Sliding Bracket Assembly for Articulated Machine Lifting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Articulated compactor machines face challenges in lifting operations due to the need for a center lifting point, which compromises articulation gap, operator visibility, and operator platform space, leading to reduced comfort and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A bracket assembly with a sliding mechanism that allows the lifting point to extend when needed and retract for improved visibility and space, featuring a first rigid bracket and a slider bracket with guide rails and stopper plates for robust and reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a center lifting point is used for articulated compactor machines, then the machine can be lifted without excessive tilting, but the articulation gap is compromised and operator visibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine stability during liftingVSAvoidarticulation gap
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket assembly incorporates a telescopic mechanism with movable segments that allow the bracket length to be adjusted dynamically. During lifting operations, the bracket extends to provide a center lifting point for stability. During normal operation, the bracket retracts to minimize obstruction of the articulation gap and improve operator visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a center lifting point is used for articulated compactor machines, then the machine can be lifted without excessive tilting, but operator platform space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine stability during liftingVSAvoidoperator platform space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic bracket assembly retracts during normal operation to maximize operator platform space and only extends when lifting operations are required, thus maintaining machine stability during lifting without permanently reducing platform space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If a telescopic bracket assembly is used to improve visibility and space, then the bracket can retract during normal operation, but the complexity of the lifting mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator visibility and platform spaceVSAvoidbracket mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket assembly is divided into multiple segments that can extend and retract relative to each other. This segmentation allows the bracket to change length while maintaining structural integrity and provides a relatively simple mechanism compared to other telescopic solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4378877A1A bracket assembly for lifting an articulated machine
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP4378877A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4378877A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4378877A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bracket assembly (1) for lifting of an articulated machine (100) at a centre point (102), the bracket assembly comprising: a first rigid bracket (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (5) and including proximal end portion (7) for attaching the bracket assembly to the articulated machine and a distal end portion (9), and a slider bracket (11) including a through-hole (13) for engagement with a lifting hook (104), the slider bracket (11) is attached to the first rigid bracket (3) at the distal end (9) with a sliding mechanism (15) that is configured to allow for the slider bracket (11) to slide with respect to the first rigid bracket (3) along the longitudinal axis (5) between a default position and a lifting position, wherein in the lifting position the slider bracket (11) reaches further in a distal direction compared to in the default position.