Self-Contained Work Platform for Mobile Cranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current work platforms for cranes lack advanced features like auto-powered leveling and rotation, leading to instability and restricted access, and are not easily adaptable to different crane systems, limiting their functionality and safety.
Innovation Solution
A universal self-contained work platform with auto-powered leveling and 180-degree rotation, securely mounted to standard crane tip swing-jib mounting plates using existing pins, featuring a compact design that allows road-legal travel and incorporates a redundant remote control system, hydraulic power package, and a torsion-resistant mount for enhanced stability and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal work platform is mounted to standard crane tip swing-jib mounting plates using existing pins, then adaptability to various crane systems is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for a rotation mechanism and auto-powered leveling system
Solution Approach 1:
The work platform is designed with a universal mounting system that can be attached to standard crane tip swing-jib mounting plates using existing pins, allowing the same platform to be used across different crane models and manufacturers without custom fabrication, thereby achieving multi-functionality and broad adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The platform incorporates an auto-powered leveling system with actuators that automatically adjust the platform's orientation to maintain horizontality during crane boom articulation, and a rotation mechanism that enables 180-degree rotation when fully loaded, transforming a static structure into a dynamic system that adapts to varying operational conditions
2Ease of operation
If the platform incorporates auto-powered leveling and 180-degree rotation capability, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is equipped with an auto-powered leveling system that automatically detects and corrects its orientation without manual intervention, using onboard sensors and actuators to maintain level positioning during crane boom movement, thereby eliminating the need for manual leveling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The manual leveling and positioning operations are replaced with an automated system comprising hydraulic or electric actuators, sensors, and control circuits that autonomously adjust the platform's orientation and position, substituting complex manual mechanical operations with an integrated electromechanical control system
3Ease of manufacture
If the platform is designed with compact and low profile for road-legal travel, then ease of manufacture is improved, but stability worsens due to reduced ground clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The platform uses an active leveling system with actuators that continuously adjust the platform's orientation to maintain horizontality and stability during crane boom articulation, compensating for the low profile design's reduced inherent stability through dynamic control
Solution Approach 2:
The platform's operational parameters are dynamically adjusted through the leveling system, which modifies the platform's angular orientation relative to the crane boom to maintain optimal stability and horizontality throughout the range of motion, adapting to changing operational conditions in real-time
4Ease of operation
If the platform allows 180-degree rotation when fully-loaded, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to increased mechanical stress on mounting components
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system incorporates reinforced mounting plates, strengthened pin connections, and oversized mounting holes that provide structural reserve capacity to withstand the increased mechanical stresses and dynamic loads generated during 180-degree rotation of the fully-loaded platform, preventing failure through over-engineered structural margins
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 provides a state-of-the-art work platform with improved stability, increased access, and adaptability to various crane systems, ensuring safe and efficient operation while maintaining a level orientation and allowing for road-legal travel, addressing the limitations of prior art platforms.
Implementation Method 1
The onboard powered-leveling system of the present invention work platform attachment maintains the platform in a level orientation, as the attached crane boom is articulated up or down
Implementation Method 2
The present invention also incorporates a rotation mechanism that allows 180-degree platform rotation when fully-loaded
Implementation Method 3
incorporates a redundant remote control system, hydraulic power package, and a torsion-resistant mount for enhanced stability and access
Data Source
AI summary
A self-contained and ready-to-use work platform attachment for mobile cranes, which transforms them into a state-of-the-art aerial boom lift with powered platform leveling and powered rotation up to 180-degrees. It can be supplied by the crane manufacturer with a new crane, or as an after-market attachment add-on, and may be easily pinned to the swing-jib mounting system on the outermost boom tip sheave head present on most mobile cranes without adaptive components or crane modification. In contrast, current work platforms and baskets only have gravity-leveling in association with 180-degrees of unrestricted platform rotation range, and current aerial lift boom trucks, which can function as crane booms, are not designed for add-on or after-market self-contained pin-on work platforms, instead having an integrally-designed platform with rotation and leveling powered from a base unit via hose and cable reels or carries, which are not required with the self-contained and ready-to-use work platform attachment.