Telescopic Swing Arm End Stops for Lifting Platform Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telescopic swivel arms for lifting platforms face challenges with precise positioning, material wear, and contamination resistance, leading to difficulties in assembly and operation under high weight and pressure loads, which can result in material fatigue and safety issues.

Innovation Solution

The telescopic swivel arm design features end stop elements with a force-dissipating effect, oblique end surfaces, and an excavation securing means to prevent slipping and tilting, allowing for precise alignment and reduced friction, enabling easier assembly and handling while maintaining structural stability under heavy loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the swivel arm is designed to be telescopic with support segments that slide into each other, then the alignment precision and ease of positioning are improved, but the friction between segments increases due to contamination from dust, oil, and grease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcontamination resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A lubrication system is introduced as an intermediary substance between the support segments to reduce friction and prevent contamination adhesion. The lubricant acts as a mediator that allows the telescopic segments to slide smoothly relative to each other while protecting against the harmful effects of dust, oil, and grease accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of the support segments are modified through parameter changes, such as applying low-friction coatings or treating surfaces to be non-stick. This changes the physical parameters of the contact surfaces to reduce friction coefficients and prevent contamination from adhering, thereby maintaining smooth telescopic movement despite environmental contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the support segments are designed with simple insertion movement, then the assembly complexity is reduced, but the structural strength and stability under high weight loads deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly complexityVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is divided into multiple telescopic support segments that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each segment is designed with simple insertion movements featuring tapered guides and snap-fit mechanisms, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining overall structural strength through the distributed load-bearing capacity of multiple segments working together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic support segments are designed with nested structures where smaller segments fit within larger ones. This nesting arrangement allows for compact storage and simple sequential assembly, while the nested configuration maintains structural strength by distributing loads across multiple concentric layers of support segments during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the end stop elements are designed to prevent intentional and accidental pulling out, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional securing means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end stop elements are merged with the existing support segment structures, combining the functions of load-bearing, positioning, and securing into integrated components. The end stops are formed as integral parts of the telescopic segments with combined features that simultaneously provide mechanical stopping, anti-pulling out protection, and load distribution, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The end stop elements are designed as multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes: they act as mechanical stops to prevent over-extension, provide anti-pulling out protection through friction and geometric constraints, and distribute loads during both extended and retracted positions. This multi-functionality improves operational reliability while minimizing the need for additional separate securing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design enhances the swivel arm's service life, reduces material fatigue, and improves safety by allowing precise positioning and easier handling, even under high weight and pressure loads, while minimizing material usage and assembly complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The outer end region of the support segment and the inner section of the extension segment can each have an inclined end surface... the friction surfaces within the swivel arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3851406B1Telescopic swing arm for a lifting platform
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 MAHA MASCHINENBAU HALDENWANG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3851406B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3851406B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3851406B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a telescopic swivel arm for a lifting platform with a support segment 1, an inner end region 11 and an outer end region 12, wherein the inner end region 11 is connected to a column 3 of the lifting platform, and an inner end stop element 122 is provided in the outer end region 12, and at least one extension segment 2, which is slidably arranged in an opening 4 of the support segment 1, wherein the extension segment 2 has an inner section 21 and an outer section 22 with a receiving element 5 for a load, and an outer end stop element 212 is provided in the region of the inner section 21, wherein the extension segment 2 can be telescopically inserted into and withdrawn from the support segment 1, and characterized in that at least the outer end region 12 of the support segment 1 and the inner section 21 of the extension segment 2 each have a longitudinally inclined end surface 6; 7.This results in an improved telescopic swivel arm for a lifting platform, enabling improved assembly and handling, which is less complex in construction and has an increased service life despite high weight and/or pressure loads.