Telehandler Boom Locking Mechanism for Up-and-Over Reach

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telehandlers have limited ability to lift material over obstacles and into elevated positions due to their boom pivot point proximity to the ground, restricting their 'up and over' capability and requiring additional telescoping sections for increased lift height, which complicates the system.

Innovation Solution

A telehandler design with a boom assembly featuring a tower boom, intermediate section, and telescoping assembly, where the locking mechanism allows the intermediate section to be fixed to the frame, enabling the tower boom to elevate the telescoping assembly for increased reach and 'up and over' capability without adding sections, and a controller to switch between high lift and high capacity modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If additional telescoping sections are added to increase maximum lift height, then the lift height capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaximum lift heightVSAvoidboom structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the boom support frame movable relative to the main frame through a pivot connection. This allows the system to dynamically adjust the boom's starting position and angle, achieving variable lift height and reach without adding permanent structural sections. The movable configuration enables the boom to adapt to different operational requirements, providing both high lift and extended reach capabilities through motion rather than through multiple fixed telescoping sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the boom pivot point is located near the rear end of the telehandler, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to lift material over obstacles is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidobstacle lifting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate boom support frame that acts as a mediator between the main frame and the boom. This intermediate structure is pivotally connected to both the main frame and the boom, allowing it to transfer and adjust forces while providing a flexible connection point. The boom support frame serves as an intermediary element that enables the boom to achieve higher positions and better angles for lifting over obstacles, while the pivot connections maintain structural stability by allowing controlled movement rather than rigid fixed positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the entire boom is configured to support maximum payload weight, then the strength is improved, but the weight of the boom structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboom load bearing capacityVSAvoidboom structure weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the boom support frame movable, which allows the load distribution along the boom structure to vary dynamically based on the boom's position and angle. When the boom is in lower positions or carrying lighter loads, the movable support frame can be positioned to reduce the effective span and leverage, thereby reducing the required strength and weight of the boom sections. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the boom to be optimized for different operational conditions rather than being over-designed for maximum payload in all positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3676211B1Articulated boom telehandler
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 OSHKOSH CORPORATION
  • EP3676211B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3676211B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3676211B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A telehandler (10) includes a frame assembly (12), tractive elements (30), a cabin (20), a boom assembly (100), and a locking mechanism (240) selectively reconfigurable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The boom assembly includes a base boom section (110) having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the frame assembly and a distal end opposite the proximal end, an intermediate boom section (114) pivotably coupled to the distal end of the base boom section, and an upper boom section (112) having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the intermediate boom section and a distal end configured to be coupled to an implement (116). The boom assembly (100) is configured to move freely when the locking mechanism (240) is in the unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration, the locking mechanism (240) is configured to couple the intermediate boom section (114) to the frame assembly (12) such that the locking mechanism (240) limits rotation of the base boom section (110) relative to the frame assembly (12).