Stabilizer Pad With Interlocking Clamping Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stabilizer pads for construction equipment, such as backhoe-type vehicles, face challenges in durability, economic manufacturing, and effective stability, especially when constructed with lighter weights, as they often require complex welding and lack efficient force transfer mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer pad structure featuring a metal plate weldment with a pocket for a resilient pad, clamping bars that interlock with the mounting plate, and tabs that inhibit movement and transfer force, allowing for connection with a stabilizer arm and enabling reversible wear surfaces for different ground conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If complex welding is used to construct stabilizer pads, then strength and durability are improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer pad is divided into separate components: a resilient pad element and a mounting plate with clamping bars. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with simpler processes, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the interlocking clamping bar design
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping bars serve multiple functions simultaneously: they clamp the resilient pad to the mounting plate, transfer forces between components, and provide structural support. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall construction while maintaining strength
2Weight of moving object
If lighter weight construction is used, then ease of operation is improved, but durability and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate and clamping bars are constructed from metal plate material with optimized thickness and geometry to achieve the desired strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the assembly to be lighter than traditional solid metal pads while maintaining sufficient durability through proper material selection and structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer pad combines different materials with complementary properties: a resilient pad material (such as rubber or polymer) attached to a metal mounting plate structure. This composite construction provides both the weight reduction benefits of the resilient material and the strength/durability of the metal components
3Reliability
If resilient pad material is used, then stability on hard surfaces is improved, but durability against wear deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire pad from hard wear-resistant material (which would be unstable on hard surfaces), the resilient pad is used for ground contact to provide stability, while the hard metal mounting plate and clamping bars provide structural durability and wear resistance. Each material is positioned where it provides its primary benefit
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 enhances durability, reduces manufacturing costs, and maintains effective stability with lighter construction by simplifying the design, minimizing welding, and ensuring secure engagement of the resilient pad, allowing for efficient force transfer and reversible wear surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient pad mounted in the pocket of the mounting plate
Implementation Method 2
each clamping bar is constructed and arranged to interlock with the mounting plate
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilizer pad structure for supporting earth moving equipment is provided. A weldment is formed of metal plate material that is adapted for connection with a stabilizer arm of earth moving equipment. The weldment includes a mounting plate that defines a pocket, that can be integrally formed with the weldment or a separate material plate secured thereto, for receiving the resilient pad. The structure includes a pair of clamping bars disposed in the pocket, one on each side of the resilient pad. The clamping bars and mounting plate include respective engagement elements for interlocking the clamping bar and mounting plate together. This inhibits the clamp bars from movement in a longitudinal direction, and transfers force from the pad, through the clamp bar, to the mounting plate.