Stabilizer Leg Device Automatic Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stabilizer leg devices for crane vehicles require manual operation of a locking pin for preventing pivoting about a horizontal axis, which is complex and unreliable, leading to potential accidents due to forgotten locking actions.

Innovation Solution

The stabilizer leg device incorporates guiding members that allow the shaft to slide vertically, automatically locking and unlocking the leg with respect to pivoting about the horizontal axis through engagement and disengagement of cogged components, eliminating the need for manual operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a manual locking pin is used to prevent pivoting of the stabilizer leg, then the stabilizer leg can be locked in the working position, but the operation becomes complicated and reliability decreases due to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of locking actionVSAvoidcomplexity of locking operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizer leg device automatically performs the locking and unlocking operations through the interaction of guiding members and engagement members with cogged surfaces. The system uses the movement of the stabilizer leg itself to trigger the engagement and disengagement of locking mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing human error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical locking pin system with an automated mechanical system using guiding members and engagement members with cogged surfaces. This substitution transforms a manually-operated system into an automatically-operated one while maintaining mechanical reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the stabilizer leg is allowed to pivot freely about the horizontal axis, then the leg can be easily positioned, but the leg may unintentionally pivot during operation causing accidents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of positioning the stabilizer legVSAvoidrisk of accidental pivoting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transitions between two states: during extension/retraction, the guiding members allow free movement for easy positioning; during stable operation, the engagement members with cogged surfaces automatically engage to prevent unintentional pivoting. This dynamic behavior adapts the locking mechanism to the operational phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement members with cogged surfaces act as intermediaries between the stabilizer leg and the frame structure. These intermediaries transmit and control the pivoting motion, allowing intentional positioning while blocking unintentional movement through the cogged engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If engagement members with cogged surfaces are used to enable pivoting motion, then the stabilizer leg can be automatically locked and unlocked, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic locking and unlockingVSAvoidcomplexity of engagement mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the engagement members: they guide the pivoting motion, provide automatic locking through cogged surface engagement, and enable automatic unlocking when the stabilizer leg is retracted. The guiding members and engagement members work as an integrated system rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement members with cogged surfaces perform multiple functions: they guide the stabilizer leg during movement, automatically engage to prevent pivoting in the working position, and automatically disengage to allow pivoting in the stored position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11414308B2Stabilizer leg device

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 HIAB AB CO CARGOTEC SWEDEN AB

AI summary

A stabilizer leg device with a stabilizer leg to be moved down-wards from an object so as to stabilize the object by bearing through a foot plate (7) on the ground. The device comprises a first engagement member (20) arranged coaxially to a horizontal axis on a part (19) fixed in relation to the object, and a shaft (12) having a first end provided with a second engagement member (21) and an opposite second end arranged to be influenced by movement of a second stabilizer leg member in relation to a first stabilizer leg member to make the shaft slide along the stabilizer leg under extension and retraction of the stabilizer leg so as to cause pivoting of the stabilizer leg by a mutual engagement of said engagement members (20, 21). Members (16, 17) guiding the shaft are designed to automatically unlock and lock, respectively, the stabilizer leg with respect to possibility to pivot about said horizontal axis by passing a predetermined position by the second stabilizer leg member upon retraction and extension of the stabilizer leg.